One of the most challenging aspects of successfully managing nitrogen is the fact that nitrogen from fertilizer can be lost from the soil before the corn crop can take it up.

Traditionally, fall application of N is practiced in areas where soil temperatures usually remain below 50°F from late fall to spring. Lower soil temperatures reduce the activity of nitrifying soil bacteria that convert ammonium to nitrates. However, if soil temperatures rise above 50°F, N is at risk of loss through leaching or denitrification.