Page 1
†† AnAn EdEducatiucationalonal PrProgramogram InitInitiatiateded by theby the
InteInternatirnationalonal Plant NutriPlant Nutrititionon InstInstitituteute (I(IPNI)PNI)
4R Nutrient Stewardship†:
New Mexico Specifics
Robert Flynn, Extension Agronomist
Extension Plant Sciences
[email protected]
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Remember what an agronomist is
• Agronomist /ə-’grän-ə-məst/ noun:
– One who studies the science of soil
management and crop production
– One who applies the various soil and plant
sciences to soil management and crop
production; scientific agriculture
Page 3
Or…
• from Greek: Agros (field) and nomos (to
manage)
• The branch of agriculture that treats of the
principles and practices of crop production and
field management.
• First started, perhaps, in 1843 in Rothamsted,
England to study fertilizer use.
Page 5
AndAnd ContinuesContinues in thein the U.S.U.S.
AgAg ScienceScience CenterCenter -- ArteArtesiasia
Page 6
General GGeneral Goaloals fors for BothBoth
HortiHorticulturacultural andl and Field CropsField Crops • Turf
– Attractive
– Healthy
– Withstand Rigors of Intended Use
• Row Crops
– Chile, Corn, Sorghum, Wheat, others
• Yield
• Quality
• Profitability
• Pecans – Yield
– Quality
• Forages & Grains – Alfalfa
– Small grains for silage
– Small grains for grain
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Fertilization Contributes to
Turf
• Color
• Density
• Uniformity
• Growth Rate
Agronomic Crops
• Growth Rate
• Yield
• Crop Quality
• End User Nutrition
• Flour Quality
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Properly FertilizedProperly Fertilized CropsCrops AreAre
• Better able to compete with weedy
species
• Recover better from stress
– Environmental
– Biotic
Page 9
So, I could tell you that you need
• 200 – 250 lb N/A
• 80 lb P2O5/A
• 120 lb K2O/A
• Plus other nutrients
• However, ….
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But it is NOT all about rate!
• THE 4 R’s – Right Source
– Right Time
– Right Place
– Right Rate
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Liebig’s Law of the Minimum
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Liebig’s Law of the Minimum Yield & Performance
is Limited by the
Nutrient in Least
Supply
(all other factors – water, salinity, pests,
environment -held
constant)
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WaterWater is a BIG “other”is a BIG “other” factorfactor
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Alfalfa Yield and Water
ALFALFA
Alfalfa
Page 15
Chile Yield and Water
CHILE
Chile
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CORN
Corn for Grain Yield and Water
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Uphill side Downhill side
FrictionFriction losseslosses
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Soil Type Impacts
Crop Response to Irrigation
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So isSo is Soil SalinitySoil Salinity
Page 24
In
cre
asi
ng S
ali
nit
y
Measured by electrical
conductivity (e.c.)
• RO Reject Water
• Soft Water
• Tap Water
• Spring Water
• RO Water
• Distilled Water
– 0 mmhos/cm
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Yield/Performance as a function of ECe
0
200
400
600
800
0 5 10
EC (mmhos cm-1
)
g p
lan
t-1
Y = 840.7 - 87.92 ECe
R2 = 0.93
ThresThreshoholdld
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Yield/Performance as a function of ECe
0
200
400
600
800
0 5 10
EC (mmhos cm-1
)
g p
lan
t-1
Y = 840.7 - 87.92 ECe
R2 = 0.93
ThresThreshoholdld
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Yield/Performance as a function of ECe
0
200
400
600
800
0 5 10
EC (mmhos cm-1
)
g p
lan
t-1
Y = 840.7 - 87.92 ECe
R2 = 0.93
ThresThreshoholdld
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-1
Yield/Performance as a function of ECe
0
200
400
600
800
0 5 10
EC (mmhos cm-1
)
g p
lan
t
Y = 840.7 - 87.92 ECe
R2 = 0.93
ThresThreshoholdld
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1:11:1 soil:watersoil:water okok
when EC<0.5 mmhos/cmwhen EC<0.5 mmhos/cm
Saturated Paste is Best & Preferred
when EC>0.5 mmhos/cm
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SalinitySalinity & Sodium& Sodium
Page 35
Sodium PrSodium Promotesomotes
DisperDispersionsion
No or Reduced
Aggregates
Page 36
Sodium Adsorption Ratio
[Na+]
SAR = ([Ca2+] + [Mg2+])/2
(concentrations are in mmol/L)
• High SAR = Unstable Soil
• Low SAR = Stable Soil
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- - -- - - -
- - -- - - -
Ca++ =SO4
Ca++ Ca++
- - Ca++
Ca++Na+ Na+ Na+
Ca++ -Na+ -
Na+ Na+
Na+Na+
Na+ Na+
Na+
Excess water must be applied!! Na+ Na+
Must also be good drainage! K+
Manage Sodium in Soil with
Calcium (Gypsum (CaSO4))
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TIME = 24 hours
Gypsum rate determined from
soil Exchangeable Sodium
Percentage (ESP) and sodium
concentration in the soil.
