Soil Sampling and Fertility Build-up Management Objectives: Current Status/Importance of Research Area:

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1 Soil Sampling and Fertility Build-up Management Principal Investigators: Gene Stevens and David Dunn University of Missouri-Delta Research Center, Portageville, Mo Objectives: (1) Study economics of short term fertility build-up programs of less than 4 years versus the default 8-year build-up program used in MU soil recommendations. (2) Determine the effects of P and K fertilizer application timing on crop yields in low fertility fields. Current Status/Importance of Research Area: This is a request to continue funding of a long-term buildup project which was begun in We are working with farmers who own their land and were willing to cooperate with us for the full span of the experiments. All of the test fields were initially low in either P or K or both. In 2003, experiments were established in soybean and rice fields near Malden, Mo and fescue pasture and hay sites fields near West Plains. In 2006, we established test sites on cotton fields at Clarkton and Wardell, Mo. The profitability of treatments is being studied with different time lengths (years) for building up low test soils. For example, a 1 year build up treatment started in 2003 had all the fertilizer applied to bring P and K above sufficiency levels in the first year. In following years, only maintenance applications (crop removal) are being made. In contrast, an 8 year build up treatment only had 1/8 of the amount needed to build the soil to optimum plus crop removal for that year. The same pattern is being repeated for the life of the project. Other treatments between 1 and 8 year build up treatments are also included in each experiment. At the end of eight years, the P and K fertilizer in the different build up programs will all total the same amount. The pay me now or pay me later applies to this situation. Although not complete, important information has already been learned. The magnitude of yield increases from P and K fertilizer in 1 and 3 year buildup programs relative to 8 year buildup has been surprising. As more years occur, we expect the difference in yields between treatments to decrease. Economic factors such as the value of the crop and cost of the nutrient needed most (P vs. K fertilizer) are being considered. The percentage yield increase from short term buildup P and K, relative long term buildup, has been greater with fescue hay than rice and soybeans. To date, it appears that a long term buildup may be more justified with most row crops than hay due to the greater value of row crops. We are also finding that a good fertility program may provide some crop insurance against dry weather. Often N is emphasized at the expense of P and K. When the beef farmer cooperator at West Plains saw the yield increases we are harvesting from P and K fertilizer in test plots, he began an aggressive fertilization program on the rest of his farm. Although fertilizer is no substitute for rainfall, he produced more grass in pastures and hayfields than his neighbors through the mid-summer drought of 2006.

2 Time table : February-March April-October Land and equipment preparation in fields where fertilizer build-up applications will be made. Weigh out fertilizer treatments. Apply fertilizer treatments, collect soil and tissue samples, plant rice, cotton and soybeans, spray, and harvest research plots. Strategy for transfer of knowledge: Results will be shown at extension grower meetings, field days, and at the Southern Plant Nutrition Conference. When the study is completed a final report will be written and a manuscript submitted to scientific journal such as the Journal of Plant Nutrition. Budget: Expenses Res. Specialist salary (0.25) $12,000 $12,000 $12,000 Fringe benefits $3,600 $3,600 $3,600 Supplies and lab analyses $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 Travel $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 Total $17,600 $17,600 $17,600

3 WILLIAM E. (GENE) STEVENS Extension Associate Professor Department of Agronomy University of Missouri-Delta Research Center Portageville, MO Phone: (573) EDUCATION Degree: Ph.D., Agronomy, 1992 Institution: Mississippi State University Degree: M.S., Plant and Soil Science, 1982 Institution: University of Tennessee-Knoxville Degree: B.S., Biology, 1979 Institution: Union University EMPLOYMENT 1994 Present University of Missouri-Delta Research Center, Portageville, MO Extension Crop Production Specialist Mississippi State Univ./USDA Crop Simulation Lab, Starkville, MS Soil Scientist North Mississippi Branch Experiment Station, Holly Springs, MS Research Associate REFEREED PUBLICATIONS: Stevens, G., A. Sheckell, E. Vories, M. Mulesky, M. Rhine, and D. Dunn Irrigation to maximize vaccine antigen production in pharmaceutical tobacco. Agronomy Journal. In review. Shannon, J.G., W. E. Stevens, W. J. Wiebold, R. L. McGraw, and D. A. Sleper Breeding soybeans for improved tolerance to flooding. Proc. 35 th Soybean Seed Research Conf. Amer. Seed Trade Assoc., Chicago, IL. 7 Dec. Stevens, G., T. Gladbach, P. Motavalli, and D. Dunn Soil calcium and magnesium ratios and lime recommendations for cotton. J. Cotton Science 9:65-71.

