4Rs for Healthy Soils & Healthy Waters

Transcription

1 4Rs for Healthy Soils & Healthy Waters C.S. Snyder, PhD, CCA Nitrogen Program Director, Conway, AR Healthy Soils and Healthy Waters Workshop Columbus, OH September15-16,

2 Acknowledging Dr. Tom Bruulsema IPNI Northeastern North America, Regional Director Regional homepage: Lake Erie P Issues

3 Fertilizer N & P Use Efficiency - Affected by: N & P supply from: Soil Fertilizer Other inputs Balanced supply of other essential nutrients Plant uptake N losses volatilization, leaching, runoff, denitrification (and nitrification) P losses runoff and some leaching All are affected by cropping system management and environmental conditions

4 4R Nutrient Stewardship applying the right Click nutrient to edit source, Master at the right title rate, style right time, and right place is an essential tool in the development of sustainable agricultural systems.

5 Right means Sustainable Right source, rate, time, and place Outcomes valued by stakeholders There is an immediate connection between applying the right nutrient source, at the right rate, right timing, and right placement, and beneficial impacts on components of the natural capital evidenced through better crop performance, improved soil health, decreased environmental pollution, and the protection of wildlife. (4R Plant Nutrition Manual pg. 1-2)

6 Source: P. Fixen

7 The 4Rs connect to the cropping system Soil water, air, and temperature influence nutrient availability. genetic yield potential weeds insects diseases mycorrhizae soil texture & structure drainage compaction salinity temperature precipitation solar radiation

8 The 4Rs influence many performance indicators Social, Economic and Environmental performance Influenced by crop and soil management as well Whole system outcomes Resource use efficiencies: Energy, Labor, Nutrient, Water Soil erosion Nutrient balance Yield Net profit Biodiversity Cropping System Nutrient loss Water & air quality Affordable & accessible food Ecosystem services Farm income Return on investment Quality Yield stability Working conditions Connects nutrient management to Nutrient Performance

9 BMP Adoption and Evaluation Source: P. Fixen

10 4R Research Fund environmental, social, economic impacts Established by the fertilizer industry to support research on 4R sustainability impact across North America aiming for $7M over 5 years. Meta-analysis: 5 projects, Measurement: 4 projects, For additional information:

11 4R Research Fund Lake Erie Watershed Project Evaluating the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Concept and Certification Program in the Western Lake Erie Basin GOAL: to evaluate the specific impacts of the adoption of practices associated with 4R Nutrient Stewardship, and the impact of the 4R Certification Program, on crop productivity and profitability, water quality, and perceptions of growers, nutrient service providers, and residents in the western Lake Erie watershed. 10 collaborators land-river-lake continuum. Source: Bruulsema

12 Lake Erie Total P loading successfully reduced. David Baker et al., National Center for Water Quality Research, Heidelberg U, Tiffin, OH Source: Bruulsema

13 Western Lake Erie: DRP trends worsening since David Baker et al., National Center for Water Quality Research, Heidelberg U, Tiffin, OH Source: Bruulsema

14 So what could be causing the trend of increased losses of dissolved P? Weather patterns Tillage trends P application Source? Rate? Time? Place? USGS monitoring gauge, Waterville, Ohio, 31 July 2012 Source: Bruulsema

15 1. Application rates short of crop removal since Crop removal is increasing with yield. Source: Bruulsema

16 48% of Ohio soils test optimum for P Critical level Corn & soybeans Maintenance Limit Wheat & alfalfa 26% 48% 26% Soil test P distribution, Source: Bruulsema

17 States with N and/or P Numeric Criteria Jeff Reutter, Ohio State U.

18 Mississippi River Basin States with Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategies (2014) Arkansas (coming soon!) Indiana Illinois Iowa Louisiana Kentucky Minnesota Mississippi Ohio Tennessee (coming soon!) Wisconsin

19 Potential for Further Reductions in Nutrient Loads to Rivers and Streams through Comprehensive Conservation Treatment - USDA CEAP Reports Upper Mississippi River Basin: N 44% P 27% Ohio-Tennessee River Basin: N 41% P 58% Great Lakes Basin: N 37% P 33% Missouri River Basin: N 13% P 12% Lower Miss. River Basin: N 43% P 57% NIFA CEAP Watershed Assessment - Lessons Learned Practices based on management changes, such as nutrient management, were less likely to be sustained by farmers than structural practices many conservation practices designed to control nutrients are disliked (nutrient management and buffers) ; farmers cannot readily observe nutrient losses whereas they can observe soil losses. (Deanna Osmond et al. 2012)

20 Appropriate N Fertilization Helps Sustain Organic Matter in Agricultural Soils 917 SOC and 580 SON observations 135 studies, 114 longterm experiments, 100 sites around the world our analysis also demonstrates that in addition to its role in improving crop productivity, synthetic fertilizer N significantly reduces the rate at which SOM is declining in agricultural soils, worldwide. Ladha et al J. Environ. Qual 40: ; Ladha et al Better Crops 96(4): 24-25

21 Fertilizer BMPs Help Optimize Crop Utilization, Minimize Nutrient Losses, & Support Soil Health For example: N source, rate, timing, and place of application. which may include Urease inhibitors Nitrification inhibitors Slow-release materials Controlled-release materials In combination with appropriate, site-specific cropping system and conservation practices (e.g. conservation tillage, cover crops, vegetative buffers, managed drainage, wetlands, bioreactors, etc.) What could we accomplish if in-field, edge of field, and above stream BMPs are coupled?

22 Supported by leading fertilizer manufacturers and affiliates