I. Feed Me: Foliar Fertilizer Value for Soybean
Project Description: Many soybean growers are interested in the use of foliar fertilizers, and multitudes of products are marketed to growers. Growers often use these products while applying fungicides and/or insecticides during early soybean reproductive development. However, with low profit margins, the effect of foliar fertilizers on soybean yield and economic return is important to understand. Here, we will evaluate commonly marketed foliar fertilizer products across the U.S. This will help us identify environmental and soil factors where yield response to foliar fertilizers is most likely to occur.

II. Sulfur Fertilization Response in Soybean
Project Description: Sulfur is an essential nutrient for crop production, often ranked behind only nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in importance. Increased removal due to higher crop yields, combined with reduced inputs from atmospheric deposition and other sources have increased the prevalence of sulfur deficiencies. There is widespread concern about potential sulfur (S) deficiencies in corn and soybeans in the North Central region. Sulfur is relatively immobile within the plant, so symptoms usually appear in the new growth. Atmospheric deposition used to supply a considerable amount of plant available S (about 8-15 pounds per acre annually), but with the implementation of the Clean Air Act, this amount has significantly decreased.
In this study, sulfur containing fertilizers will be surface applied immediately after planting. A non-S nitrogen check will be added to separate and S response from N-containing S products.

I. Feed Me: Foliar Fertilizer Value for Soybean
Project Objectives:
1) Identify yield response in soybean to foliar nutrient applications (commonly marketed products).
2) Conduct economic analyses on the value of these products.
3) extend results to soybean growers through extension networks.

II. Sulfur Fertilization Response in Soybean
Project Objectives:
1) Identify environmental conditions likely for yield response in soybean to sulfur fertilizer applications.
2) Conduct economic analyses on the value of these applications.
3) Extend the results to soybean growers through university extension networks.

Data will be analyzed both locally and nationally to determine response trends across broad scales. Results will be summarized and disseminated to growers via relevant extension outreach programs (grower meetings, farm shows, SDSU Extension articles, radio spots, social media, etc) and peer-reviewed publications. Research results will be used to create national extension fact sheets detailing Best Management Practices for soybean production. Facts sheets will be national in scope but will address regional consisderations.

Updated December 2, 2020:
I. Statement of the project objective(s):
1) Identify yield response in soybean to sulfur fertilizer and foliar nutrient applications (commonly marketed products). 2) Conduct economic analyses on the value of these products. 3) Extend results to soybean growers through extension networks.
II. Statement of quantifiable progress toward project objective(s) achieved during this reporting period:
Research plots were successfully planted, fertilized according to plan, and harvested in a timely manner.
III. Activities planned between now and the next reporting period:
Analyze harvest results, prepare extension materials.
IV. Problems and/or obstacles that may impact the completion date, cost or scope of the project:
Covid restrictions may prohibit farm shows and other in-person methods of disseminating extension information.
V. Message, questions, comments or requests:
Please see the attached PDFs for a full quarterly summary and an example of a national extension sheet from 2019.

View uploaded report

View uploaded report 2

Updated February 26, 2021:
I. Statement of the project objective(s):
Objectives: 1) Identify yield response in soybean to sulfur fertilizer and foliar nutrient applications (commonly marketed products). 2) Conduct economic analyses on the value of these products. 3) Extend results to soybean growers through extension networks.
II. Statement of quantifiable progress toward project objective(s) achieved during this reporting period:
Plots planted, harvested, and data analyzed. Reporting through extension networks had begun.
III. Activities planned between now and the next reporting period:
Prepare extension materials and report (1) March 12 SDSU Extension Crop Hour, (2) two SD Crop and Pest Extension articles
IV. Problems and/or obstacles that may impact the completion date, cost or scope of the project:
Covid restrictions may prohibit farm shows and other in-person methods of disseminating extension information.
V. Message, questions, comments or requests:
Please see the attached PDF for a full quarterly summary.

View uploaded report

Updated July 30, 2021:
I. Statement of the project objective(s):
1) Identify yield response in soybean to sulfur fertilizer and foliar nutrient applications (commonly marketed products). 2) Conduct economic analyses on the value of these products. 3) Extend results to soybean growers through extension networks.
II. Statement of quantifiable progress toward project objective(s) achieved during this reporting period:
Plots planted, harvested, and data analyzed. Reporting through extension networks had begun.
III. Activities planned between now and the next reporting period:
I will continue extension outreach activities and participate in peer-reviewed journal article publications.
IV. Problems and/or obstacles that may impact the completion date, cost or scope of the project:
None.
V. Message, questions, comments or requests:
Please see the attached PDF for a full quarterly summary.

View uploaded report

In-season soybean fertilization is a practice often promoted by fertilizer suppliers. However, yield response is often variable and hard to predict. A broad range of data is essential for determining the conditions where soybean producers are likely to see economic gain from the application of 1) in-season foliar fertilizer products and 2) pre-emergence sulfur fertilizer in soybeans.