Crop Recommendations

On this page you will find crop notes and recommendations developed or reviewed by the North Carolina Interagency Nutrient Management Committee. Additional information can be found in the minutes of our regularly scheduled meetings as well as the Technical Resources section of this web.

Application Windows and P Removal per unit of yield

Alfalfa — Alfalfa has been included (to a limited extent) as a receiving crop in waste plans in NC. This could be a good receiving crop because it is deep rooted, however it requires a high level of management. It was suggested to make sure that the NRCS standard did not prohibit legumes in waste plans. (Last Modified: 22 March 2012)

Bermudagrass (Seeded Superior Lines) — Click for PDF (Last Modified: 28 August 2006)

Bermudagrass Application Window (response to request) — Click for PDF (Last Modified: 10 January 2019)

Biomass Crop Agronomic Nitrogen Rates — Recommendation of the Interagency Group Establishing Agronomic Rates for Energy Crops for Utilization by Biofuels Facilities. Final Report as required by Session Law 2011-198 — Click for PDF (Last Modified: December 1, 2014)

Canola — The NRCS 590 standard allows for N fertilization rates “recommended by NCSU specialists” if no crop yield data or established RYE values exist. This would be an applicable statement regarding canola in NC. However, the NCSU-produced 2011 canola production guide recommends N application at 140-160 lbs/ac regardless of soil type. Based on the production guide recommendations (from NCSU Crop Science), there is indeed an N rate that is ‘recommended by NCSU specialists” that would thus meet 590 standard requirements. At this point, the INMC recommends using the ‘low’ range rate of 140 lbs N/acre for use in waste management planning on an interim basis. This rate will remain ‘interim’, and thus subject to change, until the next INMC meeting in November, where this recommendation will be discussed by the entire group. Also, the ‘interim’ application window recommended by the group for canola is September 1—April 30, which is also based on crop information provided in the NCSU canola production guide.

In using the interim rate and application window in waste management planning, the INMC also advises that as with any ‘new’ crop, the plan technical specialist makes sure the proposed canola field is a site that can produce the crop at a yield level that will support the N rate. In short, it needs to be a good site to grow canola in order to justify the N application rate. It may be advisable to have an NC CES crop specialist or NCDA agronomist visit the site to assist you with that determination. Or, the productivity level of the canola site may be evident to you without further assistance. (Last Modifeid: 19 November 2012)

Clary Sage Production Guide from Avoca, Inc. — Click for PDF

Forage Fertilization in North Carolina: Concepts & Guidelines — Click for PDF

Forestland — Click for PDF (Last Modified: 29 February 2008)

Tillage Radish — It was determined 30lbs/acre could be applied but the N rate for the subsequent crop must be reduced by 30 lbs/acre. (Last Modified: November 19, 2012)

Turf Sods — Click for PDF (Last Modified: 03 March 2008)

Additional information about forage management in North Carolina is available at http://www.forages.ncsu.edu