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40th North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Workshop
22nd North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Workshop
16th North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Workshop
35th North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Workshop
29th North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Workshop
27th North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Workshop
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Authors
Adee, E
Andraski, T.W
Armbruster, J.A
Ashford, O.D
Aspinall, D
Barbazan, M.M
Barker, D.W
Baxter, C.A
Beaty, J.J
Beegle, D.B
Below, F.E
Benham, B.L
Bereurter, A
Bhandari, A.B
Blanchard, P.E
Blumenthal, J.M
Bly, A.G
Bohl, N.L
Bohner, H
Borges, R
Brokish, J.A
Brouder, S
Brouder, S.M
Brown, H.M
Bruulsema, T
Buchholz, D.D
Bundy, L.G
Burt, J.P
Bush, L.P
Camberato, J
Casey, F
Cassman, K.G
Cathcart, J
Christenson, D.R
Ciampitti, I
Cihacek, L.J
Colliver, G.W
Collivere, G.W
Colvin, T.S
Coulter, J.A
Dayton, E
Dhuyvetter, K
Dhuyvetter, K.C
Dobermann, A
Drijber, R.A
Drummond, S.T
Dunker, R.E
Dysinger, K
Ebelhar, S.A
Eberle, P.R
Eckert, D.J
Ellis, R.L
F rancis, D.D
Ferguson, R
Ferguson, R.B
Fernandez, F.G
Feuchtenbeiner, J
Fixen, P.E
Francis, D.D
Frankenberger, J
Franzen, D.W
Gallagher, P.J
Garcia, R
Gautam, P
Gelderman, R
Gelderman, R.H
Gerhard, E
German, D.R
Gerwing, J.R
Gonzini, L.C
Good, L.W
Goos, R.J
Gordon, B
Gordon, W.B
Grigera, M.S
Grisso, R
Grove, J.H
Gustafson, D
Hall, B
Halvorson, M
Hansen, N.C
Harkcom, W.S
Harpstead, D.D
Hayes, A
Heard, J
Heldt, A.A
Helmers, M.J
Hergert, G.W
Herman, M.C
Hernandez, J.D
Hnetkovsky, S
Hoeft, R.G
Hoffman, L.D
Hofman, V
Hofman, V.L
Hofmann, B
Holland, K.H
Hopkins, D
Hubbard, V.C
Hughes, D.F
III, Z.W
Ingenthron, G
Janovicek, K.J
Janssen, K.A
Jenkins, J
Joern, B.C
Johnson, B.E
Johnson, D
Johnson, J.W
Jones, M.E
Kaiser, D.E
Karlen, D.L
Kastens, T.L
Kelling, K.A
Killorn, R
Kim, K
Kitchen, N.R
Kranz, W
Kranz, W.L
Laboski, C
Lamb, J
Lamb, J.A
Lambert, R.J
Lamond, R.A
Lamond, R.E
Leikam, D.F
Lentz, E.M
Lofton, B.D
Lory, J
Lowery, B
M Laboski, C.A
Mallarino, A
Mallarino, A.P
Malzer, G.L
Marsh, B.H
Martellotto, A
Mathesius, J.J
Medeiros, J
Mengel, D.B
Miller, R.D
Moose, S.P
Motavalli, P.P
Mueller, L
Mueller, N.D
Mullen, R.W
Murdock, L
Murphy, L
Murrell, T.S
Myers, D.B
Nafziger, E.D
Nanna, T
Nash, P.R
Navarro, M.M
Nelson, K.A
O'Halloran, I
O'Leary, M
Oschwald, W.R
Osterhaus, J.T
Pagliari, P.H
Pantoja, J.L
Paul, L.E
Pearce, R.C
Pierzynski, G.M
Pohl, D.J
Polizotto, K
Provin, T.L
Rabalais, N.N
Ralston, D
Randall, G.W
Raney, R
Rector, K
Rehm, G
Rehm, G.W
Reicks, G.W
Reid, D.K
Reid, K
Richardson, J.L
Ritchey, E.L
Ritchie, J.T
Ritchie, K.B
Roberson, D.D
Ruark, M.D
Ruiz Diaz, D.A
Sadler, E.J
Sawyer, J.E
Scharf, P
Scharf, P.C
Schepers, J.S
Schlegel, A
Schlemmer, M
Schmidt, J.P
Schmitt, M.A
Schwab, G.J
Shanahan, J
Shanahan, J.F
Shapiro, C.A
Sheridan, A.H
Silva, G.H
Sims, A
Sindelar, A.J
Smoot, R.L
Solari, F
Spautz, R.E
Staricka, J
Stevens, W.B
Stewart, G
Stewart, G.A
Sudduth, K.A
Tapsieva, A
Thelen, K
Thom, W
Todey, D.P
Turner, R.E
Twidwell, E.K
Uribelarrea, M
Varsa, E.C
Varvel, G.E
Vasey, E
Vetsch, J.A
Vitosh, M.L
Vitsoh, M.L
Voss, R
Vyn, T.J
Walters, D.T
Wancke, D
Warncke, D
Warncke, D.D
Warren, J.J
Weber, R
Whitney, D
Whitney, D.A
Wienhold, B.J
Wiseman Jr, W.J
Withers, K
Wittry, D
Wittry, D.J
Wolkowski, R.P
Wollenhaupt, N.C
Woodard, H.J
Wortmann, C.S
Wyciskalla, T
Xia, Y
Yang, H.S
Yonts, C.D
Zhou, X
Zollinger, R.K
von Bertoldi, P.A
Topics
Type
Oral
Year
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Conference

Filter results140 paper(s) found.

1. A Nitrogen Soil Test for Corn

In the past decade, many states have started including a soil test when making N recommendations. In order for a soil N test to be useful, it must provide information that is not known or incorporated when making N recommendations without a test. If a test does not provide explainable, qunlltifiable infarmation. the tcs: !cses its usefghess. In Minnesota, a falllspring preplant N test has been used in the western tier of counties, which have lower rainfall than the rest of the state, for many ye...

2. A Novel Use of Data Translation Allows 3D Prediction of Soil Fertility Landscapes

Soil fertility managers need better estimates of the subsoil contribution to the nutrient pool. Thls need could be achieved through 3-D predictions of subsoil fertility using a novel method of soil- profile data translation in relation to a controlling genetic horizon. For this translation, the depth of a controlling pedogenic feature is used as the origin and the rest of the profile is linearly scaled to it. When applied to a group of soils, from across a local or regional landscape, with varyi...

3. A Seed Company Perspective on Use of Crop Canopy Sensors for Making Corn Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendations

Current nitrogen (N) management practices for corn production typically include significant quantities (e.g., 200 to 250 lbs/A) of pre-plant applied N at field-uniform rates. These conventional practices can sometim es result in sizeable N fertilizer losses, especially in extremely wet springs in the Corn Belt. The lo st N not only reduces grower profits through lost fertilizer and reduced yields in N deficien t areas, but can also lead to environmental contamination through nitrate leaching or...

4. A Smorgasbord of Preliminary Results from Field Trials in Ontario

Field scale trials may be established to support lo cal needs, but the results seldom reach a wider audience. This paper summarizes two recent fiel d studies by staff of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) on fertilizer use in soybeans and corn. A study of starter fertilizer response in soybeans found that yield responses to fertilizer tended to be relatively small, and seldom large enough to cove r the cost of the added fertilizer. A second study of ammonia vola...

5. Active Crop Canopy Sensors

Active crop sensor usage for managing crop nitrogen inputs has been an area of intense research over the last decade. The question on the minds of producers, consultants, and policymakers is how well does the technology functi on in the field? And is it robust enough for commercial usage? The goal of this proceedings article and subsequent presentation and panel discussion is to provide a little background on current approaches, research successes and failures, and commercial prospects and chal...

6. Active-Crop Sensor Calibration Using the Virtual-Reference Concept

Calibration of laboratory and field instruments usually involves collecting data from some type of accepted standard materials or compounds. This approach works well for most physical and chemical measurements; however, such procedur es become problematic when dealing with biological systems like plants that go throug h a number of physiological states during the growing season. In addition, genetic composition differences between cultivars can affect the architecture of plant canopies a nd rela...

7. Aerial Photos Can Predict Corn Yield Loss Due to N Deficiency

Fields that experience wet weather after N fertilizer is applied may lose N and consequently lose yield. Replacing N may be difficult or expensive after corn is too tall for tractor clearance. A tool to assess the degree of potential yield loss would help corn producers decide how much expense is justified in making late N applications. ...

8. Agricultural Impact on Groundwater Qurlity

There has been an increasing awareness within Iowa of the impact of agriculture on groundwater quality. The data of Iowa Geologic Survey scientists from studies in northeast Iowa have focused attention on the Big Spring Basin area. A project to intensively study groundwater in the Big Spring Basin is underway. The project includes the active cooperation and participation of the following agencies: ISU Agricultural Experiment Station, Clayton County Soil Conservancy District ISU Cooperative Exten...

