Final report for OS16-095
Project Information
A study performed over the 2015/2016 wheat growing season showed that a producer could benefit from reducing nitrogen (N) fertilizer inputs based upon and deep profile soil test for residual nitrate (NO3) N. However, recovery of NO3-N was only 100% efficient to the 12” depth at this single site, contrasting with 24” recovery in warm season crops. Questions raised by the results prompted refinement of the treatment structure in year two (2016/2017) to determine whether inefficiency of overall N uptake was due to poor recovery of NO3-N from the soil or due to losses of surface applied, top-dress fertilizer.
- Perform two studies in consecutive years on wheat recovery of residual N as measured by the deep profile soil test.
- Communicate results of studies to producers in outreach events to encourage adoption of this conservation measure to reduce N fertilizer inputs.
- Project goals refined in year two to work with two additional farmers to answer questions regarding efficiency of soil NO3-N uptake vs. surface applied fertilizer at Feekes growth stage 5
Cooperators
Research
In year 1, a study was designed to evaluate the potential for reducing nitrogen fertilizer recommendations in wheat based on NO3-N measured in the soil profile below 6" (15 cm). NO3-N was 'credited' to, or subtracted from, fertilizer recommendations according to depth in the soil profile.
Location: North Central Blacklands region - Itasca TX
Wheat Variety: Coker 9553, Planting Date: 18 November 2015
Study Design: Randomized complete block design w/ Four replications
Plot size: 3 m wide by 7.6 m long
Machine harvested
Data analyzed using SAS Proc GLM
Treatments
1)Control (No N added)
2)Credit to 15 cm
3)Credit to 30 cm
4)Credit to 60 cm
5)Credit to 91 cm
6)No credit (100 kg/ha N)
All Plots:
- 22 kg N/ha at Feekes stage 2
- 100 kg P2O5/ha (soil test recommendation for 60 bu yield goal)
In Year two: the study was expanded as a split plot design to test the effect of rates of application of N fertilizer at Feekes Growth Stage 5 as a main effect and depth of NO3-N recovery as the sub effect. The same treatments from year one were preserved within this expanded design so that direct comparison could still be made between the site years, while also addressing post harvest questions about relative use efficiency from soil vs. applied fertilizer N.
- Three-replicate Randomized Complete Block split-plot design with main plots assigned by N rate and residual N crediting with soil depth randomly assigned as subplots within the main plots
- Size of plots is 15 feet wide by 20 feet long (25 feet to alley centers). Study size is 180 feet across by 150 feet deep.
Site 1. Leonard TX (Zone between upper blacklands and rolling hills)
Variety = WB Cedar
Site 2. Louise TX (Upper Gulf Coast)
Variety = TAMSPRO800 (Spring Wheat)
Treatments
Main Plots
N Rates (using liquid UAN source)
- No additional N (0.0 lb N/bu. yield)
- 25 lb N/A (0.5 lb N/bu. yield)
- 50 lb N/A (1 lb N/bu. yield)
- 75 lb N/A (1.5 lb N/bu. yield)
- 100 lb N/A (2 lb N/bu. yield)
- 125 lb N/A (2.5 lb N/bu. yield)
SubPlots:
NO3-N Crediting
- No NO3-N credited
- NO3-N credited to 6 inch soil depth
- NO3-N credited to 12 inch soil depth
- NO3-N credited to 24 inch soil depth
Figure: Texas wheat regions and top-performing varieties. Sites 1 and 2 in Year 2016/2017 shown.
Site 1: Leonard TX
At Leonard, we observed a significant effect (p = 0.0024) on biomass and grain yield due to nitrogen fertilizer rate (main effect) but not due to depth of N crediting approach (sub effect). There were also significant effects on grain test weight due to main and sub effects and number of tillers per plant due to main effects. Overall, yields were below expectations at this site. The winter and early spring were very wet, and lodging was noted prior to grain fill. The yield increases due to increasing N applications are not surprising. The pre-season soil test indicated the presence of some NO3-N in the profile, but not enough to supply plant needs. Therefore, additional nitrogen was required regardless of depth of crediting. The lack of response to crediting indicates that nitrogen found in the soil profile to at least 2’ below the surface is available and recoverable during the growing season to wheat in this silty clay loam soil (Fairlie Series, Fine, smectitic, thermic Udic Haplusterts ).
