2022
Developing an approach to guide nitrogen fertilizer application in soybean
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Nebraska Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
GeneticsGenomicsSeed quality
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Patricio Grassini, University of Nebraska
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
711
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Nebraska Soybean Board
$85,000
Institution Funded:
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
$85,000
Brief Project Summary:

Soybean yield and protein concentration are limited by nitrogen (N) supply, especially in high-yield environments. However, yield response to N fertilizer is inconsistent and usually not cost-effective. Here we plan to develop a method that allows in-season diagnosis of plant nitrogen status that can be used to better inform soybean producers with respect to when and how much N fertilization can be applied on soybean to more consistently achieve a profitable yield response. To develop and validate this method, we propose a 3-year project during which we will conduct N fertilization trials in producer fields in Nebraska. Each experiment will include three treatments: (i) a ‘zero-N’ treatment...

Unique Keywords:
#soil fertility
Information And Results
Project Deliverables

The project will have a total duration of 36 months (Oct 1, 2021 – Sep 30, 2024). We are proposing two years of field experiments to account for variation in weather and possible unmanageable factors (such as hail or killing frost). Because the harvest of the second year of field experiments occurs in October (after the end of the 2nd fiscal year on 30 Sep), we are requesting a third final project year (1 Oct to 30 Sep) to be able to complete the 2nd year seed harvest, perform the seed constituent assays, undertake the data analysis & interpretation, and then prepare and write the scientific and extension publications. But, if the two-year results appear to be promising, we would consider working with the NE On-Farm Research Network to develop some protocols that could be used by soybean producers in 2024 to do their own on-farm research tests. The proposed project timeline is shown below.

Milestones: We will conduct field experiments in 24 soybean producer fields each year. A tool will be developed to guide N fertilizer addition in soybean. Results will be published in high-impact agronomic-oriented journals and conveyed to NE soybean producers via field days and extension material.

Final Project Results

Updated May 26, 2023:

View uploaded report PDF file

Findings from this study will be used to develop a decision tree that can help NE producers to make decisions on soybean N fertilizer application, providing them with a range of possible economic outputs considering typical fertilizer & soybean prices.

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.