2025
Validating the MRTN Recommendations to Reduce Tile Nitrate Loss in Conventional and Cover Cropping Systems
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Illinois Soybean Association
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Cover cropsNutrient management
Parent Project:
Validating the MRTN Recommendations to Reduce Tile Nitrate Loss in Conventional and Cover Cropping Systems
Lead Principal Investigator:
Dan Schaefer, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Illinois Soybean Association
$80,000
Institution Funded:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
$80,000
Brief Project Summary:
The object is to prove that following the MRTN can lower nitrate loss in a corn soybean rotation and by having a cereal rye cover ahead of soybeans after corn will additionally reduce N loss without affect on the soybean yields. We also have a cover of winter barley ahead of corn.
Information And Results
Project Summary

The object is to prove that following the MRTN can lower nitrate loss in a corn soybean rotation and by having a cereal rye cover ahead of soybeans after corn will additionally reduce N loss without affect on the soybean yields. We also have a cover of winter barley ahead of corn.

Project Objectives

1. Validate the MRTN - Recommended N rate on Corn in a corn/soybean Rotation.
2. Link the validation of the MRTN with the changes in tile nitrate loss for all years of a corn/soybean rotation.
3. Evaluate the MRTN-recommended N rate with and without cover crops in a corn soybean rotation.
4. Access the potential for longer-term feedback effects of under- or over- fertilization on crop yield and tile nitrate loss.

Project Deliverables

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

It is our hope we can convince growers that in the tiled farms of central Illinois that high N rates are not needed using the correct cover crop ahead of Soybeans and Corn can improve yields by improving soil health.

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.