Douglas B. Beegle

Nutrient removal by corn grain harvest

for crop nutrient removal are an important component of nutrient management planning and crop production. Effective nutrient management requires an accurate accounting of Although state agronomy guides and other sources nutrients removed from soils in the harvested portion of a crop. Because the typical crop nutrient values that have historically been used often publish values for crop nutrient removal, the origimay be different under current production practices, a study was nal studies on which those values are based are seldom conducted to measure nutrient uptake in grain harvested in 1998 and cited. Also, the values that were established in the past 1999 from 23 site-years in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA. There may not be correct for current agronomic technologies were 10 hybrids included in the study, but each site grew only one such as hybrid, higher plant population, yield potential, hybrid each year. Corn (Zea mays L.) production practices followed fertilizer practice, and soil conditions. Furthermore, local state extension recommendations. Minimum, maximum, and there is a need to re-evaluate crop nutrient removal mean corn grain yields were 4.9, 16.7, and 10.3 Mg ha 1. Nutrient values for corn as several states in the Mid-Atlantic concentrations were determined on grain samples oven-dried at 70 C USA now mandate the development of comprehensive for 24 h. Minimum, maximum, and median nutrient concentration nutrient management plans (Simpson, 1998; Sims, 1999; values were as follows: 10.2, 15.0, and 12.9 g N kg 1; 2.2, 5.4, and 3.8 g P kg 1; 3.1, 6.2, and 4.8 g K kg 1; 0.13, 0.45, and 0.28 g Ca kg 1; 0.88, Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, 1997). 2.18, and 1.45 g Mg kg 1; 0.9, 1.4, and 1.0 g S kg 1; 9.0, 89.5, and Nutrient removal values are a key component of nutri33.6 mg Fe kg 1; 15.0, 34.5, and 26.8 mg Zn kg 1; 1.0, 9.8, and 5.3 mg ent management planning because manure nutrient apMn kg 1; 1.0, 5.8, and 3.0 mg Cu kg 1; and 2.3, 10.0, and 5.5 mg B plications are being limited to the expected level of crop kg 1. Median nutrient uptake values found in this study are similar nutrient removal. to commonly used book values, but there was considerable variation The large volume of manure generated by concenamong samples of corn grain. Concentrations of P and K in grain trated animal-feeding operations in the Mid-Atlantic were positively associated with yield level, and concentrations of grain region and the environmental concerns associated with P were positively correlated with Mehlich-3 soil test P. The variability accumulation of soil P to excessive levels (Sims, 1998) in nutrient removal values seen in this study, even for the same hybrid, have focused much attention on P in nutrient manageraises questions about the usefulness of average values for estimating crop nutrient removal across a range of cropping conditions. Research ment planning. Until recently, manure application recomis needed to identify or develop a means to correct for the sources mendations were designed to match the N requirements of variability. of the crop, often leading to manure P applications in excess of crop removal. While at present, there is emphasis on P-based nutrient management planning, other F the viewpoint of sustainable agriculture, nutrinutrients may receive greater attention in the future. ent management ideally should provide a balance The objective of this study was to measure nutrient between nutrient inputs and outputs over the long term (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cu, B, and Fe) removal (Bacon et al., 1990). In the establishment of a sustainable by corn grain over a range of growing conditions in system, soil nutrient levels that are deficient are built the Mid-Atlantic region and to determine if nutrient up to levels that will support economic crop yields. To concentrations in grain were related to crop yield. The sustain soil fertility levels, nutrients that are removed study was conducted as part of a larger regional project by crop harvest or other losses from the system must on P fertility research. This allowed us to also examine be replaced annually or at least within the longer crop the relationship between soil test level and crop removal rotation cycle. When nutrient inputs as fertilizer, maof P. nure, or waste materials exceed crop removal over a period of years, soils become oversupplied and nutrient MATERIALS AND METHODS leaching and runoff become an environmental concern We grew corn in five states (Delaware, Massachusetts, (Daniel et al., 1998; Sims et al., 1998). Accurate values Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) in 1998 and 1999 for a total of 23 site-years (Table 1). Sites were selected to J.R. Heckman, Dep. of Plant Biol. and Pathology, 59 Dudley Rd., represent the wide range of soils (Alfisols and Ultisols) and Foran Hall, Cook College, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520; J.T. Sims, P fertility levels within the Mid-Atlantic region. They included Dep. of Plant Sci., Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE 19717-1303; D.B. both on-farm and research station land. Local recommendaBeegle, Dep. of Crop and Soil Sci., 116 Agric. Sci. Bldg., University tions guided cultural practices. Starter fertilizer at all sites Park, PA 16082; F.J. Coale, Nat. Resour. Sci. and Landscape Architecsupplied 15 kg P ha 1 in the form of monoammonium phosture, Univ. of Maryland, 214 H J Patterson Hall, College Park, MD phate. Spacing between rows was 0.76 m. We measured yields 20742; S.J. Herbert, Dep. of Plant and Soil Sci., Univ. of Massachusetts, from a harvested area of two 6-m rows in the middle of each Amherst, MA 01003; T.W. Bruulsema, Potash and Phosphate Inst., 18 of four replicated plots. Harris Laboratory, Lincoln, NE, anaMaplewood Drive, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 1L8; and W.J. Bamka, Rutgers Coop. Ext. of Burlington County, 49 Rancocas St., Mount lyzed grain samples that were collected from each plot. They Holly, NJ 08060-1317. Received 2 May 2002. *Corresponding author were oven-dried at 70 C and ground in a Wiley mill to pass (heckman@aesop.rutgers.edu). Abbreviations: M3P, Mehlich-3 phosphorus. Published in Agron. J. 95:587–591 (2003).

