Digital Commons Network^™

Comparison Of Private And Public Lab Fertilizer Recommendation Impacts On Field Crop Production And Soil Test Results, Megan Baker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

There are many sources that farmers utilize to determine fertilizer needs for crops such as private and public labs, crop advisors, and fertilizer dealers. In many cases, these sources provide recommendations for a specific crop that can vary greatly, which can lead to large differences in cost. An experiment was established in 2021 with 12 sites across the state of Utah in alfalfa, small grains, and corn to test and compare fertilizer recommendations from five labs. The recommendations tested were from two public labs (Utah State University and the University of Idaho) and three commercial labs located in the Western …

Manure And Wastewater Sampling Guide, Rhonda Miller, Cody Zesiger, Kalen Taylor, Matt Yost

All Current Publications

Manure and wastewater are resources that can reduce your fertilizer needs and help improve soil and your bottom line. It is important that manure and wastewater be sampled and tested so one can apply the manure and nutrients appropriately. Sampling and analysis should occur as close to land application as possible as nutrient concentration in manure and wastewater can change over time due to runoff, leaching, and changes in moisture percentage. Nitrogen can also be lost due to volatilization. There are two primary approaches for when to sample: (1) just before land application, and (2) at the time of land …

Establishing A Framework Of Nitrogen Acquisition For Martian Agriculture, Tyler Wallentine

Fall Student Research Symposium 2021

Nitrogen (N) forms a crucial part of DNA, proteins, and other biomolecules and is an essential element to life. Luckily, N is abundant in Earth’s and Mars’ atmospheres in its atmospheric form (N₂); however, plants and humans are unable to metabolize it in this state. N₂ gas is only able to be consumed by undergoing nitrogen fixation, an intensive process that breaks the extremely-stable N ≡ N bond in order to form bioavailable ammonia (NH₃). Many prokaryotes are capable of nitrogen fixation. Plants may uptake fixed N from these, which are then consumed by other …

Chemigation Guide, Matt Yost, Grant Cardon, L. Neil Allen, Bryce Sorensen, Kyke Egbert, Earl Creech, Corey Ransom, Ricardo Ramirez

All Current Publications

This guide discusses general principles that apply to most types of chemigation applications.

Green And Animal Manure Use In Organic Field Crop Systems, Patrick M. Carr, Michel A. Cavigelli, Heather Darby, Kathleen Delate, Jed O. Eberly, Heather K. Fryer, Greta G. Gramig, Joseph R. Heckman, Ellen B. Mallory, Jennifer R. Reeve, Erin M. Silva, David H. Suchoff, Alex L. Woodley

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Dual‐use cover/green manure (CGM) crops and animal manure are used to supply nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to organically grown field crops. A comprehensive review of previous research was conducted to identify how CGM crops and animal manure have been used to meet N and P needs of organic field crops, and to identify knowledge gaps to direct future research efforts. Results indicate that: (a) CGM crops are used to provide N to subsequent cash crops in rotations; (b) CGM‐supplied N generally can meet field crop needs in warm, humid regions but is insufficient for organic grain crops grown in …

Fertigation Facts, Kyle Egbert, Matt Yost, Bryce Sorensen, Grant Cardon, Niel Allen, Ryan Larsen

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides general information on forms of fertigation for primary plant nutrient, fertigation timng, and fertigation economics.

Herbivory And Eutrophication Mediate Grassland Plant Nutrient Responses Across A Global Climatic Gradient, T. Michael Anderson, Daniel M. Griffith, James B. Grace, Eric M. Lind, Peter B. Adler, Lori A. Biederman, Dana M. Blumenthal, Pedro Daleo, Jennifer Firn, Nicole Hagenah, W. Stanley Harpole, Andrew S. Macdougall, Rebecca L. Mcculley, Suzanne M. Prober, Anita C. Risch, Mahesh Sankaran, Martin Schütz, Eric W. Seabloom, Carly J. Stevens, Lauren L. Sullivan, Peter D. Wragg, Elizabeth T. Borer

