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1. 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 |
2. Effects of Lime and Micronutrient Amendments for Acidic Soils of the Inland Pacific NorthwestThe soil pH of agricultural land in the inland Pacific Northwest has dropped precipitously from native soil levels of near 7.0 pH. Changes that were becoming evident in the 1980’s have reached critical levels, leaving tens of thousands of acres of previous prairie soil at pH under 5.0 and unable to grow an increasing number of aluminum-sensitive crops. Some farmers in the region are beginning to use lime application to neutralize soil acidity. However, pH changes and liming can also... R. Wieme, L. Carpenter-boggs, P. Carter, S. Van vleet |
3. Improving Corn Nitrogen Management Recommendations in the Northwest U.S.The current nitrogen (N) fertilizer recommendations for corn in the Northwest U.S. were developed from limited research (14 potential site-years) in the 1970’s and 1980’s. New data is needed to improve N fertilizer recommendations. Between 2010 and 2017, 17 N rate studies were conducted. Fifteen site-years were conducted for corn grain and 9 site-years for corn silage. Research was conducted on diverse soil types, tillage systems, irrigation systems, and... D.D. Tarkalson, D.L. Bjorneberg |
4. Sugar Beet Lime Effects on High pH Soils and Crops in Northwest U.S.A viable solution to dispose of sugar beet precipitation calcium carbonate (PCC) is needed due to the unsustainable issues associated with storage. Sugar beet PCC is a lime material produced as a waste product from extracting sugar from sugar beet. The three main sugar beet processing factories in the Amalgamated Sugar Company growing area in Idaho and Oregon have stockpiled approximately 11.3 million Mg of PCC. Each year these three factories produce a total of 350,000 Mg annually. A... D.D. Tarkalson |
5. 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 |
6. Soil Health and Ecological Resilience on the PalouseHealthy soil is critical for global food security and other essential ecosystem services but is threatened by processes of soil degradation, with at least 33% of global croplands estimated to be moderately or highly degraded. Current soil health assessments provide insight into soil functional performance but often lack diagnostic criteria that assess management effects on soil function over time. We integrate soil health assessments with ecological resilience theory to better understand management... A.G. Davis, D.R. Huggins, J.P. Reganold |
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. Impact of Soil Health Practices in an Irrigated AgroecosystemRegional farming practices in cold semiarid irrigated agroecosystems with short growing seasons are shifting to reduced tillage and overhead irrigation to stay economically viable, but more research is needed on the impact of soil health practices such as crop diversification, reduced tillage, and livestock integration on soil physical and chemical properties in these systems. A multi-year study from 2014-2020 in the Bighorn Basin of Northwest Wyoming used a three-crop rotation (diversification... T. Vance, V. Crowe, J. Norton |
10. Nitrogen Management in Small Grains After AlfalfaSmall grains are commonly grown following alfalfa in Utah and the Intermountain West, especially during drought years as small grains require less irrigation than corn. Several studies across the country have shown that corn following alfalfa rarely needs N fertilizer, yet relatively few have evaluated the N needs of small grains. Furthermore, research on the N needs of small grains grown as forage vs. grain are even more sparse. The objectives of this research are to quantify the... C. Pound, M. Yost, E. Creech, G. Cardon, K. Russell, D. Despain, J. Gale, K. Heaton, B. Kitchen, M. Pace, S. Price, C. Reid, M. Palmer, M. Nelson |
11. Groundwater Protection in California: Nitrogen Planning and ReportingConcern over the environmental consequences of nitrogen released into the environment from agricultural operations goes back at least to the 1970s. Through the federal Clean Water Act (1972) and various state laws dating to that same time period, government has had the power to regulate nitrogen use for decades. However, only in recent years have serious attempts to restrict agricultural N usage become widespread. In California several Regional Water Quality Control Boards have recently introduced... D. Muck, T. Hartz |
