Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Agronomy
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Megan Taylor, PhD; Iin Handayani, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
There are 12 nutrients essential for plant growth, two of these are phosphorus and potassium. The demand and need for these nutrients are very high in agricultural systems including corn. Phosphorus stimulates root and shoot growth and is essential for seedling growth and stability. Potassium increases tolerance to water stress, as well as resistance to disease, these are both critical in terms of soil fertility and in determining what fertilizers to apply as well as the amount of fertilizer needed. Both nutrients are not readily available for plant uptake in the soil and are largely lost during harvest, which could affect yield potential and soil fertility for the years following. This study investigated different tillage systems and the movement of potassium and phosphorus both in and out of the soil, this also provides insight into water quality issues regarding runoff or movement of excess nutrients that may enter waterways from fields. Phosphorus and potassium can be limiting factors for successful corn production in not only Western, Kentucky but most of the Midwest portion of the United States. Phosphorus and potassium are both critical in corn development from the vegetative V6 stage through the silking stage (R1). This study was conducted at two separate locations in Murray, Kentucky. The locations were the Hutson Farm and the Pullen Farm both with the primary soil complex Grenada Silt Loam. The Hutson Farm historically was under conventional tillage and had a tillage event in 2022 and will represent conventional tillage in this study. The Pullen Farm has been in no-till for over 20 years and will represent the no-till sample in this study. Soil samples were taken at three points during the growing season, once at the beginning of the growing season (pre-plant), once at V6, and after harvest. Soil samples were taken at 4 different depths in three separate land capability classification areas in the fields; these samples were randomized within the zones. Tissue samples were pulled at V6 and grain samples were collected post harvest to determine total uptake and usage of phosphorus and potassium. Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured in season from V6-R6 to determine plant health. This study aimed to describe the possible stratification of potassium and phosphorus under different tillage systems and how that affects uptake into the corn plant.
Keywords: Phosphorus, Stratification, Potassium,No-till, Conventional Tillage, and Corn Production
Spring Scholars Week 2024 Event
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Stratification of Potassium and Phosphorus in Tillage vs. No-Till Systems and Uptake in Corn (Zea mays) in Western Kentucky
There are 12 nutrients essential for plant growth, two of these are phosphorus and potassium. The demand and need for these nutrients are very high in agricultural systems including corn. Phosphorus stimulates root and shoot growth and is essential for seedling growth and stability. Potassium increases tolerance to water stress, as well as resistance to disease, these are both critical in terms of soil fertility and in determining what fertilizers to apply as well as the amount of fertilizer needed. Both nutrients are not readily available for plant uptake in the soil and are largely lost during harvest, which could affect yield potential and soil fertility for the years following. This study investigated different tillage systems and the movement of potassium and phosphorus both in and out of the soil, this also provides insight into water quality issues regarding runoff or movement of excess nutrients that may enter waterways from fields. Phosphorus and potassium can be limiting factors for successful corn production in not only Western, Kentucky but most of the Midwest portion of the United States. Phosphorus and potassium are both critical in corn development from the vegetative V6 stage through the silking stage (R1). This study was conducted at two separate locations in Murray, Kentucky. The locations were the Hutson Farm and the Pullen Farm both with the primary soil complex Grenada Silt Loam. The Hutson Farm historically was under conventional tillage and had a tillage event in 2022 and will represent conventional tillage in this study. The Pullen Farm has been in no-till for over 20 years and will represent the no-till sample in this study. Soil samples were taken at three points during the growing season, once at the beginning of the growing season (pre-plant), once at V6, and after harvest. Soil samples were taken at 4 different depths in three separate land capability classification areas in the fields; these samples were randomized within the zones. Tissue samples were pulled at V6 and grain samples were collected post harvest to determine total uptake and usage of phosphorus and potassium. Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured in season from V6-R6 to determine plant health. This study aimed to describe the possible stratification of potassium and phosphorus under different tillage systems and how that affects uptake into the corn plant.
Keywords: Phosphorus, Stratification, Potassium,No-till, Conventional Tillage, and Corn Production