Comparison of field calibrations for mehlich 3 P and K with Bray‐Kurtz P1 and ammonium acetate K for corn

Abstract Because of both economic and environmental concerns, soil testing is becoming an increasingly important component of crop‐production systems. This increasing demand for soil testing will necessitate more efficient methods for routine soil testing. The Mehlich‐3 soil test has been proposed as an extractant that can be used for simultaneous extraction of several nutrients including both P and K. Before this extractant can be used in place of the current extractants, it must be evaluated in field calibration studies. This study was designed to compare the ability of the Mehlich‐3 extractant to predict corn (Zea mays L.) yield response to P and K with the Bray‐Kurtz P1 extractant for P and the neutral, 1N ammonium acetate extractant for K. A field study was conducted at 67 locations across Pennsylvania over 4 yr. A factorial arrangement of P (0 and 88 kg ha‐1) and K (0 and 168 kg ha‐1) was applied at each location. Corn‐grain yield was measured as the response parameter. The Mehlich‐3 extractant was ...

Identifying critical sources of phosphorus export from agricultural watersheds

Surface runoff accounts for much of the phosphorus (P) input to and accelerated eutrophication of the fresh waters. Several states have tried to establish general threshold soil P levels above which the enrichment of surface runoff P becomes unacceptable. However, little information is available on the relationship between soil and surface runoff P, particularly for the northeastern United States. Further, threshold soil P criteria will be of limited value unless they are integrated with site potential for runoff and erosion. In response, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) developed a P Index (PI), which ranks the vulnerability of fields as sources of P loss in runoff, based on soil P, hydrology, and land use. This study evaluated the relationship between soil and surface runoff P in a study watershed in central Pennsylvania. The relationship was then incorporated into the (PI), and its impact on the identification of critical source areas within the watershed was examined. Using simulated rainfall (6.5 cm h−1 for 30 min), the concentration of dissolved P in surface runoff (0.2–2.1 mg l−1) from soils was related (r2=0.67) to Mehlich-3 extractable soil P (30–750 mg kg−1). Using an environmentally based soil P threshold level of 450 mg kg−1 determined from the soil-runoff P relationship, the PI identified and ranked areas of the watershed vulnerable to P loss. The vulnerable areas were located along the stream channel, where areas of runoff generation and areas of high soil P coincide, and where careful management of P fertilizers and manure should be targeted.

Low-disturbance manure incorporation effects on ammonia and nitrate loss.

