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1. Re-Evaluating Rate, Time, and Placement of Urea and Other Nitrogen Sources in MinnesotaUrea is increasingly an important nitrogen (N) source in Minnesota. Approximately 43% of our farmers use urea as their major N source. In the southwestern, south-central and west-central areas approximately 45% of the N is applied in the fall, 50% is applied in the spring, and 5% is applied at sidedress. While most of those that use urea as the major N source apply it in the spring, approximately 4% do the major application with urea in the fall and there are others that apply some of their N... F. Fernandez, K. Fabrizzi, J. Vetsch, D. Kaiser |
2. A 2020 Vision on Nutrient Use DecisionsMany farmers this fall are facing significant financial stress due to several factors including low crop prices and weather-induced crop losses. Crop prices are currently much lower than they were in the first half of this decade but we have been here before … time tested principles continue to apply. Past studies of the characteristics of the most profitable farmers show that they tend to have higher yields, lower costs, and are more rapid adopters of technology than their less profit... P.E. Fixen |
3. Is There a Better Way to Fertilize Corn with Potassium?Potassium (K) is among the most abundantly needed plant nutrients. A 15.7 Mg ha-1 (250 bushel acre-1) corn (Zea mays L.) crop accumulates anywhere from 168-225 kg K2O ha-1 (150-200lbs K2O acre-1) over the course of a growing season, and according to the IPNI Soil Test Summary (2015), about 37% of Illinois’ soil tests are deemed as deficient for K. The objectives of this study were to investigate various methods o... S. Foxhoven, F. Below |
4. Does Maize Need Pre-Plant N if Sub-Drip Fertigation Can be Used To Provide Season Long N?Multiple nitrogen (N) applications are becoming more common as a way to assure adequate N availability for optimum growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.), while minimizing the potential for negative environmental consequences associated with N loss. Unclear, however, is how much N needs to be applied at planting in order to get the full value of in-season applications. Our objectives were to determine the amount of preplant N needed to maximize maize yield, when additional N is prov... B. Wiegmann, F. Below |
5. 4R Nutrient Management for Corn Production on Upper Midwest SoilsCorn (Zea mays L.) demand for nitrogen (N) is often met using inorganic fertilizer on Upper Midwest soils. While applying the right rate of fertilizer N normally has the greatest impact on yield and N use efficiency (NUE), selection of the right fertilizer source, placement, and application timing can fine-tune rate recommendations, improve NUE by matching soil N availability to corn demand, and minimize loss to the environment. Given the diversity of corn production environments, th... J. Spackman, F. Fernandez, K. Fabrizzi |
6. Winter Cereal Rye Nitrogen Response and Fertilization RequirementWinter cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) has been a common cover crop choice due to seed cost, winter hardiness, and rapid spring growth. It could also be an alternative grain crop to include in a corn-soybean rotation. Also, a rye crop would provide soil coverage during the springtime when corn and soybean do not. No known research has investigated the N fertilization requirement for winter cereal rye seed production in Iowa. The objectives of this study were to evaluate N response in ... C. Martins, J. Sawyer, J. Lundvall |
7. Can nitrogen application rate and timing management contribute to yield benefit in dryland winter wheat?Nitrogen (N) is a key component that affects grain yield and protein content in wheat. Optimizing fertilizer N application rate and time may contribute to an increased yield along with an adequate protein level. To evaluate the effects of different rates and application timing of N on grain yield and quality, a field study was carried out at four different locations across Nebraska (Mead, Grant, Sidney, and Scottsbluff) in 2018/19. At all locations, the experimental layout was split-plot rand... D. Ghimire, B. Maharjan |
8. Nitrogen Source and Application Timing to Improve Corn Yield and Reduce Nitrate in Tile-Drain WaterNitrogen (N) fertilizer is among the most important inputs for corn because of this crop’s large N requirements. When N fertilizer applications exceed crop needs, that N can be lost to the environment or be incorporated into the soil organic matter Many farmers in the US Midwest install subsurface drainage to remove excess water from the soil. The drained water leached from the farms contains nitrate-N (NO3), which poses risks to surface waters. Midwest agriculture ... S. Menegaz, F. Fernandez |
