Database Research Summaries
2017 Comparison of Fertilizer Placement Methods

calendar_today Year of Research: 2017
update Posted On: 12/05/2019
group Libby Dayton (Principal Investigator, The Ohio State University)
bookmark Ohio Soybean Council

Research Focus

The focus of this project is to accelerate the evaluation/revision of weighting/scoring of fertilizer placement method in the Ohio P Risk Index, which will contribute to the ongoing effort of On-Field Ohio.

Objectives

Evaluate differences in surface runoff of phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N) and sediment based on fertilizer placement methods across varying P sources (fertilizer/manure, liquid/dry) and levels of residue cover.

Results

As of March 25, 2019, all second year work and analyses are complete for P, N, & suspended sediments. It was hoped to add 1 more field treatment this fall (yr3) however due to personnel shortage, weather and the fact that they still haven’t harvested field work will not be done this fall. Data from this work was instrumental in revising Ohio P Index fertilizer/manure application methods.

Importance

  • A robust functioning Ohio P Index will provide a defense against attacks, while sustaining agricultural productivity and protecting surface water quality.
  • Understanding how to mitigate the runoff risk associated with fertilizer/manure applications will facilitate farmer management decisions. It is important to be able to accurately evaluate the risk of P runoff and provide management alternatives to mitigate runoff risk.

For more information about this research project, please visit the National Soybean Checkoff Research Database.

Funded in part by the soybean checkoff.