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1. Compost Application in California Tomato Cropping SystemsWith the implementation of California Assembly Bill (AB) 341 the availability of composts such as green waste (GW) and co-composted green waste and food waste (FW) as a soil amendment is increasing. The use of those organic amendments in agricultural production systems has been recommended as an effective strategy to make full use of organic waste and improve soil health. However, little information is available to tomato growers to reassess N inputs from using GW and FW. This study was conducted... Q. Yi, W. Horwath, S. Haas, X. Zhu-barker |
2. Adopting Quinoa in Eastern Idaho – An Investigation of Agronomic PracticesQuinoa production area has been increasing rapidly in eastern Idaho in recent years. However, best management practices for quinoa production are yet to be determined in this area. Field experiments were thus conducted at two locations (e.g., Aberdeen and Tetonia) in eastern Idaho from 2016 to 2018 to evaluated agronomic practices for quinoa production. More successful quinoa production was demonstrated in Tetonia, where air temperature is mostly below 30oC during the summer. In contrast,... X. Liang, R. Yang |
3. Managing Soils for CO2 Drawdown: Boon or Boondoggle?Consensus is growing that meeting the goal of a two degree or less global warming will not only require aggressive greenhouse gas emission reductions across all sectors of the global economy, but also active measures to remove CO2from the atmosphere. Among the broader suite of CO2 removal (CDR) strategies, soil C sink approaches have been deemed as being among the most ready for early deployment and having the greatest net environmental benefits. A variety of existing... K. Paustian |
4. Belowground Ecological Interactions For Improved Plant Health, Nutrition And Environmental Quality In Agricultural ProductionPlant roots are in constant interaction with the myriad of organisms that inhabit the soil. Microbe-root associations are important for a plant’s successful establishment in an environment as they directly or indirectly support nutrient cycling, nutrient uptake and defense from abiotic and biotic stressors. Therefore, managing these interactions offers a great opportunity for improving the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production by improving plant nutrient uptake,... C. Lazcano, E. Boyd |
5. 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 |
6. 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 |
7. 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 |
8. Cropmanage: an Online Decision Support Tool for Irrigation and Nutrient ManagementVegetable and berry growers on the central coast of California are under growing regulatory pressure to reduce nitrate loading to ground and surface water supplies. Two tools available to farmers to improve nitrogen use efficiency of these crops are the soil nitrate quick test (SNQT) for monitoring soil residual N concentrations and evapotranspiration (ET)-based irrigation scheduling for estimating crop water requirements. We developed a web-based software application, called CropManage (https://ucanr.edu/cropmanage),... M. Cahn, T. Hartz, R. Smith, B. Noel, L. Johnson, F. Melton |
9. Nitrogen Transformations in Flooded Agroecosystems: a Case Study with Taro (Colocassia Esculenta)Wetland agriculture covers an estimated 170 million ha and contributes significantly to global food supply. Nitrogen fertilizers are subject to numerous potential transformation pathways in flooded systems. The present research was focused on improving our understanding of N transformations in a flooded agricultural system by addressing the following two broad objectives: 1) determine whether the presence of anammox bacteria and its activity contribute significantly to N losses, and 2) evaluate... J. Deenik, C. Penton, B. Popp, G. Bruland, P. Engstrom, J. Mueller, J. Tiedje |
10. Phytosiderophore Exudation from the Roots of Iron Stressed Kentucky BluegrassSome Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L., KBG) cultivars are susceptible to iron (Fe) deficiency chlorosis when grown on calcareous soils and are routinely treated with Fe fertilizers. Aesthetics could be improved and this costly practice could potentially be eliminated with the use of cultivars resistant to Fe deficiency. Grasses are known to release phytosiderophore into the rhizosphere to dissolve Fe for plant use, and this characteristic has been used to screen for resistant... B. Hopkins, E. Buxton, V. Jolley, R. Christensen |
11. 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 |
12. Economic Model to Determine Optimum Nitrogen Rates for Small GrainsNitrogen (N) fertilizer is generally the highest input cost for Montana grain growers; therefore, it has become imperative that a tool be developed to assist crop advisers and farmers in determining economically optimum N rates (EONR). Data from all available MSU-conducted N fertility trials were gathered for spring wheat, winter wheat, and barley. Only the data sets for dryland fields following fallow were deemed large enough to have confidence in any resulting models, and all other data were... C. Jones, D. Griffith, G. Jackson |
