Author
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Schepers, James |
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Submitted to: Proceedings of the Tenth International Association for Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 7/16/2002 Publication Date: 8/9/2002 Citation: Schepers, J.S. 2002. Nitrogen management: New technologies for management and diagnosis of nitrogen fertilization. P. 141-155. Tenth International Congress of APPRESID, Rosario, Argentina, August 13-16, 2002. (Conference Proceedings) Interpretive Summary: Nitrogen (N) is the most abundant nutrient in plants, which implies that its management should have important implications on the productivity and profitability of production systems. The fact that N in the nitrate form is soluble in water makes it a potential contaminant of surface and ground water. These considerations provide good reasons why producers should be concerned about N management. The reality of the situation is that the emphasis placed on N management is typically related to the profitability of the end user unless other segments of society are negatively impacted. Individuals and businesses involved in the supply and distribution of N fertilizers to producers have a vested interest in how the N is managed because it impacts their livelihood. In the long term, everybody involved in the N supply and management chain has a vested interest in doing what he/she can to promote the efficient use of N, be it from fertilizers, manure, or soil organic matter. This responsibility includes the scientific community because it provides the information that links the various chemical, physical, and biological processes involved in N use and management. The reality of technology transfer is that nitrogen management is probably not as complicated as it may seem. Rather, it is a whole lot more complex than we can imagine! This is because N exists in several forms, soils and topography are spatially variable, climate is uncontrollable and ever changing, and the need for producer profitability is essential. Because the ultimate N management decisions rest with producers, their consultants, or other advisors, it is important to make current information about N management strategies and options available to these individuals. The purpose of this paper is to discuss several current and evolving N management strategies in the Corn Belt of the United States and present new technologies for consideration. Technical Abstract: Nitrogen (N) is the most abundant nutrient in plants, which implies that its management should have important implications on the productivity and profitability of production systems. The fact that N in the nitrate form is soluble in water makes it a potential contaminant of surface and ground water. These considerations provide good reasons why producers should be concerned about N management. The reality of the situation is that the emphasis placed on N management is typically related to the profitability of the end user unless other segments of society are negatively impacted. Individuals and businesses involved in the supply and distribution of N fertilizers to producers have a vested interest in how the N is managed because it impacts their livelihood. In the long term, everybody involved in the N supply and management chain has a vested interest in doing what he/she can to promote the efficient use of N, be it from fertilizers, manure, or soil organic matter. This responsibility includes the scientific community because it provides the information that links the various chemical, physical, and biological processes involved in N use and management. The reality of technology transfer is that nitrogen management is probably not as complicated as it may seem. Rather, it is a whole lot more complex than we can imagine! This is because N exists in several forms, soils and topography are spatially variable, climate is uncontrollable and ever changing, and the need for producer profitability is essential. Because the ultimate N management decisions rest with producers, their consultants, or other advisors, it is important to make current information about N management strategies and options available to these individuals. The purpose of this paper is to discuss several current and evolving N management strategies in the Corn Belt of the United States and present new technologies for consideration. |
