Nutrient Control BMPs: Soil Testing Plant Tissue Analysis Fertilizer Application Spill Prevention

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1 Nutrient Control BMPs: Soil Testing Plant Tissue Analysis Fertilizer Application Spill Prevention Mabry McCray Everglades Research and Education Center

2 Soil Testing Importance Part of the Nutrient Control Practices listed under approved BMPs for water quality improvement in the EAA. Soil testing is an essential tool to formulate a sound amendment and nutrient management program. With increased emphasis on environmental quality and rising cost of fertilizer materials, soil testing has become an important tool to identify areas where inadequate or excess fertilization has occurred.

3 Relative Crop Yield (%) Relationship Between Soil Test P, Crop Yield, and Potential for Environmental Problems due to Excessive Soil P L M H Soil Test P (Index Value) Potential Environmental Problems Excessive

4 Soil Testing: 3-Step Process 1. Soil Sampling: a) Collection of Soil Samples b) Handling and Submitting 2. Laboratory Extraction and Analysis: a) Sample Preparation b) Extraction and Measurement of Nutrients. 3. Interpretation and Fertilizer Recommendation: Making sense of the results to make reasonable nutrient (fertilizer) application recommendations for a specific crop.

5 Field Ditch 1. Soil Sampling: Collection 40-acre field 40-acre field X X X X X X X X X X 30 ft X 30 ft X 30 ft X X X X X X X X 100 ft 100 ft Road Critical to the soil testing process High field variability Remember that a very small area is sampled cores samples collected per 40-acre field

6 Soil ph contour map Torry muck (EAA)

7 Soil-test Pw contour map Okeelanta muck (EAA)

8 1. Soil Sampling: Handling and Submitting Proper Handling is important: Thoroughly mix the composite sample and break up cores Soil samples should be delivered as soon as possible after collection Clearly label and identify sample Include contact information

9 2. Laboratory Analysis: Sample Preparation

10 2. Laboratory Analysis: Sample Preparation

11 2. Laboratory Analysis: Measurement

12 2. Laboratory Analysis: Measurement

13 3. Interpretation and Recommendation Response of Crisphead Lettuce to Soil-Test P Levels 95% Relative Yield Critical Level

14 Proposed Revision of Sugarcane P Calibration Relative sucrose ha Mean Relative Sucrose y = 0.878(1-exp (-0.242x) ) R 2 = 0.55, P < Mehlich 3-extractable soil P (g m -3 )

15 Revised Sugarcane P Calibration Mehlich 3 Soil P g P/m 3 Phosphorus Fertilizer Rate lb P 2 O 5 /acre Plant Cane Ratoon 1 Ratoon 2 Ratoon 3+ < >

16 Fertilizer Application 3 Goals of Fertilizer Application BMPs Fertilize to cover all crop needs Reduce over- or misapplication Eliminate spills, cleanup spills

17 Rationale Apply minimum amount of P fertilizer that is needed to produce optimum yields- Follow 4 R s: Right Source Right Rate Right Time Right Place

Banding of P Fertilizers Places fertilizer close to the root zone; more efficient uptake by plant. Reduces the soil-fertilizer surface contact area, resulting in less P fixation.

18 Banding of P Fertilizers Places fertilizer close to the root zone; more efficient uptake by plant. Reduces the soil-fertilizer surface contact area, resulting in less P fixation. Reduces likelihood of overlapping application to same rows. The most important advantage of banding is the significant reduction of the overall amount of P applied especially to vegetables.

19 Banding of P Fertilizers Influence of Soil ph on Availability of Plant Nutrients Organic Soils Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Sulfur Calcium Magnesium Iron Manganese Boron Banding increases P availability to plants by: a. providing concentration of P in narrow band in root zone (most important in short-lived shallow rooted crops) b. decreasing ph in that narrow application zone, which temporarily allows > P availability by slowing P fixation Copper Zinc Molybdenum

20 Fertilizer Misapplication Prevention Misapplication of fertilizer P: Application of P fertilizer to soils with high P fertility levels. Application of P fertilizer to soils at higher than the recommended rates. Application of P fertilizer to non-target areas due to mechanical failures or lack of proper training.

