The influence of nitrogen fertiliser rate and irrigation management on crop nitrogen uptake, lint yield and apparent fertiliser recovery in subsurface drip irrigated cotton

Abstract

Key findings •• Nitrogen fertiliser management influences crop nitrogen uptake at defoliation and cotton lint yield. •• Irrigation management did not influence crop nitrogen uptake at defoliation, but significantly influenced cotton lint yield. •• The apparent nitrogen fertiliser recovery was 46% where the optimum fertiliser nitrogen rate was applied. •• Seed nitrogen concentration and nitrogen removal was influenced by nitrogen fertiliser application rate, but the effect was not consistent with rate.