13. 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 |
14. 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 |
15. 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 |
16. Soil Zinc Application for Southwestern PecanPecan trees grown in the alkaline soils of the southwestern United States are prone to zinc deficiency unless supplemental zinc is regularly applied. Standard treatment involves multiple foliar zinc applications. Soil zinc application would provide several advantages. A field study was initiated in 2005 with three soil zinc treatments: no zinc (control), ZnSO4 (74 kg.ha-1 Zn), or ZnEDTA (19 kg.ha-1 Zn) were applied one time in March, 2005 in bands 18 cm deep and 1.2 m on both sides... J. Walworth, A. Pond, H. Nunez, B. Wood, M. Kilby |
17. 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 |
18. Soil Health in American Sports Fields and Golf CoursesHealthy soils are essential for sustaining the world’s ecosystems and maintaining human lifestyles. The adoption of biological, chemical, and physical analyses to assess soil health is a relatively new concept with a paucity of scientific work assessing how well these tests can predict and influence soil health. Golf and sports turf are arguably the most intensively managed soil systems in the world, including fertilizer and pesticide use. Excess fertilizer and pesticide application can... M. Barnes, B.G. Hopkins |
19. 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 |
20. 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 |
21. Stacking 4R Nutrient Management: PotatoThe 4Rs of nutrient management are research-based guidelines with the aim to improve the sustainability of major cropping systems and the environment without compromising crop yield and quality. The term “4R” represents fertilizer applied at the Right rate with the Right source, Right timing, and Right placement. The objective of this project is to evaluate the interactions of individual and combined 4R management practices. In 2020, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) was grown... S.H. Stapley, C.C. Whitaker, N.C. Hansen, R.C. Christensen, R.R. Jensen, M.A. Yost, B.G. Hopkins |
22. Optimizing Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Annual Cereal Forage ProductionNitrogen fertilizer provides one of the greatest returns on investment but also one of the highest operating expenses for annual cereal forage production. It is important to know the total nitrogen required by a crop to optimize yield and quality and to minimize nitrogen losses to the environment. It is also possible that annual cereal forage species and cultivars will have varying responses to nitrogen availability. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal nitrogen fertilizer... J. Spackman, R. Findlay, J. Sagers, J. Pandey |
23. Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Timing Implications for Malt, Food, and Feed Barley Production in Southern IdahoNitrogen is an essential nutrient required to produce high-yielding barley. Nitrogen strongly impacts barley yield, grain protein, tillering, and lodging potential. Unlike other crops such as corn, available nitrogen must be carefully managed for producers to achieve both optimal yield and grain quality for malt, food, and feed barley. Exessive nitrogen availability increases grain protein concentration that may be unsuitable for malting but may be ideal for feed or food barley. The objective... J. Spackman, O. Walsh, A. Adjesiwor, O. Adeyemi, J. Sagers, R. Findlay, J. Bevan |
24. Helpful or Not?- Biostimulant Use in Corn Silage ProductionThere has been a recent increase in both the availability and marketing of biostimulant products to local producers, particularly to dairymen, in southern Idaho. These products claim to increase yield and nutrient use efficiency while improving soil health on agricultural fields. If these claims are true, the use of these products would ultimately aid in promoting the overall sustainability of Idaho farms. However, there is a lack of objective data to support these claims, leaving producers uncertain... L.R. Schott, S. Hines, J. Packham, G. Loomis, M. De haro marti, C. Willmore |
25. CropManage Decision Support Tool for Improving Irrigation and Nutrient Efficiency of Cool Season Vegetables in California: a Decade of Field Demonstrations and OutreachVegetable growers on the central coast of California are under regulatory pressure to reduce nitrate loading to ground and surface water supplies. California is also implementing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) which may limit agricultural pumping in regions such as the central coast where the aquifer has been over-extracted for irrigation of crops. Growers could potentially use less N fertilizer, address water quality concerns, and conserve water by improving water... M. Cahn, R. Smith, L. Johnson, F. Melton |
