Smart Rate Technology: Improving Fertilizer Use Efficiency

The main objective of this project is to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer applications in various cropping systems by using Smart Rate Technology. Electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil is measured across the field, and EC maps are then used to improve soil sampling decisions. Variable rate application of fertilizers, especially phosphorus fertilizers, will be performed with cooperating landowners and demonstrated in the 5 county area surrounding Hazelton (south central Idaho) . Blanket applications based on traditional sampling can over and or under fertilize fields. Applying fertilizers where the soil test for a given nutrient is low and skipping where the soil test is high can reduce the amount of fertilizers applied without sacrificing crop yields. In these days of high fertilizer prices and shortages, this “Smart Rate Technology” can be beneficial to both the farmers and the environment. A 25% reduction in the use of fertilizers is expected with this technology, which has applicability to much of the cropland in Idaho.