9. Agronomic and Nutrient Cycling Responses in a Rotation Study

A twelve-year rotation study was established in the Divide soil near Brookings SD in 2000. Treatments of crop rotations (corn-soybean, s oybean-spring wheat, and corn-soybean-spring wheat), tillage (conservation till vs. no-till), and residue management (post-harvest residue removed vs. residue returned) were established. Grain yield, residue crop residue production, nutrient cycling, and carbon storage responses were documented. Mean grain yield for various crops was not significantly influenc...

10. Alfalfa Responses to Potassium

The potassium requirement of alfalfa is greater than that for any other nutrient. Potassium influences several systems within alfalfa plants including enzyme activity, carbohydrate production and transport, stornatal activity, photosynthesis through chlorophyll content and C02 exchange rate, and nitrogen fixation. Excellent reviews on the role of K in physiological processes are provided in the most recent potassium monograph (Munson, 1985). Potassium also markedly influences alfalfa agronomical...

11. Alternative Approaches to Making Fertilizer Recommendations

The objective of this research project was to evaluate, both agronomically and economically. some common altcrnative methods of making fertilizer recornmcndations for corn, soybeans, and soft-red winter wheat used in Indiana. Over a period of six years ( 1992- 1997) the effect of seven alternative fertilizer recommendation philosophies on soil test levels, crop yields, plant tissue analysis, and fertilizer additions were measured in an attempt to determine differences in performance between thes...

12. An Overview of the Thompson/Baker Farming Systems Study

There is a general lack of quantitative information, collected from field-scale studies, that can be used to assess long-term effects of alternative farming systems. The objective of an on-going study in central Iowa is to quantitatively evaluate several chemical, physical, biological, and economic parameters on the Richard Thompson (alternative) and Eugene Baker (conventional) farms. This project was initiated in 1989 on adjacent 32-ha tracts of land, that have Clarion loam, Nicollet loam, Cani...

13. Application of the Ceres-maize Model to Maximum Yield Research

Maximum yields are obtained when as much assimilate as possible is partitioned into the grains of corn. The amount partitioned into the grains depends on several major factors. Grains per unit area is probably the most important of these factors. Other important considerations for grain filling in- clude the duration of the grain filling period, the amount that can be repartitioned from stem storage to the grains, the photo- synthesis rate, and the temperature. Several factors influence the numb...

14. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Dynamics Throughout Corn Growing Season

Phosphorous is an essential plant nutrient and is the second most common fertilizer nutrient applied in crop production. The role of mycorrhizal fungi in phosphorous (P) nutrition of corn (Zea mays L.) in high fertility soils in unclear. A study was conducted to determine the effect of extractable P on myco~hizal biomass and to evaluate the temporal dynamics of mycorrhizal fungi during the growing season in two irrigated corn fields in Nebraska. The objectives were addressed by the installation ...

15. Assessing the Source of Groundwater Nitrates- And You Thought Good Wine Took Time

Controversy continues with elevated groundwater nitrate concentrations being attributed to N fertilizer use. Current research defining best management practices in farming system K management seldom addresses the influence these practices have on groundwater. Why? The results of this Missouri research show that the influence of management on groundwater nitrates may last for decades. The study provides support for time requirements when assessing farming system impact on groundwater quality. ...

16. Assessing the Variability of Corn Response to Nitrogen

Because results of experiments designed to test the response of corn to N rate tend to vary considerably with the environment. repetitions of such studies over time are essential. It is not clear, however, what number of repetitions are needed in order to deduce sound recommendations for application of N fertilizer to succeeding crops. We used the results from 16 years of a crop rotation x N rate study conducted at Monmouth, Illinois to assess the effect of duration of such an experiment on the ...

17. Assessment of Nitrogen Supply From Poultry Manure Applied to Corn

The production of poultry in the state of Iowa is one of the largest in the nation and growth has continued the past few years. Currently Iowa is the number one egg producing state in the USA (USDA, 2005). This increase in production also implies an increase in manure production from poultry sources. The common end use of manure is application for crop production. Concerns exist- regarding application at rates higher than needed for crop use, with potential for contamination of water bodies due...

18. Balancing Agronomy and Environment: N Recommendations in Ontario for the 21st Century

The goal of a fertilizer program may be to maximize yields from each ficld, or to maximize profit, or to minimize environmental impact. Recent instances of groundwater contamination with nitrate have focused attention on the need for source water protection, and agriculture has been implicated as one of the sources of nitrate contamination. This has lead to concerns that environmental rules could reduce the profitability of crop production, by limiting fertilizer use and hence, crop yields. Addi...

19. Bandded Phosphorus Applications to Winter Wheat - 1985-86

While many producers recognize the importance of a sound P fertilization program for profitable wheat production? there are many potentially responsive wheat acres not receiving any fertilizer P - resulting in reduced grain yields and farmer profitability. over the years there have been many research studies conducted by land grant Universities throughout the Great Plains indicating the importance of fertilizer P applications for wheat production on low P testing soils. In the mid to late 1970's...

20. Basic Concepts of Soil Acidity and Liming

Most midwestern soils require periodic applications of aglitne or other liming materials for optimum crop production. Liming has several beneficial effects: I ) it reduces harmhl or potentially tosic conditions which can develop in acid soils; 2) it increases the availability of some of nutrients: 3) it replaces the supply of calcium and magnesium essential for plant growth which is depleted as soils become acid; 4) it ensures favorable conditions for the activity of certain herbicides; and 5) i...

21. Carbon Sequestration: The Lack of Initial Measurement Could Bias Interpretation of Management Effect on Soil Carbon

Much research has been done in the last decades to determine the effect of management practices on the rate of soil carbon (C) seque stration over time. Generally paired fields are sampled and soil organic carbon (SOC) content under each manage ment system is determined. Conclusions about the effectiveness of different management systems in sequestering soil C are established based on the SOC difference and le ngth of the experiment. However, properly archived historic samples are often unavail...

22. Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Program

The Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Program is being developed under the auspices of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA). The ad hoc steering committee is comprised of industry and university agronomists, state dealer associations, independent crop consultants, several organizations (including T.F.1, P.P.I., ARA, TVA) and ASA staff. This is a broad group representing wide geographic parts of the U.S., and has also included USDA officials, representing SCS and Extension. The purpose of the CCA pr...

23. Challenges for making intensive soil sampling and VRT Pay. Ongoing Iowa Studies with Phosphorus

Soil fertility evaluation and management can be greatly improved with the use of precision agriculture technologies. Differential global positioning systems @GPS), yield monitors, various forms of remote sensing, geographical information system (GIs) computer software, and variable rate technologies are available for use to producers. Intensive soil sampling, crop scouting, and other practices complete the new technological package. Soil testing is a diagnostic tool especially adapted for site-s...

24. Changes in Soil Test Phosphorus as a Function of Inorganic and Organic Phosphorus in Animal Manure

Understanding how and why soil test phosphorus (P) levels increase with manure and fertilizer application is important to assist in improvi ng any nutrient management plan. An incubation study investigated the change in soil test P (STP) after 42 different animal manures (dairy, beef, swine, chicken, turkey, goat, sheep, and horse) or fer tilizer were applied at a rate of 40 mg total P kg -1 to 25 different agriculturally important soils of Wisconsin. Both liquid and solid dairy and swine manure...

25. Chloride Fertilization on Wheat, Corn, and Grain Sorghum

Research in the Pacific Northwest and the Northern Great Plains has documented positive cereal grain responses to chloride (CI) fertilization. Field research was conducted in Kansas evaluating CI fertilization on winter wheat, corn, and grain sorghum. Chloride fertilization consistently and significantly increased plant CI concentrations in all crops. Chloride fertilization increased grain yields or one or more winter wheat cultivars at 3 of 4 sites. The most dramatic yield increases were at th...

26. Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan from a USDA Perspective

Livestock manure has emerged over the past few years as a major political, as well as an environmental issue. As the Congressional Research Service described the situation in a May 1998 report: "Social and political pressure to address the environmental impacts of livestock production has grown to the point that many policy-makers today are asking what to do, not whether to do something." It added: "The bulk of current policy debate on animal waste issues, both legislative and regulatory, is occ...

27. Cover Crop Impacts on Corn and Soybean Nitrogen Accumulation and Yield

The need to retain soil N between economic crops has renewed interest in cover crops for the eastern cornbelt but their management remains a barrier to widespread adoption. We conducted a 3 site-yr study to determine effects of cover species (wheat or rye) and biomass management (burndown 40 d, 20 d, or 2 d preplant) on corn and soybean yields. Sites included a very poorly drained (wland wlo tile drainage) and a well drained silt loam. With adequate drainage, cover biomass 40 d preplant averaged...

