NECC1012: Northeast Coordinating Committee on Soil Testing
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
NECC1012: Northeast Coordinating Committee on Soil Testing
Duration: 10/01/2008 to 09/30/2013
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
Nutrient management continues to be an important issue in the Northeastern US, reflecting ongoing concerns about productivity, sustainability, economics and environmental impacts. Soil testing, plant and waste analysis, results interpretation and development and/or revision of nutrient recommendations are integral components of that process. In a region where the diversity of soils, crops, climate and management systems is great, it is essential that a forum exist in which issues can be discussed, research presented, solutions proposed and consensus developed so that the processes of soil testing and nutrient management will reflect the latest knowledge and can continue to move forward. For the participants of this workgroup, its stakeholders and colleagues, NEC-1007 has provided that forum.
Within the NE region, participants face many of the same issues facing other experiment stations and academic institutions elsewhere in the country: limited resources, greater demands, shrinking staff, and reduced funding. In addition, many of the northeastern states cover limited geographic areas which provides for limited research databases. Shrinking and/or increased specialization of academic departments has led to limited availability of expertise. By combining resources and efforts in this regional workgroup -- participants are able to pool their resources and provide greater benefit to stakeholders than would be the case otherwise. Regional research efforts are possible. Region wide discussions allow for both consistency across state lines where appropriate and support for and acceptance of differences where justified. Research databases are able to reflect a wider range of growing conditions, thus creating a better resource for the region.
The NEC-1007 workgroup has a successful history of servings its stakeholders: growers, homeowners, industry, researchers and extension as well as others. The group has developed and/or contributed to regional methods manuals on soil testing and manure testing, carried out joint research efforts in areas such as P management in corn and soil lead testing, provided educational sessions on soil testing at regional meeting and participated in national committees on soil and plant analysis and nutrient management as well as numerous other areas. It has supported efforts through its participants to educate new clientele such as homeowners and the commercial landscape industries on issues relating to soil testing and nutrient management. Given the ongoing issues facing the Northeast US, there will continue to be a need for NEC-1007 as a means for laboratory and Extension and research professionals to approach and deal with the issues facing the region.
Objectives
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To improve and standardize soil, plant and waste analysis methods used within the Northeastern region of the US
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To improve crop nutrient recommendations based on soil, plant and waste analysis results and other soil and management factors
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To provide a forum for discussing and responding to challenges facing soil testing and nutrient management efforts
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To support Extension efforts in soil testing, nutrient management and related environmental issues
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To serve as an educational resource on the appropriate use and interpretation of soil, plant and waste analysis for the general public.
Procedures and Activities
The Committee will include members from the regional land-grant universities with expertise in soil testing, plant and waste analysis and soil fertility and nutrient management. The Committee will strive to achieve its objectives by:
1) Meeting annually to discuss advances in soil, plant and waste analysis methods, laboratory instrumenation and data management, nutrient management techniques, issues and policies, and the relevant research and Extension efforts occuring in each state within the region.
2) Pursuing cooperative research efforts among the participants in the areas of soil testing methodology, soil fertility and field calibration, and nutrient management.
3) Continuing to share all soil test calibration and crop nutrient response data among all members.
4) Holding discussions by conference call or e-mail at other times during the year, on issues of rising importance within the region.
5) Using current and developing technologies (e.g., website, etc) as a means of improving access to regional soil testing and nutrient management information by others outside the committee
6) Interacting with others outside the Northeast in the soil testing and nutrient management communities to promote understanding and cooperative efforts on a national scale by meeting jointly every four years with the other regional workgroups on soil testing and nutrient management including NCR-13 and SERA-IEG-6 and through member participation in other groups such as MASTPAWG, SPAC, SSSA, ASA and NEBCSA. The workgroup also holds a voting seat on the Oversight Committee of the North American Proficiency Testing Program for Agricultural Laboratories (NAPT).
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- Complete publication of 2008 revision of Cooperative Bulletin No. 493 Recommended Soil Testing Methods for the Northeastern United States; Update later as needed.
- Continued work on modification and adoption of the Mehlich Buffer to replace the SMP buffer
- Exchange of information on soil and plant sulfur testing and sulfur recommendations
- Exchange of information on compost testing and use recommendations
- Exchange of information on soil testing and nutrient management of forage pastures
- Evaluation of the Moore/Sikora Buffer replacement for the Adams/Evans buffer
- Development of a committee website to house committee information as well as relevant fact sheets, methods, etc
- Discussion and regional factsheet development on nutrient management for wildlife food plots
- Development of a regional database of photos of nutrient deficiency symptoms in crops grown in the region
- Discussion on the methodology, interpretation and importance of cation exchange capacity and base saturation in nutrient management
- Discussion of the philosophy and science behind nutrient recommendations for turf in the region
- Review and revision of the national manure analysis methods handbook as needed in conjunction with other workgroups
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
The committee will complete and publish the 2008 revision of Cooperative Bulletin No. 493 to serve as an educational guideline for laboratories serving the region.
Committee members will present regional research at national and regional, and local meetings to communicate what as been learned to others.
Regional factsheets may be prepared as a means of disseminating information to various groups including Extension educators, regional laboratories (public and private), commercial growers, commercial landscapers and/or homeowners.
The development of the deficiency symptom database will provide a visual tool that can be used by a variety of users -- Extension, academia, commercial growers, industry, etc.
Organization/Governance
The committee is governed by a Committee Chair and a Secretary selected on a rotational basis from the participating states. A new secretary is selected at the end of the annual meeting at which point the current Secretary becomes Committee Chair for the next 12 months. The Committee Chair is responsible for organizing the annual meeting and planning the agenda. The Secretary records the minutes at the meeting for which he/she is Secretary.
Administrative guidance is provided by an assigned Administrative Advisor and a CSREES Representative.
Literature Cited
Sims J.T and A.M. Wolf (ed). 1995. Recommended Soil Testing Procedures for the Northeastern United States. 2nd Edition. Northeastern Reg. Bull. No 493. Univ. of Del., Newark, DE. http://ag.udel.edu/extension/agnr/soiltesting.htm