Ecology Center Publications

Plant stoichiometry, the relative concentration of elements, is a key regulator of ecosystem functioning and is also being altered by human activities. In this paper we sought to understand the global drivers of plant stoichiometry and compare the relative contribution of climatic vs. anthropogenic effects. We addressed this goal by measuring plant elemental (C, N, P and K) responses to eutrophication and vertebrate herbivore exclusion at eighteen sites on six continents. Across sites, climate and atmospheric N deposition emerged as strong predictors of plot‐level tissue nutrients, mediated by biomass and plant chemistry. Within sites, fertilization increased total plant nutrient pools, …

Calculating Fertilizer For Small Areas, Tiffany Maughan, Grant Cardon, Dan Drost

All Current Publications

This fact sheet and accompanying Excel Workbook is meant to help gardeners convert fertilizer recommendations to fit their individual garden plot size,

Vermicomposting, H. Waldbillig, Roslynn Brain

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Vermicomposting, or worm composting as it is more commonly known, is the process of using worms to break down discarded food and other organic wastes and convert them into compost and liquid fertilizers. Not only will this process save you money, but it will also downscale your environmental footprint. Vermicompost systems can be purchased online or assembled cheaply by up-cycling materials found around the house or at a local thrift store.

Selecting And Using Inorganic Fertilizers, Rich Koenig, Larry Rupp

All Current Publications

This publication analyzes the selection and use of inorganic fertilizers.

Selecting And Using Organic Fertilizers, Mike Johnson, Rich Koenig

All Current Publications

This publication gives insight into organic fertilizer types and their nutrient values.

Evaluating Fertilizer Rate, Crop Rotation And Trap Crops For Effects On Onion Growth And Yield, Soil Health, Thrips Densities And Iris Yellow Spot Virus Incidence, Kristine R. Buckland

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Onion production in the United States is seriously affected by the tospovirus Iris Yellow Spot (IYSV), whose symptoms include lenticular-shaped lesions that reduce photosynthesis and bulb yield. Thrips tabacai Lindeman, onion thrips (OT), is the only known vector of the disease and a primary arthropod pest of onion. Frequent insecticide applications, increasing resistance in OT populations to insecticides, high nitrogen (N) fertilization rates and loss of yield to disease and insect pressure threaten sustainable onion production. The objectives of this study were to identify crop management strategies to enhance onion productivity while suppressing OT and IYSV. Three fertilizer rates and …

Utah Fertilizer Guide, D. W. James, K. F. Topper

All Current Publications

The Utah Fertilizer Guide is designed to provide practical answers to routine questions related to soil fertility management. The guide emphasizes laboratory analysis of soil and plant samples as the keystone to optimum fertilizer rates for maximum economic plant yield and quality. The focus of the guide is on soil fertility problems peculiar to the semi-arid and arid soils of Utah.

Calibrating And Operating Manure Spreaders, Process Improvement For Animal Feeding Operations, John Harrison, Rich Koenig, Kerry Goodrich

All Current Publications

This guide outlines simplified methods to calibrate manure spreaders based on determining the load and area covered by the load.

Optimizing The Physical And Nutritional Environment Of Unleached Root-Zones, Curtis B. Adams

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Unleached root-zones represent an environmental ideal by eliminating wasteful leaching of nutrients and water. NASA grows plants in space in unleached root-zones, incorporating polymer-coated fertilizer (PCF) into a ceramic media (Turface or Profile). However, lack of growth productivity in space has led to the need for research to improve the nutritional and physical environment of the root-zone, which is the objective of this research. PCF types are diverse in release characteristics and the effects of temperature and substrate water content have not been well characterized. In spite of widespread use, studies on chemical properties and applied studies to verify soil …

Calibrating And Operating Manure Spreaders, Rich Koenig, Kerry Goodrich

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Bioavailability/Toxicity Of Iron From Aerobically Processed Organic Fertilizer, Stacey Marie Wilson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

For an undergraduate Honor's project, I worked under the direction of Dr. Jeffery Hall to determine the bioavailability and toxicity of iron from Milorganite® fertilizer, an aerobically processed organic fertilizer. The Milorganite® Company is a subsidiary of the Milwaukee Municipal Sewage District and produces a fertilizer of high iron content (approximately 5-7%). The high iron content has resulted in concern about the toxic potential, which until now was unknown. This thesis paper will explain iron chemistry, bioavailability, requirements, absorption, toxicity, and treatments, followed by a description of fertilizer types and contents. This will be followed by a description and reasoning …

Fertilizer Management For Grass And Grass-Legume Mixtures, Richard T. Koenig, Mark Nelson, James Barnhill, Dean Miner

All Archived Publications

No abstract provided.