28. Deep Banding Phosphorus and Potassium for No-till Corn and Soybean

The information presented is part of ongoing research to identify effective fertilizer placement methods and diagnostic tools lor phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in no-till corn and soybeans. There is uncertainty about soil test interpretations and cost-effective methods of fertilizer application for the no-till systcni. Moreover, producers are uncertain about the value of soil testing in conservation tillage because of large variability and lack of knowledge concerning techniques for collectio...

29. Determining Economic Optimum Nitrogen Rates with the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test and Soil Organic Nitrogen Fractions

Development of a diagnostic test to estimate soil N supplying capability is a continuing research need. The Illinois soil nitrogen test (ISNT) has been proposed as a method for adjusting corn (Zea Mays L.) N recommendations for to account for soil organic N contributions. We evaluated the ISNT as a tool for predicting corn N response in Wisconsin by comparing ISNT values and corn N response data from-81 experiments conducted between 1984 and 2004 with a range of crop rotations, management histo...

30. Drainage Management and Nitrogen Loss

Nitrate-N loss through subsurface agricultural draina ge is of local and regional concern in the Midwest. Good drainage and nitrogen management practices have the potential to reduce nitrate- N concentrations and loss from subsurface drainage systems. The five year (2005-2009) nitrogen management study in Pocahontas County, IA suggests that while fall application of fertilizer may result in higher nitrate-N concentrations than spring application during certain period of the growing season; overa...

31. Early Season Stresses in Corn

Spatial variability in corn yield is frequently associated with lost yield potential caused by plant stresses. Early-season stresses are difficult to recognize because growing conditions (soil temperature and water status) are not ideal and seldom uniform throughout a field. The impact that climate has on plant growth is dificult to determine because it also affects nitrogen (N) availability. Nitrogen stress was imposed sequentially until the V8 growth stage and then all plots were sidedressed w...

32. Economic Optimum Rates of N for Corn Production in Iowa

Proper nitronen (N) fertilizer is essential if crop producers are to maximize profits and minimize environmental contamination. A study to determine 'economic optimum N fertilizer rates was conducted in Iowa from-1987 to 1991. The results show that Iowa crop producers over-applied N during those years primarily due to not considering residual N in the soil. This was especially true following the drought year of 1988....

33. Educational Applications of Digitized Soil Surveys

The North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Soil Survey of McHenry County Organized Irrigation Districts is approaching publication and represents a first for soil survey in North Dakota. The decision was made to digitize the soil maps to facilitate acreage tabulations and improve methods of generating soil interpretations. While the digitization procedure is costly in terms of start-up labor (programming) and data entry, the benefits allow more flexibility than conventional soil surveys. T...

34. Effect of Nutrient Combinations and Nitrapyrin in Starters on Corn

Experiments were conducted from 1994 to 1996 at the Belleville Research Center of Southern Illinois Univerity and the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center of the University of Illinois to evaluate the effect of starter fertilizers. nitrapyrin (N-Serve) amendment of the starters, and tillage on conn. The soil at the Belleville site was an Iva silt loam, a low organic matter soil with relatively high P and K soil test levels. At Dixon Springs a Bonnie silt loam (bottomland) soil was used and the soil...

35. Effect of Time of N Application for Corn

The economic benefit associated with the application of N fertilizers for corn has been known for over 5 decades. As a result, over 99 % of the farmers in Illinois apply N fertilizers when corn is grown. Unlike phosphorus and potassium, there is no good soil test to predict the amount of N needed, instead, farmers use a factor times yield potential with appropriate credits for legume and other N sources to set N rates. While this works well over a number of years, there are years when less N wil...

36. Effect of Timing of Broadcast Potassium (K) on Soybean Yield and Seed K Content

In Indiana, the common practice is for K fertilizer to be applied in advance of the corn crop for both crops in the rotation, relegating soybean to feed on the application residual. Producers are concerned that current University guidelines and common practices for K management in corn- soybean rotations do not fully recognize the particular K needs of the soybean crop as differentiated from the corn crop. A four-location, six-year field study was conducted to investigate the effects of rate and...

37. Effects of Phosphorus Application Method and Rate on Furrow-irrigated Ridge-tilled Grain Sorghum

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of method of phosphorus (P) placement and rate on inigated grain sorghum grown in a ridge-tillage system on a soil low in available P. This experiment was conducted from 1993-1 995 on a producer's field near the North Central Kansas Experiment Field Experiment Field at Scandia, Kansas on a Carr sandy loam soil. Treatments consisted of fertilizer application methods: surface broadcast, single band starter (2 inches to the side and 2 in...

38. Effects of Residue Density Levels on the Response of No-till Corn to N Fertilizers and Inhibitors

Experiments were conducted from 1989-91 at tho southern Illinois locatio~ls (~elle\?ille and Car*bcrndale) to evaluate the effect of residue levels un the perfor-mance of N fertilizers, urease inhibitors, and placenient on the response of no-till conl. Levels of 0, 50, 100, and 200 percent of existing (pre-plant) amounts were established in the crop residues of previous corn. Kitrogen fertilizers were urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) solution (dribble, injection. and split-applied) and urea (broadcas...

39. Evaluation of Nitrogen Management Practices in No-till Corn Production

Experiments were conducted fiom 1995 to 1998 at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center of the University of Illinois and the Belleville Research Center of Southern Illinois University to evaluate agronomically and economically several nitrogen (N) management options, including the use of the urease inhibitor Agrotaii, in no-till corn production. Compared in these studies were N sources (urea, UAN, ammonium nitrate, and anhydrous ammonia), placement (dribble vs. broadcast for surface-applied N and...

40. Evaluation of Slow Release Nitrogen Materials in Corn Production

Studies were conducted over a two year period to evaluate two slow release urea nitrogen carriers with regular urea for the production of corn on iirigated Spinks loamy sand. Because nitrogen availability in the soil is quite transient fiom one season to the next, annual addition of nitrogen is important for maximu~n corn yields. Many corn producers prefer to apply most of the nitrogen prior to planting corn. Once incorporated into the soil, nitrogen containing materials, such as urea, are conve...

41. Evaluation of Three N Recommendation Systems for Corn Yield and Residual Soil Nitrate

Proper N application rates are required for continued economic and environmental viability of U.S. agriculture. Application at rates below that required for economic optimum will place U.S. farmers at a competitive disadvantage in the world market. On the other hand, excessive rates of N fertilizers may result in contamination of ground water. ...

42. Fertilizer Nitrogen Source and Management Impacts on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Agricultural soil management accounts for nearly 6.3% of all greenhouse gas emission in the U.S. Although fertilizer nitrogen is an essential coinponent of nearly all agricultural systems, the addition of reactive N to soils and the emission of nitrous oxide (N20) via soil microbiological processes (nitrification and denitrification) makes U.S. agriculture the largest source (62%) of total U.S. N20 emissions. Because N20 is a potent greenhouse gas with a forcing potential more than 300 times gre...

43. Fertilizer Use Vs. Crop Profits

Growing crops in farming is a complex that large investments in land and equipment, as well as considerable borrowing of money for capital. With these costs and low commodity most keenly of continuing difficulty in rnaintaining in operations. Usually farmers do not have much control over their fixed costs i n crop production. Variable costs. however-, can sometimes be adjusted. some of adjustments can reduce if the has not based his cost on wise judgement, backed with technical expertise. If one...

44. Field Estimation of Ammonia Volatilization from Surface-applied Urea

Accurate estimation of the potenial for NH3 volatilization from urea-based fertilizers is an important step in optimizing Nuse efficiency from these fertilizers. Published estimates of volatilization from surface-applied urea vary widely. Citations listing losses from 2% on up to 80% from various systems can be found. Consequently, many growers, to protect themselves, will apply urea at higher than recommended rates, assuming some arbitrary level of loss will occur. The objectives of the researc...

45. Field Evaluations of Nitrogen Ramp Calibration Strips in Manitoba

Nitrogen Rate Calibration Strips (NRCS) were dem onstrated in some 30 farm fields of cereals, corn and canola. Mid-season assessments of crop yield sufficiency were useful in estimating the adequacy of nitrogen (N) supply. For cereals, rela tive plant height provided a simple and quick indicator of N sufficiency. This NRCS techniqu e has been used to demonstrate the provincial N rate calculator in extension and has been adapted for P de monstrations in alfalfa. ...

46. How Fertilizer Dealers Use Research Information

There i s not a great deal o f resource information t o draw from i n reference t o the t i t l e so most o f my comments are based on observations made and personal opinions formed during some 26 years of experience in the fertilizer industry, covering a majority of the principal agricultural states. Fertilizer dealers as a whole tend t o translate research information into dollars. They use it as a business tool. It provides support t o the sale of existing products and services and identifies...