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Liebig’s Law of the Minimum
NeedNeed to kto knownow wwhathat you nyou need in ordereed in order to determto determineine a Soua Sourrcece
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Determined Determined by Soil Samplingby Soil Sampling
Past Past HistoryHistory
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Appropriate Tests for NM Soils
(Guide A146) • Saturated paste pH
• Saturated paste EC
• Sodium Adsorption Ratio
(SAR) SP
• Organic Matter
• Nitrate-N or Total
Inorganic-N
• Phosphorus (Olsen)
• Potassium (Water or Ammonium
Acetate)
• DTPA Extractable
– Fe
– Zn
– Mn
– Cu
• Optional (if already
known)
– Texture
– Soil Lime %
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Sampling isSampling is KEYKEY toto the 4R prthe 4R prograogramm
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Be RepresenBe Representativetative
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Be Representative!
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Plant Nutrition
• Soil testing identifies nutrients needed
for productivity
– Low
– Moderate
– Sufficient
– Excessive
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88
0.80.8
44
0.70.7
Turfgrass 0.0.33 %
0.0.22 0.0.110.0.66
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Sulfur Calcium Magnesium Iron
Minerals Required for Plant Growth
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0.0.00410041
4.0754.075
2.952.95
0.4450.445
1.741.74
0.9050.905
0.001950.00195 0.022950.0.001650.00165
0.023850.02385 0.00080.0008
02295
N
S
P
K
Mg
Ca
Na
B
Zn
Mn
Fe
Cu
Al0.0.2727
0.0.3333
AlfaAlfalfalfa NutrientNutrient ConContenttent (%)(%)
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Low SoilLow Soil
NutrientNutrient
ModerateModerate
Soil NutrientSoil Nutrient
Sufficient SoilSufficient Soil
NutrientNutrient
Page 52
N – P2O5 – K20, others
Page 53
N Credits = Soil Organic Matter
SOM also improves micronutrient
availability & water holding capacity
Page 55
Manure Nutrient Credit
• Average 35 lb Total N/dry ton (8-12 lb available
N).
• NMSU Soil Test Interpretation Workbook will
subtract out
– potential volatilization losses of the NH4 content
– De-nitrification (N2) losses depending on soil organic
matter levels and soil drainage class
– Mineralized N from the organic N pool in manure is
estimated based on literature or C:N ratio
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Other Manure Nutrient Credits
per Dry Ton
Nutrient
• Phosphorus
• Potash
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Iron Credit
• Zinc
• Total Salt
Pounds per Dry Ton
• 24
• 50
• 63
• 15
• 7.2
• 0.3
• 51
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0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Cl
P2O
5
K2O
Na O
rg. N
NH4-N
lbs p
er
acre
in
ch
EffluentEffluent CharacteristicsCharacteristics
706 lb total salt per acre inch706 lb total salt per acre inch
Fall 2003, n = 48 sampled dairies
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But, much of NM’s productive land has >3% lime
Soil pH as related to soil
calcium carbonate
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Soil pH = 7.3
Iron = 12 ppm (VH)
Free lime = medium
(~2%)
Choices:
Elemental S
Ironite
Sequestar
Fe-EDDHA
Fertilome’s Chelated
(EDTA) Liquid Iron
Product
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Client results
• Fertilome & Ironite is a very rich green color.
Most successful products.
• EDDHA had not greened up much
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Soil pHSoil pH >7.5>7.5
% Lime = 20%% Lime = 20%
Page 66
EDDHA Chelate
• Miller’s Ferriplus
• Some additional N may
help the chelate do a
better job.
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The Chelates
• Organic Molecules that “hold” metals like
Iron, Zinc, Nickel, etc.
• Hampene
– (Fe)EDTA
• Sequestrene 138
– (Fe)DTPA
Miller’s Ferriplus (Fe)EDDHA
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StabStability and Aility and Availabilityvailability
0
20
40
60
80
100
4 5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10
Soil pH
% C
hel
ate
wit
h F
e
EDDHA EDTA DTPA
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Chelate Effectiveness
0
5
10
15
20
0 2 4 6 8
Fe added (ppm)
Yie
ld (
lb/p
ot)
FeEDDHA FeDTPA FeEDTA
Page 71
Remember
• Using problems like iron deficiency is an
opportunity to test different sources of iron.
Not only for effectiveness but for cost.
Milorganite?
Composted WWTP solids?
