United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Plant Nutrient Content Database

Percent of biomass at 100 percent dry matter

Nutrient Composition of Selected Crops
Crop / Condition Yield Yield Unit Nutrient Content, @ 100 % Dry Matter
Grain & Seed Crops Unit Weight (pounds) Nitrogen (percent) Phosphorus (percent) Potassium (percent)
Alfalfa, for seed Cwt. 100 6.015 n/a n/a
Bahiagrass, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
Bentgrass, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
Birdsfoot Trefoil, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
Bromegrass, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
Crimson Clover, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
Kentucky Bluegrass, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
Ladino Clover, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
Lespedeza-Sericea, for seed Cwt. 100 5.808 n/a n/a
Orchardgrass, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
Red Clover, for seed Cwt. 100 5.966 n/a n/a
Redtop, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
Ryegrass, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
Sweetclover, for seed Cwt. 100 6.486 n/a n/a
Timothy, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
Timothy, residue Lbs/Cwt. n/a n/a n/a n/a
Wheatgrass, for seed Cwt. 100 n/a n/a n/a
White clover, for seed Cwt. 100 0.000 n/a n/a



Nutrient Composition of Selected Crops
Crop / Condition Yield Yield Unit Nutrient Content, @ 100 % Dry Matter
Grain & Seed Crops Unit Weight (pounds) Nitrogen (percent) Phosphorus (percent) Potassium (percent)
Barley, for grain (not incl. Pacific Coast) Bushels 48 2.112 0.419 0.537
Barley, for grain (Pacific Coast) Bushels 48 1.643 0.376 0.580
Barley, straw Lbs/Bu. 72 0.683 0.096 1.794
Barley-2 Row, for grain Bushels 48 2.320 0.175 0.490
Barley-2 Row, straw Lbs/Bu. 72 0.688 0.080 2.110
Buckwheat (ordinary varieties), for grain Bushels 50 1.965 0.361 0.510
Buckwheat (ordinary varieties), straw Lbs/Bu. n/a 0.759 0.101 2.619
Canola, for seed Bushels 50 3.889 0.620 0.980
Canola, residue Lbs/Bu. n/a 0.560 n/a n/a
Corn-Popcorn, for grain Bushels 50 2.047 0.328 n/a
Corn-Popcorn, residue (mature, ears removed, dry) Lbs/Bu. 56 0.970 0.100 1.522
Corn-Yellow Dent (grade #1), for grain Bushels 56 1.643 0.317 0.344
Corn-Yellow Dent, residue Lbs/Bu. 56 0.983 0.100 1.504
Cotton, seeds with lint Bales 500 3.296 0.410 0.490
Cotton, seeds w/o lint n/a n/a 3.794 0.735 1.179
Cotton, lint w/o seeds n/a n/a 0.192 n/a n/a
Cotton, residue Lbs/Bale n/a 0.986 n/a n/a
Flax, for seed Cwt. 100 3.697 0.566 0.844
Flax, residue Lbs/Cwt. n/a 1.058 0.084 1.741
Millet-Foxtail, for grain Bushels n/a 2.080 0.344 0.349
Millet-Foxtail, residue Lbs/Bu. n/a 0.678 n/a 1.600
Millet-Pearl, for grain Bushels n/a 2.216 0.250 0.390
Millet-Pearl, residue Lbs/Bu. n/a 0.678 n/a 1.600
Millet-Proso, for grain Bushels n/a 2.069 0.335 0.479
Millet-Proso, residue Lbs/Bu. n/a 0.678 n/a 1.600
Milo, for grain Bushels n/a 1.885 0.326 0.371
Milo, residue Lbs/Bu. n/a 0.676 0.140 0.450
Oats, for grain (not incl. Pacific coast) Bushels 32 2.048 0.369 0.464
Oats, straw (not incl. Pacific coast) Lbs/Bu. 64 0.708 0.085 2.389
Oats, for grain (Pacific Coast) Bushels 32 1.588 0.168 0.420
Oats, straw (Pacific Coast) Lbs/Bu. 64 0.735 0.100 2.227
Peanuts, for nuts (w/ hulls) Pounds 1 4.290 0.350 0.561
Peanuts, vines ( w/o nuts, good quality) Lbs/Lb. n/a 1.643 0.143 0.138
Rice, for grain Bushels 45 1.407 0.330 0.453
Rice, residue Lbs/Bu. 104 0.704 0.091 1.477
Rye, for grain Bushels 60 2.168 0.372 0.519
Rye, straw Lbs/Bu. 90 0.503 0.094 0.970