12. Nitrous Oxide Emissions: Assessment and Mitigation in Irrigated Cotton in the Western USANitrogen from fertilizers is a major source of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) in irrigated cropping systems. To date, N2O emission data is scarce for row crops in the Western USA, especially, the desert southwest, where seasonal irrigation quantities can exceed 40 inches. The objective of these studies was to assess the effect of N fertilizer management on N2O emissions from furrow-, overhead sprinkler-, and subsurface drip-irrigated (SDI) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in... K. Bronson, D. Hunsaker, K. Thorp, C. Williams |
13. 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 |
14. 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 |
15. Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Cool Season Vegetable Production Systems with Broccoli RotationsNitrate leaching in leafy vegetable production in the Salinas Valley, CA is a continuing problem. Increased levels of nitrate in groundwater resources affects the ability of municipalities to access drinking water that meet federal water quality standards. Regulations by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board are now requiring growers to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in production fields. In prior studies we found that above ground biomass nitrogen (N) at crop maturity... R. Smith, M. Cahn, T. Hartz |
16. Amending Acidic Soils for Sustainable Wheat ProductionSoils in the Inland Pacific Northwest region have been gradually declining in quality as the result of applications of nitrogen fertilizers, regardless of the nitrogen form. Soil test reports evaluated in the 1980’s and 90’s indicated this decline. Recent surveys have provided more extensive data that the pH decline is continuing. Soil test reports indicate that nearly 90% of soils have declined to below 5.2 pH (strong to very strongly acid) in the surface layer of the soil profile.... P. Carter, G. Wegner |
17. 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 |
18. Stratified Soil pH Identification ProjectColumbia County Washington is in the foothills of the Blue Mountain Range and the edge of the Palouse wheat country. The soils of the farming region are mostly a rich silt loam having a rainfall ranging from 12 inches to 25 inches north to south respectively with elevations from 1000 to 3200 feet. About 90% of the cropping systems have adopted conservation tillage, direct seeding or no-till, which has been good for the management of soil erosion. In April 2006, intense soil sampling (1 cm increments)... P. Carter, T. Bruegman |
19. Stratified Nutrient and Soil pH Education and Demonstration ProjectColumbia County Washington is in the foothills of the Blue Mountain Range and the edge of the Palouse wheat country. The farming region soils are mostly a rich silt loam having a rainfall ranging from 10 inches in the north at the Snake River to 25 inches next to the Blue Mountains. About 90% of the cropping systems have migrated to some variation of conservation or reduced tillage. This has been good for the management of soil erosion but earlier intense soil sampling indicates that it may have... P. Carter |
20. Impact of an Enhanced Nitrogen Fertilizer (ESN) on Irrigated Crop Production in South Central MontanaTrials were conducted at the Montana State University Southern Agricultural Research Center in Huntley, MT using ESN (44% N, Agrium Advanced Technologies) in combination with urea (45% N) on three different irrigated crops: spring wheat, corn, and sugar beet. Each experiment was a randomized complete block with 4 replications using either 4 or 6 nitrogen rates in combination with 6 or 4 mixing ratios of ESN:urea, plus one unfertilized check for a total of 25 treatments. Urea and ESN were weighed... K. Mcvay, K. Kephart, Q. Khan |
21. Biochar Usage: Pros and ConsSoil fertility benefits of charcoal application have been reported as early as 1847 indicating that plant nutrients are sorbed within charcoal pores. The use of biomass-derived black carbon or biochar, the solid byproduct from the pyrolysis processing of any organic feedstock, has garnered recent attention as a potential vehicle for carbon sequestration and a beneficial soil conditioner. However, most of the past biochar research has focused on improving the physico-chemical properties of tropical... R. Lentz, J. Ippolito, K. Spokas, J. Novak, H. Collins, J. Sterubel |
22. Micro-nutrients in Alfalfa Production: is There Need/opportunity for Cost Effective Management?The management of soil fertility for optimum alfalfa productivity requires that all nutrient-related limitations be manipulated where warranted and cost-effective. It has been the policy of the Utah State University Analytical Laboratory to not promote soil testing for micronutrient sufficiency based on a lack of general need, historically, for nutrients such as sulfur, boron, zinc and others. This study undertook to accomplish two things, 1) to provide an initial inventory of micronutrient... G. Cardon, J. Barnhill, M. Pace, C. Israelsen, D. Miner, L. Greenhalgh, S. Banks, M. Shao, D. Rothlisberger, S. Olsen, P. Hole |
