NCERA13: Soil Testing and Plant Analysis

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Active

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[03/24/2023] [09/03/2024] [04/21/2025]

Date of Annual Report: 03/24/2023

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 02/22/2023 - 02/23/2023
Period the Report Covers: 02/01/2022 - 02/23/2023

Participants

1. Sylvie Brouder (virtually) (Purdue University)
2. Francis Casey (NSDU; liaison)
3. Jason Clark (SDSU)
4. Dave Franzen (NDSU)
5. Dan Kaiser (University of Minnesota)
6. Sunjeong Park (The Ohio State University)
7. Bijesh Maharjan (University of Nebraska)
8. Antonio Mallarino (Iowa State University)
9. Andrew Margenot (University of Illinois)
10. Manjula Nathan (University of Missouri)
11. Andrew Stammer (Wisconsin)

Participants Attachment:

Participants list NCERA.docx

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

NCERA-13 notes_mod 14MAR23.docx

Accomplishments

The NCERA-13 committee recommendations and its publication 'Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures for the North Central Region' continues to be used by most private soil and plant analysis laboratories in the region.  The committee met February 22, 2023, and the committee organized and sponsored the Soil and Plant Analyst's Workshop February 22-23, 2023 in Coralville, IA. The workshop was attended by 40 participants, with 4 industry sponsors. The conference program is provided in the minutes included in this report. Committee members and their colleagues continue to work to refine and improve crop nutrient recommendations based on a solid soil and plant analysis foundation. Different test methods are constantly being examined and reevaluated to their relevance to crop yield and quality prediction. Soil health testing procedures are being compared with crop yield to determine their relationship if any. Committee members continue to communicate to farmers and the public the value of soil testing and the use of proper soil/plant analysis methods, and their interpretation. There is a continuous struggle between University nutrient recommendations and private entity recommendations, which tend to recommend greater rates than University recommendations for a variety of reasons. Specific accomplishments are listed below: Michigan-  30 extension presentations, 11 national presentations at scientific meetings, 4 videos or podcasts, and 16 extension publications regarding soil fertility. A joint Indiana (Purdue) and Michigan (Michigan State University) sulfur publication on “Sulfur deficiency in corn, soybean, wheat, and alfalfa was released and can be found at: <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/soilfertility/Files/Bulletins/Sulfur%20Deficiency%20in%20Corn,%20Soybean,%20Wheat,%20and%20Alfalfa.pdf">https://www.canr.msu.edu/soilfertility/Files/Bulletins/Sulfur%20Deficiency%20in%20Corn,%20Soybean,%20Wheat,%20and%20Alfalfa.pdf</a> A complete production guide for soft winter wheat including nutrient management strategies “Michigan Wheat 101” can be found at: <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/soilfertility/Files/Bulletins/Wheat-101%20MSU%202021.pdf">https://www.canr.msu.edu/soilfertility/Files/Bulletins/Wheat-101%20MSU%202021.pdf</a> Nebraska- Nutrient recommendations for crops such as winter wheat and sugar beet have scope for revision. Correlation-calibration experiments for nitrogen management are underway to improve the nitrogen recommendation for these crops in the state. There is good support for commodity groups in this regard. South Dakota- 10 presentations given regarding soil fertility to approximately 857 individuals. Two extension research reports and two radio interviews regarding phosphorus and potassium response predictions North Dakota-   Nitrogen recommendations for 2-row malting barley were developed, including a N calculator for use as an app and web-based. The recommendations include consideration of soil test nitrate-N from soil samples 2 feet in depth.

Publications

Impact Statements

Unbiased, science-based research and extension information that promotes crop production and soil fertility through university evaluations of a multitude of products and nutrient management strategies to generate needed data for grower on-farm decision making. Growers learn from university scientists and data and in turn university scientists learn the grower’s perspective, viewpoint, or strategy towards a specific product or amendment.

