Prevent Plant and Fall Nutrient Management

Cristie Preston, Ph.D.

Cristie Preston, Ph.D.

Ph.D., CCA.

Agriculture has always been an integral part of Dr. Cristie Preston’s life. She grew up in southwest Virginia and had interest in crop and animal agriculture since an early age. Once she began college, she initially chose to study animal science but switched to soil science. Dr. Preston attributes her decision partly to an influential professor who told her, “You can’t understand animals until you understand what they eat.” She received a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and a Master of Science degree in crop and soil environmental science from Virginia Tech. Dr. Preston holds a Ph.D. in agronomy, focusing on soil fertility from Kansas State University. While completing her advanced degrees, Dr. Preston conducted more than six years of field and lab research. Dr. Preston has experience in laboratory research measuring volatility loss from urea-based fertilizers. Her field research has focused on phosphorus availability and the interactions with tillage and placement. She also has extensive experience in working with large data sets and analysis. Her main priority is helping growers to identify yield-limiting factors and fix those issues as cost efficiently as possible. Dr. Cristie Preston has completed the Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) program.

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Many farmers in the Midwest fell victim to prevent plant acres with fields full of weeds and fallow of any crop. The biggest question on a grower’s mind is how much nutrients to credit regarding availability and management this fall.

A recent publication from the University of Minnesota explains that depending on the nutrient, farmers can credit some fertilizer applications made in the prior year for this year’s crop. Mobile nutrients, such as nitrogen and sulfur, applied either last fall or early spring 2019 may not be available this fall due to the high rainfall. The Minnesota soil testing lab recommends taking 2-foot soil samples and testing for nitrate availability.

Less mobile nutrients, like potassium and phosphorus, are more likely to be available this fall. However, if in doubt, collecting soil samples for analysis could aid in nutrient application decisions.

There are also some management practices, however, for growers to consider to ensure maximum potential yield for the upcoming season. A low rate of phosphorus banded starter fertilizer should be applied at planting, even if soil samples come back sufficient in phosphorus levels. In general, banding fertilizer close to the seed can positively affect the root-mycorrhizal relationship, especially for a crop grown following fallow.