26. What You Need to Know About the National Fertilizer Recommendation Team Called FRSTThe Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST) team is a national effort to improve coordination of soil test recommendations in the United States. There are over 125 partners involved in FRST with representation of all four regional soil testing committees including WERA-103. The team has developed a national tool for P and K soil test calibrations (identifying critical soil test values for response to fertilizer), and are working on developing P and K calibration, tools for S calibration,... M. Yost, N. Slaton, J. Spargo, D. Kaiser, G. Buol, L. Gatiboni |
27. Evaluation of Soil Sulfur Tests for MontanaThere are no sulfur (S) fertilizer rate guidelines in Montana due to inconsistent yield responses, high S soil levels in many regions, a minimal number of S fertility trials in the state, and the lack of Montana and regional data that identify the best soil S tests to use. A study was initiated in 2023 to fill this research void. Three crops (spring canola, pea, and wheat) were grown at three sites, and fertilized with 0, 7.5, 15, and 30 lb S/ac using two S sources (potassium sulfate, gypsum)... C. Jones, P. Miller, P. Carr, S. Koeshall, S. Fordyce, J. Souza, J. Vetch |
28. 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 |
29. Soil Test Method Precision, Correlations, and Trends: SSSA-NAPT Historical DataThe Soil Science Society of America’s (SSSA) North American Proficiency Testing (NAPT) operates as a not-for-profit service laboratory resource since 1998 to assist/evaluate agricultural and environmental testing laboratories with quality assurance and quality control. Soil (n5 samples each quarter), plant (n3), and/or water (n3) samples collected nationwide are submitted quarterly to ~150 participating laboratories who choose which method(s) to use for which analytes they are interested... B. Hopkins, S.V. Nelson, G. Cardon, J. Lawley, T.J. Hopkins |
30. Effectiveness of Kitchen Compost in Germinating Tomato and LettuceFood waste in developed countries is a large input to landfills. Ideally, it is composted and added to soil on-site to reduce environmental impacts. A “kitchen composter” (ReencleTM) effectively decomposes waste within 24 hours (>90% reduction in mass), followed by formation of stable compost within a few weeks after curing outside the composter. Our preliminary research demonstrates that the compost has excellent nutrient composition. However, it was not adequately cured,... B. Hopkins, R. Kerr, S.V. Nelson |
31. Quinoa Mineral Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms and ConcentrationsMajor crop nutrient symptoms are well documented. In contrast, there is often minimal or no similar information for minor crops, including quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). This knowledge gap can be efficiently filled by using hydroponic systems. However, creating multiple nutrient deficiencies with plants in the same study is challenging because nutrients are often added as dual nutrient salts. For example, if potassium sulfate is the potassium (K) source, varying K concentrations... B. Hopkins, G. Bell, S.V. Nelson, R.E. Sannar |
32. Banana Fiber as a Soil Amendment in Potato and CornBanana (Musa spp. L.) pseudostem fiber has unique properties that may prove helpful in plant and soil management, including a high water holding capacity. Increased capacity could be useful in water conservation efforts in areas experiencing long-term drought. In the agricultural space, banana fiber could be used to maintain soil moisture, thus lowering the frequency and/or amount of irrigation. The objectives of irrigated field studies in Provo, UT, USA were to measure the impact of... B. Hopkins, M.J. Foster, S.V. Nelson |
33. Plant Test Method Precision, Correlations, and Trends: SSSA-NAPT Historical DataThe Soil Science Society of America’s (SSSA) North American Proficiency Testing (NAPT) operates as a not-for-profit service laboratory resource since 1998 to assist/evaluate agricultural and environmental testing laboratories with quality assurance and quality control. Soil (n = 5 samples each quarter), plant (n = 3), and/or water (n = 3) samples collected nationwide are submitted quarterly to ~150 participating laboratories who choose which method(s) to use for which analytes they... S.V. Nelson, J. Lawley, T.J. Hopkins, G. Cardon, B. Hopkins |
34. Spectral Response of Pulse Crops to Soil Acidity for Soil pH MappingIn this work, we explore the observable differences in the spectral reflectance of pulse crops in acidified and non-acidified soil regions of multiple Montana fields. Satellite observations are collected throughout the growing season using Landsat 8 & 9 and Sentinel 2 A & B. The variations of crop reflectance in acidified (pH < 5) and non-acidified (pH 6.0 to 7.0) are analyzed and used to support why both multi-temporal regression and machine learning models are... P. Nugent, S. Feleghari |
35. 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 |