Nitrate-nitrogen is highly susceptible to leaching because it remains dissolved in soil water rather than binding to soil particles like ammonium. Leaching risk increases when soils are wetter than field capacity but not fully saturated, allowing water to move downward through the profile. Sandy soils with high drainage rates are especially vulnerable, making nitrogen timing, application strategy, and the use of inhibitors critical tools for reducing losses.

When it rains, growers should think about the nitrogen already applied. Saturated soils, especially silt loams to silty clays, can quietly drive denitrification, converting plant-available nitrates into gases and reducing yield potential. Managing timing, using nitrification inhibitors, improving drainage, and soil sampling after wet periods can help quantify losses and guide next steps with Sentinel. Sentinel’s All-N adds modeling and remote sensing to support smarter nitrog