ARS | Publication request: Nutrient Estimation Using Subsurface Sensing Methods

Submitted to: Agronomy Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 3, 2009
Publication Date: November 5, 2009
Citation: Eigenberg, R.A., Woodbury, B.L., Nienaber, J.A., Spiehs, M.J. 2009. Nutrient Estimation Using Subsurface Sensing Methods. [abstract] In: Proceedings 2009 International Annual Meetings of Agronomy Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, 1-5 Nov 2009, Pittsburg, PA. CDROM.

Technical Abstract: This report investigates the use of precision management techniques for measuring soil conductivity on feedlot surfaces to estimate nutrient value for crop production. An electromagnetic induction soil conductivity meter was used to collect apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) from feedlot pens in Nebraska and Texas. The ECa from a Nebraska research feedlot was used by a program, ESAP, developed by the Soil Salinity Lab at Riverside, CA. The program was used to direct soil sampling and develop regression models. The soil sample data was analyzed for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) then combined with the ECa data to produce a correlation between ECa and associated TP and TN (r2 = 0.95, TP; r2=0.93, TN). The calibration equations were used to estimate TP and TN across several pens (located in Texas and Nebraska). Comparative values of the harvested nutrients give insights into management options for harvested manure.