ARS | Publication request: USE OF GEOSPACIAL INFORMATION FOR N MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTION OF A HIGH QUALITY CROP

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 6, 2003
Publication Date: November 2, 2003
Citation: Delgado, J.A. 2003. Use of geospacial information for n management and production of a high quality crop. American Society of Agronomy Abstracts. 95 CD-ROM.

Technical Abstract: There is the need to monitor the effect of soil physical and chemical variability in crop productivity, crop quality and correlation to N dynamics. Geospatial geographic information systems (GIS) and global position systems (GPS) data was collected for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown on center irrigated pivots of South Central Colorado. Yields and N dynamics were monitored at these sites. We also used N modeling with GIS/GPS data to evaluate the effects of BMPs on N use efficiencies and N dynamics and their correlation to crop quality. Yields were higher at the highest productivity zones for the potato and barley fields. Tuber and small grain quality was correlated with N dynamics. There is potential to use these GPS/GIS tools that account for spatial variability to improve N management, to obtain higher tuber yields and avoid small grain lodging in areas of accumulation of high N levels that potentially affect malting barley quality (high protein N content). These GIS/GPS tools can contribute to the development of site specific practices that contribute to higher N use efficiencies and better crop quality while reducing potential NO3-N leaching losses to underground water.