9. Efficacy of Variable-Rate Application Technology for Phosphorus, Potassium, and Lime ManagementVariable-rate (VR) application technology may improve P and K fertilizer and lime use efficiency, increase crop yield and the profitability of crop production, and reduce within-field soil-test variability. On-farm research assessed the potential of VR P or K fertilization and liming for corn and soybean in Iowa. Replicated strip-trials evaluated one to three cycles of the two-year rotation. Treatments for areas 10-30 acres in size were a non-fertilized or unlimed control, VR based on dense g... A.P. Mallarino |
10. Does Starter Fertilizer Benefit Late Planted Corn?Starter fertilizers are used by producers to help overcome wet and cool soils often encountered with early planted corn. Early planted corn in no-tilled fields and limited drainage typically have the greatest chance of response from starter fertilizers. Starter fertilizers can range from a mixture of UAN, ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and other fertilizers to low salt (LS) formulations containing N, P, K and various micronutrients. Some that promote LS starter fertilizer products claim that U... E. Ritchey, H. York |
11. Evaluation of Soil Test Methods and Crop Response to Phosphorus Fertilization in KansasWheat (Triticum aestivum) is typically considered the most responsive crop to phosphorus (P) fertilization in Kansas. This study was conducted to evaluate wheat response to P fertilization using modern genotypes and soil test calibration/interpretation for Kansas soils. The study was conducted during the 2018-2019 growing season with eleven locations in Kansas. Randomized complete block design was used for four differe... C. Weber, D.A. Ruiz diaz |
12. Evaluating Relationships between Soil Respiration and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in CornAvailable nitrogen (N) often limits the agricultural production of corn (Zea mays) and the N fertilizer use efficiency is of primary concern for producers in Kansas and the Midwest. This study was carried out to understand the agronomic value of commercially available soil health tests (e.g. 24 hr CO2 burst) and their relationship to components of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in corn. Relationships between N response and soil CO2 evolution were investigated across multiple sites and manageme... D. Ruiz diaz, B. Rutter |
13. Managing Nitrogen to Optimize Yield and Quality of North Dakota Two-row Malting BarleyAs the demand of two-row malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) increases, having sound N recommendations is increasingly necessary. Not only does N play a role in grain yield, but it may also significantly impact grain malting characteristics including protein, plump, and test weight. To determine the impacts N rate and N availability have on two-row malting barley, two experimental sites were established in both Spring 2020 and 2021. The experiment was organized in a randomized comple... B. Goettl, H. Bu, A. Wick, D. Franzen |
14. Can Soil Health Metrics Improve Standard Soil Fertility Recommendations?It is commonly speculated that integrating soil health (SH) testing with soil fertility (SF) testing would improve fertilizer recommendation decisions. However, quantified impacts of SH properties, specifically soil biological properties, on fertilizer demand have not been well established. The objective of this research was to explore corn (Zea mays L.) yield response to phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilization as influenced by established SF analysis and common SH me... C.J. Ransom, J. Svedin, N.R. Kitchen, K. Veum, S.H. Anderson |
15. Nitrogen Effects on Forage Utilization and Economic Returns in Grazing and Haying SystemsForage productivity and profitability are essential in both grazing and haying systems. This study evaluated haying and rotational grazing systems and nitrogen rates compared to overseeding birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculaatus; BFT) on an Armstrong Loam (Aquertic Hapludalfs). Forage biomass was consistently higher under grazing, with its advantage widening as N increased. Both systems displayed diminishing marginal returns, but grazing achieved greater fertilizer efficiency, produc... E. Oppong adjei, R. Carson, J. Lory, K. Nelson |