23. 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 |
24. Phosphorus Dynamics in Organic Matter-amended SoilsGenerally, phosphorus (P) is considered immobile in calcareous soils. Yet, numerous studies have found that the addition of organic wastes (e.g. manures) can enhance P mobility in these soils. We believe that the soluble organic matter present in these wastes increases P solubility by inhibiting the sorption of inorganic P on soil colloidal surfaces and subsequently preventing the formation of insoluble calcium phosphates. This results in increased P bioavailability. Likewise, tests used to assess... P. Grossl, R. Koenig, C. Jones, S. Trolove |
25. A Low Volume Continuous Gradient Dosing System for Rapid Plant Response ScreeningEarly tolerance experiments required a tedious and time consuming delivery process that additionally limited the number of replications and treatments performed (DeMalach et al., 1996). Many treatment delivery systems have been used in tolerance screening experiments, the more flexible of these being a trickle irrigation system known as the double emitter source (DES), or double drip line system. The techniques of the DES were adapted in this study by providing for a larger number of treatment... A. Hawks, G. Cardon |
26. Elemental Sulfur with Iron: Kentucky BluegrassIron (Fe) is known to improve greenness of Kentucky bluegrass (KBG; Poa pratensis L.), although applications are relatively costly and labor intensive. A new fertilizer material, elemental sulfur impregnated with Fe (ES-Fe), may provide an alternative source of Fe for KBG. The effects of ES-Fe on KBG was evaluated comparing 55 lb-Fe ac-1 ES-Fe to ferrous sulfate (FS) at the same rate and chelated Fe as a foliar (CF) or soil applied (CS) in a glasshouse study. A separate... B. Hopkins, B. Webb, K. Marcroft, R. Christenson, V. Jolley |
27. New Tools in Soil and Manure Test Information Interpretation in UtahAn effort is underway to update the USU Analytical Laboratory’s (USUAL) procedures and data presentation/interpretation capabilities. Modern database management tools and analytical instruments have, in many cases, gone under-exploited in reducing sample turn-around time, in improving data dissemination and interpretation, and in providing research and extension personnel with access to comprehensive historical and current trend data on soil fertility, and manure and plant analysis. This... G. Cardon, J. Kotuby-amacher |
28. 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 |
29. 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 |
30. Is Protein Enough for Assessing Wheat Flour Quality?The quality of wheat products such as bread, bagels, noodles or pizza that consumers purchase is based on the flour quality used in production. Flours with different characteristcs are needed to produce different products and flour quality is important to produce a quality end product. However, at the initial stage of flour production, wheat is sold on a grain protein premium basis by farmers to elevators and eventually millers. In many years, higher protein (> 15% protein) wheat can bring... C. Reese, D. Clay, D. Beck, R. Englund |
31. Barley Yield and Protein Response to Nitrogen and Sulfur Rates and Application TimingThe introduction of new barley varieties, as well as changes in management practices, necessitate a re-evaluation of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) nutrient management guidelines. Nitrogen has a significant impact on barley grain quality and yield. Overapplication of N can result in lodging, groundwater pollution, and high protein content, resulting in lower end-use quality of barley, while underapplication of N results in reduced grain quality and yield. Sulfur promotes N utilization in barley plant... O. Adeyemi, J. Spackman, J. Sagers, J. Marshall, Z. Hong, R. Findlay, J. Bevan |
32. Performance of Public and Private Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Alfalfa, and Small GrainsThere are many sources that growers utilize to determine fertilizer needs for crops such as private and public labs, crop advisors, and fertilizer dealers. In many cases, these sources provide recommendations for a specific crop that can vary greatly, and the resulting fertilizer and application rates recommended can lead to large differences in costs for the grower. Evaluating the effectiveness and economics of current fertilizer guidelines and recommendations will help growers to make better-informed... M. Yost, M. Baker, J. Gale, E. Creech, G. Cardon |
