Research in North Carolina has found that 30 pounds nitrogen is generally enough starter for no-till production. In most cases, higher rates of nitrogen have not resulted in better yields. Wheat planted in the later part of the season has not responded well to at-plant nitrogen. Topdress Nitrogen Research in North Carolina has consistently shown that producers using no-till must pay particular attention to nitrogen fertility in the early spring. This is because no-till stands are often tillering out slowly and are behind conventional fields by the first signs of spring.
Most Southern soils have little nitrogen left after a wet winter.
In North Carolina, that s late January or early February. No-till stands with more than 50 three leafed tillers per square foot should get all their spring nitrogen just before jointing later in the spring. Stands with less than 50 tillers per square foot need nitrogen right away. Research in North Carolina has shown that as crop residues degrade during the wheat season, more and more nitrogen is pulled out of the soil. So none of the nitrogen tied up in the residue becomes available for the wheat.