16. Efficient Nitrogen Strategies for Hybrid Winter RyeEfficient nitrogen (N) management is essential to maximize hybrid winter rye (Secale cereale L.) yield. Given limited information on how N rates, application timing, and fertilizer sources affect production in the U.S. Midwest, yield responses were evaluated under various N management strategies. This experiment included a pre-plant application of 30 lb N ac⁻¹ in the fall, followed by spring applications to evaluate eight N rates (0–210 lb N ac⁻¹) and investigate the effec... M.L. Costa, J. Clark, V. Nunes, P. Sexton |
17. Linking Soil Properties and Weather Variability to Nitrogen Fertilizer NeedsSoil Nitrogen (N) availability is known to be affected by weather and soil characteristics. Current fertilizer recommendations are generally based on yield goals, soil type, and past productivity; however, these methods frequently fail to account for the constantly changing interactions between soil biological, chemical, physical and weather variables that influence N availability. This limitation increases uncertainty in estimating the economic optimum nitrogen rate (EONR), potentially reduc... S. Dangal, J. Clark, P. Kovacs, V. Nunes, C. Graham |
18. Evaluating Soil Health Indicators in Response to Tillage, Crop Rotation, and Cover CroppingSoil health is shaped by management practices that influence soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Conservation practices such as reduced-disturbance tillage, cover cropping, and diverse crop rotations are increasingly promoted for improving soil structure, nutrient cycling, and microbial activity. However, the extent to which these practices interact and whether newly adopted no-till systems show similar benefits to long-term reduced tillage remains unclear. This study evaluate... S. Mesman, J. Clark, V. Nunes, P. Sexton |
19. Understanding Wheat Head Counts Effect on YieldWheat (Triticum aestivum) is grown in many parts of the world, with soft red winter wheat (SRWW) being the most popular type grown in Kentucky. Wheat is the fourth most economically important crop in Kentucky and is used in a variety of food products as well as in feed for livestock. Crop scouts reported wheat head counts above the current University of Kentucky threshold for head counts needed to maximize yield. Wheat in other states north reported higher head counts than those obse... A. Mutter, C. Lee |
20. Does Inoculant or Sulfur Improve Nitrogen Fixation in Soybean After Long-term Corn?This study evaluated the effects on nutritional dynamics and productivity in soybean, focusing on nitrogen and sulfur management in fields with more than twelve years of continuous corn in the state of Indiana (USA). Continuous corn systems are known to alter soil microbial activity, leading to a reduction in the nitrogen-fixing bacteria population, which affects the biological nitrogen fixation process in legumes, such as soybeans, which rely on those bacteria to meet their nitrogen requirem... A. Brun, S. Casteel, D. Quinn, R. Wilhelm |
21. US Midwest Dairy Manure Nutrient Observations 2012-2022Dairy manure is a source of organic nutrients with variable manure characteristics. This analysis drew 2012-2022 data from ManureDB, the manure and organic amendment database developed by the University of Minnesota. Thousands of solid dairy and liquid dairy manure samples across 2012-2022 were evaluated for book value comparisons, temporal trends, and regional differences for total N, NH4-N, P2O5, and K2O analytes. The only significant trend detect... N. Bohl bormann, M. Wilson, E.L. Cortus, K.A. Silverstein, K.A. Janni, L. Gunderson |
22. Closing the Yield Gap of Soybeans After Cereal Rye: How Limited S Application Can Affect Soybean PerformanceCereal rye is a common cover crop in the Midwest due to its overwintering biomass and soil fertility properties. Despite common adoption, research is still needed to improve soybean yield after cereal rye. Fertility management practices are needed to mitigate cereal rye immobilization of sulfur. These practices are integral for further cereal rye adoption at the farmgate. This study examines which combination of urea and/or gypsum is needed to enhance soybean yield in both cereal rye and no c... A. Antic, S. Casteel, S. Armstrong |
23. Impact of Phosphorus Source and Timing on Corn Yield and Root GrowthPhosphorus (P) management is critical in maize production due to limited mobility, solubility, and stratification in soils. This study evaluates P application techniques with regard to maize grain yield, total P uptake, and root distribution. Our hypothesis was that applying P as a side dress in a low P soil at a low dose equal to plant uptake can compensate for not maintaining soil test P at the critical level, providing sufficient P during peak demand and sustaining high yields. A gre... A. Beltrame, C. Penn, D. Quinn, M. Williams, C. Zhang |
