2008 Fluid Fertilizer Foundation Research Projects

1.  Starter Fertilizer Placement and Rates for Low-Tillage Wheat Production in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plains, Dr. Mark Alley, Virginia Tech University.

The objectives of this study include (1) an evaluation of wheat tiller density, fall/winter biomass and grain yield response to at-planting fertilizer placement methods and (2) determination of effects of starter fertilizer rates, nutrients and combinations placed with the seed at planting on wheat tiller density, fall/winter biomass and grain yield.  Fertilizer placement methods to be used with objective one include (1) with the seed between the double-disk opener; (2) behind the no-till coulter and in front of the double-disk opener; (3) over the row behind the press wheel.  A single fertilizer rate of 167 lb/A of two fertilizer materials 15-15-5-3.3 S and 20-10-5-3.3 S will be used.  These mixtures will be prepared to using ammonium polyphosphate, UAN and potassium thiosulfate.  Planting will be carried out with a 7-row no-till seeder equipped with Yetter no-till fertilizer coulters.  The second objective will include nitrogen rates of 15, 30, 45 and 60 lb N/A and P2O5 rates of 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 lb/A with a constant K and S application of 8 and 5.5 lb/A respectively.

2.  Foliar Potassium Fertilization to Improve the Nutritional Quality in Stress Tolerance of Vegetable Crops, Dr. John L. Jifon, Texas A&M Agricultural Experiment Station.

The goals of this project are to validate earlier controlled environment findings under typical commercial field conditions regarding the effects of foliar applications of potassium (K) on quality and storage characteristics of muskmelons, variety “Cruiser”.  Field trials will be conducted under both spring and fall growth conditions and will include variables of the source of K fertilizer including potassium chloride, potassium metalosate, potassium thiosulfate, potassium sulfate and potassium nitrate.  The effects of supplementing regular soil K fertilization with foliar K applications on fruit earliness, size, yield, firmness, fruit sugars, human wellness compounds (ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and K concentrations) will be studied.

3.  Fluid Fertilizers to Manage In-Season N Using Site-Specific Management Zones and On-the-Go Active Remote Sensing, Dr. Raj Khosla, Colorado State University.

The objective of this study is to determine the economic optimum N management strategy using fluid N that most actively manages in-field soil and crop variability to enhance grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and net dollar return.  The study will be conducted on irrigated sites under corn production (1) at the Agronomy Research Farm in Ft. Collins, CO and (2) on a farmer field in eastern Colorado.  A commercially available soil color base technique of delineating management zones that uses 3 layers will be used to divide the fields into high, medium and low activity zones.  Nitrogen applications will be made utilizing UAN 32.  Fertilizer will be applied using a high clearance tractor equipped with differentially corrected GPS unit and a Raven variable rate controller.  At physiological maturity, above-ground biomass samples will be collected from each plot.  Grain yield and total biomass will be determined for each sample.

4.  Reactions of Trace Elements Supplied in Fluid Form to Alkaline Soils, Dr. Mike McLaughlin, University of Adelaide.

The objective of this study is to better understand the reactions of trace elements supplied in fluid form to alkaline soils.  These reactions of trace elements in alkaline soils supplied with phosphatic fertilizers particularly need investigation.  Most trace nutrients are metallic cations, copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) that react strongly with alkaline soils to either sorb strongly to the solid phase or precipitate with phosphorus, carbonate or hydroxide ions.  Alkaline soils comprised 100 million hectares globally with calcareous soils comprising over 80 percent of this area.  Field experience in Australia has indicated that fluid forms of trace elements (soil injected) are more effective in supplying trace elements to plants in calcareous soils, yet the reasons for this is not well understood.  Fluid forms of Mn and Zn fertilizers will be investigated using an established technique involving radio isotopic labeling using 54Mn and 65Zn.  Diffusion and reactions of these two elements will be assessed in relation to standard granular trace element formulations.  Commercially available trace element fluid fertilizer mixes will be assessed including technical grade MAP, APP and phosphoric acid.  At least three soils will be involved in these studies. 

5.  Efficient Fluid Fertilizer Management for Corn Producers with Automatic Guidance Systems, Dr. Tony Vyn, Purdue University.

The objectives of this study are to (1) determine the realistic joint benefits associated with automatic guidance systems for both fluid fertilizer banding and planting systems for corn production in high yield corn systems:; (2) quantify the effects of various degrees of planter precision-relative to pre-planting fertilizer bands on corn nutrient uptake, growth and yield; and (3) determining whether the combination of automatic guidance systems and pre-planting band fertilizer application would circumvent the need for liquid starter for fertilizer applicators on corn planters.  These studies will be carried out on a combination of commercial farm locations in Indiana and Illinois and at the Purdue Agronomy Research Center in W. Lafayette, IN. 