Site 2. Louise TX
At Louise, yields were substantially and adversely affected by environmental factors including sudden and severe rains following planting, bird damage, and a warm season grass weed pressure in mid to late spring. Yield was affected significantly by N rate but not depth of crediting. Biomass differences as a function of either main or sub effects were not observed. Production problems at this site were severe and likely obscured any effects that might have shown during a ‘normal’ production season where yield goals were met (40 bu/acre). Results at this site indicate that, at least for a poor year, N crediting works when applied to a fine sandy loam soil as well (Texana Series, Fine, smectitic, hyperthermic Alfic Vertic Argiudolls)
Conclusion
Overall, in the 3 site year study from 2015 – 2017 covering 3 contrasting wheat production regions with differing soils and climatic conditions, showed that crediting N to 2 feet in the soil profile did not result in reductions in yield. This allows for a substantial reduction in applied fertilizer without detriment to the grower. This result was independent of high or low performance site years. The benefits to the farmer in terms of reduced economic input are as important as the environmental benefits of reducing potential agriculturally derived nutrient contamination of water resources. These results have been communicated at the National Meetings of the ASA, CSA, and SSSA in Phoenix, AZ (2016) and Tampa, FL (2017) as well as the 2016 and 2017 Texas Plant Protection Conferences. This work has also been presented at the SARE ‘Our Farms, Our Future’ conference in April 2018. At least 20 farmer programs in Texas have been used to communicate the results of this project to wheat grain and forage producers.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Select programs delivered in 20173
| Jan 19, 2017 | Fort Bend Row Crops Nutrient Management | Rosenberg TX |
| Jan 24, 2017 | Lake Lavon Watershed WWP Development Stakeholder Meeting | McKinney TX |
| Jan 26, 2017 | Upper Gulf Coast Feed Grain & Cotton Conference | Bay City TX |
| Jan 27, 2017 | Caldwell Producers CEU Program | Caldwell TX |
| Feb 23, 2017 | Organic Vegetable Producers Program (Webex) | MacAllen TX |
| Mar 2, 2017 | Taylor Co. Master Gardener Soils Class | Abilene TX |
| Mar 3, 2017 | Abilene Forage Producers Nutrient Management Class | Abilene TX |
| Mar 21, 2017 | Brazoria Co. New Ranchers Soil Management Class | Angleton TX |
| Mar 29, 2017 | Hill Co. Nitrogen Management in Grains and Cotton | Birom TX |
| May 5, 2017 | Multi Co. Wheat Tour | Abilene TX |
| May 10, 2017 | Hill Co. Forage Producers Soil Nutrient Management Class | Hillsboro TX |
| June 20, 2017 | Stiles Farm Foundation Annual Field Day | Thrall TX |
| Aug 9, 2017 | Dist 8 Agents Planning Retreat | Lavaca TX |
| Aug 22, 2017 | Guadalupe Co. Master Gardener Soils Class | Seguin TX |
| Aug 24, 2017 | Soil Health/Cover Crop/Double Crop Field Tour | Williamson Co. TX |
| Aug 31, 2017 | Galveston / Brazoria Counties Forage Producers' Series | Angleton TX |
| Sept 26, 2017 | Leon Co. Hay Show | Jewitt TX |
| Oct 22-25 | National Meetings ASA/CSA/SSSA | Tampa FL |
| Nov 14, 2017 | Dist 8 Agent Training Troubleshooting Crops | Hillsboro TX |
| Dec 1, 2017 | Washington Co. Fall Forage and Soil Test Campaign | Brenham TX |
| Dec 4, 2017 | Soil Test Interpretation Lampasas Watershed | Kileen TX |
| Dec 7, 2017 | Crop Technology Conference | Commerce TX |
| Dec 12, 2017 | Soil Test Interpretation Guadalupe Co. (Webex) | Seguin TX |
Learning Outcomes
In farmer programs throughout led by county agents Texas during 2016 and 2017, farmers reported a more than 80% increase in knowledge regarding the use of deep soil profile nitrate testing in wheat. More than 60% of these farmers reported the intention to adopt deep soil profile testing on their farms.