Nutrient Composition of Selected Crops
Crop / Condition Yield Yield Unit Nutrient Content, @ 100 % Dry Matter
Grain & Seed Crops Unit Weight (pounds) Nitrogen (percent) Phosphorus (percent) Potassium (percent)
Sorghum, for grain (combine type) Bushels 56 1.959 0.352 0.415
Sorghum, residue (combine type) Lbs/Bu. 56 0.768 0.115 1.010
Sorghum-Sudan, for grain Bushels n/a 1.643 n/a n/a
Sorghum-Sudan, residue Lbs/Bu. n/a n/a n/a n/a
Soybeans, for grain Bushels 60 6.535 0.659 1.542
Soybeans, residue Lbs/Bu. 75 0.786 0.059 0.572
Spelt, for grain Bushels n/a 2.128 0.420 n/a
Spelt, residue Lbs/Bu. n/a 0.528 n/a n/a
Sunflower, for seeds (w/ hulls) Pounds 1 3.066 0.626 0.719
Sunflower, residue Lbs/Lb. n/a n/a n/a n/a
Triticale, for grain Bushels n/a 3.016 0.340 0.570
Triticaale, residue Lbs/Bu. n/a n/a n/a n/a
Wheat-Durum, for grain Bushels 60 2.432 0.423 0.503
Wheat-Durum, straw Lbs/Bu. 90 0.611 0.064 1.174
Wheat-Hard Red Spring, for grain Bushels 60 2.602 0.428 0.407
Wheat-Hard Red Spring, straw Lbs/Bu. 90 0.611 0.064 1.174
Wheat-Hard Red Winter, for grain Bushels 60 2.304 0.435 0.487
Wheat-Hard Red Winter, straw Lbs/Bu. 90 0.611 0.064 1.174
Wheat-Soft Red Winter, for grain Bushels 60 1.905 0.374 0.453
Wheat-Soft Red Winter, straw Lbs/Bu. 90 0.611 0.064 1.174



Nutrient Composition of Selected Crops
Crop / Condition Yield Yield Unit Dry Matter Nutrient Content, Wet Basis (Lbs/Yield Unit)
Grain & Seed Crops Unit Weight (pounds) Typical Value (percent) Nitrogen (pounds) Phosphorus (Pounds) Potassium (pounds)
Beans-Kidney, for seed Cwt. 100 89.25 3.557 0.396 0.952
Beans-Kidney, residue Lbs/Cwt. n/a 87.00 n/a n/a n/a
Beans-Lima, for seed Cwt. 100 90.03 2.858 0.367 1.670
Beans-Lima, residue Lbs/Cwt. n/a 89.05 n/a n/a n/a
Beans-Navy, for seed Cwt. 100 89.63 3.611 0.545 1.284
Beans-Navy, residue Lbs/Cwt. n/a 89.07 n/a n/a n/a
Corn-Sweet Corn, ears w/ husks (mature) Cwt. 100 37.80 1.225 n/a n/a
Corn-Sweet Corn, residue Lbs/Cwt. n/a 90.60 n/a n/a n/a
Cowpeas, for seed n/a n/a 89.35 n/a n/a n/a
Cowpeas, residue n/a n/a 91.25 n/a n/a n/a
Peas-Field, for seed Pounds 1 90.98 0.040 0.004 0.012
Peas-Field, residue Lbs/Lb. n/a 88.80 n/a n/a n/a
Peas-Green, for seeds (mature, w/o pods) Tons 2000 89.27 75.410 8.213 18.389
Peas-Green, residue Lbs/Ton n/a 86.50 n/a n/a n/a
Peas-Southern, for seed n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Peas-Southern, residue n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Safflower, for seed n/a n/a 92.40 n/a n/a n/a
Safflower, residue n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Sesame, for seed n/a n/a 92.67 n/a n/a n/a
Sesame, residue n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a



