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1. Is Cover Crop Species Mixture and Diversity More Important at Building Soil Health than Shoot Biomass in a Semi-arid Region?Cover crop mixtures (CCMs) as partial fallow replacements have the potential to increase soil health, yet long-term studies on CCMs, especially in semi-arid environments are relatively rare. An eight-year study at two locations in semi-arid Montana sought to evaluate the effect of functional group (N fixer, tap roots, fibrous roots, brassicacae) and species richness (2, 6, and 8 species in a mix) on a range of biological, physical and chemical soil parameters. Although several soil health... P. Miller, C. Jones, C. Zabinski, K. D'agati, M. Housman, S. Tallman |
2. Is Mitigation of Drought Stress By Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Driven By a Nano-Specific Mechanism or Alleviation of Micronutrient Deficiency?It has been reported that zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) can promote drought tolerance in crops when used as soil amendments. However, many of these experiments were conducted in Zn-deficient growth media with no comparison to currently available Zn fertilization methods, making it unclear if the benefits from adding ZnO NPs were caused by a nano-specifc mechanism or simply by the mitigation of a micronutrient deficiency. A review of the literature shows that of 12 published experiments... J.W. Deakin, M. Potter, A. Cartwright, J. Hortin, D. Sparks, J.E. Mclean, D.W. Britt, A.J. Anderson, A.R. Jacobson, L. Yen |
3. Enhanced Efficiency Phosphorus FertilizersPhosphorus (P) is essential for plants. However, first-year phosphorus fertilizer uptake by plants is low, resulting in economic and environmental impacts. Developments with P Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer (EEF) sources show improved uptake efficiency and increased yield and/or crop quality, while reducing environmental risk. Research with EEFs (including organic acids, maleic itaconic copolymer, and struvite) all show these improvements, especially when: 1) soil test P concentrations are low,... B. Hopkins, S.J. Kobza, C. Seely |
4. Does Post-harvest Nitrogen Application Affect Blueberry Yield or Cold Hardiness?In central Washington, nitrogen (N) management in blueberries typically consists of all N being applied prior to harvest. For early cultivars, such as Duke, this means all fertilizer is applied before the end of June, leaving a long period of growth with no supplemental N. To evaluate the potential for splitting N fertilizer applications into pre- and post-harvest timings, we conducted an experiment in a randomized complete block design with four replicates on a commercial ‘Duke’... J.R. Davenport, G.A. Hoheisel, L.W. Devetter |
5. Developing a Soil Health Assessment Framework for Specialty Crop Systems and Soils of Washington StateTo ensure productive soils, agricultural sustainability, and food security, it is vital to maintain and improve soil health. However, over the decades, intensive agricultural practices have led to a decline in soil health. While most of these intensive agricultural practices negatively affect soil health, research has shown that it is possible to resuscitate soils with practices such as over cropping, and crop rotation. Much of the research on soil health in the US has been done in agronomic systems... K.A. Sarpong, M. Mcilquham, L. Michel, D. Griffin |
6. Dairy Manure and Fertilizer Effects on Microbial Activity of an Idaho SoilDairy manure applications that have occurred in the past can have long-term lingering effects on crop production. Understanding the cause is important for current and future management practices. This study was conducted to assess selected microbial activity among past manure application rates. In a past study (2014-2016) in Kimberly Idaho, historic manure applications have been shown to have significant positive and negative effects on sugar beet production. The manure treatment history... D.D. Tarkalson, R. Dungan, D. Bjorneberg |
7. Comparative Analysis of Soil Tests for Soil Health and Nutrient ManagementOptions for soil tests to address soil health and nutrient management objectives have diversified. We compare different soil test methods to evaluate their similarities for providing recommendations. Traditional soil tests, ion exchange membranes and analyses using the Haney Soil Health Nutrient Tool and Soil Health Index were compared for soil sampled from long-term cropping system trials near Ritzville Washington and from the R.J. Cook Agronomy Farm near Pullman WA. Despite strong... D. Huggins, C. Rieser, J. Reganold |
8. Long-term Soil Profile Acidification: Obvious and Hidden DangersSoil acidification is occurring in the dryland farming region of the Northwest. Historically, soil acidification in the surface foot has been characterized; however, potential acidification of subsoil is unknown. We examined soil acidification for soil profiles (0 to 5 ft) at the R.J. Cook Agronomy Farm (92 ac) for 17 years following conversion from conventional tillage to continuous No-tillage (NT). Surface soil depths (0-12 in) acidified under continuous NT to below 5. Surprisingly, subsoil... D. Huggins, S. Shiwakoti |