24. Cropping System Diversification Has Strong Short-term but Limited Long-term Impacts on Soil Phosphorus DynamicsCrop diversification provides several agroecosystem benefits, yet the effects of extended crop rotations and livestock integration on soil phosphorus (P) dynamics are not well understood. We examined the effect of three cropping systems: a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation with synthetic fertilizer (2 year), a corn-soybean-small grain rotation with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and composted cattle manure as a fertilizer source (3 yea... J. Kovar, C. Crespo, J. Berkey, P. O'brien, W. Huang, M. Liebman, M. Mcdaniel |
25. Soil Health Responses to Interseeded Cover Crops and Nitrogen Strategies in the Northern Corn BeltCover cropping and nitrogen (N) management are often promoted for improving soil health, yet their combined influence under interseeded systems in temperate regions remains less understood. To address this gap, a field study was conducted in South Dakota at two no-till corn–soybean rotation sites (Brookings and Beresford) established on clay loam soils. Cover crop treatments included a no cover, a single grass species, and a multi-species mixture of grass and broadleaf species interseed... J. Clark, S. Kodali |
26. Role of Winter Rye Cultivar and Seeding Rate in Managing Residue and Nitrogen Availability in Corn Cropping SystemsWinter cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) (WCR) is the most widely used cover crop in Illinois and is recognized as one of the most effective in-field practices to reduce nitrate-N and phosphorus (P) losses to the Mississippi River Basin (MRB). However, adoption of WCR prior to corn (Zea mays L.) remains limited due to challenges such as stand establishment and nitrogen immobilization. Management strategies, such as selecting appropriate cultivars and optimizing seeding rates, m... S. Babaei, C. Kula, Y. Samadi, E. Brevik, A. Sadeghpour |
27. The Impact of Shifting from N-based to P-based Manure Management on Corn Silage Yield, Quality, P Balance, and Soil Test PDairy farmers often apply liquid manure to corn (Zea mays L.) for silage to meet N needs (N-based) which results in over-application of P and increased soil test P (STP) levels. A solution to this manure management is switching from N-based to phosphorus (P)-based (P removal based) manure management and supplementing N need with inorganic fertilizer. Intensifying corn for silage rotation with cereal rye (CR; Secale cereale L.) as a forage source could further decrease STP, e... G. Burkett, E. Brevik, S. Babaei, O. Adeyemi, A. Sadeghpour |
28. Determining the Economic Optimum Nitrogen Rate for Different Cover Crop Systems Using On-Farm Precision ExperimentationSuccessful integration of cover crops into corn-soybean production systems requires adjusting interconnected management factors. Nitrogen (N) is a critical input in corn production, and because cover crops influence nitrogen dynamics, it is essential to evaluate both as an integrated system. To address this, field trials were established in two locations near Moultrie County, Illinois, in the fall of 2023 and 2024 as part of a four-year project (2024–2027) aimed at improving the underst... M. Dalla betta, J. Jones |
29. Field Correlation and Calibration of Soil-Test Phosphorus and Potassium for Corn and Soybean in IllinoisEffective phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) soil-test interpretation and fertilizer guidelines require each soil test to be field correlated with crop yield response to fertilization and calibrated to provide expected response probabilities. University of Illinois P and K guidelines require updates to reflect routinely used soil-test methods and current cropping systems. Field studies were established at seventeen sites across Illinois to correlate soil-test P and K with corn and soybean respo... F. Bardeggia, J. Jones |
30. Winter Wheat Residue Management Affects Corn Grain Yield and Nitrogen RequirementWinter cereal cover crops are effective in reducing the nitrate-N (NO3-N) leaching from corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) fields. An experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement and four replicates to study wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cover crop management practices on corn grain yield and nitrogen (N) requirement (economic optimum N rate; EONR). The main plots were four cover crop (CC) treatmen... F. Adeyemi, O. Adeyemi, E. Brevik, A. Sadeghpour |
