Microbial Nitrogen Fertilization

Title: Environmental and agronomic assessment of microbial nitrogen fertilization technologies in corn cropping systems
Location: Iowa State University Ag Engineering and Agronomy Farm, Boone
Time Period: 2019-present
Research Team: Steven Hall, Matthew Helmers, William Crumpton, Sotirios Archontoulis, and Michael Castellano
Project Description: We seek to characterize the potential environmental and agronomic co-benefits of Pivot Bio microbial nitrogen (N) fertilization technologies applied as a partial replacement for synthetic nitrogen fertilizer in corn cropping systems. Microbial N technology has the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of crop N uptake in both space and time. As a consequence of synchronizing reactive N inputs with plant demand and producing this N directly in the plant root zone, we predict that microbial N will be less vulnerable to loss as nitrate or nitrous oxide than an equivalent N mass applied as synthetic fertilizer or manure. To test the impact of microbial N on nitrate leaching, we are using a novel field mesocosm technique whereby intact blocks of soil (5’ x 5’ x 4’) are encased in steel boxes with a single drain. The volume and chemical composition of drainage water is monitored to enable complete measurements of nitrate leaching from each soil block.
Publications:
Funders: Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council (INREC)
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