Laila Puntel - Extension Soil Fertility and Precision Ag Specialist

Laila Puntel

faculty
Work Keim Hall (KEIM) 175
Lincoln NE 68583-0915
US
Work 402-472-6449 On campus, dial 2-6449

Faculty Bio

New NebGuide: Soil Microbiology in Nebraska

July 15, 2020
Soil microbiology is a universal and essential component of agricultural soils. This NebGuide provides basic information of soil microbiology, microbial functions, microbial enhancement, and microbial assessment.

Read more

corn seedling with damage

Fertilizer-nitrogen Injury

May 22, 2020
Nitrogen (N) is the most limiting nutrient in corn. However, there is risk of crop injury with band application of fertilizer-N.

Read more

nitrogen fertilizer being applied to corn
Photo by Richard Ferguson

Tips for In-season Nitrogen Management in Corn

April 29, 2020
This spring conditions are good for pre-plant fertilizer, but there are still considerations that justify shifting more nitrogen application to in-season versus pre-plant.

Read more

Figure 3

Agronomic Management for Reduced Nitrate Leaching

January 7, 2020
The leaching of nitrate to groundwater and the increasing occurrence of groundwater with excessive nitrate levels for human consumption is a major concern in Nebraska. The amount of leached NO3- depends on soil NO3- concentration at different soil depth layers and the quantity of water movement downward through these soil layers to beyond the root zone.

Read more

Soil Amendments

December 9, 2019
Soil amendments are any materials that when added to soil will improve its properties and processes. Amendments such as lime, gypsum, manure, or biochar can provide many benefits to production systems by improving soil chemical, physical, and biological properties. Some examples of production benefits from amendments include raising pH, adding nutrients, increasing soil organic matter, mitigating salt-affected soils, and improving soil water storage.

Read more

Soil probe

Soil Sampling for Better Fertilization Decisions

October 17, 2023
Recommendations for collecting soil samples to ensure the quality results needed for good management decisions about fertilizer, manure and lime application rates.

Read more

Graph of potential N loss

Considerations for Fall Fertilizer-Nitrogen Application

October 30, 2019
Fall fertilizer applications offer cost savings and time management benefits, but also may contribute to increased soil nitrate-N leaching. With Nebraska's high soil moisture levels, consider these suggestions when applying nitrogen this fall.

Read more

Field of wheat

New Study Helping to Guide Future Nitrogen Management of Winter Wheat for Grain Yield, Protein, and Bread Quality

October 29, 2019
Preliminary results are in from the first year of a two-year study to evaluate how soil N levels affect protein in Nebraska wheat and to provide data to revise UNL fertility recommendations for dryland wheat.

Read more