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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #202959
Title: Soil Test Calibration for Predicting Corn Response to Phosphorus in the Northeast USA

Author
item HECKMAN, J. - COOK COLLEGE, RUTGERS UNI
item Jokela, William
item MORRIS, T. - UNIVERSITY OF CONNETICUTE
item BEEGLE, D. - PENN STATE UNIVERSITY
item SIMS, J. - UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
item COALE, F. - UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
item HERBERT, S. - UNIV. OF MASSACHUSETTS
item Griffin, Timothy
item HOSKINS, B. - UNIVERSITY OF MAINE
item JEMISON, J. - UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/11/2005
Publication Date: 2/7/2006
Citation: Heckman, J.R., Jokela, W.E., Morris, T.F., Beegle, D.B., Sims, J.T., Coale, F.J., Herbert, S.J., Griffin, T.S., Hoskins, B., Jemison, J., Sullivan, W.M., Bhumbia, D.K., Estes, G., Reid, W.S. 2006. Soil Test Calibration for Predicting Corn Response to Phosphorus in the Northeast USA. Agronomy Journal. 98:280-288.

Interpretive Summary: The consensus of soil fertility extension specialists in the Northeast USA was that soil testing and recommendation systems for phosphorus (P) needed to be reexamined because of recent changes in soil testing methodology in the laboratory and corn production technology in the field. There has been little recent national or regional emphasis on soil test calibration research; yet a current soil test calibration data base is indispensable to the economic viability of farms and environmental quality. The aim of this 12-state study was to generate a new soil test calibration data base to predict when corn responses to P fertilization should or should not be expected and to evaluate the currently used soil test P critical levels. Field experiments conducted between 1998 and 1999 at 51 sites in the Northeast USA showed that P fertilizer application increased corn yield at relatively few sites -- 9 sites for broadcast application and 4 sites for band application. They also showed that current soil test recommendations do not always reliably predict whether P fertilizer is needed to increase corn yield. Development of reliable predictors for crop responses to P fertilizer continues to be a research challenge brought on with increasing urgency as soil test P levels are now being used for regulatory purposes.

Technical Abstract: The consensus of soil fertility specialists working in the Northeast USA was that soil testing and recommendation systems for P needed to be reexamined because of recent changes in soil testing methodology in the laboratory and corn (Zea mays L.) production technology in the field. Soil tests (M-COL, MM-COL, B-ICP, M1-ICP, and M3-ICP) were performed by either colorimetry or inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy on samples from soil test calibration studies conducted during 1998 to 1999 at 51 experimental sites chosen to represent a range of soils, including Ultisols, Spodosols, and Alfisols, in Northeastern states (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, and WV). The mean P measured by M-COL, MM-COL, B-ICP, M1-ICP, and M3-ICP was 8.3, 6.6, 148, 66, and 121 mg P kg-1, respectively. Production practices followed local state extension recommendations at each site and included P fertilizer treatments: none, 15 kg P ha-1 banded, or 60 kg P ha-1 broadcast. Combined analysis of variance over sites showed that plant height at 35 d after planting, silk emergence, grain yield, and grain dry down were enhanced by the broadcast P treatment. There were yield increases (P<0.10) to the band treatment at only 4 sites and to the broadcast treatment at 9 sites. Cate-Nelson statistical analysis of relative yield in relation to soil test P failed to identify soil test P critical levels for any of the soil test methods. The percentage of experimental sites that had soil test P levels below the currently used critical levels in the region, ranged from 14 to 65% of the sites. Results showed that 17 to 47% of those sites testing below the critical level exhibited a yield increase (P<0.10) to broadcast P. Some of the yield responsive sites had soil test P above currently used critical levels. The calibration data obtained from the present study and the relationships examined between soil test P and relative yield do not necessarily validate the currently used soil test P critical levels nor does the data enable much refinement. This study shows that the current critical levels frequently permit both types of errors in soil test prediction; indicating a need for P fertilization when it may not be needed and not indicating a need for P fertilization when it may be needed. The second type of error is usually avoided by recommendations for crop removal rates of P.