31. From the Ground Up: a Farmer-Led On-Farm Research Evaluating the Potential of a New Fertilizer Source for Nitrogen in Pastures for MissouriThis research is a part of a transdisciplinary network of farmers leading on-farm research and innovation groups across Missouri, where farmers are leading the design and implementation of nitrogen (N) fertilizer treatments. The Objective of this on-farm research trial in southwest Missouri is to determine whether green lightning fertilizer technology can fulfill the N requirement of pasture in a more economical and sustainable way than the conventional sources of N. The cost of N f... K. Deep, R. Carson, G. Singh, J. Vredenburgh |
32. Critical Soil Test Phosphorus for Corn: Updates and Method Comparison in KansasPhosphorus (P) fertilizer recommendations in Kansas are currently based on legacy correlation–calibration studies and guidelines that do not account for crop-specific requirements. This lack of precision creates uncertainty in fertilizer management, raising the risk of both under-application, which limits yield, and over-application, which increases costs and environmental risk. The objective of this research was to update the critical soil test phosphorus value (CSTV) for corn (Zea... G. Roa , D. Ruiz diaz |
33. Soybean Response to Tillage, Row Spacing and Nutrient Management Practices in Southern IllinoisConservation tillage improves long-term soil health and water quality but may reduce early soybean (Glycine max L.) growth due to cooler, wetter soils and limited nutrient availability. This study evaluated integrated management strategies, including tillage, row spacing, and starter nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) fertilization, to optimize soybean performance under Illinois conditions. Field trials were established in 2024 in southern Illinois. Two split-plot experiments were conducted... E. Brevik, A. Sadeghpour, F. Rolle, D. Schaefer, G. Preza fontes, M. Javid |
34. Influence of Nitrogen Fertilization Frequency and Rate on Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Winter WheatManaging nitrogen (N) fertilizer effectively is important for reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in farming systems. This study examined the effect of N application frequency and rate on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield, total N₂O emissions, and yield-scaled N₂O emissions. The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Research Center (ARC), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used ... O. Ola, O. Guzel, K. Gage, K. Williard, J. Schoonover, S. Mueller, E. Brevik, A. Sadeghpour |
35. Predicting Nitrogen Response by Winter Wheat Using Soil Health and Soil Microbiome IndicatorsEfficient nitrogen (N) management is critical for improving profitability and sustainability in winter wheat production systems of western South Dakota, where soils and growing conditions vary widely. Current fertilizer recommendations rely heavily on soil nitrate-N, often overlooking contributions from organic N sources and soil biological activity. This project aims to refine N fertilizer recommendations by integrating soil health indices (SHIs) and soil microbiome analysis as predictors of... C. Graham, R. Jain |
36. Integrating NDVI and Plant Tissue Analysis As Decision Support Tools for Nutrient Management in Winter WheatEfficient nitrogen (N) management is critical for improving winter wheat grain yield and protein content while minimizing costs and environmental risks. Remote sensing indices, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and physiological indicators, like flag leaf N content, have been proposed as predictors of crop performance that could support in-season N management decisions. This study evaluated the relationships between NDVI measured at multiple growth stages, flag leaf N ... J. Leiva, D. Ruiz diaz |
37. The Effects of Phosphorus and Potassium Application on a 14-year-old Miscanthus × giganteus StandMiscanthus × giganteus (miscanthus) is a perennial C4 grass grown for renewable bioenergy and bioproducts. While miscanthus is often considered to have low nutrient requirements, the need for fertilization remains poorly understood, particularly in mature stands. This study aims to provide insight by evaluating for potential phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) limitations in a 14-year-old miscanthus stand in central Iowa that had received no prior fertilization. The experiment fol... J. Studt, A. Larson, A. Vanloocke, M. Mcdaniel, E. Heaton, N. Boersma |