4 Conley, S., G. Stevens, and D. Dunn Grain sorghum response to row spacing, crop density, and planter skips. Crop Management. [Online] doi: /cm rs. Wrather, J., W. Stevens, D. Dunn, R. Cartwright, G. Sciumbato, and D. Beighley Tillage effects on stand and yield in a rice monoculture system. Crop Management [Online] doi: /cm rs Dunn, D., G. Stevens, and A. Kendig Boron fertilization of rice with soil and foliar applications. Crop Management. [Online] doi: /cm rs Stevens, G. and D. Dunn Fly ash as a liming material on cotton. J. Environmental Quality 33: Stevens, W.E., S.A. Berberich, P.A. Sheckell, C.C. Wiltse, M.E. Halsey, M.J. Horak, and D.J. Dunn Optimizing pollen confinement in corn grown for regulated products. Crop Science. 44: Wrather, J. A., D. A. Sleper, and W. E. Stevens Soybean cultivar and foliar fungicide effects on Phomopsis sp. seed infection. Plant Disease Dunn, D. A. Wrather, W. Stevens, M. Kenty, D. Beighley and M. Aide Measuring K + in rice basal stem sap with a Cardy meter. Crop Management. [Online] doi: /cm rs Beighley, D., W. Mueller, M. Aide, D. Dunn, and G. Stevens Growth effects of corn in rotation with rice. Proc. Missouri Acad. of Science 38:8-14. Wrather, J. A., D. A. Sleper, W. E. Stevens, J.G. Shannon, and R.F. Wilson Planting date and cultivar effects on soybean yield, seed quality, and Phomopsis sp. seed infection. Plant Disease. 87: Motavalli, P., W. Stevens, and G. Hartwig Remediatation of subsoil compaction by deep tillage and application of poultry manure in a sandy-textured soil. Soil and Tillage Research. 71: Wrather, J.A., W.E. Stevens, T.L. Kirkpatrick, and N.R. Kitchen Effects of site-specific application of aldicarb effects on cotton yield in a Meloidogyne incognita-infested field. J. Nematology. 34 (2): Stevens, G., S. Hefner, and T. Gladbach Effect of nitrogen timing and rates on tillering and yield of no-till water-seeded rice. Comm. Soil Sci. and Plant Anal. 32:

5 CURRICULUM VITAE DAVID J. (Dave) DUNN University of Missouri Delta Center, P. O. Box 160 Portageville, MO Phone (573) EDUCATION: Degree: M.S. Geology (with emphasis in soils development) 1985 Institution: Iowa State University Professor: Dr. Carl F. Vondra Degree: B.S. Geology, 1980 Institution: Iowa State University PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Supervisor: Soil Testing Lab 1997-present University of Missouri-Delta Center, Portageville, Missouri Responsibilities: 1) Communicate to public the role of an integrated soil fertility program in crop production and environmental protection. 2) Provide relevant and understandable soil and plant analysis results to customers. 3) Maintain quality control of laboratory results while ensuring that results are available to customers in timely manner. 4) Supervise and train administrative and support staff, develop and implement annual working budget, maintain and purchase supplies and equipment as needed. 5) Develop and administer a soil fertility research program. 6) Provide research assistance to other multidisciplinary University of Missouri staff Lab Tech II, Soil Testing Lab Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa Responsibilities: 1) Supervise and train student hourly workers. 2) Maintain equipment and purchase consumable supplies as needed. 3) Maintain quality control of laboratory results. 4) Communicate soil test results to customers. 5) Provide research assistance to other multidisciplinary Iowa State University staff, includes training of graduate students in use of analytical instruments.

6 Lab Tech II, Power Plant Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa Responsibilities: 1) Supervise and train temporary and student workers. 2) Maintain equipment and purchase consumable supplies. 3) Maintain quality control of laboratory results. 4) Maintain records of laboratory results for compliance with local, state and federal environmental laws. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE: present University of Missouri Soil Testing Lab Advisory Committee present University of Missouri Soil Test Recommendations Review Committee present University of Missouri Soil Fertility Working Group Editor of Missouri Rice Research Update. PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS: American Society of Agronomy Soil Science Society of America Rice Technical Work Group RECENT PUBLICATIONS: Refereed Publications: Dunn, D, and G Stevens. 2007, Phosphorus Management in a Dry-seed, Delayed Flood Production System in Missouri, Beter Crops International, (in press) Aide, M., C. Aide, D. Dunn, and G. Stevens Fragipan genesis in the eastern Ozarks of Missouri. Soil Science. 171: (in press) Stevens, G., T. Gladbach, P. Motavalli, and D. Dunn Soil calcium and magnesium ratios and lime recommendations for cotton. J. Cotton Science. 9: Dunn, D., G. Stevens, and A. Kendig Boron fertilization of rice with soil and foliar applications. Crop Management. [Online] doi: /cm rs Conley, S., G. Stevens, and D. Dunn Grain sorghum response to row spacing, crop density, and planter skips. Crop Management. doi: /cm rs.

7 Wrather, J., W. Stevens, D. Dunn, R. Cartwright, G. Sciumbato, and D. Beighley Tillage effects on stand and yield in a rice monoculture system. Crop Management [Online] doi: /cm rs Dunn, D., and G. Stevens Rice potassium research progress. Better Crops. No. 1, pg Agricultural Bulletins and Extension Publications: D. Dunn, G. Stevens, Beighley, D Sulfur Fertilization of Rice. Missouri Rice Research Update. Dexter, Mo, 16 Feb. pg Stevens, G. and D. Dunn University of Missouri soil test recommendations for rice production. Missouri Rice Research Update. Dexter, Mo, 16 Feb. pg Dunn, D. and G. Stevens P and K fertilization of water-seeded rice. Missouri Rice Research Update. Dexter, Mo, 16 Feb. pg D. Dunn Comparison of Avail Coated and Non-coated Super Triple Phosphate Fertilizers for Rice Missouri Rice Research Update. Dexter, Mo, 16 Feb. pg Stevens, G., P. Motavalli, P. Scharf, M. Nathan, and D. Dunn Crop nutrient deficiencies and toxicities, Integrated Pest Management Plant Protection Program, IMP1008