9. Is Residue Management an Important Factor in the Soil Health of Perennial Grass Seed Production Systems?Residue management in agricultural systems is a crucial pathway of nutrient and organic matter flow and is predicted to affect soil health indices. In Western Oregon, perennial grasses for seed are a major crop, occupying roughly 150,000 ha in the Willamette Valley. Current estimates are that 80-85% of producers remove straw residue, exporting more than 650,000 US tons of straw annually. The primary objectives of this study were: i) evaluate soil health outcomes under residue retention and removal... B. Verhoeven, A. Moore, D. Sullivan, M. Gonzalez-mateu |
10. Nutrient Management in Asian Leafy VegetablesAsian leafy vegetables are grown intensively in open field and protected agricultural systems. In protected agricultural systems some of the vegetables are grown 6-7 times per year in continuous rotations with a 15-day gap between each rotation. Grown primarily in Fresno, Monterey, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties on around 7026 acres, Asian vegetables are valued at $79 million. In Fresno and Santa Clara counties these crops are grown primarily... A. Gazula |
11. Phosphorus Efficiencies of Liquid P Fertilizers as Evidenced by P Adsorption Isotherms of Western Calcareous SoilsThe high levels of free lime or calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in arid Western U.S.A. soils reacts with phosphorus (P) fertilizers to form Ca-P minerals that are not available to plants through P fixation. Enhanced efficiency P fertilizers may potential decrease P fixation. The objective of this study was to identify P fixations levels associated with several enhanced efficiency P fertilizers on a basic soil (pH 8.03) over a 1-, 3-, and 7-day time period, and to use that data to adjust P fertilizer... J. Williams, S. Davis, K. Dabbs |
12. Polymer Coated Urea and Urea Blends on PotatoPotato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a globally important crop with significant economic and environmental impacts. Nitrogen (N) has a large impact in both instances. Polymer coated urea (PCU) is a N source with the ability of improving production and the environment. Environmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN) is a PCU that may reduce the need for continual N application throughout the season. The objective of this research was to evaluate the impacts on potato tuber yield and quality with uncoated... E. Carlock, A. Weigel, T. Searle, T. Hopkins, J. Williams, B. Hopkins |
13. Polymer Coated Urea Impact on Barley Yield and ProteinPolymer coated urea (PCU) is an enhanced efficiency nitrogen (N) fertilizer shown to regulate N release over a season benefiting production and reducing nutrient pollution. The purpose of this study was testing the effect of uncoated and coated urea blends on irrigated barley yield and protein. The study consisted of three N rates applied as all urea or a 50-50 blend of PCU and urea. As expected, N rates increased yields and protein. In general, urea resulted in increased yields with... S. Fahning, T. Searle, A. Weigel, R. Buck, T. Hopkins, B. Hopkins |
14. Boron Fertilization with Aspire® in Alfalfa and PotatoPotassium (K) and boron (B) are essential nutrients. The spatially even distribution of applying K fertilizer is typically not a problem, but for B fertilizer application, it is a problem. This is especially difficult for crops such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) due to low B rate and limited soil exploration by roots. Fertilizer with K and B fused into a single granule could result in even distribution. Trials were performed to evaluate the performance... E. Woolley, T. Searle, T. Hopkins, J. Williams, B. Hopkins |
15. Science and Stakeholder Engagement on 4R Nutrient Stewardship, Sustainability and Nutrient Performance Indicators: a Recent Central to Eastern U.S. and Global PerspectiveFarmers and society are becoming more aware of the need to better protect water, air and soil resources. The focus of the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) is on responsible nutrient management and stewardship to support the needs of the growing human family. Since 2007, IPNI has been more actively engaged with university scientists, federal and state agencies, agribusiness associations, crop advisers, and nongovernmental partners to get more of the applied nutrients - especially... C. Snyder |
16. Canola Roots of Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiency: New Lessons for PNW Wheat GrowersThe semi-arid inland Pacific Northwest (iPNW) has primarily produced wheat for 125 years due to favorable climate, soils, economics and policy drivers. Shifting drivers over the past decade related to energy, climate change, regional and global markets have created new opportunities for the integration of canola into iPNW wheat-dominated rotations. Traditional wheat grower mindsets required an agronomic reboot, forged by an understanding of canola vs. wheat physio morphology, an explosion of variety... W. Pan, T. Maaz, I. Madsen, W. Hammac, M. Reese |