Project Outcomes
Impacts
In cotton, corn and grain sorghum production across Texas, the following statistics were compiled for the years 2012-2013:
- 104,000 acres cotton participated in NO3-N credit program
- 129,000 acres corn and grain sorghum participated
- $23 per acre average savings in N fertilizer for cotton producers crediting residual NO3-N
- $31 per acre average savings for corn and grain sorghum producers
- N fertilizer applications reduced by > 9 million pounds over same two years – reducing likelihood of ground and surface water contamination and increasing economic viability of row crop production
- Increased statewide net returns to farmers of $12 million over same two years.
We expect to gather data from deep soil nitrate testing in wheat production to communicate similar outcomes from the studies funded by and inspired by this On Farm Project.
Accomplishments
A cooperator study was initiated at Itasca, TX (Albert Sulak III; Hill Co.) in fall 2015 with the site laid out as a randomized complete block study design. Four replicate blocks arranged as quadrants within a larger square were randomized to contain 6 treatments of individual plots sized 10’ by 25’ with 5’ alleys in between the back of the plots and front of the next plot. Based on the performance of commonly-planted varieties across multiple years, we considered a representative yield goal to be 60 bushels grain per acre at this location. The six treatments were as follows:
Treatments:
- Control – no addition of N fertilizer; all other nutrients applied as per soil test recommendations (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory).
- Credit for N measured to 6” (15 cm) – NO3-N to 6” subtracted from amount of N required to meet yield goal
- Credit for N measured to 12” (30 cm)
- Credit for N measured to 24” (61 cm)
- Credit for N measured to 36” (91 cm)
- No Credit – Full N fertilization to reach yield goal regardless of existing soil N (100 kg N / ha)
Site Management Details:
- Wheat Variety = WB Cedar
- Planting Date = 18 November 2015
- Fertilization = 22 kg N/ ha & 100 kg P2O5 / ha at Feekes growth stage 2 (Dec. 2, 2015)
- Topdress Fertilization = as treatments (minus initial N) above just prior to jointing (Feekes growth stage 5; Feb. 25, 2016)
- Machine Harvested = June 10, 2016
Year One Results:
Soil tests for deep profile residual N revealed some plot scale variability (Figure 1). Yield results showed significant differences (Figure 2). In previous studies in corn, cotton, and grain sorghum in the same region of the state, we found 100% recovery of N to 24” (61 cm) in > 95% of the sites investigated over a period of 5-8 years for each crop. The fact that recovery was not as efficient for this first year wheat study requires an explanation.
One possible reason for the outcome include the difference in seasonal growing conditions. A cool season crop such as wheat has a longer dormant period between planting in late fall/ early winter and the maximal growth phase which begins 3 months later. During this period, very little nitrogen is used by the plant and the NO3 may leach below the root zone or denitrify under heavy rainfall conditions. However, close inspection of the specific plots that yielded less under 24” and 36” credit treatments showed that plots 1 & 2 yielded similar bushels / acre as the zero credit treatment (full rate of N) while plots 3 & 4 produced yields similar to the control (no additional N). This pattern of yield variability followed the pattern of available, residual NO3-N in the soil tests for each plot to 36” (Figure 1).
This relationship led to the refinement of the study design to include more rates of applied fertilizer x credits to 24” (61 cm) at 5 sites in year two. Additional funding from the Texas Small Grains Advisory and Wheat Producer’s Boards were leveraged to complement the funding from SSARE in order to manage additional sites (Figure 3).
