The researchers studied different methods of applying nitrogen fertilizer to winter-seeded wheat crops in Iwate Prefecture. They compared applying the fertilizer at the time of seeding (seed-time fertilization) with applying it after the snow had melted (snow-melting period fertilization). They found that seed-time fertilization led to higher crop growth and grain yield compared to snow-melting period fertilization. Increasing the nitrogen fertilizer amount at seeding time resulted in higher grain yield, with 10 g/m2 being the most effective. Seed-time fertilization also increased protein content in the grains and improved overall crop quality without causing lodging issues. The study suggests that applying all the nitrogen fertilizer as a basal dressing at seeding time is the best approach for winter-seeded wheat, with 8-10 g/m2 of nitrogen being optimal for yield and quality.