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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #308938
Title: Improving nitrogen management for corn in southern Idaho and southwest Oregon

Author
item Tarkalson, David
item Bjorneberg, David - Dave
item HINES, S - University Of Idaho
item MOORE, A - University Of Idaho

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Idaho Nutrient Management Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2014
Publication Date: 3/6/2014
Citation: Tarkalson, D.D., Bjorneberg, D.L., Hines, S., Moore, A. 2014. Improving nitrogen management for corn in southern Idaho and southwest Oregon. Proceedings of the 2014 Idaho Nutrient Management Conference, March 6, 2014, Twin Falls, Idaho. p. 50-54.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Funding is being sought from multiple sources to update nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for irrigated corn in southern Idaho and southwest Oregon. This paper summarizes the justifications and main objectives of this proposed research. Nitrogen needs to be correctly managed in corn production systems to optimize economic returns and to protect the environment. The fertilizer nitrogen recommendations for irrigated field corn in Idaho and other parts of the Pacific need to be re-evaluated because: (1) University of Idaho (U of I) and PNW region recommendations are based on sparse research data; (2) Recommendation are based on research data that is over 25 years old; (3) Corn production area and yield have increased dramatically in concentrated areas due to the growing dairy industry; (4) There is evidence of variation in optimal nitrogen rates and management between the U of I recommendations and growers, and between U of I and other corn growing regions; (5) In southern Idaho nitrate concentrations have been increasing in groundwater and springs along the Snake River. Agriculture has been implicated by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality as a major source of the nitrate. This document elaborates on the above justifications.