Charles Wortmann - Emeritus Extension Soil and Nutrient Management Specialist

Charles Wortmann

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Emeritus Professor Agronomy & Horticulture University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Work Keim Hall (Keim) 202

Lincoln NE 68583-0915

Work 402-472-2811 On campus, dial 2-2811

cwortmann2@unl.edu

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Faculty Bio

Research Cited in CW
How Manure Impacts Soil Aggregation

Chart of residue required for different slopes

Crop Residue and High-Carbon Char: Potential Soil Conservation Tools

May 8, 2018

Soil is the single most important resource on which our agriculture depends. Proper soil management is necessary to sustain long-term agricultural productivity. Soil loss through erosion or run-off hurts agricultural production with depletion of organic matter and fertility. It also has environmental implications.

Figure 1. Land-applied manure from finishing 5 million beef cattle per year in Nebraska contains the equivalent of 150 lb/ac/yr N applied to 1.2 million acres.

Fertilizer N Substitution Values of Land-Applied Organic Materials

January 8, 2018

An article from the Proceedings of the 2018 Nebraska Extension Crop Production Clinics on accounting for nitrogen from land-applied manure when determining soil nutrient needs for crop production.

Corn leaves showing signs of nitrogen deficiency — Figure 1. Corn at V10 growth stage displaying symptoms of N deficiency (inverted V-shaped yellowing starting at the tip of lower leaves). Corn can display these symptoms when N supply is insufficient, possibly due to multiple reasons, including losses.

Nitrogen Fertilizer Stabilizers in Corn

April 19, 2018

Understanding how the three types of nitrogen stabilizers work can be helpful in deciding whether to add one to your spring application. Short- and long-term studies in Nebraska offer insight into how they performed across multiple years. Now, if you only knew how many inches of rain you'd get the first six weeks after application.

Figure 1. Coal combustion residue is being mixed into manure for land application. Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are addressing organic N and opportunities for improving N efficiency in the soil. (Photo by Bijesh Maharjan)

Improving the Efficiency of Applied Organic N

April 11, 2018

University of Nebraska research is offering new insights into plant use efficiency of organic N resources such as livestock manure, municipal bio-solids, and others. The studies continue through 2018 and are expected to influence changes in university recommendations.

Figure 1. Nebraska soybean field with patches of iron chlorosis caused by a deficiency of iron. (Photo by Rodrigo Werle)

What's New with Micronutrients?

April 10, 2018

Micronutrients are in the spotlight these days with new biological products coming to market. This update looks at micronutrient research updates, including which nutrients are likely to enhance profit and how results can differ among different soil tests.