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NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND FOLIAR FERTILIZER EFFECTIVITY IN MODERN SOYBEAN VARIETIES

Applied Research

Mikayla Berryhill
Extension Agent, Agriculture-Field Crops
NC Cooperative Extension, Granville and Person Center
Oxford

Abstract

Modern soybeans, Glycine max (L.), are commonly grown throughout North Carolina.With increasing genetic technology, the influx of foliar fertilizer products, and increased production costs, producers need more research focusing on the ability of soybean plants to uptake nutrients through foliar methods. This study aims to monitor plant and soil nutrient levels over the growing season, assess the limitations of nutrient uptake on yield production, and identify the best growth stage to apply foliar fertilizers according to the nutrient uptake and accumulation of nutrients from the soil. The first year of this study was observational, and focused assessing the nutrient indexes of the soil and the plant throughout the growing season. This was done by taking soil samples (at plant, V2, V6, R2, R4, and R8) and whole plant samples (at V2, V6 R2, R4 and R8) from replicated variety trials in Union and Cabarrus counties. We identified that potassium is a potential nutrient that could be supplemented foliarly due to reduction in the soil index at certain growth stages with no increase to plant index at the same growth stage. Therefore, in the second year of the study, we identified 3 potassium based foliar fungicides to apply at V3, R1, R3, V3/R1 and V3/R3 to assess impact on overall K index and yield impact. A replicated, small plot study was established in Union County. Soil samples were taken at plant and after harvest, while plant samples were taken At the first trifolaite, V3 pre- and 2 weeks post-application, R1 pre- and 2 weeks post-application, and R3 pre- and 2 weeks post-application. We found that only one product at one application time (Smart KB at V3/R1) had a significantly lower reduction in K-index from pre-application to two weeks post-application while all other application timings and products had statistically similar reductions in K index. We also found that there was no significant impact of these products on yield at any application timing. 

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: M. Graham, A.L. Baucom, K.A. Hicks, R.A. Vann
  1. Graham, M. Assistant Extension Agent, Agriculture-Field Crops, NC Cooperative Extension, Union Center, North Carolina, 28112
  2. Baucom, A. Extension Director, NC Cooperative Extension, Union Center, North Carolina, 28112
  3. Hicks, K. Section Chief, North Carolina Department of Agriculture Agronomic Services, North Carolina, 27607
  4. Vann, R. Professor, Department of Crop Science, North Carolina, 27695