6.  Corn Grain Yield and Early Nutrient Uptake as Affected by In-Furrow Application of Potassium Fluid Fertilizer, Dr. Antonio Mallarino, Iowa State University.

The overall goal of this study beginning in the fall of 2006 is to conduct on-farm research and demonstrations of the value of small amounts of fluid fertilizers applied with corn planters.  Specific objectives include assessment of corn grain yield, early growth and early nutrient uptake responses to in-furrow application of fluid K starter fertilizer; to compare corn responses to starter K fertilizer with and without a higher broadcast fertilizer rates applied for corn; and to conduct outreach work to explain the value of fluid fertilizers applied with the planter.  At least 3 on-farm, replicated strip trials will be established each year on Iowa farmers fields varying in soil test K values and soil types.  Four treatments will be included in each trial including a no K control, starter K, broadcast K and broadcast + starter K.  Nitrogen and phosphorus will be held constant on all strips.  Studies will include no-till or chisel/disk tillage systems. 

7.  Phosphorus Source Effects on Dryland Winter Wheat in Eastern Washington.
Dr. Rich Koenig, Washington State University.

The objectives of this project are to 1) More fully evaluate the effect of fluid and dry sources of P on dryland winter wheat grain yield and dry matter accumulation and 2) Assess the phytoavailability of fluid and dry P fertilizer sources using soil and plant tissue test indices of P availability. Recent research by the project researcher demonstrated a 10 bu/a yield response to 20 lb P2O5 per acre of fluid P deep banded with N (unpublished data). Additionally, grain yield with 11-52-0 was similar to the zero P control and less than when fluid 11-37-0 was utilized. Four sites with varying expected rainfall amounts will be selected.

8.  Ecological Intensification of Corn-Based Cropping Systems.
Dr. Dan Walters, University of Nebraska and Dr. Ken Cassman, University of Nebraska.

The goals of this project are to build on the knowledge gained from prior years funding and to communicate the need of ecological intensification to various agricultural industry professionals and others. Specifically, project objectives for the next two years include, 1) To further improve the Hybrid-Maize software by further integrating nutrient and irrigation management, 2) To complete development of new Soybean simulation model, 3) To quantify long-term soil N and C relations at varying levels of cropping intensity, 4) To calculate system input/output budgets for nutrients, carbon, energy and green house warming potential, 5) To quantify nitrogen fixation dynamics for soybeans grown under high yield conditions and 6) To assess the general performance of controlled release N fertilizers for high yielding corn and soybean crops.

9.  Predicting the Likelihood of Response of Spring Wheat to In-Crop Applications of UAN.  Dr. Cynthia Grant, AAFC, Brandon Research Centre.

While the use of split N applications for wheat production may allow producers to more closely match N application rates to wheat N demand and reduce potential N loss, there are drawbacks and risks associated with split N applications. The goal of this project is to determine, 1) The economic benefits/risks of dribble banded UAN applications as compared to traditional N application or controlled release urea (CRU), 2) The effect of microclimate on the relative response to split N applications, 3) The impact of seeding date on wheat response to in-crop UAN applications and 4) The ability of various methods of determination of crop N status to predict an economic response to in-crop N applications. Research will be conducted at two locations on an upper slope and lower slope location. Two seeding rates will be used for each location/slope site.

10.  Enhancing Continuous Corn Production Under High Residue Conditions with Starter Fluid Fertilizer Combinations and Placement.    Dr. Gyles Randall, University of Minnesota.

With the development of the bio-fuel industry in which corn grain is the primary feedstock for ethanol production, the corn:soybean acre ratio is likely to increase as compared to the historical 50:50 corn:soybean ratio in the upper corn belt. With this change, questions about the impact of increased surface residue for second year corn on nutrient availability are being asked. The objectives of this project are to 1) Determine the effects of fluid starter fertilizer combinations and placement of 10-34-0 and 28-0-0 on second-year corn production under reduced tillage/high-residue conditions and 2) Provide management guidelines on placement and rates of UAN and liquid APP combined as a starter for crop consultants, local advisors and the fertilizer industry.

11.  Fluid Fertilizer’s Role in Sustaining Soils Used for Bio-fuels Production. 
Dr. John Kovar, USDA-ARS National Soil Tilth Laboratory, Iowa State University.