47. Hybrid Maize A Simulation Model for Improving Corn Management

Hybrid-Maize (www.hybridmaize.unl.edu) is a computer program that simulates the growth and yield of a corn crop under non-limiting or water-limited (rainfed or irrigated) conditions. The model can be used to (1) assess the overall site yield potential and its variability based on historical weather data, (2) evaluate changes in attainable yield using different combinations of planting date, hybrid maturity and plant density, (3) analyze yield in relation to silking and maturity in a specific yea...

48. Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico- Causes and Consequences

Seasonally severe and persistent hypoxia, or low dissolved oxygen concentrations, occur on the inner to mid-Louisiana continental shelf to the west of the Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River deltas. The areal extent during mid-summer surveys of 1993- 1997 ranged from 15.800 to 18,200 km2. The shelfwide distribution in mid-summer for 1985 to 1992 averaged 8,000 to 9,000 km2. Hypoxia occurs below the pycnocline from as early as late February through early October, but is most widespread, persi...

49. Impact of Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization on Wheat Yield and Quality

Sulfur (S) contributed by rainfall has decreased by 50% over the last twenty-seven years and may increase the need for S supplementation by fertilization. Nitrogen (N) application is typically split applied in Ohio with some applied in the fall and remainder applied in the spring near first green-up. The objective of this study was to compare N application source and timing with and without S fertilization. Two experimental locations were established in the fall of 2004. Urea and urea-ammonium n...

50. Impact of Stratified Potassium and Water Content of No-Till Soils on Soybean Growth and Yield

Low potassium (K) concentrations in subsurface soil and reduced water content in the K- enriched surface soil are thought to cause K-related yield reductions in rain-fed soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.). Our objectives were to examine root-to-shoot ratios through ontogeny and yield components in relation to stratified soil water and K. Soil and plant samples were collected at V6, R2, R4, and R6 from a 2-year field study. Additionally, a greenhouse split-root ot study in P a complete factorial des...

51. Importance of Subsoil Potassium

Recent information has emphasized the importance of nutrient distribution by depth in soils. Information from across the Cotton Belt in the U.S. has demonstrated that cotton yields have been affected by accumulation of potassium (K) near the soil surface with subsequent depletion of subsoil K. This condition combined with changes in K demand by new, high-yielding cotton varieties has led to a change in cotton K deficiency symptoms and delayed diagnosis of the actual problem. Recent studies have ...

52. Improving the Fermentation Characteristics of Corn Through Optimum Fertilization and Hybrid Selection

Ethanol processors could increase production efficiency if they had access to corn grain better- suited for fermentation. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of hybrids and N fertility rates on fermentable starch content that will be used for dry-mill ethanol production. Six hybrids were grown under four N fertility levels at two locations in eastern SD. Ethanol yields increased as N fertility levels increased. Higher ethanol yields were achieved by hybrids that produced b...

53. In Search of EAN of Spring Wheat

Many spring wheat varieties respond reliably to enhanced ammoniunl nutrition (EAN) in the greenhouse. Three field studies were established in 1992 to determine if similar responses could be obtained in the field. Butte 86 spring wheat was fertilized (100 Ib N/A) with calcium nitrate, urea, urea + DCD, forestry-grade (0.1 g) urea pellets and forestry-grade urea pellets + DCD. The goal was to provide wheat with a large range of a1nmonium:nitrate ratios and to determine the effect 011 wheat develop...

54. In Season Recommendations

We are testing a prototype high-clearance tractor configured with active crop canopy sensors, drop nozzles with electronic valves, and a variable rate controller as means to deliver in-season variable rates of liquid N fertilizer based on crop needs as an alterative to preplant uniform applications of N. The active sensor we're evaluating is the model ACS-210 Crop Circle made by Holland Scientific. It generates it's own source of modulated light in the amber and near infrared (NIR) bands and the...

55. In-Field Determination of Anhydrous Ammonia Applicator Accuracy in Nebraska

Liquid and dry fertilizer applicators have been studied for their application patterns and precision. However, anhydrous ammonia (AA) applicators are generally considered less accurate. Due to the difficulty of calibration, actual application errors have not been documented. In order determine if AA applicators were delivering the intended application rate, a standard AA nurse tank was fitted with load cells, temperature, pressure, travel speed and travel distance sensors. Initial data from 55 f...

56. Influence of Nitrapyrin on Nitrate Concentrations in Soils

In central Ohio most of the water used for d&g comes from the Scioto River Watershed. This water shed in primarily composed of farmland in which corn and soybeans are the dominant crops. Periodically the nitrogen in the Scioto River exceeds safe drinlung water standards of 10 ppm nitrate nitrogen. Several EPA studies have concluded the high nitrate nitrogen levels are the results of nitrate flushes through the underground tile in agricultural fields. These flushes of high nitrates usually from l...

57. Influence of Phosphorus Soil Test Level on the Probabaility of Corn Yield Response

Data from a long term residual phosphorus study was analyzed to determine the probability of a corn yield response at low, medium, high and very high soil test levels. Analysis of 55 rate-site years showed a corn yield increase 59, 22, 43 and 17% of the time respectively for low, medium, high and very high soil test categories. The very high soil test category is defined as a Bray P soil test of greater than 20 ppm. The results suggest that the current South Dakota State University recommendatio...

58. Influence of Tillage Systems on Corn Yields and Soil Test Values

A long term tillage study was initiated at the Greenley Memorial Research Center (Novelty, MO) in 1976 to look at the effects of 4 tillage systemsoncornproduction. Thestudywasinitiatedandconductedby researchers in the Agricultural Engineering Department. Agronomy has become involved in the study beginning in 1985 to assess the effects of tillage systems on soil chemical and physical properties. The upland soils at this site are poorly drained and are generally refered to as "claypan" soils. The ...

59. Intensive Nitrogen Management of Soft Red Winter Wheat

The current system of making nitrogen recommendations for wheat in the Eastern cornbelt assumes that nitrogen fertilizer required is a simple function of yield potential. The higher the yield potential, the more N fertilizer needed. The problem with this assumption is that factors such as soil type and ability of a site to release N through mineralization, climate, variety. disease pressure and managetnent practices all affect nitrogen use efficiency, and are not considered in making nitrogen re...

60. Interaction of Soil Applied Herbicides with Soil pH

Management of soil pH is important in enhancing the availability of certain plant nutrients and in minimizing toxic levels of other elements to crops. However, the reaction of herbicides with soils under varying soil pH levels can affect both crop growth and herbicide performance. Soil pH affects herbicide performance in several ways. When crops are under stress due to nutrient imbalance from unfavorable soil pH levels, application of certain herbicides may increase risk of crop injury. When soi...

61. Introgressing Unique Sources of Germplasm to Improve N Use in Temperate Maize

The vast majority of maize breeding efforts have been conducted under high N environments that primarily select for only one component of NUE, N uptake. Furthermore, these studies have employed US. and European genotypes, which have been selected for performance at high N. Historically, maize was grown in numerous low N tropical environments, suggesting that evaluation of adapted maize lines containing tropical germplasm may harbor useful genetic variation and novel alleles for improving NUE. Th...

62. Limestone Sources and Factors Affecting Their Quality

Addition of liming materials to correction soil acidity is an age old practice. According to Barber (1984). Cato and Varro used lime to correct soil acidity about 200 B.C. In America. benefits derived from liming acid soils were docuniei~ted in the early 1800's (Ruffin, 1821). In a sunfey conducted in 1980. all but two of the North Central States (North Dakota and South Dakota) reported that research had shown a need !'or limc (Whitney, 1980). The need has not changed over the last 17 years, i.e...

63. Liming in No-till Systems

In 1985 a study was initiated at Penn State to look at the effects of surface application of lime on a very acid, long-term no-till soil. Since 1977 this field had been in no-till corn production with no limestone applied. The initial pH of "plow layer" was 5.1 and the surface 2 inch pH was 4.5. The limestone recommendation, based on the SMP buffer pH and a target pH of 6.5, was 6000 Ib calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) per acre. The study included four limestone rates (0. 3000, 6000.9000 Ib CC...

64. Long Term Outlook On Nitrogen and Potassium Supply

The North American fertilizer industry is operating in world market today. Worldwide fertilizer demand, competition for transportation, and natural gas prices are all putting pressure on North American fertilizer prices. The themc of this mornings' session is on strategies the supply industry and fanners may adopt to manage these pressures. This talk is about the near future outlook nitrogen and potassium fertilizer. Fertilizer sales figures indicate that nitrogen, phosphorus. and potassium fer...

65. Long Term Phosphorus Research on Corn and Grain Sorghum

Phosphorus fertilizer is needed for optimum production and economic returns from irrigated corn and grain sorghuni in western Kansas. A long term study shows that the yield benefit from P increases over time from no yield difference initially to over 100 butacre higher corn yields after 30 years. Without fertilizer P, soil P levels declined from 17 pprn Bray- 1 P to less than 10 pprn within five years, where they stabilized for both corn and sorghurn. The addition of fertilizer P at 40 Ib P205la...

