Long Term-Objectives

1. Develop and promote nutrient management planning as a means to improve plant utilization and to minimize off-site release of applied nutrients.

2. Improve and promote use of soil and plant analysis for crop and environmental monitoring.

3. Increase understanding of nutrient, water and soil interactions by farmers, crop advisors and other bad managers.

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Short-term Objectives

1. Develop process, resource information, training and tools to assist in writing nutrient management plans which will meet the requirements of current and pending legislation and rules.

2. Develop training objectives, training materials and certification tests for land application of nutrients.

3. Develop in-season monitoring tools such as pre-sidedress nitrate soil tests and petiole monitoring for nutrient management so that N rates can be safely reduced without significant yield losses.

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Accomplishments

1. The nutrient management team developed a process for writing nutrient management plans using commercial or non-commercial nutrient sources, which meets the needs of current and pending regulations Forms can be readily used by farmers or regulators to accomplish crop production and environmental protection goals. Plans are based on site specific realistic yield expectations and agronomic requirements for the cropping system. A 3 day training course and 200 page manual was used to train and test nearly 450 agents, Natural Resource and Conservation Service/Division of Soil and Water Conservation personnel, and crop consultants. Cooperative certification training efforts have been initiated with the Division of Environmental Management in the areas spray irrigation and biosolid application, and most recently, certified applicators of animal waste (swine lagoon liquids).

2. A computer program to assist in writing nutrient management plans has been developed and is currently being tested.

3. Calibration of petiole monitoring for potassium and nitrate-nitrogen is nearing completion.

4. Establishment of World Wide Web sites.

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Significance of Accomplishments

EPA estimates the use of nutrient management plans could significantly lower the impact of on non-point source nutrient loading. Essentially all technical specialists certified to write waste utilization plans under the 0.200 regulations have been trained by NCSU, and the process will have long-term effects on how nutrient management plans are written in this state. The computer program will greatly speed the laborious process of writing plans, and may allow most farmers in the state to achieve the 0.200 regulations deadline of January 1997. Calibration of cotton monitoring tools will allow farmers to better match N applications to actual crop requirements based on actual field conditions, resulting in lower N rates and better plant utilization. The Web sites will allow rapid delivery of publications, news and alerts to extension clientele.

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Future Plans

I. Continue refinement of petiole monitoring tools for cotton, vegetables.

2. Improve estimates of realistic yield expectations programs to include better management suggestions based on particular soils and soil management groups.

3. Work with DEM to provide training and certification of swine waste handlers. (4000).

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