Year One Outreach and Communication:
Results of the 2015/2016 study have been communicated at the ASA/CSA/SSSA annual meetings in Phoenix, AZ (Nov. 2016), and discussed directly with wheat producers at the Bell County Crops Conference (Building Incomes in Grains; Jan. 2017) and in other county or multi-county producer meetings:
Completed programs:
- Stiles Farm Foundation Field Days (Thrall, TX June 2016)
- Taylor Co. Wheat Conference (Abilene, TX Aug. 2016)
- Falls Co. Crops Committee (Rosebud, TX Oct. 2016)
- Hill Co. Producers Meeting and Field Days (Hillsboro, TX Nov. 2016)
- Texas Agriculture Industries Alliance Meeting (El Campo, TX Nov. 2016)
- Texas Plant Protection Conference (College Station, TX Dec. 2016)
- Fort Bend Co. Row Crops Conference (Rosenberg, TX Jan. 2017)
- Upper Gulf Coast Feed Grain and Cotton Conference (Wharton, TX Jan. 2017)
- Caldwell Producers’ CEU Program (Caldwell, TX Jan. 2017)
Upcoming programs:
- Abilene forage producers program (Abilene, TX Mar. 2017)
- Brazoria Co. Producers program (Angleton, TX Mar. 2017)
- Multi County Wheat tour (Millersview, TX May 2017)
- Taylor County Wheat Tour (Abilene, TX May 2017)
Year two study expansion:
Soil testing for residual nitrogen with Albert Sulak III revealed no residual nitrogen at his farm. We continued working with Mr. Sulak III on a project to evaluate the effectiveness of nitrogen fertilizer stabilizers in reducing N fertilizer losses in wheat. However, this study is not funded by SSARE and this On Farm project was forced to seek sites elsewhere with alternative cooperators to continue as described. Ronnie Lumpkin (Fannin Co.) and Travis Janak (Wharton Co.) agreed to participate. At approximately the same time, a collaborative effort with Texas A&M AgriLife small grains extension specialist Clark Neely received funding from the Texas Wheat Producer’s Board. Through aligning the study designs for residual nitrate recovery in wheat, a total of 5 sites were installed for the 2016/2017 season (Figure 3).
Year two treatment structure:
The expanded study was designed to answer questions regarding the differential efficiency of pre-existing soil NO3-N recovery efficiency with the use efficiency of applied fertilizer at top dress. Additional information gathered will allow AgriLife Extension specialists to keep current the recommended yield goal based N fertilizer rates for wheat in several important production regions. In this new study design, six rates of fertilizer application are compared against four depths of residual NO3-N crediting. Treatments within the original study design are conserved, with the exception of the 36” credit. However, soil tests were collected to 48” and data on all control plots can be evaluated for recovery to 3 and to 4 feet.
1. Control – no addition of N fertilizer
2a. 50% recommended rate N fertilizer
2b. 50% recommended rate less 6” credit
2c. 50% less 12” credit
2d. 50% rate less 24” credit
3a. 75% recommended rate N fertilizer
3b. 75% recommended rate less 6” credit
3c. 75% less 12” credit
3d. 75% rate less 24” credit
4a. 100% recommended rate N fertilizer
4b. 100% recommended rate less 6” credit
4c. 100% less 12” credit
4d. 100% rate less 24” credit
5a. 125% recommended rate N fertilizer
5b. 125% recommended rate less 6” credit
5c. 125% less 12” credit
5d. 125% rate less 24” credit
6a. 150% recommended rate N fertilizer
6b. 150% recommended rate less 6” credit
6c. 150% less 12” credit
6d. 150% rate less 24” credit
Each of the sites has now received top-dress fertilizer (warm year). The remaining work is to maintain the study sites, harvest, and measure yields and post-harvest soil samples. Beyond this, the expanded team will continue to communicate results in meetings and producer events, produce extension publications, and publish journal articles.