Nutrients

Root uptake of appropriate amounts of nitrogen and other nutrients is essential for crop growth and development.  Less nitrogen typically is applied to vineyards than for many other crops.  Nonetheless, tracking and improving the efficiency of amounts applied as fertilizer or other nitrogen-containing additives is important to save money, meet vine needs, and avoid environmental problems.  Excess nitrogen can leach as nitrate (NO₃) and contaminate groundwater or result in emissions of air pollutants (oxides of nitrogen; NOx) and the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N₂O).  Use the calculator to quantify and track the efficiency of nitrogen use for your vineyard.  Understandings from collecting data, generating results, and the educational information can be used to establish and communicate improvement plans and goals.