Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
4/11/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Antonio Mallarino, Agronomy Extension, (515) 294-6200, apmallar@iastate.edu
John Creswell, Nutrient Management Education Project, (515) 727-0656,
creswell@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Spring Soil Testing
Establishing and using a soil testing program is essential to determine crop nutrient needs. "Farmers should use soil test information before applying fertilizer, lime, or manure," says Antonio Mallarino, associate professor, Agronomy, Iowa State University (ISU.) "Spring is a good time to soil sample established pasture or alfalfa fields before spreading commercial fertilizer, lime or manure." He recommends resampling every 2 to 4 years at the same time of year and following the same crop.
Managing soil fertility is important economically as well as for the environment according to John Creswell, ISU Extension nutrient management education project coordinator. "Under-apply nutrients," Creswell says, "and yield and profitability may suffer. Over-apply nutrients, and money is wasted. In addition, over-application may result in increased transport of nitrogen and phosphorus through runoff and tile lines into surface waters, causing environmental problems."
Key points to consider include:
1. Use soil test information before applying fertilizer, lime or manure.
2. Soil test every 2 to 4 years, at the same time of year and following
the same crop.
3. Prepare a sampling plan before going to the field.
4. Formulate nutrient applications after interpreting soil test results.
For more soil testing information you can call your ISU county Extension office and ask for the following publications. You may also download or order most of these publications from the ISU Extension Web site at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/.
NCMR 348, Soil Sampling for Variable Rate Fertilizer and Lime Application ($1.25 per copy )
NMEP 1, Soil Testing
PM 1310, Interpretation of Soil Test Results
PM 1428c, Protecting our Water Quality with Effective Soil Sampling
PM 1688, General Guide for Crop Nutrient Recommendations in Iowa ($1.00 per copy)
ST 8, Soil Sample Information Sheet
The Nutrient Management Education Project is funded in part by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources through an EPA grant. More information about the Nutrient Management Education Project can be found on the Nitrogen and Phosphorus Knowledge Web Page (http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/NPKnowledge/).
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