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Project title: Alternative Products in Soil Fertility Management
Principal investigators: Richard Ferguson, Charles Shapiro, Charles Wortmann
Duration: On-going
Funding: Various
Contact: Richard Ferguson: Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL, 377K Plant Science, Lincoln 68583-0724, (402) 472-1144, rferguson1@unl.edu
Project description:
Evaluation of controlled release nitrogen fertilizers
Several mechanisms exist to delay the release of fertilizer nitrogen into the soil. These products use different strategies, mainly either through coatings or by making the chemical N more complex so that over time nitrogen is released. The goal is to match the release of nitrogen with the need of the crop.
Evaluation of inhibitors and products for enhanced nutrient use efficiency
Fertilizer formulations, application methods, and N loss inhibitors are being evaluated for nutrient use efficiency and profitability. Included are controlled release N fertilizers, foliar N products, urease and nitrification inhibitors, and other products.
Key results:
Slow release fertilizers may release N too slowly for crop use if applied as a late sidedress; they are best applied early in the season. When conditions for loss happen such as large amounts of rainfall in May or over-irrigation, slow release materials provide some protection from loss.
Use of Avail with P starter fertilizer did not result in corn or soybean yield increase in three trials. Synchrony of N availability from controlled release fertilizers with crop demand is important.