Title:

G97-NPS-11 No-till Wheat Nitrogen Demonstration

Sponsor:

USDA-NRCS

Project Manager:

Bob Ball
Parkade Center, Suite 250
Columbia, MO 65203
573-876-0912
bob.ball@mo.usda.gov

Project Period:

2/15/1997 - 9/30/1998

319 Grant Funds:

$1,616.50

No-till Wheat Nitrogen Demonstration

Farmers in Northeast Missouri have responded to issues of water quality and soil erosion by adopting no-till and other best management practices. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is the largest variable production cost faced by winter wheat producers in the Northwest region and excessive N in no-till systems can adversely affect water quality.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The minigrant will support soil testing and information/education activities.Three no-till winter wheat demonstration plots will be developed in Northeast
Missouri at highly visible locations. Each site will include four nitrogen rates replicated twice across the field to account for field variability. Two soil samples taken per plot at two depths will be used to verify plant uptake and nitrogen loss location. Weigh wagons will be used at harvest to determine plot yields. Two tours will be held at the demonstration sites and demonstration results will be presented at three grower/no-till clubs.

OBJECTIVES

1. To minimize nonpoint source water pollution by reducing total pounds of nitrogen applied to winter wheat in Northeast Missouri through demonstration and soil monitoring of split application of N.
2. To demonstrate to farmers, crop advisors, agri-businesses and citizens alternatives methods of N application to no-till wheat crops.
3. To evaluate current and alternative nitrogen recommendations.

PRODUCTS

1. Fact sheet on the demonstration results.
2. Nitrate and ammonia soil test results.
3. Two tours/field days
4. Article in Mark Twain Water Quality newsletter Nov-Dec 1997
5. Quality Assurance Project Plan

PRODUCT SPONSOR

Mark Twain Water Quality Demonstration Project

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Natural Resources Conservation Service; Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Producers in the Mark Twain Lake Watershed; Farmers Elevator (Monroe City, MO); Monroe, Ralls, Randolph and Shelby Soil and Water Conservation Districts; Pioneer Seeds Co., (Mexico, MO); Ricketts Farm Supply (Shelbina, MO); University of Missouri Outreach and Extension; University of Missouri Soils Laboratory.

CONTACT

Mark Twain Water Quality Demonstration Project
Natural Resources Conservation Service
28898 U.S. Hwy. 63
Macon, MO 63552-9587
660-385-6359