Fertility, Improved Wheat Guidelines for Improved Wheat Yields in Ohio Fertility Nitrogen Overall, about 1.35 pounds of nitrogen are needed to produce one bushel of wheat. Factors such as carry over from previous crops and the level of soil organic matter greatly influence the amount of nitrogen available to the wheat crop during the year.
Excessive nitrogen can lead to higher levels of lodging and disease.
Nitrogen can be applied in the fall at planting at the rate of 20 to 40 lb. per acre. Generally, one pound of nitrogen should be applied in the spring for every bushel of yield goal. If a single topdress application is made in the spring, applications can be made between March 1 and April 15. Nitrogen must be available at green-up to stimulate growth. Applications may be split to reduce lodging and possible nitrogen loss from leaching.