Maximizing Yield, Reducing Phosphorus Loss at Edge of Field

There are eight key steps to maximizing returns to phosphorus in row crop production while reducing downstream contributions to streams and lakes, according to Ohio State University Extension. They are as follows:

  1. Evaluate field erosion from concentrated water flows leaving a field. Use grassed areas, conservation tillage, and cover crops or other appropriate best management practices (BMPs).
  2. Replace surface tile connections with designed structures (i.e., blind inlets) to reduce soil and nutrient losses.
  3. No application of P containing fertilizer or organic (i.e., manure, biosolids, compost) nutrient sources to frozen or snow-covered soil unless applied to a growing cover crop.
  4. Take a representative soil sample, testing for a minimum of pH, buffer pH, phosphorus-Mehlich III, and potassium for all fields where crops are harvested.

Continue reading at Ohio State University Extension.

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