Nitrogen assay in winter wheat by short-time instrumental photon activation analysis and its comparison with the Kjeldahl method

The nitrogen content in winter wheat from various crops grown organically or conventionally was determined by instrumental photon activation analysis. The method utilizes measurement of the annihilation gamma line at 511 keV from the short-lived photoactivation product N-13, corrected for interference contributions from other positron emitting nuclides. Results compared well to those obtained by the Kjeldahl method. A positive impact of conventional agriculture on higher crude protein content in grain was found. Analysis of whole kernels and their germination and growth after irradiation were also tested.