Low-disturbance manure application methods can provide the benefits of manure incorporation, including reducing ammonia (NH3) emissions, in production systems where tillage is not possible. However, incorporation can exacerbate nitrate (NO3⁻) leaching. We sought to assess the trade-offs in NH3 and NO3⁻ losses caused by alternative manure application methods. Dairy slurry (2006-2007) and liquid swine manure (2008-2009) were applied to no-till corn by (i) shallow (<10 cm) disk injection, (ii) surface banding with soil aeration, (iii) broadcasting, and (iv) broadcasting with tillage incorporation. Ammonia emissions were monitored for 72 h after application using ventilated chambers and passive diffusion samplers, and NO3⁻ leaching to 80 cm was monitored with buried column lysimeters. The greatest NH3 emissions occurred with broadcasting (35-63 kg NH3-N ha⁻), and the lowest emissions were from unamended soil (<1 kg NH-N ha⁻¹). Injection decreased NH-N emissions by 91 to 99% compared with broadcasting and resulted in lower emissions than tillage incorporation 1 h after broadcasting. Ammonia-nitrogen emissions from banding manure with aeration were inconsistent between years, averaging 0 to 71% that of broadcasting. Annual NO3⁻ leaching losses were small (<25 kg NO3-N ha⁻¹) and similar between treatments, except for the first winter when NO3⁻ leaching was fivefold greater with injection. Because NO3⁻ leaching with injection was substantially lower over subsequent seasons, we hypothesize that the elevated losses during the first winter were through preferential flow paths inadvertently created during lysimeter installation. Overall, shallow disk injection yielded the lowest NH3 emissions without consistently increasing NO3⁻ leaching, whereas manure banding with soil aeration conserved inconsistent amounts of N.

Effect of dietary protein concentration on ammonia and greenhouse gas emitting potential of dairy manure

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of dietary crude protein concentration on ammonia (NH(3)) and greenhouse gas (GHG; nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide) emissions from fresh dairy cow manure incubated in a controlled environment (experiment 1) and from manure-amended soil (experiment 2). Manure was prepared from feces and urine collected from lactating Holstein cows fed diets with 16.7% (DM basis; HCP) or 14.8% CP (LCP). High-CP manure had higher N content and proportion of NH(3)- and urea-N in total manure N than LCP manure (DM basis: 4.4 vs. 2.8% and 51.4 vs. 30.5%, respectively). In experiment 1, NH(3) emitting potential (EP) was greater for HCP compared with LCP manure (9.20 vs. 4.88 mg/m(2) per min, respectively). The 122-h cumulative NH(3) emission tended to be decreased 47% (P=0.09) using LCP compared with HCP manure. The EP and cumulative emissions of GHG were not different between HCP and LCP manure. In experiment 2, urine and feces from cows fed LCP or HCP diets were mixed and immediately applied to lysimeters (61×61×61 cm; Hagerstown silt loam; fine, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludalf) at 277 kg of N/ha application rate. The average NH(3) EP (1.53 vs. 1.03 mg/m(2) per min, respectively) and the area under the EP curve were greater for lysimeters amended with HCP than with LCP manure. The largest difference in the NH(3) EP occurred approximately 24 h after manure application (approximately 3.5 times greater for HCP than LCP manure). The 100-h cumulative NH(3) emission was 98% greater for HCP compared with LCP manure (7,415 vs. 3,745 mg/m(2), respectively). The EP of methane was increased and that of carbon dioxide tended to be increased by LCP compared with HCP manure. The cumulative methane emission was not different between treatments, whereas the cumulative carbon dioxide emission was increased with manure from the LCP diet. Nitrous oxide emissions were low in this experiment and did not differ between treatments. In the conditions of these experiments, fresh manure from dairy cows fed a LCP diet had substantially lower NH(3) EP, compared with manure from cows fed a HCP diet. The LCP manure increased soil methane EP due to a larger mass of manure added to meet plant N requirements compared with HCP manure. These results represent effects of dietary protein on NH(3) and GHG EP of manure in controlled laboratory conditions and do not account for environmental factors affecting gaseous emissions from manure on the farm.

Development of a quicktest kit method to measure soil nitrate

Abstract A soil nitrate test taken about 4 weeks after emergence has been proposed to predict the corn (Zea mays L.) yield reponse to sidedress N fertilizer applications. Use of this test would be increased if the soil analysis and interpretation could be done rapidly, since the fertilizer must be applied within one to two weeks after sampling. Because of this time constraint, mailing samples to a centralized laboratory is unattractive to many farmers. One potential solution to this problem would be to have the analysis done locally using a quicktest kit. A proposed method for analyzing soil samples for nitrate was adapted for use under field conditions. The method is based on the analysis of soil extracts using nitrate sensitive test strips and a hand held reflectometer. Two soil measuring methods, a conventional scooping method and a weighing procedure using an inexpensive balance, were evaluated for inclusion in the test kit. Evaluation was based on the ability of the methods to measure 20 g of soil. F...

