MICRONUTRIENTS ROBBING CORN YIELDS ON LONEWOOD SOIL
Applied Research
E. Raymond Thompson
RUSSELL SPRINGS
Abstract
\r\n Russell County experienced a reduction of its corn acreage from 1982-2007 while soybean acres increased. A grain farmer contacted the Russell County Agriculture Agent3 with a problem where some fields were yielding more bushels of soybeans (67) than corn (63) and corn yields were declining over time. However, that community produced an average of 188 bushels per acre of corn in 2002. Dr. Greg Schwab was contacted and he reviewed the farmer’s crop history and designed a nutrient study. In 2008 replicated plots were established on the worst-yielding fields that contained the Lonewood soil series. Two other sites were added in 2009 by Dr. Grove to study zinc soil amendments. Three seasons of replicated studies revealed no impact on soybean yields from treatments of zinc, boron, copper or sulfur. Under extreme environmental conditions corn yields were reduced by the following nutrients in order of importance: Zinc, Boron, Copper, and Sulfur. These data are not cumulative since soil moisture is a factor in determining which nutrient in most limiting. A protocol was developed to predict boron deficiencies in corn by tissue-testing soybeans during the previous season. CEC is used to flag boron deficient soils. Liming recommendations were modified to reduce copper & zinc deficiencies by controlling soil pH.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: * E. R. Thompson, G.J. Schwab, J.H. Grove
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Thompson, *. Russell County Extension Agent for Agriculture, University of Kentucky, Kentucky, 42642
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Schwab, G. UK Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky, Kentucky, 40546
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Grove, J. UK Soil Management Agronomist, University of Kentucky, Kentucky, 40546