2022
Comprehensive evaluation of phosphorus best management practices for soybean to increase nutrient use efficiency, profitability, and water quality Year 2 of 2
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
GeneticsGenomicsSeed quality
Lead Principal Investigator:
Andrew Margenot, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:

The overall objective of this work is to enhance efficient usage of Phosphorus (P) for more profitable soybean production while increasing the water quality benefits, and thus sustainability, of Illinois soy. Specific objectives include: quantifying yield and profitability of phosphorus management for soybean by placement, timing, and source (4Rs), including non-nitrogen containing sources of P; evaluating region-specific considerations for phosphorus management for soybeans in southern and north-central Illinois; and determining the extent to which soybean-specific 4Rs such as in-season application and/or use of P-only source can yield benefits for Illinois water quality.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, applicators, agronomists, extension specialists

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

(1) Yield and profitability outcomes of placement, timing and source of P for soybean for the glaciated and unglaciated regions of Illinois
(2) Updated recommendations on P management specific to soybean, which will be integrated into forthcoming update of the Illinois Agronomy Handbook by PI Margenot
(3) Gauging water quality co-benefits of P management practices that support soybean yield increases
(4) Communication of findings by updating of the Illinois Agronomy Handbook for soybean production recommendations, ISA-sponsored webinars and in-person talks by PI Margenot, and extension publications via the University of Illinois Extension bulletins.

1. Extension outputs: Field days will be held at each of both field sites in Y1-2 for PI Margenot to directly communicate with ISA stakeholders on project rationale and updates. In Y1, though yield data will not be available, the mid to late summer (July/August) date of these two field days will enable data on the fate of fall vs spring-applied N in MAP/DAP and soil test P responses will be presented. Project members will present project findings and provide project information at tour stops during University of Illinois Crop Science Field Days (annual participation of approximately 500 attendees). Co-authored extension articles and conference presentations are expected outputs. Producer and ISA input on these outreach deliverables will be solicited via partners that have deep ties and long relationships with producers, including IFB and Illinois NREC. Finally, a 2-page fact sheet summarizing the results of the on-farm trials in non-scientific “plain language” will be produced for use in public settings. At the end of the project, a webinar and field day will each be held in conjunction with ISA to disseminate results of the on-farm trials. Additionally, PI Margenot is available to contribute to or participate in at least two talks annually at ISA-sponsored events. All data will be made available to ISA.

2. Additional education: Using project findings to update the Illinois Agronomy Handbook for P management, and to add a specific section on the 4Rs for P for soybean in Illinois, will improve crop production curriculum at University of Illinois. PI Margenot will integrate results into soybean and P fertility curricula in courses that he instructs or in which he guest lectures, including: CPSC 199 Agronomic Nutrient Management, CPSC 412 Principles of Crop Advising, and CPSC 491 Midwestern Agricultural Practices.

3. Soybean agronomy: At the annual Agronomy Society of America meeting in Nov 2022, an oral presentation and a poster will be presented to showcase ISA-supported findings on yield and environmental quality for Illinois soy. We will target one publication to a scholarly journal such as Agronomy Journal to feature project results. Finally, PI Margenot is the state representative for North Central Extension Research Activities (NCERA)-13 on soil and plant testing, attended by land grant researchers, commercial soil testing labs, and crop advisors. At the 2022 meeting, results will be presented by PI Margenot to NCERA-13 on soil testing considerations for soybean P management.

4. Communications to external audiences: PI Margneot will work with ISA on newsletter and social media outreach to engage with soybean growers. Annual project updates can also be disseminated via IFB’s FarmWeek Now, with whom PI Margenot has a close relationship. Findings and recommendations will also be made available online via the online University of Illinois Extension Bulletin, and the news and/or outreach websites of the Illinois Soybean Association. Additionally, results will be presented at the annual Illinois NLRS conference and the Illinois NREC research symposium.

Final Project Results

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.