66. Long-Term Alfalfa Study With K Rates

A long-term potassium rate study was conducted on a Maury silt loam as part of the soil test calibration program to develop data for more soils in Kentucky. Beginning soil test K levels were established with initial applications of either 0, 150 or 300 lb of K20 per acre. Annual applications of 0, 120, 240 and 360 lb of K20 per acre were applied about 1 month before fall freezedown. Results indicated (1) there were significant yield responses to annual applications after the first year; (2) the ...

67. Making Urea Work in No Till

No-till and reduced tillage production systen~s are widely used today in the United States as well as around the world due to their capacity for reducing soil erosion and topsoil loss, reducing phosphorus movement to surface water, and reducing labor, fuel, and equipment requirements. In no-till systems, an average of 25% of the N applied as broadcast urea can be lost via ammonia volatilization. Therefore, N losses due to ammonia volatilization will decrease corn and wheat yields. independently ...

68. Management Zone Delineation Techniques to Aid In-Season Sensor Based Nitrogen Application

The increased efficiency of nitr ogen fertilizer (N) use has been a long-term goal in reduction of nitrate contamination in the stat e of Nebraska. Preliminary rese arch has shown sensor based in- season application of nitrogen has the ability to be economic and environmentally viable. Although benefits have been published there is an opportunity for increased accuracy of N application through the integration of preprocesse d georeferenced management zones. In-season sensor based N application ...

69. Managing Continuous Corn for High Yields

Many "contest-winning" corn yields have historically been produced in fields where corn is grown continuously, often with extensive tillage, hgh soil test values of P and K, high N rates, and high plant populations. We are conducting a series of research trials at four sites in Illinois, in whlch we are varying tillage, fertilizer rates, and plant population in a factorial experiment at several Illinois locations. Over ten site-years to date, tillage deeper than normal increased yield at two sit...

70. Manure Management Practices to Limit Nutrient Loss from Frozen Agricultural Fields

Manure applied to crop areas can be an importa nt source of plant nutrients for crop production and may improve soil quality. Relatively small amounts of nutrients especially phosphorus (P) from manure reaching water bodies can signifi cantly increase eutrophication and impair water quality. Most recommendations indicate not to apply manure to fro zen soils because the risk of nutrient loss to surface water may be increased. Our research objective was to determine the influence of manure applica...

71. Methods and Limitations of Zone Sampling Using Topography as a Logical Basis

Two forty-acre fields in North Dakota were sampled in a 110 foot grid. Each field was measured for elevation in the same 110 foot grid. Topographic sampling zones were identified in each field and a correlation of the sampling based on these zones was compared to the correlation values from a 220 foot grid. Nitrate-N and the 220 foot grid were both correlated to the 110 foot sampling values for nitrate-N and P. A map of field nitrate-N levels from topography sampling compared to the 220 foot gr...

72. Micronutrient Nutrition for Corn and Sobyean: Emerging Issues in Kentucky

In certain Kentucky regions, corn-Zn and soybean-Mn are well known crop-micronutrient problems. In response to grower observations/c oncerns in another region, soil and leaf tissue sampling indicated that pH P, K, B, Cu and Zn nutrition problems were co-mingled. A series of corn and soybean field studies were conduc ted between 2008 and 2010 to sort out/among possible problems/solutions, relati ve to similar soils in other areas of the state. The results indicate that when P and K nutrition are...

73. Near Seed Application of Fluid Fertilizer for Corn Soybean and Sugarbeet Production

In recent years, crop producers in Minnesota have shown increased interest in placing fertilizer near the seed at planting. The more traditional 2x2 "starter" band was not an option. Guidelines were needed for banded placement of fertilizer near the seed at the time of planting. This study was conducted in 2004 and 2005 in fields of cooperating crop producers. Three fluid . materials (10-34-0, 4-10-10, 3-18-18) were applied at two rates for corn, soybeans and sugarbeets. In 2004, the materials w...

74. New Techniques and Methods of Disseminating Information in View of Budgetary Constraints by the University of Illinois

The Cooperative Extension Service a t the University faces increased demands for educational services. This increaase is in an environment marked by increasing costs, and stable to decreased financial support--especially from the Federal partner. The situation we face in Illinois is similar to that faced by many other State Cooperative Extension Services. We are better o f f than some states--worse o f f than others. What of the future? Will we be able to deliver viable programs to farmers and a...

75. Nitrate Concentrations in Drainage Water from a Continuous Corn Production System- Impacts of Tile Spacing and Precipitation Events

Characterization of agricultural drains as point sources for nitrates in surface waters has generated keen interest in regional grab-sample monitoring programs. Grab sample tile drain monitoring programs are being explored by numerous public and private organizations interested in encouraging BMPYs for nitrogen and/or implementation of TMDL policy. Our objective was to determine if nitrate concentrations in water collected from individual tile lines could be interpreted independent of informatio...

76. Nitrogen Availability to Corn Following Small Grains

Nitrogen rate recommendations for corn are generally reduced following legumes compared to following corn or small grains. A 4-yr field study was conducted on a Plano silt loam soil in southern Wisconsin to evaluate the capability of soil NO3 tests to predict N availability to corn follo~b-ing small grains. Previous crop small grains included \vinter wheat, winter qe. and oats harvested for grain and straw. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied to corn at rates of 0 to 180 Ib/a in 30 Ib increments. Gr...

77. Nitrogen Fertilization Requirement and Corn-Soybean Productivity in a Rye Cover Cropping System

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer inputs for intensive corn-based cropping systems can increase nitrate (NO 3 -N) concentrations in groundwater. Nitrogen tr ansport in surface water to the Gulf of Mexico is also an on-going issu e for the upper Mississippi river ba sin, especially areas with large corn and soybean acreage. Education and policy efforts have focused on i\provement in N application rate, timing, management, and crop N us e efficiency. However, additional means to reduce N loss are needed. R...

78. Nitrogen in the Mississippi River Basin- Sources and Factors Affecting Loss of Nitrate to the River

Nitrogen (N) is a naturally occurring element that is essential to plant growth and crop production. In a soil system, nitrate-N is continually supplied through mineralization of soil organic matter. Other sources of N include fertilizers, animal manures, municipal sewage wastes, agricultural and industrial wastes, atmospheric deposition. and dinitrogen fixation, all of which either occur as nitrate-N or can be converted to nitrate-N through mineralization and nitrification. ...

79. Nitrogen Management Systems for Ridge-tilled Corn Production

The use of conservation tillage methods, including ridge- tillage, increases crop residue cover which can lead to loss of urea-based fertilizers applied broadcast. ~ield tests were conducted during 1987-1991 at the ~rrigation ~xperiment Field, located near Scandia, Kansas, on a Crete silt loam soil (fine, montmorillionitic, mesic, Panchic, Arguistoll). Treatments included anhydrous ammonia (AA) applied preplant knife-injected; 28% urea-ammonium nitrate solution (UAN) applied preplant knife- inje...

80. Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Claypan Soils Due to Fertilizer Source and Tillage/Fertilizer Placement

Nitrogen fertilization for agricu ltural production is a major contri butor to increased soil nitrous oxide emissions. These emissi ons may contribute to global warming and ozone depletion. Nitrogen fertilizer source and placeme nt can influence soil nitrous oxide (N 2O) emissions by affecting the concentration of ammonium and nitrat e available for nitrification and denitrification throughout the growing season. The objectives of this research were to quantify the effect of tillage / fertilize...

81. No-till Corn Response to Starter Ffertilizer in Missouri

Early research on starter fertilizer showed that it usually increased early season crop growth, but in Missouri and adjacent states this only occasionally translated into a yield advantage. With widespread changes in tillage practices over the past twenty years, this conclusion may be changing. Recent starter fertilizer trials from other states are frequently showing corn yield responses in no-till systems. Dave Mengel at Purdue University found a yield response to starter in 8 of 11 no-till sit...

82. One-Time Tillage of No-Till Crop Land: Five Years Post-Tillage

Field research was conducted at two eastern Nebr aska locations to test the hypotheses that one- time tillage of no till (NT) land results in increased grain yield, reduced stratification of available soil phosphorus but reduced wet aggregate stabili ty, and increased soil organic carbon (SOC), without a long term effect on the soil microbial community. Research was conducted in long- term NT fields under rainfed corn [ Zea mays (L.)] or sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] rotated with soybea...

83. Opportunities and Limitations of Automatic Steering Technologies

In the short span of 10 years we have gone from using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate ourselves in a farm field, to automatically steering a machine working in the field. This application requires about 15 conlponents with each component evolving at a rapid pace. A number of conlpanies have formed to provide automatic steering packages as aftermarket retrofits. At a slightly slower pace, the main equipment manufactures are engineering machines that will be factor ready or factory e...