21 Misapplication of P Fertilizer Problems caused by increased P concentrations: Algal blooms Excessive aquatic weed growth Low dissolved oxygen levels Increased TP and TDP in drainage water Increased P loads off the farm Decreased drainage capacity of canals

22 Fertilizer Misapplication Prevention: Tune/Calibrate Equipment Before planting season starts Monitor actual application rates vs. calculated amounts

23 Fertilizer Misapplication Prevention: Reduce Turning Speed Never broadcast fertilizer near canals. Turn spreader off when turning at the ends of fields.

24 Fertilizer Misapplication Prevention: Proper Training

25 Recommendations to Reduce Fertilizer Spills Park fertilizer hoppers/trailers and field application rigs far away from ditch/canal banks. Park fertilizer hoppers/trailers on level ground (avoid slopes leading to open water). Limit the number of loading sites easier to police. Properly train all personnel involved in handling fertilizer material. Policy: Park fertilizer hopper/trailers ONLY at sugarcane loading ramp sites.

26 Loading Site on Level Ground

27 Inspection of Fertilizer Loading Site

28 Recommendations to Reduce the Impact of Fertilizer Spills Contain spills on tarps placed under/between trailer and application rigs. Have buckets/shovels available for immediate clean-up. Sweep mini-spills off trailer/hopper onto tarp and apply soil/dirt/fertilizer clean-up mix in target field. Policy: All personnel involved in handling and spreading fertilizer should have a copy of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on handling fertilizer spills.

29 Plant Tissue Analysis

30 Sugarcane Leaf Nutrient Optimum Ranges Nutrient Optimum Range Est. 5-10% Loss Est. 25% Loss % N P K Ca Mg Si > mg/kg Fe Mn Zn Cu

31 Additional Leaf Analysis Information McCray, J. M., and R. Mylavarapu Sugarcane nutrient management using leaf analysis. McCray, J.M., V.I. Ezenwa, R.W. Rice, and T.A. Lang Sugarcane plant nutrient diagnosis. Ezenwa V.I., J.M. McCray, P.R. Newman, and R.W. Rice Sugarcane leaf tissue sample preparation for diagnostic analysis. Excel Spreadsheet to calculate DRIS indices for Sugarcane

32 Revised Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendations for Sandland Sugarcane

33 Plant Cane Yield Response to Nitrogen Relative Sugar Yield Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site lb N/ac 0.4 y = 1.038(1-e (-0.009(x+54.54)) ) r 2 = Nitrogen Rate (lb N/acre)

Stubble Cane Yield Response to Nitrogen Site 2-1st Ratoon Site 3-1st Ratoon Site 3-2nd Ratoon Site 4-1st Ratoon Site 4-2nd Ratoon Relative Sugar Yield 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.

34 Stubble Cane Yield Response to Nitrogen Site 2-1st Ratoon Site 3-1st Ratoon Site 3-2nd Ratoon Site 4-1st Ratoon Site 4-2nd Ratoon Relative Sugar Yield Linear Plateau Model: y = x if x < 154 r 2 = lb N/ac Exponential Model: y = 1.003(1 - e (-0.011(x+31.63)) ) r 2 = Nitrogen Rate (lb N/acre)

35 Revised Nitrogen Recommendations N Rate (Annual lb N/acre) Split N Applications Plant Ratoon Soluble N/Application: Each split application should include no more than 50 lb soluble N/acre. Rainfall Exception: An additional 30 lb N/acre is allowed for the annual N total for a specific location when > 4 inches rainfall is received in a 2-day period and within 20 days after a soluble N application.

Take Home Summary Nutrient BMPs very successful and economical Requires proper annual training of personnel Research on fertilizer use efficiency

36 Take Home Summary Nutrient BMPs very successful and economical Requires proper annual training of personnel Research on fertilizer use efficiency invaluable: Fertilizer sources and rates Soil fertility ph effects, cycling, soil extractants, etc. Crop nutrition leaf analysis, supplementals, etc.

Nutrient Control BMPs: Soil Testing Plant Tissue Analysis Fertilizer Application Spill Prevention

Nutrient Control BMPs: Soil Testing Plant Tissue Analysis Fertilizer Application Spill Prevention Mabry McCray Everglades Research and Education Center Soil Testing Importance Part of the Nutrient Control