Growing crops for bio-fuel has attracted the attention of many producers and both corn grain and stover are being evaluated as potential feed stocks. There are several potential short and long-term issues involving the removal of corn stover in high residue production systems, including crop nutrient cycling and crop removal. This project focuses on potassium and sulfur and is targeted at two objectives: 1) Evaluate the use of surface or subsurface bands of NPKS fluid fertilizers to optimize positional and temporal availability in order to enhance corn grain and biomass productivity, and 2) To compare the performance characteristics of ammonium sulfate and ammonium thiosulfate as a sulfur source for corn in these systems.

12.  Validating Post-Emeregent N Application Algorithms for the GreenSeeker Optical Sensor in Cereals and Canola using UAN.   Dr. Guy Lafond, AAFC, Indian Head Research Farm.

In order to increase the flexibility of N applications it is important to understand post-seeding applications of UAN, understand the risks associated with post-seeding types of practices and find ways to reduce the risks for the producer while ensuring flexibility in N management. Previous research, funded in part by the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation, showed that if a minimum of 50% of the target N rate is applied at seeding, the risks of post-emergent N applications reducing yields can be reduced to very low levels for spring wheat and canola. The objectives of the current research are to validate the previously developed N application algorithms for spring wheat, winter wheat, durum, oats, malting barley and canola.

13.  Comprehensive Review of Fluid Banding, Dr. John Havlin, North Carolina State University and Dr. Dale Leikam, Kansas State University. 

This project is summarizing information in the literature regarding the advantages of fluid banding for a variety of crops.  The information assembled will be utilized for articles in Fluid Journal.

14.  Increasing Root Mass and Yield in Corn Through the Use of Fertilizer Additives, Dr. Ronnie Heiniger, North Carolina State University.

Research in North Carolina has shown that plant populations of 30,000 - 34,000 plants per acre, or greater, are needed to reach maximum yield. However, high plant populations are often accompanied by poor stalk strength and reduction in root depth and mass. Comparative research at Kansas State University has shown that fertilizer additives such as Avail® and Nutrisphere® can improve yield. These materials could enhance the efficiency of starter fertilizer in the southeast U.S. resulting in larger root systems, better stalk strength, improved stress tolerance and increased corn yield. The objectives of this project are; 1) To examine the impact of the fertilizer additives Avail and Nutrisphere on root development, stalk strength, and yield in high population corn systems, 2) To determine optimum placement and rates for starter fertilizer using the additives Avail and Nutrisphere in enhancing root development and stalk strength and to identify the effects of soil factors (pH, temperature, soil moisture) on the efficacy of fertilizer additives in increasing root mass and corn yield.

15.  Increasing Late Season N Availability for Soybeans, Dr. Ricardo Melgar, INTA, Pergamino, Buenos Aires State, Argentina.

Despite the fact that soybeans are a legume crop, prior research has sometimes demonstrated an economic benefit to N fertilization of soybeans. In the Pampean region of Argentina, there have been some small but consistent responses to N applied as readily available N sources at the R1 stage of soybean development. The objectives of this project are to study the potential increase grain yields through late N availability to high yielding potential soybeans by improving placement/product combinations of fluid N sources. Fluid sources include Nitamin®, Nitamin Nfusion® and urea solution (22% N) with and without Agrotain®.

16.  Comparison of the Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Nitrogen Needs of Corn Hybrids With and Without Corn Rootworm Resistance, Dr. Carrie Laboski, University of Wisconsin.

Currently, there is no record in published literature focusing on N use efficiency and N need for corn rootworm resistant vs. non-resistant hybrids. Also, corn yields have increased over time because of improved genetics and agronomists and farmers question if current N rate guidelines are adequate to produce these increased yields. The objectives of this project are to, 1) Determine if corn hybrids with the corn rootworm resistant gene vary in their N use efficiency and N need compared to non-resistant hybrids, and 2) To obtain additional N response information to add to Wisconsin’s database upon which corn N rate recommendation are made.

17.  Manganese Nutrition of Glyphosate-Resistant Corn. Dr. Barney Gordon, Kansas State University.

Recently it has been found that glyphospate-resistant soybeans may not be as efficient in manganese metabolism as non-tolerant conventional varieties (Huber, 2004).  In research done in Kansas, Gordon (2007) found that application of MnSO4  fertilizer   increased tissue Mn concentration and yield of soybean glyphosate-resistant soybean but not in conventional soybean. Huber (2007) reports that glyphosate resistance in genetically modified corn and soybean reduces the efficiency of Mn uptake and physiological efficiency 10-50%, depending on the genetic nutrient uptake efficiency of the particular transformed variety or hybrid. Although some work with glyphosate-resistance soybean has been done, little information is available for herbicide resistant corn hybrids. The objective of this project is to determine if glyphosate-resistant corn hybrids respond differently to applied manganese than conventional corn and if so to develop fertilization strategies that will prevent or correct deficiencies.