In Michigan the presidedress nitrate test (PSNT) (Magdoff et al., 1984) is used to adjust nitrogen (N) recommendations for corn and sometimes sugar beet. Many growers do not use the PSNT because the presidedress soil sampling time does not conveniently fit into their operation. Preplant nitrate tests do not provide a good estimate of plant available N because of the relatively wet weather conditions during Michigan springs. Another drawback to the PSNT is that it tends to recommend N on soils which have manure histories and are non-responsive to N fertilization.