Project title: Heartland Regional Water Coordination Initiative

Principal investigators: Charles Wortmann and Thomas Franti

Duration: 2003-current

Funding: USDA-CSREES

Contact:

Charles Wortmann, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL, 58C Filley Hall, Lincoln NE 68583-0951, (402) 472-2909 cwortmann2@unl.edu

Project description:

Mapping and the efficiency of variable rate liming are compared using blanket application, grid sampling, and mapping with the Veris Mobile Sensor Platform. The objectives are:

1. to develop an inexpensive screening procedure to identify fields suitable for variable rate liming,
2. to quantify agronomic and economic advantages of variable rate liming in Nebraska growing conditions, and
3. to share our findings with producers, consultants and service providers who regularly treat soil acidity in agricultural fields, as well as with equipment manufacturers.

Key results:

Extension activities are underway.

Publications:

Wortmann, C.S., M. Helmers, B. Gelder, L. Wright Morton, D. Devlin, C. Barden, S. Anderson, R. Broz, T. Franti, T. Regassa, P. Shea, M.Tomer, L. Frees and D. Griffith, 2008. Targeting Of Watershed Management Practices For Water Quality Protection. University of Nebraska RP195.

Devlin, D., C. Barden, P. Barnes, R. Smeda, M. Bernards, T. Franti, M. Milner, T. Regassa, P. Shea, C. Wortmann, R. Lerch, H. Duncan and T. Phillips 2008. Pesticide management for water quality protection in the Midwest. Heartland Regional Water Coordination Initiative.

Wortmann, C.S., M. Al-Kaisi, J. Sawyer, M. Helmers, D. Devlin, C. Barden, P. Scharf, R. Ferguson, C.A. Shapiro, R. Spalding, D. Tarkalson, W. Kranz, J. Holz, D. Francis, J. Schepers. Agricultural nitrogen management for water quality protection in the Midwest. University of Nebraska RP 189.

Wortmann, C.S., M. Helmers, A. Mallarino, C. Barden, D. Devlin, G. Pierzynski, J. Lory, R. Massey, J. Holz, C. Shapiro, J. Kovar. 2006. Agricultural phosphorus management and water quality protection in the Midwest. RP 187. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.

Benning, J.L. and C.S. Wortmann, 2005. Phosphorus indexes in four Midwestern States: an evaluation of the differences and similarities. J. of Soil and Water Conservation. 60:221-227