Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Differences between Foliar Application and Soil application of Plant Nutrients and Effectiveness against Drought at Different Time Points in Soybean Development
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Agronomy
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Megan Taylor
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation - Murray State Access only
Abstract/Description
Changing climate and rising fertilizer costs have changed how farmers apply and manage crops. Soybeans (Glycine max) experience multiple environmental stresses during their life cycle in the field. Drought, flooding, heat, and freezing stress negatively affect soybean growth and development. In 2022, drought was prevalent in many areas across the Corn Belt. With that in mind, drought was the stress replicated in the current study. Drought conditions cause soybeans to slow vegetative growth, halt flowering, and cause the plant to abort blooms and pods while in the reproductive stages. Proper fertility can help soybeans mitigate and escape stress symptoms. This study applied different nutrients, Phosphorus, Boron, Zinc, and Manganese, to soybeans. Foliar or soil-applied application methods were used in this study as well. Time was also a factor that was explored, with time intervals including planting, before stress, and during the stress event. This was completed to test specific nutrients, timings, and application methods regarding stress mitigation in soybeans. Results indicate that the application of nutrients before and at the time of planting plays a crucial role in helping plants mitigate stress. Further, the number of nutrients taken up and absorbed into the plants under stress was also significantly different. These results could help producers make management choices to reduce stress.
Key Words: Climate, Soybeans, Drought Stress, Soil Applied, Foliar Applied, Phosphorus, Boron, Zinc, Manganese, Stress Mitigation.
Spring Scholars Week 2023 Event
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Differences between Foliar Application and Soil application of Plant Nutrients and Effectiveness against Drought at Different Time Points in Soybean Development
Changing climate and rising fertilizer costs have changed how farmers apply and manage crops. Soybeans (Glycine max) experience multiple environmental stresses during their life cycle in the field. Drought, flooding, heat, and freezing stress negatively affect soybean growth and development. In 2022, drought was prevalent in many areas across the Corn Belt. With that in mind, drought was the stress replicated in the current study. Drought conditions cause soybeans to slow vegetative growth, halt flowering, and cause the plant to abort blooms and pods while in the reproductive stages. Proper fertility can help soybeans mitigate and escape stress symptoms. This study applied different nutrients, Phosphorus, Boron, Zinc, and Manganese, to soybeans. Foliar or soil-applied application methods were used in this study as well. Time was also a factor that was explored, with time intervals including planting, before stress, and during the stress event. This was completed to test specific nutrients, timings, and application methods regarding stress mitigation in soybeans. Results indicate that the application of nutrients before and at the time of planting plays a crucial role in helping plants mitigate stress. Further, the number of nutrients taken up and absorbed into the plants under stress was also significantly different. These results could help producers make management choices to reduce stress.
Key Words: Climate, Soybeans, Drought Stress, Soil Applied, Foliar Applied, Phosphorus, Boron, Zinc, Manganese, Stress Mitigation.