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Spring 2008 Conditions across the 6-state Southern and Central Great Plains Region are relatively good at this writing. The latest Palmer Drought Severity Index (March 8) shows the entire region in the near normal and above range in terms of moisture. However, some areas, especially >more
Past Updates |
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 Nutrient use efficiency considerations
The topic of nutrient use efficiency has recently gained more attention with rising fertilizer costs and continued concern over environmental impairment, particularly water quality, associated with improper nutrient use. The trends of increased governmental regulation and program incentives at all levels are also driving interest in the topic. Most would agree that enhancing fertilizer efficiency is a worthy goal with potentially far reaching benefits. But what precisely does nutrient use efficiency mean, and does it differ among nutrients? Furthermore, how can it be enhanced, and to what degree? The attached article, prepared for the proceedings of a professional meeting, addresses these and other questions relevant to nutrient use efficiency. >more
 Potassium nutrition affects melon quality in the Rio Grande Valley
Potassium is important in optimizing both crop yield and economic quality. Root activity and K uptake are generally reduced during the reproductive phase of crop development. This article details a Rio Grande Valley study that has shown that supplementing soil K with additional foliar K applications during cantaloupe fruit development and maturation improves fruit marketable quality by increasing firmness and sugar content, and fruit human health quality by increasing ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, and K levels. >more
 Hybrid-Maize- Uncovering the yield gap
Hybrid-Maize was recently released by the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. It is a user friendly program that only requires basic computer skills and understanding of the factors that affect crop growth. Among the greatest values of this program is that it can be used to expose the gap between current and potential corn yield in a specific field situation. Once yield potential has been estimated, growers and ag professionals can identify, evaluate, and eliminate limiting factors and move toward the production of profit maximizing yields. >more
 High yield corn research in the Great Plains
There is a large gap between attainable corn yields and present average yields. The overall objective of this north central Kansas work is to find practical ways of narrowing this gap. Two plant populations and two nutrient input levels were evaluated. With low fertility inputs, yields were decreased when population increased. However, corn produced significantly greater yield at the higher population with additional fertility inputs. One-third of the response to additional nutrient inputs was lost if plant density was not increased. This work further illustrates the importance of using a systems approach when attempting to increase yield levels. >more
 N and P fertilizer improve annual ryegrass production and profit
Annual ryegrass is an important forage crop in the southern U.S. It has good yield potential and excellent nutritive value. A central Texas study that was supported by PPI-FAR has demonstrated the importance of both nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization in ryegrass production. The optimal rate of P fertilization was either 40 or 60 lb/A, and optimal N rate was 200 or 300 lb/A, both depending on seasonal rainfall distribution. Interestingly, there was relative agreement between removal of P in forage and optimal P fertilizer rate. The results of this effort demonstrate and further confirm the importance of balancing nutrient inputs in forage production to optimize yield, quality, and grower profit. >more
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 Know your P fertilizer sources
Questions are often asked about the efficacy, composition, and plant availability of various phosphorus (P) fertilizer sources. Questions such as “Is liquid more available to the crop than dry P fertilizer? Is one source better than another in alkaline soils? Can the optimum P rate be reduced with certain sources?” are probably asked more frequently in tough economic times than in times of greater prosperity since growers are seeking to maximize efficiency of inputs. These and other commonly asked questions can be addressed in a simple review of the fundamentals of P fertilizer sources and agronomics. >more
 P source comparison: MAP versus DAP
Questions sometimes arise concerning whether there is a difference in the effectiveness of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizers. The majority of field comparisons of MAP and DAP in the published technical literature that were conducted using typical farmer practices show only minor yield differences, if any, due to P source effects. However, the potential for ammonia production and consequent seedling injury from DAP placed with seed (in-furrow application) is generally greater than with MAP. A slide set summarizing MAP-DAP comparisons in the U.S. was recently prepared to address questions concerning the two sources. >more
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 Fertilizer contributions to crop yield
Some have estimated that nutrient inputs are responsible for between 30 to 50 percent of crop yield. Making these estimates presents significant challenges. Certain assumptions are required regardless of the approach taken. One difficulty that arises is that crops respond differently to different fertilizer elements. This effort is further confounded by many other factors such as variable soil fertility levels, climatic conditions, and changes in production practices that affect nutrient use efficiency. Nevertheless, meaningful estimates of the contribution of inorganic fertilizer to crop yield can, and have been made. >more
 Balanced Fertilization Increases Water Use Efficiency
Growers are facing many challenges these days. One concern for irrigated producers is the cost of energy to extract and apply irrigation water. In rain-fed agriculture the age-old risk of drought is always of concern. Regardless of where the crop’s water comes from, it’s important that producers take measures to maximize water use efficiency. The implementation of a complete, balanced, and well-timed fertility program is important in getting the most production for every inch of available water. As we prepare for another season, make sure that inadequate crop nutrition is not a compromising factor in maximizing water use efficiency. >more
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