17. Nebraska Nitrogen Management Present and FutureUniversity of Nebraska faculty have been refining their N rate recommendation procedure since the 1970s. At that time, they introduced a procedure for predicting soil nitrate-N availability and effect on subsequent corn N needs. In the 1990’s this procedure was refined based on 81 state wide N rate experiments. In 2003-2006 it was re-confirmed with 32 state wide irrigated corn trials. The current algorithm is the following: N need (lb/ac) = [35 + (1.2 x EY) - (8 x NO3- N ppm) - (0.14 x EY... C. Shapiro, R. Ferguson, C. Wortmann, T. Shaver, B. Krienke, G. Hergert, B. Maharjan |
18. Test Driving a New Nrcs Nutrient Budget Calculator for Nutrient Management Planning in CaliforniaIn executing its mission to aid landowners in making conservation improvements, the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) assists landowners in identifying their operation’s potential risks to natural resources, if any. For assessing a cropland producer’s nutrient management, determining whether their nutrient applications rates might be considered excessive or has a potential to load up soil levels is key. However, NRCS does not make prescriptive nutrient... B. Gale, Z. Kabir |
19. The Performance of the Soil Health Tool in Irrigated Calcareous Soils of the Western U.S.The Soil Health Tool (SHT), utilizes an integrated approach to soil testing for quantification of soil health and estimation of available nutrients for crop growth. The SHT is designed to mimic nature’s approach, as closely as possible, in order to estimate soil nutrient availability in the laboratory. The test itself includes extraction with water to measure soluble nutrients (C, N, P), a soil microbiological measurement, and a weak organic acid extraction to mimic additional nutrients... A. Leytem, A. Moore |
20. Drought and Nitrogen Stress Effects on Maize Canopy TemperatureWater scarcity is a major threat to the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. Management practices, such as limited irrigation, that seek to maximize the productivity of a limited water supply are critical. Remote sensing of crop canopy temperature is a useful tool for assessing crop water status and for more precise irrigation management. However, there is potential that nutrient deficiencies could compound the interpretation of water status from leaf temperature by altering leaf color and... A. Carroll, C. Lindsey, J. Baker, B. Hopkins, N. Hansen |
21. Cover Cropping in the Semi-arid West: Effects of Termination Timing, Species, and Mixtures on Nitrogen Uptake, Yield, Soil Quality, and Economic ReturnSummer fallow still dominates some areas of the northern Great Plains (NGP), providing an opportunity to grow a partial season cover crop for increased soil health or nutrient availability. Over 12 years of research on single species cover crops in semi-arid Montana have revealed the benefits of early termination and multiple cover crop cycles on N availability, subsequent crop yield, soil health, and economic return. Due to high N fixation, pea cover crops have fairly consistently increased subsequent... C. Jones, P. Miller, S. Tallman, M. Housman, C. Zabinski, M. Burgess, J. O'dea, A. Bekkerman |
22. Alfalfa Contributes More Nitrogen to Following Crop Than Previously ThoughtAlfalfa in high-yielding environments fixes significant amounts of atmospheric N2, a portion of which benefits succeeding non-legume crops and reduces fertilizer N requirement by an amount sometimes called the “legume N credit”. Field research-based estimates of the legume N credit in California and other irrigated, semi-arid or arid environments are sparse in the literature. We conducted replicated plot experiments at three field station sites in California using wheat as an indicator... S. Pettygrove, E. Lin, D. Putnam, M. Lundy, S. Orloff, S. Wright |
23. Effects of Commercial Organic and Cyanobacterial Fertilizers on Instantaneous Water Use Efficiency in Drip Irrigated Organic Sweet CornWater and fertilizers are applied to maintain crop growth, yield, and quality. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer plays a crucial role in crop growth and yield development of sweet corn (Zea mays). Organic growers often use commercial organic animal- based fertilizers which vary in nutrient composition, forms of available N (NH4+- N and NO3--N), and have high transportation costs. Alternatively, cyanobacteria can be grown on-site as a source of N. Cyanobacteria haves unique dual properties because they... J. G. davis, A. Sukor, C. Ramsey |
24. Effects of Enhanced Mixing and Minimal Co2 Supplementation on Biomass and Nitrogen Concentration in a Nitrogen-fixing Anabaena Sp. Cyanobacteria Biofertilizer Production CultureNitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria are attractive as a nitrogen fertilizer because they are ubiquitous in nature and have minimal nutrient requirements. Our lab is scaling up production of a local strain of the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. in on-farm open raceways to determine its exonomic ppotential as a nitrogen fertilizer for horticultural crops. Our goal is to increase productivity in an organically certifiable growth medium above the current two week batch production levels... J. G. davis, J. Wenz, H. Storteboom |