33. Evaluating Zinc Requirements of Corn, Small Grains, and AlfalfaMany growers and crop advisors in the Intermountain west have recently reported Zn deficiencies in major cereal and forage crops. Further, many common fertilizer blends now include Zn. Most Zn fertilizer guidelines indicate that 5-10 lbs of Zn per acre should be applied when critical soil test Zn levels are less than about 0.8 ppm Zn. These guidelines in Utah and many other states in the region were developed decades ago and need to be reassessed. Therefore, we established Zn response and rate... M. Yost, M. Baker, J. Gale, G. Cardon, E. Creech |
34. The Effects of Calcium Source and Placement on Soil Factors and Wheat Performace FactorsWheat production is a critical component of U.S. Pacific Northwest agriculture, with approximately 80% of the global soft white wheat grain supply originating from this region. Ammonium-based nitrogen fertilizers are widely used on typically alkaline soils in Eastern Oregon dryland production areas by wheat growers. However the nitrification process that biologically converts ammonium to nitrate increases the soil concentration of H+. This process ultimately creates acidic soil conditions, which... S. Ellickson, A. Moore, R. Zemetra, C. Hagerty |
35. Effects of Long-term Biosolids Applications in Two Dryland Agroecosystems on Physical, Biological, and Chemical Soil Health PropertiesBiosolids can be important sources of organic matter to semi-arid dryland grain systems and have the potential to mitigate some of the soil health challenges specific to these areas while providing an alternative to synthetic fertilizers. Biosolids are an important avenue for beneficially reusing and redistributing nutrients from high population urban areas to more rural agricultural areas. We explored how long-term (20+ year) applications of biosolids at two field sites affected physical, biological... M. Desjardins, A. Bary, J. Ippolito, S. Cappellazzi, D. Liptzin, D. Griffin-lahue |
36. Soil Greenhouse Gas Dynamics in Response to Dairy Manure Compost in an Almond OrchardApplication of dairy manure compost in soils under almond production may confer benefits such as increased carbon sequestration, improved crop nutrient use efficiency, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Elucidating the mechanisms of greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation is a primary concern in the management of agricultural soils and it is directly linked to nutrient management. Presently, agricultural soils account for 11.2% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Of particular concern is... A. Coyotl, J. Murch, S.S. Khalsa, W.R. Horwath |
37. Non-dormant Alfalfa and Small Grain Rotations- Tillage and Fertility EffectsTo study the use of non-dormant and high nitrogen fixing alfalfa cultivars as a possible source of nitrogen for spring and fall-seeded wheat and barley grown under tilled and no-tilled conditions. Hi-Nitro, a non-dormant, high-nitrogen fixing alfalfa variety, and RoundUp Ready Stratica, a traditional dormant alfalfa cultivars were clear seeded in Aberdeen in 2023 and 2024. Forage was harvested 4 times. Fall or spring tillage was done approximately 3-14 days before planting fall or spring... R. Findlay, J. Spackman, J. Hatch, T. Jacobsen, J. Gibbons, J. Sagers, D. Callister |
38. Malt Barley Yield and Quality Response to Nitrogen and Sulfur FertilityNitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) and are critical nutrients for producing high-quality malt barley but can be difficult to manage in semi-arid production systems where rainfall and, periodically, irrigation is variable. High spring precipitation or excessive irrigation events can favor N and S leaching reducing yield and grain quality. However, N fertilizer additives such as urease inhibitors, nitrification inhibitors, and controlled-release products may improve N availability. Irrigated... J. Spackman, J. Spackman, J. Hatch, J. Bevan |
39. 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 |
40. Hydrothermal Carbonization of Dairy Manure for Phosphorus Recovery and Runoff Risk Mitigation: Effect of Temperature and CaO AdditionDairy manure contains a significant amount of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), which are essential for soil fertility and crop productivity, but are currently underutilized due to ammonia emissions, P runoff and leaching, and manure N to P ratios do not match crop nutrient needs. Meanwhile, there is a growing concern about P depletion as a non-renewable resource. To address both the excessive use of synthetic P fertilizers and inefficiently direct use of dairy manure, a logical strategy is to... M. Islam, B. He, L. Chen |
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 |