Do You Have Tips On Early Spring Lawn And Yard Care?, Jerry Goodspeed

All Archived Publications

No abstract provided.

Fertilizer No Cure All, Dennis Hinkamp

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Give Trees A Chance, Dennis Hinkamp

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Transplanting: Think Twice, Dig Once, Dennis Hinkamp

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning, Rich Koenig, Kerry Goodrich

All Archived Publications

No abstract provided.

A Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer: Ammonium-Loaded Clinoptilolite, T. Scott Perrin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Crops grown in sandy soils require frequent irrigation. As a result, nitrogen (N) fertilizers. such as ammonium sulfate((NH₄)₂SO₄), are leached from the rooting zone of crops. This loss of N increases N fertilizer use and the potential for nitrate (NO₃^-) contamination of water. Ammonium-loaded clinoptilolite (NH₄⁺-Cp) may reduce this N leaching, increase N fertilizer use-efficiency, and prevent NO₃- contamination of water while sustaining normal crop growth.

The potential of NH₄⁺-Cp as a N fertilizer was assessed in three leaching experiments without plants and …

Utah Water Quality- Fertilizer Impact On Groundwater In Utah, Robert W. Hill, Howard Deer, Richard C. Peralta

All Archived Publications

Water quality has become the focal point of many decisions involving crop production. Crop production depends on specific inputs including fertilizer application. Without proper fertilization a farmer cannot achieve maximum economic returns. Crop yields in Utah have been increased over 50% by nitrogen fertilizer application alone. However, increasing nitrogen application beyond that needed for optimum economic return does more harm than good. This is especially true when groundwater concerns are addressed.

Native Species Establishment On An Oil Drill Pad Site In The Uintah Mountains, Utah: Effects Of Introduced Grass Density And Fertilizer, United States Department Of Agriculture, Forest Service

Habitat Ecology

This study examined the effects of introduced grass seeding density and fertilizer on native species establishment on an oil drill pad site in the Uintah Mountains, UT. Differences in first-year seedling density and 3-year standing crop biomass among treatments were evaluated for seeded introduced grasses and native species and for unseeded colonizers. Aerial cover was measured all 3 years and the effects of fertilization on soil NO3-N, available P, and exchangeable K were examined 2 years after application. Recommendations for reclamation of similar sites are given.

Effect Of Fertilizer And Moisture On Seed Yield Of Onion, N. S. Shasha'a, W. F. Campbell, William P. Nye

All PIRU Publications

Inbred onions, Allium cepa L, were grown with different levels of fertilizer and soil. moisture to determine treatment influence on seed yield. Nitrogen (253 kg/ha) alone or in combination with P (162 kg/ha> reduced plant survival, umbels per plant, pollination index, and seed yield where soil moisture was low but the reduction was nil. or not as severe where soil moisture was high.

Market Structure Analysis Of Fertilizer Distribution In Utah, John C. Welty

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper was to ascertain the contribution of various structural variables to a growing, efficient system of fertilizer distribution in the state of Utah. A questionnaire to survey the fertilizer distributors was used as a source of data. Information was obtained about structural changes in a five-year period, 1965 to 1970. A multiple regression program was used to synthesize these data to determine which variables were most significant and how much they contributed to an increase in total value of fertilizer sales. While empirical data were obtained only for structural dimensions of the industry, marketing theory was …

Influence Of Fertilizer Treatment On The Response Of Sugar Beet Yield To Moisture, Samad Farzanfar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many factors that influence the growth and quality of sugar beets behave in one way under one set of conditions and in quite another under other conditions. Consequently, these factors should be considered together under a dynamic situation to find their interrelations and their influence on sugar beet yield.

This study is a statistical analysis of the interaction of fertilizer and soil moisture potential with the yield of sugar beets grown in a crop rotation under different regimes of irrigation conducted over a period of seven years.

The data are available for the years 1949 through 1956, from an intensive …

The Effect Of The Water Extracting Requirement Upon The Fertilizer, Yield And Growth Response Of Sweet Corn, Roberto Vazquez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

There are a number of factors that influence crop yield, two of which are soil moisture and fertility.