Comparison of Shoemaker–McLean–Pratt and Modified Mehlich Buffer Tests for Lime Requirement on Pennsylvania Soils

Abstract The Shoemaker–McLean–Pratt (SMP) buffer test is commonly used in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States to determine the lime requirement (LR) of acid soils. The buffer contains potassium chromate, a carcinogen, and all waste must be collected for disposal in a hazardous waste facility. An alternative to the SMP buffer is the Mehlich buffer. Although the Mehlich buffer contains barium chloride (BaCl2), also a hazardous and regulated compound, calcium chloride (CaCl2) has been shown to be an effective substitute. The goal of this study was to compare the SMP buffer and the modified Mehlich buffer (CaCl2 substituted for BaCl2) for estimating LR on PA soils and to determine if the modified Mehlich buffer could provide an effective alternative to the SMP test. Twenty‐two agriculturally important Pennsylvania soils with pH values ranging from 4.5 to 6.4 were collected, and the actual LR of each soil was determined by incubating soils for 3 months with calcium carbonate. The modified Mehlich buffer was a more accurate predictor of the lime required to raise soils to either pH 6.5 (r2=0.92) or 7.0 (r2=0.87) in comparison to the SMP buffer (r2=0.87 and 0.82, respectively). Comparison of calibration equations for Mehlich buffer versus lime requirement derived in this study were similar to those developed on soils from other states and geographic regions.

Developing an Environmental Manure Test for the Phosphorus Index

Abstract Widespread implementation of the phosphorus (P) index has focused attention on environmental manure tests that can be used to estimate the relative availability of P in manure to runoff water. This article describes the development and use of a water extractable P (WEP) test to assess the capacity of land‐applied manure to enrich P in runoff water. WEP of surface‐applied manure has been shown to be strongly correlated to dissolved P concentrations in runoff from agricultural soils. WEP tests that have a defined water‐to‐manure‐solids ratio and involve extraction times of 30 to 120 min provide the best prediction of dissolved P in runoff across a wide range of manures. Consistent measurement of manure WEP can be achieved with manure sample storage times of up to 22 days (4°C), acidified extract holding times of 18 days, and solid separation by either centrifugation or paper filtration. Reproducibility of WEP tests is comparable to that of other common manure tests (e.g., total P), as verified by within‐laboratory and inter laboratory evaluations. A survey of 140 livestock manures revealed significant differences in mean WEP among different livestock manures, with swine greater than poultry (turkey, broiler and layer chickens) and dairy cattle greater than beef cattle. Such results support the use of WEP‐based coefficients to modify the source component of the P index.

Nutrient concentrations of turfgrass and soil test levels as affected by soil media and fertilizer rate and placement

Abstract There has been a trend toward using sandier growing media on highly trafficked turf areas to combat the detrimental effects of compaction on soil physical properties. Use of sand to modify, or even replace, existing soil also affects the nutrient status of these turf areas and could lead to both macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effects of natural organic fertilizer (Milorganite) or micronutrient supplement (Esmigran) applied to the surface or incorporated at several rates on the nutrient concentration of ‘Pennfine’ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) grown on quartz sand, a sand‐peat topdressing mix, and a silt loam soil. Effects of Milorganite rate were most apparent on sand and topdressing, and, with at least one soil for one harvest period, increased rates of Milorganite resulted in increased tissue concentration for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Z...

Evaluation of Starter Fertilizers for Corn on Soils Testing High for Phosphorus

Many soils are testing in the above optimum range for phosphorus (P) in our region. The use of traditional starter fertilizers for corn (Zea mays L.) that supply 20–36 kg P ha−1 on these soils may not be desirable. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of corn to starter fertilizers on typical high P soils and to investigate the need for nitrogen (N), P, potassium (K), or sulfur (S) as a component of starter fertilizers. A starter fertilizer evaluation study was conducted at four sites to evaluate the effects of six materials in no-till high P soils. The liquid starter fertilizers were formulated using UAN (Urea–Ammonium nitrate), APP (Ammonium Polyphosphate), AS (Ammonium Sulfate), and KCl (liquid KCl). Starter treatments (kg ha−1 N–P2O5–K2O–S) consisted of none, 56-0-0 (UAN), 56-34-0 (UAN+APP), 34-34-0 (UAN+APP), 34-34-0-11S(UAN+APP+AS), 10-34-0 (APP), and 11-34-11 (APP+KCl) kg ha−1 N–P2O5–K2O–S. In the starter fertilizer evaluation study, responses to starter were variable. Generally there was little benefit from the addition of P to the starter, but there were occasional benefits in early growth and yield from the addition of K, AS or N. Yields from the AS treatment were similar or superior to the conventional starter treatment, suggesting that AS may have a role as a low P starter fertilizer material on these soils.