25. Effect of Liquid Organic Fertilizers and Seaweed Extract on Daucus Carota Var. Sativus Growth CharacteristicsCommon N fertilizers used in organic production are often energy intensive to produce and expensive to transport. Cyanobacteria fertilizer produced on-farm could decrease impacts on the environment as well as production costs for organic farmers. In addition, cyanobacteria fertilizer could perform similarly to products marketed to increase production via plant growth hormones such as seaweed extract. The effects of common organic fertilizers as well as organic liquid cyanobacteria fertilizer on... J. G. davis, A. Wickham |
26. Effect of Nitrogen Rate and Cropping System on Soil Nutrient Levels in a Long-term StudyDiversified continuous cropping systems in semi-arid regions of the northern Great Plains may enhance sustainability. A study initiated in 2000 in southwest Montana was designed to evaluate crop productivity and economic returns for no- till and organic rotations that included small grains, pulses, and oilseeds. Our specific objective presented here was to compare soil nutrient differences from 2004 to 2012, to learn if economically superior rotations were building or depleting soil nutrients.... C. Jones, P. Miller, T. Rick, A. Mccauley |
27. Demonstration of Veris Nir Soil Carbon Mapping TechnologyThe new VERIS Technologies Near Infra Red (NIR) Spectrophotometer compares soil spectral measurements with soil carbon (C) and other properties. These data can be utilized to generate maps of soil characteristics across the landscape. This potentially useful system may simplify the measurement of important soil properties, provide a new tool for evaluation of residue conservation management practices, and guide farmers in soil management decisions based on data heretofore unavailable. While growers... P. Carter, S. Van vleet, E. Perry, S. Young, F. Pierce |
28. Phosphorus and Zinc Interactions in PotatoPotato production requires high soil phosphorus (P) application with potential negative environmental and nutrient uptake effects. Impacts of high available P on species in potato cropping rotations are not adequately understood, nor have the causes of reduced yield and quality from excess P been fully explored. Antagonistic interactions with cationic micronutrients such as zinc (Zn) are plausible explanations. Two hydroponic experiments were conducted with Burbank potato to elucidate P and Zn... B. Webb, B. Hopkins, J. Ellsworth, S. Barben, B. Nichols, V. Jolley |
29. Variability of Manure Nutrient Content and Implications for Manure Sampling ProtocolThe variability of manure nutrient levels within and across farms makes manure sampling and development of reliable tabular values challenging. The chemical characteristics of beef, dairy, horse, sheep, and chicken solid manures in Colorado were evaluated by sampling six to ten different livestock operations for each manure type and comparing the results to values found in the literature. Due to the semi-arid climate of Colorado, manure tends to be drier and have lower ammonium (NH4-N) levels... J. G. davis, K. Iversen, M. Vigil |
30. Determining Plant Available Nitrogen from Manure and Compost Topdressed on an Irrigated PastureComposting manure is a practice that is gaining acceptance as an environmentally sound manure management practice at large animal production operations. Composting produces a value-added product that enhances the fertility and physical properties of soil. During the composting process, nitrogen and phosphorus in the original feedstocks are converted through microbial activity into predominantly stable organic compounds, lessening the risk of loss of these nutrients into the environment. Compost... J. G. davis, T. Bauder, K. Corwin doesken, A. Elliott |
31. Best Management Practices (Bmps) for Ammonia Emissions Reduction from Animal Feeding Operations: a Colorado Case StudyAmmonia emissions from agriculture are a growing concern, in particular, in Colorado where nitrogen deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park has highlighted public concerns. Due to the high level of political pressure on agriculture to reduce its emissions, the agricultural community in Colorado has recently developed a Rocky Mountain National Park Ag Strategy for decreasing ammonia emissions from agriculture and nitrogen deposition in the park. The strategy includes the completion of a thorough... J. G. davis, A. Elliott, N. Marcillac, J. Pritchett, C. Stewart, A. Mink |
32. Boron Fertilization in PotatoThe high value of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), its inefficient rooting system and the low organic matter content of sandy soils on which potatoes are cultivated result in widespread application of boron (B) and other micronutrients. However, in times of cost trimming, B may become an omitted input regardless of soil test values. Further, soil tests for B may need to be updated for higher yields, better management or improved soil test methods. Russet Burbank potato was grown at... B. Webb, B. Hopkins, J. Ellsworth, V. Jolley, R. Callahan |
33. Precision N Management: Field-scale Application of N Efficiency Indices in WheatPreliminary evaluation of precision agricultural technologies showed that on-combine grain yield and protein monitors show promise as useful tools to characterize site- specific variations in crop performance. Variable rate applicators were shown to be proficient at achieving targeted site-specific application goals. First year comparisons of uniform versus precision N management in hard red winter wheat showed that similar yield and protein goals were met with 20% less applied N in the field-scale... D. Huggins |
