ARS | Publication request: Using extension phosphorus uptake research to improve Idaho's nutrient management planning program

Submitted to: Journal of Extension
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 23, 2012
Publication Date: October 29, 2012
Citation: Hines, S., Moore, A., Brown, B., Chahine, M., Norell, R., De Haro Marti, M.E., Falen, C., Fife, T., Parkinson, S., Ippolito, J.A. 2012. Using extension phosphorus uptake research to improve Idaho's nutrient management planning program. Journal of Extension. 50(5):Article 5RIB10. Available: http://www/joe/org/joe/2012october/rb10.php.

Interpretive Summary: Irrigated silage corn is the main crop used for phosphorus removal; however little is known about the actual amounts of phosphorus removed under southern Idaho growing conditions. The purpose of this study was to survey phosphorus removal by irrigated corn grown for silage in southern Idaho under variable soil test phosphorus concentrations. In this survey whole plant corn tissue phosphorus concentrations ranged from 0.116 to 0.307% total phosphorus and averaged 0.208%, which is lower than Natural Resources Conservation Services estimates used prior to 2007 (0.26% phosphorus) but higher than estimates used since 2007 (0.185%). The study was used by NRCS to update nutrient management planning software used by planners in Idaho.

Technical Abstract: Irrigated silage corn is the main crop used for phosphorus removal; however little is known about the actual amounts of phosphorus removed under southern Idaho growing conditions. The purpose of this study was to survey phosphorus removal by irrigated corn grown for silage in southern Idaho under variable soil test phosphorus concentrations. In this survey whole plant corn tissue phosphorus concentrations ranged from 0.116 to 0.307% total phosphorus and averaged 0.208%, which is lower than Natural Resources Conservation Services estimates used prior to 2007 (0.26% phosphorus) but higher than estimates used since 2007 (0.185%). The study was used by NRCS to update nutrient management planning software used by planners in Idaho.