Date of Annual Report: 09/03/2024

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/05/2024 - 06/05/2024
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2023 - 09/30/2024

Participants

Dan Kaiser, University of Minnesota, representative
Antonio Mallarino, Iowa State University, representative
Javed Iqbal, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, representative
Manjula Nathan, University of Missouri, representative
John Jones, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, representative
Andrew Stammer (virtual), University of Wisconsin-Madison, representative
Dorivar Ruiz Diaz (virtual), Kansas State University, representative
Sunjeong Park, Ohio State University
Issac Cuchna, North Dakota State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Short Term Outcomes and Outputs The committee continues to support their publication “Recommended Soil Test Procedures for the North Central Region” which is used by state and private soil testing labs as a methods manual for chemical tests used for soil testing in the region. The committee met on June 5, 2024 in Bloomington, MN. The committee members outlined some of their activities and research that support the use of soil testing for making fertilizer guidelines in the region. Illinois – Multiple research trials were established to collect data to support revisions of the Illinois Agronomy Handbook. Changes have not been made to the handbook at this time. Iowa – Dr Mallarino started a project with Dr Ruiz-Diaz (KS) and Kaiser (MN0 to combine corn and soybean phosphorus response data to move towards consistent soil test interpretations in the region. Dr. Mallarino retired at the beginning of 2024 but updated the Iowa State University publication PM-1688 “A General Guide for Crop Nutrient and Limestone Recommendations in Iowa” before retirement. Nebraska – The University recently updated the soil test and fertilizer guidelines for the state. The update has resulted in increased manure use in the state potentially saving an estimated $56 million per year with increased use of beef manure. Researchers also note that work with enhanced efficiency fertilizers have decreased N applications by 34-36 lbs per acre and potential N loss by 41-66% while maintaining yield. No current work on phosphorous or potassium was identified. Minnesota – All fertilizer recommendations publications were updated within the last year in Minnesota. Current research is on-going regarding potassium fertilizer guidelines. A total of 7 podcasts (1000 to 1500 downloads per episode) were released specifically related to soil testing along with 8 presentations given to roughly 800 students across the state on soil testing topics. South Dakota - Five presentations were given regarding soil fertility to approximately 525 individuals. One extension fact sheet and two radio interviews regarding nutrient management Wisconsin – New trials are underway to evaluate current nutrient guidelines. In addition, research projects are comparing additional potassium tests such as the ammonium acetate and mehlich-3 K test to the Bray-K test which would bring the methodology used in Wisconsin for soil potassium to be similar to all other states in the region if adopted. *Additional information is included in the attached file summarizing the minutes of the meeting held on June 5. Activities The committee hosted a joint soil testing workshop including the NCERA13, SERA06, and NECC1012 committees in Bloomington, MN on Jan 3-4. Presentations were given by members of the various committees outlining soil testing issues and research being conducted in the various regions. There were 40 people in attendance and were a mixture of university researchers, soil testing staff, private industry, and representatives from government agencies.

Publications

Slaton, N.A. A. Pearce, L. Gatiboni, D.L. Osmond, C. Bolster, J. Dhillon. B.S. Farmaha, D.E. Kaiser, A.J. Margenot, F. Miguez, A. Moore, D. Ruiz-Diaz, D. Sotomayor, J. Spackman, J. Spargo, K. Uthman, and M. Yost. 2024. Models and Sufficiency Interpretation for Estimating Critical Soil Test Values for the Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool. Soil Sci. Soc. Am J. 88: 1419-1437.   Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures for the North Central Region NCR 223 Publication [Online] https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/sb1001

Impact Statements

The commite contineus to support the NCR 223 publication which is the methods manual used by soil testing labs in the region.
Committee memebers continue to provide education to stakeholders in the form of written, oral/in-person, and online materials related to the use of soil testing for making fertilizer management decisions.
The states represented by the NCEARA13 committee have to date contributed 1450 site-years of data to the Fertilizer Response Support Tool database (soiltestFRST.org) in support of regional and national efforts to modernize soil test reccomendations.
Members of the committee were co-authors on a publication related to soil testing (which is identified in the publciation section) and continue to support national acttivities such as the NRSP-11 committee.

