Management Research Symbiosis of Scientific Research and - - PDF document

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Symbiosis of Scientific Research and Management

Observation Research Management

NO3

NO3

NO3

NO3

NO3

The science and practice of Soil N Fertility. Research and Management Collaboration

www.deere.com istockphoto

Goal:

– Optimize crop yields – Maximize producer profits – Maximize N use efficiency – Minimize NO3 leaching

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Yield vs N Rate

Year 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 Average Sucrose yield (lbs/acre) 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 Total Available N (lbs N/acre) 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Sucrose Total Available N

Sugarbeets – North Central US Corn – Nebraska

1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 Grain Yield (bu acre-1)

20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Fertilizer N Rate (lb acre-1)

20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

• Research has led to many breakthroughs to

help meet these goals. Crop production and fertilizer data supports improvement claims.

• However, there is a need for more research

and implementation of proven practices to continue improving. Research and Management Collaboration

atlas-geo.com crops.org mississippi-crops.com

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Nitrogen Cycle

N Mineralization

N Mineralization is Significant in Idaho

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N Mineralization

N Mineralization is Significant in Idaho Climate Management Soil Variability

• Models
• Empirical Relationships
• Estimates

Mineralization Variability

Inorganic N Supply (Fertilizer N + Inorganic Soil N) (lbs N/acre)

50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Total Plant N Uptake (lbs N/acre) 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 Total Plant N Uptake (lbs N/acre) 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 2008 2010 118 117 29

• 15

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Nitrogen Cycle

• Right source

– Conventional sources – Urea, UAN, etc. – Slow and controlled release (ESN, Super U, etc.) – Manure, compost

• Right time

– Fall, spring, split applications, irrigation injection, etc.

• Right place

– Broadcast, band, band location (surface or sub- surface, rate relative to seed), foliar, etc.

• Right rate

– Can vary based on source, time, and place – linked to MINERALIZATION

Research and Management Opportunities

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• Corn N recommendation – Focus on rate

Research is needed- eg. Right Rate

13 site years 113 site years

Corn Acres Harvested (x1000)

1 9 8 1 9 8 5 1 9 9 1 9 9 5 2 2 5 2 1 2 1 5 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 100 200 300 400 500

Silage Acres Grain Acres Dairy Cow Population

Dairy Cow Population (x1000)

South Central Corn and Dairy Cow Data (NASS)

Site Kimberly, ID Soil Portneuf silt loam Year 2014 Soil Test N, 0-24 in 45 ppm Inland Pacific Northwest Grain Fertilizer Recs 120-130 lbs N/acre Inland Pacific Northwest Silage Fertilizer Recs 90 lbs N/acre

N Rate Main Effect P = 0.8579 NS N Fertilizer Rate (lbs N/acre) 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Grain Yield (bu/acre) 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 N Supply, N Fertilizer + Soil Inorganic N (lbs N/acre) 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 Grain Yield versus N Rate and Supply Mean Yield N Rate Main Effect P = 0.6051 NS N Fertilizer Rate (lbs N/acre) 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Silage Yield (tons/acre @ 65% Water Content) 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 N Supply, N Fertilizer + Soil Inorganic N (lbs N/acre) 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 Silage Yield versus N Rate and Supply Mean Yield

Corn Response to Nitrogen

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N Supply, N Fertilizer + Soil Inorganic N (lbs N/acre) 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 ERS (lbs/acre) 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 2008 - Sig. N Response. EONS = 190 lbs N/acre 2010 - Sig. N Response. EONS = 215 lbs N/acre 2014 - No Sig. N response

Sugarbeet Response to Nitrogen

• Soil sampling depth

– Capture the amount of N available at the beginning of the season. – DEPTH of sampling!!!!

1 Example of management improvements we can implement now

5 foot Irrigation shovel

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Amount of Residual N Over Soil Depth

S i t e 1 S i t e 2 S i t e 3 S i t e 4 Percent of Total Inorganic N Relative to 0-3 ft 20 40 60 80 100 120 3-4 ft 0-2 ft

Effect of Past Manure on N Mineralization

• Conv. Fert.

Manure Every Other Year Manure Every Year NO3-N + NH4-N in 0-2 ft (lbs N/acre) 100 200 300 400 500

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Effect of Past Manure on N Mineralization

• Conv. Fert.

Manure Every Other Year Manure Every Year NO3-N + NH4-N in 0-2 ft (lbs N/acre) 100 200 300 400 500

Research Will Continue to Improve N Management in Idaho Cropping Systems