2022
Systems that improve nutrient efficiency, foliar protection, and yield of soybean
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
DiseaseField management Pest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Shaun Casteel, Purdue University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
Sulfur can improve nutrient efficiency in soybeans and this improvement is appealing when phosphorus and potassium applications are made prior to or at planting. In a preliminary trial, researchers documented yield improvements after phosphorus and sulfur co-application. Potassium applications at soybean planting can cause yield loss, whereas the addition of sulfur with potassium offset this yield suppression. Baseline sulfur applications have created synergistic opportunities with in-season foliar protection. This project will determine the best fertilizer combinations to manage nutrients for soybeans and determine opportunities for management synergies to optimize yield and quality. Researchers will conduct three studies: Nutrient Use Efficiency via Sulfur x NPK, Sulfur x Foliar Protection, and Field-Scale S x Foliar Protection.
Key Beneficiaries:
#ag retailers, #agronomists, #applicators, #Extension specialists, #farmers
Unique Keywords:
#agronomy, #nutrient management, #nutrient use efficiency, #soil fertility, #soil health, #sulfur
Information And Results
Project Summary

Sulfur is a macro-nutrient that is needed in large quantities for all crops including soybean. In fact, S is needed as a co-factor for proper nodulation and fixation by Bradyrhizobium japonicum for soybean. Sulfur has also been noted to improve efficiency of nutrients like N and Mn. The improvement in nutrient use efficiency is particularly appealing when applications of phosphorus and potassium are made in the spring or even at planting. In a preliminary trial in 2019, we documented yield improvements of phosphorus and sulfur co-application (7.8 bu/ac). Potassium applications at planting of soybean can cause yield loss (- 5 bu/ac in 2019 trial); whereas, the addition of sulfur with potassium offset this yield suppression. Baseline sulfur application have created synergistic opportunities with in-season foliar protection. In another preliminary trial in 2019, we documented no yield response to foliar applications of fungicide, insecticide, and fungicide + insecticide when applied alone. However when these applications were combined with a PRE-emergence application of sulfur, yields increased 4 to 7.5 bu/ac depending on the combination. Our research aims to determine the best options (e.g., fertilizer combinations to be broadcast applied prior to planting, foliar sprays during the growing season) to manage nutrients (i.e., P, K, S) for soybean and determine opportunities for synergies in management to optimize yield and quality (i.e., protein). We propose three studies to accomplish this mission with the goal of multiple year evaluations across several locations: Nutrient Use Efficiency via Sulfur x NPK, Sulfur x Foliar Protection, and Field-Scale S x Foliar Protection.

Project Objectives

Our research aims to develop management systems to improve nutrient use, yield, and quality. Our objectives are to:
1. Improve nutrient use (phosphorus and potassium), yield, and quality when coupled with sulfur
2. Determine synergistic effects of baseline sulfur application prior to in-season foliar protection management.

Project Deliverables

Preliminary results from the 2019 season have already been shared across Indiana. The results from 2021 continued to be presented at Extension winter workshops, meetings, and conferences of producers, Extension educators, and crop professionals across Indiana. Conclusions from the experiments in 2021 will be shared with Extension audiences in presentations, newsletter articles, and websites. We will also share these findings at the American Society of Agronomy meetings.

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results
Benefit To Soybean Farmers

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.