Nutrient Composition of Selected Crops
Crop / Condition Yield Yield Unit Nutrient Content, @ 100 % Dry Matter
Forage & Silage Crops Unit Weight (pounds) Nitrogen (percent) Phosphorus (percent) Potassium (percent)
Alfalfa, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 2.789 0.261 2.119
Alfalfa, aerial part (fresh, early bloom) Tons 2,000 3.402 0.293 2.718
Alfalfa-Smooth Brome, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 2.418 0.271 1.898
Alfalfa-Smooth Brome, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 3.322 0.311 2.800
Alfalfa-Orchardgrass, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 2.480 0.268 n/a
Alfalfa-Orchardgrass, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 n/a 0.520 n/a
Alfalfa-Timothy, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 2.173 0.633 2.160
Alfalfa-Timothy, aerial part (fresh, 50% alfalfa) Tons 2,000 3.365 0.369 2.239
Barley for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 1.418 0.261 1.489
Barley, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 3.162 0.378 2.035
Bermudagrass, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 1.375 0.190 1.550
Bermudagrass, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 1.878 0.193 1.958
Bluegrass, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 1.438 0.213 1.726
Bluegrass, aerial part (Fresh) Tons 2,000 2.914 0.430 1.954
Bluegrass-Kentucky, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 1.602 0.377 1.922
Bluegrass-Kentucky, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.603 0.397 1.968
Bluestem, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 0.896 n/a n/a
Bluestem, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 1.346 0.147 1.349
Brome, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 1.531 0.160 1.640
Brome, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.144 0.285 2.190
Brome-Smooth, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 2.027 0.231 2.204
Brome-Smooth, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.544 0.320 3.160
Canarygrass-Reed, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 1.701 0.283 2.990
Canarygrass-Reed, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.424 0.330 3.640
Clover-Alsike, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 2.234 0.255 2.481
Clover-Alsike, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.922 0.286 2.700
Clover-Crimson, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 2.646 0.245 2.759



Nutrient Composition of Selected Crops
Crop / Condition Yield Yield Unit Nutrient Content, @ 100 % Dry Matter
Forage Crops Unit Weight (pounds) Nitrogen (percent) Phosphorus (percent) Potassium (percent)
Clover-Crimson, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.777 0.292 2.431
Clover-Ladino, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 3.439 0.329 2.431
Clover-Ladino, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 3.942 0.410 1.949
Clover-Red, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 2.508 0.262 1.887
Clover-Red, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.860 0.265 2.372
Clover-White, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 3.089 0.352 2.250
Clover-White, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 4.256 0.474 2.221
Clover-Red+Grass, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 2.272 0.230 1.420
Clover-Red+Grass, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 n/a n/a n/a
Clover-Ladino+Grass, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 2.918 0.228 1.963
Clover-Ladino+Grass, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.800 0.400 0.000
Corn, aerial part, for silage (milk stage) Tons 2,000 1.419 0.240 1.465
Corn, aerial part, for silage (dough stage) Tons 2,000 1.248 0.185 1.040
Corn, aerial part, for silage (mature) Tons 2,000 1.295 0.378 1.036
Fescue, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 1.511 n/a n/a
Fescue, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 1.162 0.250 n/a
Fescue-Ky31, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 n/a n/a n/a
Fescue-Ky31, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.336 0.370 n/a
Grass, for hay (cun cured) Tons 2,000 1.519 0.219 1.450
Grass, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.504 0.257 1.970
Oats, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 1.440 0.234 1.261
Oats, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.120 0.120 1.890
Orchardgrass, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 1.714 0.253 2.799
Orchardgrass, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2,000 2.508 0.284 2.635
Peanuts, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2,000 1.937 0.160 1.380
Peanuts, for hay (sun cured, w/ nuts) Tons 2,000 2.331 0.157 0.922
Peanuts, for hay (sun cured, w/o nuts) Tons 2,000 1.747 0.187 1.380



Nutrient Composition of Selected Crops
Crop / Condition Yield Yield Unit Nutrient Content, @ 100 % Dry Matter
Forage Crops Unit Weight (pounds) Nitrogen (percent) Phosphorus (percent) Potassium (percent)
Rye, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2000 1.265 0.214 1.238
Rye, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 3.222 0.411 3.120
Ryegrass, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2000 1.474 0.291 2.185
Ryegrass, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 1.863 0.282 2.549
Sorghum, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 1.368 0.240 2.510
Sorghum-Sudan, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 2.037 0.377 2.267
Soybeans, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2000 2.524 0.247 3.317
Soybeans, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 2.940 0.283 0.919
Sweetclover, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2000 2.607 0.273 1.653
Sweetclover, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 2.929 0.180 1.650
Timothy, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2000 1.178 0.174 1.629
Timothy, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 1.995 0.307 2.343
Trefoil-Birdsfoot, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2000 2.517 0.227 1.887
Trefoil-Birdsfoot, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 3.163 0.240 2.787
Turnip, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 3.298 0.423 3.015
Vetch, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2000 3.466 0.347 2.245
Vetch, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 3.256 0.343 2.500
Wheat, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2000 1.251 0.197 1.204
Wheat, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 3.236 0.356 3.500
Wheatgrass, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2000 1.280 0.070 n/a
Wheatgrass, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 1.392 n/a n/a
Wheatgrass-Crested, for hay (sun cured) Tons 2000 1.528 0.150 n/a
Wheatgrass-Crested, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 1.872 0.140 1.720
Switchgrass, aerial part (fresh) Tons 2000 0.944 0.090 n/a



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