38. Influence of Nitrogen Management and Precipitation on Sorghum Nitrogen Use Efficiency in KansasGrain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a key crop in Kansas which can benefit from optimized nitrogen (N) management that enhances yield while minimizing N losses. Understanding the relationships among physiological efficiency (PE), recovery efficiency (RE), and agronomic efficiency (AE), as well as their interactions with climatic factors such as precipitation, is essential for improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Experiments were conducted across five r... M. Platero, D. Ruiz diaz |
39. Terrace Construction Effects on Soil Fertility, Texture and Apparent Electrical ConductivityThe Midwestern United States is extensively dominated by sloping terrains, where terraces are recognized as a tool to minimize soil erosion. The process of terrace construction involves heavy machinery and extensive soil profile manipulation, which may alter soil fertility and texture. This study evaluated the changes in soil fertility, texture, and apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) following the construction of eight broad-based terraces in northern Missouri. Geo-referenced soil samples... C. Bansal, G. Singh , G. Kaur , K. Nelson |
40. Evaluating Soybean Yield and Soil Fertility Response to POLY-4 As a Sulfur and Potassium SourceBoth sulfur (S) and potassium (K) play an essential role in soybean growth and metabolism, immunity against insect-pest and improving yield quality and quantity. Reduction in atmospheric deposition of S in soil in recent years has increased the risk of S deficiency in crops. POLY-4 is a novel S and K source containing 19% S, 14% K2O, 17% CaO, and 6% MgO with properties like slow nutrient release and high nutrient use efficiency. It can be used to address the issue of S deficiency in plants. A... R. Kaur, K. Nelson, G. Singh , G. Kaur |
41. Optimizing Nitrogen Application in Corn with and Without a Nitrification InhibitorDetermining an accurate nitrogen (N) recommendation for corn production presents significant challenges due to its complexity with N transformation and losses. A careful diagnosis and decision making is required for optimizing the N management in corn. Therefore, a three-year (2023-2025) field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying nitrogen (N) application rates and timings with the use of a nitrification inhibitor (NI) on corn grain yield and productivity. The study was arran... R. Paul, G. Singh , K. Nelson, G. Kaur , M. Parvej |
42. FRST Lime Project: Results of Pilot Study of Lime Source, Lime Rate and Incubation Time on Neutralization of Soil AcidityManagement of soil acidity plays a critical role in the agriculture across North Central Region. The Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST) group has launched a national project to develop new lime recommendations and has collected 144 soils of which 38 soils from the North Central Region. A pilot lime study was initiated to assess the effect of lime source, lime rate and incubation time on neutralization of soil acidity. Three acid soils were selected from the Agricultural Proficiency... B. Miller |
43. Effect of Cover Crop Diversity on Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Corn–Soybean Rotations in Central IllinoisNitrous oxide (N₂O) is a potent greenhouse gas primarily emitted from agricultural soils, where nitrogen (N) inputs and soil conditions interact to drive microbial processes. Cover crops are widely promoted as a climate-smart strategy to improve soil health and nutrient cycling, yet their effectiveness in mitigating N₂O emissions may vary depending on species composition and functional diversity. This study evaluated the influence of cover crop diversity on N₂O emissions in a corn&ndash... N. Guzman |
44. Can Early Nitrogen and Sulfur Applications Sustain Soybean Yields After Cereal Rye?Cover crops such as cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) are widely promoted for their environmental benefits, including nutrient sequestration, reduced nitrate leaching, and soil conservation. However, their influence on subsequent soybean (Glycine max L.) yield and nutrient dynamics remains inconsistent, especially under varying nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) fertilization regimes. Field trials were conducted during 2024 and 2025 across three sites in Central Illinois—Monmouth, Perry, and Urba... S. Canafoglia, G. Preza fontes |