Tag Archives: Nitrogen

Time to Test the Soil for Nutrients

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Fertilizer cost has been rising over the past year creating more need to test the soil in your fields for nutrient content and fertilizer recommendations.  Since 2013, we have sampled fields and found soil nitrogen levels ranging between 11 and 168 lbs N per acre. This can be a opportunity to reducing costs without affecting yields. On average, fields can save $15-$20 by reducing fertilizer rates based on soil tests to 24″. You may find this service from several different sources including your IPM program in Calhoun, Refugio… Read More →

Rain and Square Loss

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Scouting fields this week we are finding each field is different from the next. Much of this has to do with how the rain affected the field. If the water got off the field or did not stand for too many days, the crop was better off. Fields that held water are more likely to have square losses. Many of these fields have lost the larger squares leaving fruit smaller than match-head square. An example of this is shown. I removed the leaves showing the lower four squares have… Read More →

Rain and its Impact on Crop Fertility

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We have received rain in great amounts over the past few weeks. This morning, my rain gauge is full, and it’s still raining. Many fields have received over 10 inches of rainfall over the past few days. One question I have received is: “What is this rain going to do with our fertilizer?” The nutrient of greatest concern should be Nitrogen.  This is because of denitrification and the water solubility of Nitrogen. “Gaseous loss of nitrogen takes place by denitrification or ammonia volatilization. Denitrification is a process through… Read More →

Soil Testing Time in South Texas

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The Mid-Coast IPM Program is equipped to soil test with a hydraulic soil probe that samples to a depth of 24″.  Since 2013, we have sampled fields in Calhoun, Refugio, and Victoria Counties and found soil nitrogen levels ranging between 11 and 168 lbs N per acre. This can be a opportunity to reducing costs without affecting yields. Average fields can save $15-$20 by reducing fertilizer rates based on soil tests to 24″. You may find this service from several different sources including your IPM program in Calhoun,… Read More →

Testing for Residual Soil N can Save $ – Corn

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Two trials were conducted in 2017 the objective to evaluate the effect of reducing by the amount of residual nitrogen found in soil tests at depths up to 24 inches. Each of these trials were conducted with large plots in grower fields. What follows is the research report for the Corn test. (printable version) Evaluation of Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Application by Residual Soil Nitrogen Found to Depths Of 24 Inches in Corn Investigator: Stephen Biles and Geri Kline Cooperator: Clay Brett                            Summary A field research trial was conducted… Read More →