Estimated Nitrogen Release

Estimated Nitrogen Release

Use the table below to estimate the amount of nitrogen (N) that will be released from your soil’s organic matter. Keep in mind that there are many environmental factors that influence how much or how little N is released including, but not limited to, temperature, precipitation, humidity, and the structure of the organic matter.

Values are expressed in pounds per acre (ppa) N.

% OM Clay Loam Silt Loam Sandy Loam
0–0.3 VL 0–30 VL 0–45 VL 0 – 55
0.4–.07 VL 31–40 VL 46–55 L 56–65
0.8–1.2 VL 41–50 L 56–65 L 66–75
1.3–1.7 L 51–60 L 66–75 M 76–85
1.8–2.2 L 61–70 M 76–85 M 86–95
2.3–2.7 M 71–80 M 86–95 H 96–105
2.8–3.2 M 81–90 M 96–105 H 106–115
3.3–3.7 M 91–100 H 106–115 VH 116–125
3.8–4.2 H 101–110 H 116–125 VH 126–135
4.3–4.7 H 111–120 VH 126–135 VH 136–145
4.8–5.2 H 121–130 VH 136–145 VH 146–155
5.3–5.7 VH 131–140 VH 146–155 VH 156–165
5.8–6.2 VH 141–150 VH 156–165 VH 166–175
6.3–6.7 VH 151–160 VH 166–175 VH 176–185
6.8–7.2 VH 161–170 VH 176–185 VH 186–195
7.3–7.7 VH 171–180 VH 186–195 VH 196–205
7.8–8.2 VH 181–190 VH 196–205 VH 206–215
8.3–8.7 VH 191–200 VH 206–215 VH 216–225
8.8–9.2 VH 201–210 VH 216–225 VH 226–235
9.3–9.8 VH 211–220 VH 226–235 VH 236–245
9.9+ VH 221+ VH 236+ VH 246+