84. Optimal Phosphorus Response in Site-specific Farming

Site-specific farming has provided an opportunity to collect large amounts of field data, but traditional agronomic yield response models have not been developed to exploit this mformation. This research presents a yield model that incorporates detailed site-specific field information (e.g., soil pH. soil test P, K, and N, fertilizer rates), providing improved fertilizer decision making. A quadratic yield response function and a modified asymptotic Mitscherlich function are compared for irrigate...

85. Performance of Early vs. Late Maturing Corn Hybrids in Michigan

The planting of fill-season, or late maturing hybrids in Michigan is encouraged by their tendency to produce higher yields. Full-season hybrids can take advantage of the entire growing season available at a particular location. Shorter season hybrids reach physiological maturity sooner and generally yield less. Recent experience with cool, wet springs resulting in delayed planting, and growing seasons that provided less growing degree days (GDD) than normal has caused corn producers to question ...

86. Phosphate Management for the Corn Soybean Rotation

The evaluation of rate, Frequency, and placement of phosphorus (P) fertilizer on production in the codsoybean rotation was evaluated for two contrasting tillage systems. A primary objective of this study was to evaluate both yield and economic response for the full crop rotation. Tillage systems compared were fall chisel plow and no-till. Application rates ranged from 0 to 92 Ibs P205 ac-' yr-l and were fall applied either annually or at double the rate on a biennial basis. The biennial applicat...

87. Phosphorus and Potassium Place in Corn-Soybean Systems in the Midwest: Possibilities with Automatic Guidance Technology

Global positioning system teclmology available to the public has become more accurate in recent years. Current Real Time Kinematic (RTK) techniques allow relative positions of equipment to be recorded with 3/8 - 2 in. precision (Dana, 1991). Being able to return to the same location in the field year after year with high precision may have implications for corn-soybean systems where banded applications of phosphorus (P) and/or potassium (K) are made at a time other than at planting. The importan...

88. Phosphorus Management on Extremely Acid Soils in South Central Kansas

Research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of phosphate fertilizer in reducing the toxicity of soluble aluminum (Al) on very acidic soil for production of winter wheat. Banded P fertilizer increased wheat grain yields significantly with the response being greater on unlimed compared to lime conditions. Based on the findings of this research coupled with Oklahoma State University research, banded P is an alternative to liming for wheat production on extremely acidic soils with consider...

89. Plant Density Consequences on Nitrogen Uptake Dynamics of Maize Plants from Vegetative to Reproductive Stages

There are few studies to date that have inte nsively examined the simultaneous effects of differences in plant crowding and fertilizer N availability for different hybrids and locations on N uptake and maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield. The main research objective was to utilize a quantitative framework to bett er understand the physiological mechanisms that govern N dynamics in maize plants at varying plant densi ties and N rates. Two field experiments involving paired near-isogenic hybrids (i.e...

90. Potassium Placement in Conservation Tillage- cropping System Considerations

Soil fertility specialists have repeatedly observed that significant stratification of both P and K occurs on fields which are kept in no-till production, even if that time period is as short as three years. The actual degree of K stratification is affected by soil texture, the method of fertilizer application, crop rotation history, precipitation levels and surface residue management. Potassium stratification isn't inherently deleterious to crop production in a given environment. Crop yield los...

91. Potassium Recommendations

Most soils have relatively large contents of total K but relatively small amounts of plant- available K+. Potassium is found as a component of several minerals that release it to soluble and exchangeable forms by weathering at greatly differing rates. These forms are shown in the adjacent figure. Some of these minerals also have the capacity to reabsorb (fix) added K+ back into their structures in nonexchangeable form. Even the exchangeable K+ is bonded with different strengths depending on the ...

92. Potassuim Chloride Fertilization and Common Root Rot of Barley

Common root rot (CRR, incited by Cochliobulus sativus) is one of the most widespread diseases of wheat and barley in the Great Plains and Prairie Provinces. Average yield losses, based on extensive surveys in the Prairie Provinces, average around 5% for wheat and 10% for barley, althoughinindividualfieldslossescanbemuchhigher. Potassium chloride fertilization has been effective in reducing CRR of barley in North Dakota, and I believe we are close to understanding why CRR is reduced by KC1 fertil...

93. Precision Phosphorus Management for Soybean

Soybean responds to phosphorus fertilization in the Midwest. Most correlation and calibration data suggests that soybean is less responsive than corn. Because of this. normal management in the Upper Midwest is to fertilize before the corn crop in a corn-soybean rotation for both the corn crop and following soybean crops. This saves the cost of one application and the logistical problem of fertilization with P after a corn harvest. This management works well in soils tvith a pH less than 7.4 and...

94. Predicting N Fertilizer Rates for Corn

Sixteen N rate experiments were carried out in farmer fields in 1995 and 1996. The objective was to measure optimum N fertilizer rates and see whether they could be reliably predicted ahead of time. Yield response to N was measured in each experiment along with soil N measurements (planting and sidedress), and tissue N and chlorophyll meter reading at sidedress time. A very wide range of economically optimum N fertilizer rates was found, fairly evenly spread from 0 to 200 Ib N/acre, with an aver...

95. Preplant Soil Nitrogen Test for Corn

Soil ammonium N and nitrate N were measured at the pre-plant and sidedress stages on 59 Michigan fields in 1992. Total inorganic soil N (ammonium N plus nitrate N) at pre-plant stage averaged to 12.6 ppm, about 50% of which was present in the nitrate form and 50% in the ammonium form. Total inorganic N at sidedress stage was 18.9 ppm, of which the nitrate N component was 12.2 ppm. The NH JNO, ratio decreased from 1.06 at prep1 ant stage to 0.54 at sidedress stage. Multiple correlation analysis ...

96. Presenting Key Issues in a Rational Manner to the Non-Ag Community

A quick scan of the program for your workshop might lead one to believe my subject is out of place here. In terms of agricultural credentials, I could certainly be consideredoutofplace: Iconsidermyselfajournalist gone straight; I was educated as a journalist and was a reporter for The Kansas City Star before entering public relations work and then joining Monsanto nearly 20 years ago. But I don't believe either the subject or the speaker is out of place for this gathering. And I think perhaps mo...

97. Quantifying Corn Nitrogen Deficiency and Application Rate with Active Canopy Sensors

Precision agriculture technologies are an integral part of many crop production operations. However, implementation for N application has lagged, primarily due to lack of a viable system for variable N rate decisions. Ac tive canopy sensors have been developed as a tool to determine plant N stress deficiency and provide an on-the- go decision for implementing variable rate. Two general approaches could be implemented. On e is to plan on conducting canopy sensing each year, with a reduced N rate ...

98. Regional Approach to Making Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate Decisions for Corn

Nitrogen fertilizer is one of the largest input costs for growing corn. Across the Corn Belt, N is typically the most yield-limiting nutrient. Facing record high N fertilizer prices and potential supply problems, producers are concellled about N fertilization rates. Soil fertility researchers and extension specialists froin seven states across the Corn Belt (see list in acknowledgements section) have been discussing corn N fertilization needs and evaluating N rate recommendation systems for appr...

99. Relationship of Seed-placed Phosphatic Fertilizer Salt Index to Crop Emergence

The role of fertilizer salt index in salt injury to germinating seeds has been recognized for over 60 years. Recent increased use of direct seed placement of fertilizer P has produced a need for a simpler method of making seed-placed fertilizer recommendations. Numerous field studies were conducted utilizing seed-placed P fertilizers. Published fertilizer salt index values were multiplied by the PtOs/ha application rate to give a salt indexha value. Relative plant stand (dependent variable) was ...

100. Remote Sensing as a Tool for Agriculture

The tendency for nearlv everything in our society to be bigger, better, faster, easier, cheaper, and safer than in the past has resulted in many challenges. Agriculture is not immune from these trends, and in some cases agriculture even leads the way. Incorporation of remote sensing into site- specific management activities is one area where technologies are being merged to develop a new array of products that are intended to help producers and consultants make better and more timely management ...

101. Residual Effects of P Fertiliration Lessons for the Eighties

Several states in the North Central Region have established long-term phosphorus studies. These experiments were designed to evaluate the residual effects of P fertilizer and also generate P soil test calibration data in a situation where a range of soil test levels exist on one soil. These data are extremely useful for evaluating year-to-year fluctuations in crop response to soil test P and establishing response probabilities at a given soil test level. Valuable lessons can also be learned from...

102. Response of Corn to Residue Management and Nitrogen Fertilization

Interest in the production of cellulosic fuel production for bioenergy has identified corn (Zea mays L.) as a suitable option. However, residue removal can affect the growth and yield of a following corn crop and its response to N fertilizer. Residue removal may also influence the optimal tillage system with regard to yield and N-use efficiency. In southern Minnesota, concern about yield reductions due to cool, wet soil conditions, partially attributed to high amounts of crop residue, have limit...

