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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #389343
Research Project: Sustainable Intensification of Cropping Systems on Spatially Variable Landscapes and Soils

Location: Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research

Title: Integrating soil biological properties to improve corn fertilizer recommendations

Author
item SVEDIN, JEFFREY - University Of Missouri
item Ransom, Curtis
item Veum, Kristen
item ANDERSON, STEPHEN - University Of Missouri
item Kitchen, Newell

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2021
Publication Date: 11/7/2021
Citation: Svedin, J., Ransom, C.J., Veum, K.S., Anderson, S.H., Kitchen, N.R. 2021. Integrating soil biological properties to improve corn fertilizer recommendations [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual International Conference, November 7-10, 2021, Salt Lake City, Utah. Available: https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2021am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/134684

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: It is commonly speculated that fertilizer recommendations could be improved by integrating soil fertility (SF) and soil health (SH) testing. However, SH and SF tests and associated interpretations are generally offered separately to producers. Phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) corn response plots were implemented from 2018-2020 in 84 fields across central Missouri to identify possible relationships between SF and SH tests. Plot dimensions were 148 m2 including four 37 m2 fertilizer treatments: 112 kg ha-1 of K2O, 112 kg ha-1 of P2O5, 28 kg ha-1 S, and a control, all applied in the spring after soil fertility and soil health sample collection. Each field included 3-5 plots placed in various growing environments to capture spatial variability. Soil health and SF samples were collected from each plot, in the spring, prior to planting and fertilization. Grain yield was harvested at plant maturity. Yield associated with fertilizer treatments were indexed relative to the control. This presentation will evaluate the impact of SH metrics on current fertilizer recommendations.