HSA | Soils and Sustainability
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Horticulture
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
2nd Student Major
Horticulture
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr Iin P. Handayani, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Soil Properties under Sunflower Beds at Pullen Farm, Murray KY
Ian Albertson & Mikayla Burgess
Mentor: Dr Iin P. Handayani, PhD
Murray State University, Hutson School of Agriculture
Abstract
It is important to understand how different types of fertilizers affect a soil’s quality. In this study, the soil’s organic matter and pH levels was measured by taking disturbed and undisturbed samples within four sunflower plots. Various fertilizers were applied to the sunflower plots at a rate of 10 lbs/acre within the 40ft by 60ft plot size during June 2023. In October 2023, 24 soil samples were taken at two different depths of 0”- 3” and 3”- 6” across four different treatments. The first treatment serves as the control. The second had DAP applied at a rate of 10lbs/acre. The third treatment contains DAP and Trivar, both applied at a rate of 10lbs/acre. Lastly treatment 4 contains 10lbs/acre of Trivar and 2.5lbs/acre of manure. Once the samples had been collected, they were analyzed to determine if there were varying degrees of soil quality. The samples were analyzed for soil water holding capacity, field water holding capacity, macroporosity, organic matter, bulk density, as well as pH. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in soil properties at two depths due to the usage of different combinations of fertilizers. While the results were not as staggered as originally hypothesized, there was still a slight degree of changes in soil quality amongst the four treatments. The control had the least amount of organic matter and the highest bulk density, followed by DAP, DAP plus Trivar, and Trivar plus manure in that order. The results of the data show an increase in fertilizers results in a more acidic soil with average pH ranging from 6.57 to 6.42. The remaining data will be concluded in the body of the presentation. In conclusion, the rates of topical fertilizer applied to the soil had a marginal impact on soil qualities. Understanding the relation between fertility and soil quality is important for agronomic industries to maximize crop growth and fertilizer efficacy.
Keywords: Acidity, DAP, Manure, Soil Properties, Sunflower, Trivar
Soil Properties under Sunflower Beds at Pullen Farm, Murray KY
Ian Albertson & Mikayla Burgess
Mentor: Dr Iin P. Handayani, PhD
Murray State University, Hutson School of Agriculture
Abstract
It is important to understand how different types of fertilizers affect a soil’s quality. In this study, the soil’s organic matter and pH levels was measured by taking disturbed and undisturbed samples within four sunflower plots. Various fertilizers were applied to the sunflower plots at a rate of 10 lbs/acre within the 40ft by 60ft plot size during June 2023. In October 2023, 24 soil samples were taken at two different depths of 0”- 3” and 3”- 6” across four different treatments. The first treatment serves as the control. The second had DAP applied at a rate of 10lbs/acre. The third treatment contains DAP and Trivar, both applied at a rate of 10lbs/acre. Lastly treatment 4 contains 10lbs/acre of Trivar and 2.5lbs/acre of manure. Once the samples had been collected, they were analyzed to determine if there were varying degrees of soil quality. The samples were analyzed for soil water holding capacity, field water holding capacity, macroporosity, organic matter, bulk density, as well as pH. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in soil properties at two depths due to the usage of different combinations of fertilizers. While the results were not as staggered as originally hypothesized, there was still a slight degree of changes in soil quality amongst the four treatments. The control had the least amount of organic matter and the highest bulk density, followed by DAP, DAP plus Trivar, and Trivar plus manure in that order. The results of the data show an increase in fertilizers results in a more acidic soil with average pH ranging from 6.57 to 6.42. The remaining data will be concluded in the body of the presentation. In conclusion, the rates of topical fertilizer applied to the soil had a marginal impact on soil qualities. Understanding the relation between fertility and soil quality is important for agronomic industries to maximize crop growth and fertilizer efficacy.
Keywords: Acidity, DAP, Manure, Soil Properties, Sunflower, Trivar