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Nutrient Sources
• Incomplete
11-52-0
• Complete
10-10-10
• Solids
• Liquids
• Quick Release
• Slow Release
– Includes organics
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Quick Release N Fertilizers
ResiduaResiduall Burn Burn LeLeaching aching CaCarrirrierer GradGradee %% N N
RespoResponsense PotPotentialential PotPotentialential
UREA 46-0-0 45-46 short High Moderate
Ammonium
sulfate 21-0-0 20.5 - 21 short High High
Potassium
nitrate 13-0-44 13 short High High
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Slow Release N Fertilizers
CarrCarrieier r GrGradeade %% N N ResiduResidual al BuBurnrn LeacLeachinhingg
RespResponsonsee PotePotentialntial PotePotentialntial
IBDU Variable
24-4-12
Variable
24 Moderate
Moderate
Low Low
Sulfur Coated 21-0-0 20.5 – 21 Moderate Low Low
Urea
Resin-coated 24-0-0 to 13 Mod to Low Low
35-0-0 Long
Methylene coated
and
ureaformaldehyde
38-0-0 38 Mod to
Long Low Low
IBDU = isobutylidene diurea
Page 75
Nitrogen can be volatilized
Especially in high pH soils
• Some products have been demonstrated to
lower volatilization rate
– Agrotain® on urea if not able to irrigate in
– Or be sure to irrigate in with at least 3/10” to ½” of
water immediately after application.
Page 76
Nitrogen Carriers
• Ammonium Sulfate (NH4+)
• Urea (CH4N2O)
• UAN (Urea Ammonium Nitrate)
• Calcium Nitrate (Ca(NO3)2)
• Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3)
• Organic Sources through Mineralization
Page 77
Beware of Volatilization / Leaching
• Ammonium containing
fertilizers subject to
volatilization losses.
– Additives may reduce
volatility (eg. Agrotain)
• Nitrate containing
fertilizers subject to
leaching with too much
applied water.
ppm NO3-N
Page 78
The 4 R’s
• Right Source
• Right Time
• Right Place
• Right Rate
Page 79
TIMING OF N APPLICATION
Example: Apples
• N uptake by apple roots begins about 3 weeks
after bud-break.
• BUT – Soil Temperature also affects uptake
– Soil Temps 54oF to 68oF enable tree to take up more
N
• 1/3 N remains in roots
• 2/3 N moved to shank, stem, and new growth
Page 81
Timing Important for Irrigated Fields
Flood/Furrow Irrigated Fields
No Effluent or
Manure
With Effluent
or Manure
Page 82
Pivot Irrigated Fields
No Effluent or
Manure
With Effluent
or Manure
Page 84
Timing Applications – small grains example
Page 85
Timing Applications
Page 87
Strawberry before EDDHA application
Wendy Brunswick Chandler Allstar
Strawberry after EDDHA
Page 89
The 4 R’s
• Right Source
• Right Time
• Right Place
• Right Rate
Page 93
Pop-up or Drill row Dribble Surface 2x2 Starter Direct seed contact Band
SeedSeed Seed
Fertilizer Fertilizer Fertilizer
Starter Fertilizer Configurations
Page 94
The 4 R’s
• Right Source
• Right Time
• Right Place
• Right Rate
Page 96
N – P2O5 – K20, others
Page 98
Total Total NN C:NC:N PPANAN ( †† (%% ofof TTotal al N)ot N)
% of DW 28 d Season
Uncomposted Materials
1 35 <0 0
2 18 0 15
3 12 15 30
4 9 30 45
5
6
7
<6
45
60
60
75
7 <6 60 75
8+ <6 60 75
Composts§
1 30 0 10
2-3 10-15 5 15
Determining Organic Source Rate
• Verify C:N Ratio
• Season = 125 days
– 2200 GDD (0oC base)
• §: Chicken Composts
similar to uncomposted
4% N material
†Dan Sullivan, OSU
Page 99
%PAN & Total %N
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 5 10 15 20
%P
AN
28-day PAN Full-season PAN
Total %N
Measured Data
Page 101
When low soil nutrients
Cool Season Grasses
Grass lb N/1000 sq ft
• Tall fescue • 2-4
• Perennial ryegrass • 2-4
• Creeping bentgrass • 3-8
Page 102
When low soil nutrients
Warm Season Turf
Grass
• Improved bermudagrass
• Buffalograss
• St. Augustinegrass
• zoysiagrass
lb N/1000 sq ft
• 4-8
• 0-2
• 2-4
• 2-4
Page 103
Biodiversity
Resource use Nutrient loss efficiencies:
Energy, Labor, Water & air quality Nutrient, Water CROPPING SYSTEM OBJECTIVES
Healthy environment Soil erosion Adoption
Nutrient balance Soil productivity
Yield Ecosystems
Net profit services
Productivity Durability Farm income
Profitability
Return on Quality Working investment conditions
Yield stability
4R Nutrient Stewardship