Date of Annual Report: 04/21/2025

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 02/24/2025 - 02/25/2025
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2024 - 09/30/2025

Participants

Daniel Kaiser, University of Minnesota, representative (Chair)
Antonio Mallarino, Iowa State University, representative
M Rasel Parvej, University of Missouri, representative
John Jones, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, representative (Incoming Chair)
Andrew Stammer, University of Wisconsin-Madison, representative
Matthew Ruark, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dorivar Ruiz Diaz, Kansas State University, representative
Sunjeong Park, Ohio State University, representative
Manbir Rakkar, (virtual) Ohio State University
Brady Goetle, (virtual) North Dakota State University
Sylvie Brouder (virtual) Purdue, representative
Javed Iqbal, (virtual) University of Nebraska-Lincoln, representative

Not represented:
Michigan State University
South Dakota State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Publications

NCR 223 Publication [Online] <a href="https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/sb1001">https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/sb1001</a> Kaiser, D. E., Fabrizzi, K. P, Sims, A. L., Rosen, C.J., Vetsch, J. A., Strock, J.S., & Lamb, J. A. (2025). Phosphorus management strategies for corn and soybean in the Upper US Midwest. Agronomy Journal, 117, e70054. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70054Recommended Chemical Soil Test Procedures for the North Central Region. Rakkar, M., Jones, Miller, P., & Engel, R.  2024. Lime Management to Increase Soil pH in Semi‐Arid Regions of the US. crops & Soils 57 (1), 38-41." This is from Western US, not sure if it would be relevant. Barker, D., Chiavegato, M., Essman, A., Fulton, J., Haden, V., LaBarge, G., Lentz, E., Lindsey, A., Lindsey, L., Lopez-Nicora, H., Michel, A., Noel, J., Ortez, O., Paul, P., Rakkar, M., Sulc, M., Tilmon, K., Wilson, A., & Witter, J. (2024). Ohio Agronomy Guide, 16th Edition . Bulletin ANR 472HO. The Ohio State University. <a href="https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/ohio-agronomy-guide-16th-edition/">https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/ohio-agronomy-guide-16th-edition/</a> Rakkar, M.K., A. Douridas, and G. LaBarge. 2024. Nutrient management in tight margins. Private Pesticide Applicator Proceedings. Rakkar, M.K. and LaBarge, G. 2024. Response of soils and crops to gypsum application in Ohio. Ohioline. <a href="https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-0153">https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-0153</a>. Rakkar, M.K., LaBarge, G., Lindsay, A. and Karhoff, S. 2024 Look Out for Nitrogen Loss Due to Heavy Rains. C.O.R.N Newsletter. <a href="https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-09/look-out-nitrogen-loss-due-heavy-rains">https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-09/look-out-nitrogen-loss-due-heavy-rains</a> Rakkar, M.K. and G. LaBarge. 2024. Crop Response to Phosphorus Fertilizer in Ohio. C.O.R.N. newsletter. <a href="https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-03/crop-response-phosphorus-fertilizer-ohio">https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-03/crop-response-phosphorus-fertilizer-ohio</a> Rakkar, M.K. and G. LaBarge, 2024. Soil Phosphorus and Crop Response to Phosphorus Fertilizer in Ohio. Ohioline. (<a href="https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-0146">https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-0146</a>) Rakkar, M.K. and G. LaBarge, 2024. Potassium Uptake and Ohio Crop Response. Ohioline. (<a href="https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-0147">https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-0147</a>)

Impact Statements

The Fertilizer Response Support Tool (soiltestFRST.org) went live in 2024. There currently are data from all the participating NCERA013 states in the response database. Iowa leads the database with 580 total trials, Ohio with 522 trials, Missouri with 139, Nebraska with 68, Minnesota with 38, Indiana with 30, North Dakota with 25, South Dakota with 21, Michigan with 14, Illinois with 8, and Kansas with 5 for a total of 1450 for the region. The tool was just launched and there is no way to look at the impact that the NCERA013 data has compared to other states and regions.
At least an additional 6 field trials of data were added from the region from researchers on the committee. The USDA-CIG project aims to further increase additional data into the first database targeting around 80 new sites over the next three years.
Our annual workshop drew 30 in attendance where we covered several topics on current soil test methods that have been topics of questiosn and discussions by soil testing labs