Deep Soil Profile Sampling of Nitrate for Residual Nitrogen Credit in Winter Wheat - Texas Blacklands

View the project final report

• 2017 annual report

Commodities

• Agronomic: wheat

Practices

• Soil Management: general soil management

Sampling for NO3-N deep in the profile (6-24") has been shown to be effective at reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizer in cotton, corn, and sorghum in Texas. Where soils are characterized as having substantial clay content, the rate of NO3 leaching is low compared to more well drained soils. Recovery of NO3 by subsequent crops prevents groundwater contamination, provides economic benefit to producers, and reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizer applications. This is the first work to provide data on recover of nitrate in Wheat.

This project aims to satisfy the On Farm Research Grant Proposal Focus Area #7 through increasing economic and nutrient use sustainability for producers struggling to cope with intensifying climatic uncertainties. By refining existing farming practices to address these needs, we may (through this cooperative effort) improve the sustainability through reduction in 1) expenditure for the struggling producer having failed a crop, and 2) in reducing the wasteful application of chemical fertilizer through judicious evaluation of soil residual available N.

Through communication of the results at Demonstration Days and Producer meetings, we can increase awareness and adoption of this practice.  In turn, this may lead to a decrease in NO₃-N polluting groundwater reserves and an improved stewardship of soil resources.