A nationwide team of agricultural scientists, including researchers at Penn State, has launched a decision aid that provides an unbiased, science-based interpretation of soil test phosphorus and potassium values for crop fertilization.
The Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool — referred to as FRST — represents a significant advancement in soil testing for phosphorus and potassium, according to the researchers. Using data from across the U.S., the tool is designed to enhance nutrient management, with an eye toward potentially saving farmers millions of dollars annually while reducing excess nutrient losses to the environment.
The new web-based tool is the result of collaboration among more than 100 soil science and agronomic professionals representing nearly 50 universities, four divisions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), several not-for-profit organizations and one private sector partner. The team noted that this diverse partnership underscores the collective effort and expertise invested in the development of FRST.
Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is represented on the project by Daniela Carrijo, assistant professor and extension specialist in grain crop production; Charlie White, assistant professor and extension specialist in soil fertility and nutrient management; and John Spargo, associate research professor and director of Penn State’s Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory.
“We are very excited about the launch of the decision support tool,” Spargo said. “It has the potential to significantly improve our ability to evaluate soil test correlation and determine fertilizer nutrient needs at a time when getting that right is more important than it ever has been.”
Deanna Osmond, soil science researcher at North Carolina State University and one of the group’s leaders, noted that until now, soil fertility faculty in each state worked independently.
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Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops