2022
Improving Phosphorus Management for Soybean: Integrating Cover Crops and Fertilizer Placement and Time
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Kansas Soybean Commission
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
DiseaseField management Pest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Dorivar Ruiz-Diaz, Kansas State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
2251
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Kansas Soybean Commission
$40,741
Institution Funded:
Kansas State University
$40,741
Brief Project Summary:

The overall objective of this project is to improve phosphorus management for soybean production, increasing yields using improved diagnostic tools and fertilization strategies, and leveraging opportunities for application timing and placement with cover crops in the rotation. Specific objectives include determining agronomically efficient and cost-effective P fertilizer application time and placement; assessing cover crop interaction ahead of soybean and P availability from the soil fraction and fertilizer application to maximize P use efficiency and reduce environmental losses; and evaluating soil tests for accurate P fertilization rates with increasing soybean yields, including the evaluation of new chemical and biological soil testing methods.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, applicators, agronomists, extension specialists

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Final Project Results

Updated August 19, 2024:

View uploaded report PDF file

Summary of accomplishments to date (year 1):
Studies were established at 3 locations during the 2022 season, including deficient and above optimum soil P levels. Soybean showed visual response to the combination of treatments, including fertilizer P application rates and placement as well as the integration of cover crops; this was particularly noticeable early season and affected soil cover and weed control. The early season data collected for the first year of this project suggest some significant interaction of the three main components of the study (P fertilizer placement, P rate, and cover crops). For the second year of the project at least six locations will be established with a range of soil types, soil test P levels and productivity.

Expected outcome:
Proper phosphorus fertility management can have significant economic and environmental benefits. The expected results from this project can inform soybean producers on the best management options integrating cover crops and fertilizer management to minimize cost, increase yields and reduce environmental risk.
The co-PIs are extension specialists with active programs on soybean production, soil fertility, and soil and water quality. The outcomes from this research will be shared as early and frequently as possible as reliable findings become available. Results will be communicated to Kansas producers and crop advisors in various ways. Information will be disseminated through field days, the regular KSU Soybean Production Schools, extension publications, and the KSU nutrient management webpage. Results of field experiments and any revised recommendations that arise will be summarized and distributed to the public via news releases. Brief articles will be prepared for publication periodically in the Kansas State University Agronomy eUpdates. Results will be shared with county/district extension agents in the state who provide information to soybean growers on a regular basis.

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.