2020 Projects
Title: Reducing the risk of soil compaction in Wisconsin with reduced tillage practices –Framework development for a soil compaction risk advisory tool
Principle Investigator: Francisco Arriaga
Objective:
To determine the effect soil texture, organic matter content and aggregation (as influenced by tillage management) have on the maximum level of compaction (density) of Wisconsin soils.
Funding Level: $28,690
Duration: 2 year
Title: Adaptive N Management Strategies for Corn II
Principle Investigator: Carrie Laboski
Objectives:
- Evaluate the profitability and efficiency of on-farm N management practices such as N rate selection, crediting of on-farm nutrient sources (eg. animal manure, cover crops, etc), and time of application using replicated research plots on grower fields.
- Assess the ability of the pre-sidedress soil nitrate test (PSNT) to adjust sidedress N application rates under various agronomic and geographic conditions. a. We hypothesize that the PSNT may underperform in areas with less than 2,100 growing degree days from May 1 to September 30.
- Evaluate potential in- and post-season loss of N at different application rates.
- We hypothesize on coarse-textured soils, N application rates near the economic optimum will result in minimal N remaining in the soil profile after harvest.
- We hypothesize that soil drainage class will influence timing of N loss on medium- and fine-textured soils.
- Evaluate the end-of-season corn stalk nitrate test as an N management report card. a. We hypothesize the stalk nitrate test will incorrectly identify N over applications.
- Develop crop sensing and soil health nutrient test datasets to predict N fertilizer need.
- Obtain additional data to refine N crediting from on-farm nutrient sources (eg. animal manure, cover crops, etc) and further develop the maximum return to N (MRTN) database that underpins UW-Extension corn N rate guidelines.
Funding Level: $120,957
Duration: 3 year
Title: Field validating cover crop adjustments to nitrogen fertilizer recommendations
Principle Investigator: Matt Ruark
Objectives:
1) to determine the effect of cover crop biomass on yield and optimum N rate on farmer fields.
2) to determine which subsequent crops will be influenced by optimum N rate.
3) to determine how seeding rate of rye effects biomass and optimum N credit.
2) to determine which subsequent crops will be influenced by optimum N rate.
3) to determine how seeding rate of rye effects biomass and optimum N credit.
Funding Level: $118,500