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Research Challenges from and for High Yield Growers

Research Challenges from and for High Yield Growers. Scientists and farmers. International Conference on Precision Agriculture Minneapolis, MN July 26, 2004 Paul Fixen Potash & Phosphate Institute. Is this session appropriate for a precision agriculture conference?.

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Research Challenges from and for High Yield Growers

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  1. Research Challenges from and for High Yield Growers Scientists and farmers International Conference on Precision Agriculture Minneapolis, MN July 26, 2004 Paul Fixen Potash & Phosphate Institute

  2. Is this session appropriate for a precision agriculture conference? Precision in management gets more critical as yield potential climbs … - agronomic reasons - environmental reasons

  3. Summary:Research challenges from high yield growers • A large gap exists between maximum attainable and typical yields • Observing the practices of high yield growers through the lens of scientific principles and controlled research can be revealing and lead to researchable questions for scientists and farmers • Modern technologies should facilitate narrowing the gap between attainable and typical yields

  4. * F. Childs Manchester, IA 20 bu/A/yr H. Warsaw Saybrook, IL Exploitable yield potential in corn Iowa example * * * * * * * 1965-1991 2.0 bu/A/yr * IA Contest Winners * * * IA State Average 1.7 bu/A/yr

  5. Top corn yields from researchers in 1982 Dr. Roy Flannery New Jersey 338 bu/A Dr. Sterling Olsen Colorado 332 bu/A

  6. From Saybrook, IL to Manchester, IA Manchester, IA Growing season precip: very similar at 27-28” Growing degree Days: Manchester - 2980 Urbana – 3513 PropertyChildsWarsaw Soil type Kenyon loam Parr silt loam Taxonomy Typic Hapludolls Oxyaquic Argiudolls Org. mat., % 5.5-6.0 4.5-5.8 pH 5.3-6.1 6.0 P1, ppm 126 (VH) 81 (VH) K, ppm 374 (VH) 400 (VH) Source: Childs – Murrell and Childs, 2000; Smith,2000; Dobermann, 2002; Warsaw – PPI, 1986. Saybrook, IL

  7. Depth, In Childs Warsaw-light Warsaw-dark Organic matter, % 0-6 5.6 5.8 4.5 6-12 4.5 4.9 3.9 12-18 3.0 3.2 4.3 18-24 --- 1.4 4.3 24-30 --- 0.8 3.8 30-36 --- 0.6 3.6 Source: Childs data – Dobermann, 2002. Warsaw data – PPI, 1977. From Saybrook, IL to Manchester, IA: Soil OM Manchester, IA Warsaw: 20 years of intensively managed continuous corn Childs: 35 yearsof intensively managed continuous corn Saybrook, IL

  8. From Saybrook, IL to Manchester, IA: Practices Manchester, IA Practice Childs Warsaw Fall tillage Mini MP 14” deep CH 14” deep Hybrid 2001-34M95; 2002-34N44 FS 854 Harv. Population 34,000 - 40,000 36,000 Row spacing 2001-30”; 2002-20” 28” Manure High rates in past 20 T/A annually Fall P2O5+K2O none 250+250 Fall N, lb/A 50(UAN) 45(DAP) Preplant N 250(NH3 + sep. stab.) 300(UAN)+ 100(AS) Starter, N+P2O5+K2O6+15+15+ACA 26+26+26 Popup, N+P2O5+K2O 4+9+4 none Postplant N 50(UAN) 75(UR) 2.5-4’ tall N 50(UAN+Guardian) None Fert N, lb/A 410(1.0 bu/lb) 546(0.7 bu/lb) Other nutrients Boron Sulfur Saybrook, IL

  9. Research challenges: Which practices are critical and at what level? • Determination of site-specific attainable yield estimates (crop models) • Carbon cycling – crop and environmental impacts • Crop rotation vs monoculture • Tillage requirements … no till/strip till • Minimum N requirements, NH4+ vs NO3-, timing • Minimum soil test P and K requirements • Role of subsoil fertility, organic matter, etc. (P. Nowak) • Role of manure application • Role of secondary and micronutrients • Importance of starter fertilizer (0.5% P at V3-V4 for max kernel initiation/ear)

  10. Better Crops (2004, No. 1) http://www.hybridmaize.unl.edu/

  11. Real time yield prediction of current season U. of Nebraska EI Study - Lincoln July 25, 2004 349 279 251

  12. Soil Test P and K requirements for very high yields: Classical theory • For soil immobile nutrients like P or K, the STL vs % yield relationship should not vary with site yield potential unless plant population increases enough for adjacent roots to compete with each other for P and K (Bray, 1954; Bray, 1963). • Roots normally occupy less than 1% of soil volume (Barber, 1984) … an increase in size of the root system translates into a greater volume of soil P or K being available for uptake. • As long as the size of the root system increases proportionally with yield, a higher yielding crop should not need a higher P or K concentration at the root surface … should not require a higher soil test level.

  13. Soil Test P and K requirements for very high yields: Conditions that could lead to higher requirements • Shoot growth increases that exceed root growth increases as yields climb • Redistribution of roots from the surface soil to a low P or K subsoil • soil factors (organic matter, pH, structure, etc.) • varietal factors – vertical vs lateral rooting tendencies • Each % increase in yield has greater economic value … want to be further up the response curve

  14. 8 Weeks Mature 36 Days Source: Weaver, 1926 Is “subsoil” fertility more important to today’s high yield potential “stay-green” hybrids? • Probably taking up nutrients later in the season when surface soils are dryer • Higher % of active roots located deeper in profile Is manure important because it moves P into subsoils?

  15. 27K vs 38K 39K vs 46K Impact of hybrid on the influence of N rate on yield response to plant population Colorado S.R. Olsen, reported by W. M. Stewart, 2000

  16. Risk/benefit evaluation of yield improvement phases

  17. Summary:Research challenges from high yield growers • A large gap exists between maximum attainable and typical yields • Observing the practices of high yield growers through the lens of scientific principles and controlled research can be revealing and lead to researchable questions for scientists and farmers. • Modern technologies should facilitate narrowing the gap between attainable and typical yields • Simulation models to help define attainable yields and researchable questions • Improved weather data and management tools • Site-specific technologies for greater efficiency • Biotechnology for yield protection … and building

  18. Research Challenges from High Yield Growers InfoAg 2003 Indianapolis, IN August 1, 2003 Paul Fixen Potash & Phosphate Institute

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