103. Response of Minimum-till Corn to Starter Fertilizer and ACA

Starter fertilizer containing N and P often increases grain yield under no-till management. but yield responses to starter have riot been consistently observed under conventional tillage. Experiments were established in 1996 and 1997 at six sites varying in latitude, soil type. fertility, and crop rotation to evaluate the effect of starter fertilizers on corn grown under high-residue minimum-till systems. In one experiment, a factorial combination of 3 N. 2 P, and 2 K rates placed in a 2x2 band ...

104. Response of Ridge-till Corn to Potash Fertilization

In recent years there has been an increased interest in growing corn with either ridge-till or no-till planting systens. This interest has been stimulated by concern for conservation compliance, farm profitability and the environment. Many problems have surfaced as these tillage systems are adopted by more and more farmers. The appearance of potassiu,~ deficiency symptoms has been a major concern for those who grow corn and soybeans with these tillage systems for the past four or five years. For...

105. Response to Starter Applied Sulfur in Combination with Nitrogen and Phosphorus Across a Landscape

Corn ( Zea Mays L.) response to starter fe rtilizer combinations containing sulfur were studied using a replicated strip trial methodology. Combinations of ni trogen (20 lbs N), phosphorus (20 lbs P 2O5), and sulfur (25 lbs S) were applied two inches beside and below the seed with the planter and compared with a no-starter control a nd 25 lbs broadcast sulfur. Early plant growth was consistently increased by starter P and so metimes by starter N, while sulfur uptake was increased by S and P app...

106. Role of Land Tenure-Other Factors in Soil P Interpretations

Soil test interpretation should recognize the residual value of applied PI the inherent limitations of soil P tests, and utilize an approach that can be easily personalized at the local level. These criteria were used to develop an interpretation approach utilizing a computer spreadsheet to estimate the optimum soil test level for an individual grower. The spreadsheet requires the following inputs: a calibration curve, acceptable marginal return, interest rate, land tenure, soil test buffer pote...

107. Rye Cover Crops in No-till Corn Production

Field studies have been conducted for several years in Ohio to determine the effects of including a ry.e cover crop in no-till production situations. These studies were conducted at two locations, on a moderately well drained Canfield silt loam at Wooster, and a very poorly drained, but tiled, Hoytville silty clay at Hoytville. At Wooster, no-till corn was planted into corn or soybean residue, with or without a fall-seeded rye cover crop (2 bu/A seeding rate). Individual plots received 200 lb N/...

108. Scale of Measurement Effects on Phosphorus Runoff Losses from Cropland

As phosphorus (P)-based nutrient management planning becomes necessary for some farms in Wisconsin, it will be critical to have reliable, research-based planning tools. The Wisconsin P- hdex provides one method for preparing P-based nutrient management plans. The P-Index was developed largely from small plot-scale data showing the relationships between various site and management variables and runoff P losses. Thls study was conducted to compare runoff composition measurements at the subwatershe...

109. Sensing Soybean Canopy Development Responses to and K Nutritional Stress

Normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) has been correlated with physiological plant parameters and used to evaluate plant growt h. Recently, active canopy reflectance sensors have been used to determine N nutrition al needs of corn, wheat and forage grasses. There is little information about the use of this technique to detect soybean nutrient deficiencies. The objective of this work was to determine th e ability of the NDVI sensor to detect P and K deficiencies, and grain yield reductio...

110. Sidedress N applications for corn based on corn color

Nitrogen-deficient corn reflects more light over the entire visible spectrum than nitrogen-suff icient corn. Our objective was to calibrate the relationship between remotely-sensed corn color and the nitrogen need of the corn. Corn color measurements were made two ways: Aerial photographs In-field spectral radiometer A successful calibration would allow: Variable-rate sidedress nitrogen applications that precisely meet the needs of the crop. Precise response to in-season N loss (Figure 1). Data ...

111. Site Specific Nitrogen and Irrigation Management Across Nebraska Agro-ecological Zones

Nitrogen leaching below hrrow irrigated ground has caused nitrate contamination in Nebraska's groundwater. Alternate row irrigation and alternate row nitrogen fertilization is proposed as a method to decrease water use and decrease nitrogen leaching. Nitrogen was applied at a uniform and variable rates based on spring grid sampling for nitrate and soil organic matter. The experiment was conducted at three sites in Nebraska that represent a range of growing conditions. At these sites the average ...

112. Slow Release Nitrogen Fertilizer and Dynamics in Soil Systems Part I Incubation Study

A lab study was conducted at Southern Illinois University soil fertility research facility to investigate the effects of soil type on the nitrogen (N) release dynamics. The objective of this study was to identify the effect of soil type on the release rate of N from slow release nitrogen (SRN) fertilizers under controlled conditions (moisture and temperature). Two contrasting soils from Iowa and Georgia (pH and mineralogy) were combined with 500 mg kg-, of SRN or urea and kept for 90 days under ...

113. Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizers and Nitrogen Additives for Field Crops

Nitrogen management continues to be difficult due to transformations of nitrogen fertilizers that are possible when applied to soil and the uncertainties of weather (Cabrera et al., 2008). Nitrogen fertilizer in the form of urea is subject to ammonia volatilization through the activity of the urease enzyme found ubiquitously in soil (Kissel et al., 2008). Nitrate fertilizer is subject to leaching (Randall et al., 2008) or denitrification (Coyne, 2008) depending on the water content of the soil ...

114. Soil Fertility for Functional Foods

In the agri-food industry today, two trends cannot be ignored. First, the health conscious "baby boom" generation is demanding and will continue to demand foods that enhance their wellness. Crop producers must increasingly focus on the goal of producing crops that meet their needs. Second, the tools of molecular biology give agricultural scientists the opportunity to attain that goal. Biotechnology involves not only genetic engineering, but also includes tools that enhance the traditional select...

115. Soil Fertility Trends in a Long Term Crop Rotataion-Soil Fertility Trial

Penn State soil test recommendations are based on fertilizing for crop response at soil test levels below the critical level for response, maintenance fertilization based on expected crop removal in the optimum range just above the critical level, and finally no fertilizer recommended in the high range. Using a sufficiency level approach, a soil that was at the critical level would have a zero recommendation, however this zero recommendation would not be valid for 3 or 4 years until a new soil t...

116. Soil Phosphorus Chemistry- Agronomic and Environmental Applications

Phosphorus (P) has been a heavily researched topic in soil science for many years. For example, a search of the AGMCOLA database from 1970 to present turned up nearly 6000 citations under the key words soil and phosphorus. The fact that P is essential to all forms of life has promoted these research activities. as one would expect. In addition, the complexity of the soil P cycle has yet to be fully understood and appreciated by the scientific community. Further, while early research focused on c...

117. Soil Test Phosphorus Trends in Ohio

Agriculture is often sited as th e primary factor for high P loads polluting Lake Erie and Ohio's watersheds, but its exact contribu tion is actually unknown. This proj ect evaluated historical soil phosphorus (P) trends in the state of Ohio by collecting historical soil data from the three largest commercial laboratories servicing Ohio to dete rmine if P levels at a county resolution are changing over time. This helps address to what extent widespread over-applications of P (either commercial ...

118. Soybean Chlorosis in North Dakota- Causes, Severity and Possible Solutions

Soybean acres continue to increase in northwestern Minnesota and North Dakota in spite of severe problems with iron chlorosis in some years. Soybeans often turn yellow within a few weeks of emergence and remain yellow for up to 8 weeks before plants green up and mature. Iron chlorosis tolerant soybeans available today are somewhat effective in reducing chlorotic acreage, but are not tolerant enough to counteract the soil conditions in this area. Several researchers have found that iron chlorosis...

119. Spoke Injection of Fertilizer Phosphorus for Grasses

Fertilization of forge grasses with phosphorus has shown limited forage increases in South Dakota, even with low soil tests. Lack of response to added phosphorus may partially be due to fertilizer placement on established grass stands. Traditionally broadcasting fertilizer has been the only placement method available. Since P moves very iiiile in the soil, root feeding from tne added P must occur very ciose to the soil surface. A dry soil surface could limit P uptake by grasses, limiting any yie...

120. Strip Tillage and No Tillage Fertilization Systems Evaluated for Eastern Kansas Rain Fed Corn

Row-crop agriculture in East-Central and Southeast Kansas is facing increasing pressure to reduce sediment and nutrient losses via runoff. Edge-of-field measurements show that no-tillage with fertilizers placed below the surface of the soil has significantly less sediment and total P losses in runoff compared to conventional tillage (Janssen et al., 2000). However, for rain-fed corn, no-tillage in these regions can provide serious challenges some years because of frequent spring rains and an abu...

121. Study on Phosphorus and Nitrogen Concentration of Corn Adapted in South Dakota

Though nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are vital in several physiological and developmental processes in plants and animals, they pose several environmental, nutritional and health problems, if present in excess amounts. Reduction in the excess input of these nutrients into the soil, thereby reducing environmental problem and consequently nutritional and health problem, can be achieved by balancing their concentration in animal feed. Therefore, this research aims to quantify the nitrogen and pho...

