News Release

October 30, 2020 – To increase agriculture production and profitability in cropping systems while improving sustainability and protecting the environment, researchers look to the concept of 4R. This concept involves using the right source of fertilizer at the right rate, at the right time, in the right place. The “The 4 R’s Advances in Primary Research of Nutrient Stewardship” symposium at the Translating Visionary Science to Practice ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting will address these topics.

The meeting is being held virtually, Nov. 9-13, 2020 and is hosted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America. Media are invited; preregistration is required.

The presentations are:

1. “Balancing Agronomic and Environmental Outcomes with the 4Rs of Phosphorus Management” will be presented by Nathan Nelson, Kansas State University. Identification of the right rate, right source, right time, and right place (4Rs) for phosphorus management requires understanding the agronomic, economic, social, and environmental factors that influence producer decisions. Studies that can quantify 4R effects on these diverse outcomes will provide the information producers need to achieve a balance in agronomic and environmental outcomes of cropping systems.
2. “Impact of 4R Management on Crop Production and Nitrate-Nitrogen Loss in Northwest Iowa” will be presented by Matthew Helmers, Iowa State University. Farmers in the Corn Belt are challenged to maximize corn and soybean production while addressing hypoxia concerns in the Gulf of Mexico. Four nitrogen application treatments were compared, including fall anhydrous ammonia with nitrapyrin, spring anhydrous ammonia, split nitrogen application of urea at planting and in-season, and no applied nitrogen. Helmers will present the research results evaluating these nitrogen management methods based on nitrate export and crop yield.
3. “Exploring the 4R’s for Potassium-Based Fertilizers in Conservation-till Corn Systems,” will be presented by Tony Vyn, Purdue University. Potassium is not known to be an environmental hazard, but corn farmers still want to adapt their 4R strategies to improve yields and tolerance to stresses. This presentation will provide a research-based overview of the opportunities to increase plant potassium uptake, as well as yields, via potassium rate, potassium timing and potassium placement alternatives in Eastern Cornbelt production. There is considerable scope for more 4R potassium research to achieve improved climate resiliency, higher yields and optimum fertilizer efficiencies in corn and other crops.
4. “Trends and Opportunities in 4R Nitrogen Management of Field and Fruit Crops in the Intermountain West,” will be presented by Matt Yost, Utah State University. Trends in 4R nitrogen management of major crops in the Intermountain West are not well documented, and reports of 4R nitrogen and irrigation do not exist. These interactions are critical to nutrient stewardship as irrigation is the major yield-limiting factor in most of the Western United States. Results from a 2019-2020 survey of corn, small grain, potato, and tart cherry growers about their 4R nitrogen and irrigation management will be shared during the presentation.

Presentations may be watched asynchronously, and there will be a scheduled Q&A time to speak with presenters during the meeting. Presentations will be available for online viewing for 90 days after the meeting for all registrants. For more information about the Translating Visionary Science to Practice 2020 meeting, visit https://www.acsmeetings.org/.

Media are invited to attend the conference. Pre-registration by Nov. 2, 2020 is required. Visit https://www.acsmeetings.org/media for registration information.

To speak with one of the scientists, contact Susan V. Fisk, 608-273-8091, sfisk@sciencesocieties.org to arrange an interview.