34. Reducing Dairy Effluent Phosphorus Content Through Struvite ProductionForced precipitation of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate, MgNH4PO46H2O) in wastewater treatment has recently received increased attention as a method of phosphorus (P) recycling. Dairy lagoon P concentrations can be lowered, and the recovered struvite has the potential to be marketed and used as a fertilizer. Struvite may even be useful in organic production on calcareous soils, where rock P (PR) is not an option. A new organic treatment method, based on an existing... J. G. davis, J. Ippolito, M. Massey, R. Sheffield |
35. Predicting Phosphorus Runoff from Calcareous SoilsStudies have shown that as extractable soil P levels increase, runoff P levels also increase. This relationship has been found on many different soils, but tends to be unique for each soil series. Very little research exists evaluating this relationship in calcareous soils. The objectives of this study were to determine soil series specific relationships between soil test phosphorus (STP) and runoff P for three calcareous soils, to compare the use of different soil extractants for runoff P prediction... J. G. davis, R. Schierer, J. Zumbrunnen |
36. Response of Soil N Cycling, Nitrifying Organisms, and Winter Wheat Yield and Quality to Nitrification Inhibitors in High Rainfall Zones of Northern IdahoLeaching of fertilizer nitrogen contributes to environmental pollution and is an economic loss for agricultural producers. Leaching of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers is intensified when applied to areas of high rainfall zones in excess of crop requirements. Reduction of this nitrogen loss may be achieved through the application of nitrification inhibitors at the time of planting to prevent the transformation of ammonia to more leachable nitrate by nitrifying organisms. Much research on nitrification... S. Philpott, H. Tao, K. Schroeder |
37. ManureDB: Creating a Nationwide Manure Test DatabaseManure nutrients serve an important role in crop production, however compared with commercial fertilizers there is a lack of standardized information. When exact manure values are not known, manure book values have been referenced. Recent data from midwestern United States (US) labs indicates manure nutrient levels have changed from book values published by Midwest Plan Service (2004) and American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (2005). Manure laboratory analysis has improved... N.L. Bohl bormann, M.L. Wilson, E.L. Cortus, K. Janni, K. Silverstein, L. Gunderson |
38. Lime Incubation for Southern Idaho SoilsSoil acidity is a growing concern for agricultural productivity in Idaho, particularly in the eastern and northern regions where soils are trending acidic. Soil acidity below a pH 5.5 adversely affects the root development and nutrient uptake of crops like alfalfa, barley, and wheat. This study aims to determine the lime requirements for acidic soils in Idaho to optimize crop growth, specifically targeting pH levels of 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0. Soil samples were collected from various grower fields... K. Young, J. Spackman, T. Jacobsen, J. Sagers, J. Hatch, R. Ritchie, J. Williams, K. Schroeder, A. Adjesiwor |
39. Liming for Improved Nutrient Utilization and Weed Management in WheatSoil acidification is an increasing concern for agricultural productivity in Eastern Idaho, where low soil pH threatens the yield and quality of key crops such as barley and spring wheat. Acidification occurs from the long-term application of ammonium-based fertilizers and other management practices, leading to aluminum toxicity and nutrient imbalances that inhibit root development and reduce yields. Farmers in the region are exploring strategies to address this challenge, including the use of... T. Jacobsen, J. Spackman, A. Adjesiwor, J. Sagers, K. Schroeder, J. Bevan, K. Mookodi, J. Gibbons |
40. Polymer Coated Urea: Microplastics in Agricultural LandscapesPolymer Coated Urea (PCU) is effective in supplying nitrogen (N) to plants with reduced leaching, denitrification, and volatilization losses to the environment. However, microplastics pollution is a concern due to residual amounts in soil and possible transport to surface water. The purpose of this irrigated sweet corn (Zea mays convar.) field study at Provo, UT was to determine the potential for off-site transport of plastic coatings in agricultural landscapes. Treatments included a... C. Seely , J.J. Lemonte, B. Hopkins |
41. A Classification System for Assessing Applied N Performance in Dryland Wheat Crops of the Inland PNWWheat crops in the inland Pacific Northwest demand nitrogen (N) fertilizers at high levels to achieve yield and grain protein objectives. Inefficiencies in N use can accelerate soil acidification, contribute to N2O emissions and result in unnecessary input costs. More precise applications, using wheat performance maps at the field-scale, could lead to increased N use efficiency but requires a multidimensional assessment of performance including grain protein, yield, and N efficiency.... D. Huggins, J. Casanova, C. Phillips |