122. Subsoiling No-tillage Corn

Currently, over half of the corn in Kentucky is no-till planted. Many fields have received little tillage in the last 10 to 20 years. Many producers wonder if soil compaction increases with time on these long term no-till fields due to annual trafficking with heavy equipment. Subsoiling implements are available that allow subsurface tillage while preserving the surface mulch layer. This allows for continued no-till planting while introducing some tillage into the cropping system. Some producers ...

123. Summary of P Fertilizer use Effects on Soil Test Phosphorus

Over the years, much research has centered on the use of various soil P extractants for developing soil fertility programs. While P soil test values are most reliable for estimating the historical probability of obtaining a crop response from fertilizer P application and tracking the effects of past P fertility programs - P soil tests are more commonly used as to estimate future fertilizer P rate requirements. Depending on the objectives of a grower, P soil testing is used to predict future P ra...

124. Swine Manure Phosphorus Use for Crop Production in Iowa

Improving manure phosphorus (P) management guidelines should result in a more efficient use of thls resource for crop production and in lower risk of P loss to surface water resources. Phosphorus fertilizers are widely used in crop production, there is a great deal of information about their use, and farmers have little doubt about their value to improve crop yield in low- testing soils. However, there is a great deal of uncertainty concerning the value of manure nutrients for crops and about co...

125. The Effect of Sulfur Fertilization of Yield and Quality of Corn and Alfalfa

The importance of sulfur (S) fertilizers for crop production in Minnesota has been recognized for several years. Inpast research, the use of S had increased crop production only on the sandy soils. Since the soil organic matter is a major reservoir of S for plant use, there is always some question about the need for S in a fertilizer program where soils are not sandy but, yet, have a low organic matter content. It is well known that S is an important component of some amino acids in wlants and t...

126. The Effects of Rate and Timing of Nitrogen Applications on the Yield and Nitrogen Recovery of Irrigated Corn

High crop yields require that adequate amounts o f N be present and available to the root at the times it i s needed to support growth. However, for a production system to be efficient in the use of the nitrogen and to minimize any potential adverse environmental effects, care must be used to minimize loss during the growing season and minimize amounts of residual N remaining in the soil at the end of the cropping season. This requires that proper N rates be applied and that the N be applied in ...

127. The Influence of Nitrogen Rate and Foliar Fetilization on Yield and Nitrosamine Levels in Burley Tobacco

Many burley tobacco (Nicotiana tabactm~ L.) producers believe that additions of nitrogen (N) rates greater than those recommended by university extension senices will result in increased yield and income. In addition to high rates of N, many producers feel that additional foliar fertilizer will further increase yield and quality of burley tobacco and result in greater revenue. Concerns with excessive N additions include improper curing, elevated levels of tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA's), ...

128. Tillage, Fertilizer Placement Equipment and Residue Compliance- Is There a Conflict

Conservation compliance is no longer a nightmare for crop producers farming highly erodible land. Instead, it is rapidly becoming reality if those crop producers plan to participate in USDA agricultural assistance programs. In Missouri, farmers are adopting conservation and no-till cropping practices at a very rapid rate. Though not verified, it appears that no-till acres in many north Missouri counties more than doubled from 1991 to 1992. The most cost effective means of reducing soil erosion r...

129. Time of Harvest Alters Nutrient Management of Switchgrass

Switchgrass is one of many cellulosic crops bei ng considered as a biomass feedstock for the production of bioenergy, including ethanol. It is being promoted as a crop that can grow well on marginal lands with low nutrient inputs as well as on more fertile soils. Nutrient removal is important for long-term perennial crop production. A study, establishe d to evaluate the effects of nitrogen rate and harvest management system, was used to evaluate the nutrient removal in switchgrass harvested at ...

130. Topsoil Thickness Influence on Phosphorus and Potassium Availability and Crop Response

Soil testing to estimate nutrient availability and fertilizer needs is a widespread management practice for cropping systems in the United States. as well as in other countries. The purpose of soil testing is to simulate the ability of the plant roots lo uptake these various nutrients critical for normal growth. Crops generally uptake a s~nall amount of phosphorus (P) compared to potassium (K). The portion of soil P that is readily available for plant growth maybe limiting due to the small quant...

131. Using Soil Properties to Predict Soluable Phosphorus Losses from Indiana Soils

Escessive phosphorus (P) levels in surface water can degrade water quality by causing algal blooms and accelerating the eutrophication process. Agriculture has bceri implicated as a major nonpoint source of P, so many states have considered restricting P applications from inorganic fertilizers, manures, and other Pcontaining materials once soil test P levels esceed "threshold values". Relationships between soil properties and soluble P loss potential have not been welldocumcnted. This laboratory...

132. Using Sufficiency and Recommendation Information to Calculate Fertilizer Response Curve and Profitability Estimates.

The importance of sound fertility programs in efficient, profitable farming operations is well known - especially in times of low crop prices. Likewise, the importance of a sound soil testing program - and recommendation guidelines that relate these soil test values to credible, long-term research results - is recognized as the best way of obtaining maximum economic returns from fertilizer dollars. Unfortunatly, there are few tools available for evaluating the profitabi1it.y of a specific fertil...

133. Utilizing Fertilizer Technologies to Reduce Nitrate Leaching in the Central Sands Region of Wisconsin

Leaching of nitrate into the groundwater has been a continuing and extensively researched problem in the sandy soils of Wisconsin. However, no proven solution to this problem has been identified as yet. Research results from our studies in 2009 showed that several products had potential in reducing nitrate-nitrogen (NO 3-N) leaching. Although not always statistically significant, one slow-release fertilizer, Environmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN), produced greater yields than conventional fertiliz...

134. Validating the Wisconsin P Index with Measured Runoff P Losses From Agricultural Fields

Phosphorus (P) indices have been developed by most states in the USA for use as planning tools to assess the risk of P loss and identify appropriate management alternatives to control these losses where needed. Little information is available on the relationshp between P index values and actual P runoff losses in the field. We compared annual P losses in runoff measured at 2 1 field or sub-watershed locations with Wisconsin P index values calculated for the same areas. The research sites include...

135. Variable Fertilizer Nitrogen Application Based on the Delta Yield Index- A Field Study

A quick review of the both the scientific and popular literature indicates that many different approaches have been suggested for the prediction of variable fertilizer N applications in the field. In previous meetings of this conference we have presented the general outline and approach taken for our site-specific crop management project in Ontario. Briefly, historical data sets of grain corn response trials to fertilizer N (encompassing some 300 site-years worth of data) indicated that most yi...

136. What Do You Do When Your N-Rich Reference Fails?

In recent years, canopy reflectance sensing has b een investigated for in-season assessment of crop N health and fertilization. Typically, the procedure followed co mpares the crop in an area known to be non-limiting in N (the N-rich area) to the crop in a target area, which may be inadequately fertilized. Measurements from the two areas are used to calculate a relative reflectance to represent the potential need for add itional N fertilizer. Establishing N rich areas or strips is often inconve...

137. What's Ahead- Soil Conservation Service Nutrient Management Plans

Farmers have been going through a major change in their relationship with Government during the past ten years. Many in the agricultural community are anticipating possibly more changes in the future from such Legislation as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. Each act has potential of having even more impact on the agricultural community. Immediately following those two acts will be the 1995 Farm Bill. The last two Farm bills have been slanted more to environmental concerns than...

138. Winter Annual Weeds Effect on Corn Response to Nitrogen

The timing to control winter annua l weeds is a management concern for producers. In regards to corn response to nitrogen, the objective was to determine how important the timing of winter annual weed control is for no-till, rainfed co rn production following soybeans by assessing: soil water and nitrate; early growth and nitrogen uptake of corn; nitr ogen status of corn at silking- blister; and grain yield. Field research was conduc ted in 2010 at seven locations in Kansas. There were four diff...

139. Yield of Sugar Beet, Soybean,Corn, Field Bean and Wheat as affected by Lime Applications on High Soil pH

Lime from sugar beet processing plants has been stockpiled for 100 years. Environmental regulations and limited storage space provide an impetus for the removal of the material. Land application on alkaline soils is one alternative for disposal of this material. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of applying sugar beet processing lime on crop production on these soils. Studies were conducted at seven sites representing four alkaline soil series in Michigan. Lime was applied at rate...

140. Zone Delineation for Nitrogen Management

Managing nitrogen through zone soil sampling has been shown effective in revealing residual soil nitrate patterns in North Dakota. Zone delineation has been constructed using several types of data, including yield maps, remote imagery, topography and soil EC sensor data. A study was conducted in North Dakota, Montana and Minnesota to evaluate zone delineation methods. Across the region, yield frequency maps, topography, remote inlagery and soil EC data were effective in helping to construct zon...