Questions about effective management of nitrogen fertilizer continue to plague agriculture, even after decades of practical use. For example, when is the best time to fertilize? And how much fertilizer is needed to optimize production and minimize losses to the environment?
There are no simple, one-size-fits-all answers, but the questions are important. Their answers can be the difference between higher yields and profits for farmers and ag retailers, or higher costs and more pollution for little benefit.
Traditional approaches, like applying a fixed amount of fertilizer early in the season, do not account for how crop needs change over time, according to Richard Roth, an assistant professor of agronomy at Iowa State University. Too much fertilizer or poorly timed applications often lead to wasted input costs, along with water pollution and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
As the state’s new Extension nitrogen science specialist, Roth provides leadership to help answer farmers’ questions about growing crops profitably and responsibly.
Source : iastate.edu