New fertilizer recommendation tool aims to boost farm profitability

A groundbreaking fertilizer recommendation tool, developed through a collaborative effort involving the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, promises to save farmers millions of dollars annually while reducing excess nutrient losses to the environment. The Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST) is a decision aid that provides an unbiased, science-based interpretation of soil test phosphorus and potassium values for crop fertilization.

“FRST was developed in response to the pressing need to harmonize soil testing across state boundaries,” explained Deanna Osmond, a soil science researcher at North Carolina State University and one of the FRST Project leaders. “It represents an improvement in our ability to evaluate soil test correlation.”

For farmers operating across state lines, comparing or assimilating multi-state guidelines for fertilizer recommendations has been a challenge. The FRST Project aims to address this issue by providing independent, scientifically developed nutrient management best practices that farmers can trust and adopt.

Nathan Slaton, associate vice president for agriculture and assistant director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, highlighted the tool’s two important objectives: developing a national database to archive soil test correlation and calibration research, and providing a user-friendly tool to review research results relevant to specific crops, soils, and geographic areas.

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“We are extremely excited about the launch of the decision support tool,” said Gerson Drescher, assistant professor of soil fertility at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “It represents an improvement in our ability to evaluate soil test correlation.”

The FRST Project was hosted in a neutral space (USDA) with common access, fostering collaboration and innovation in soil fertility research. Greg Buol of North Carolina State University, who provided database and programming support, emphasized the tool’s user-friendly design, allowing easy access and understanding of the results.

Currently, FRST provides critical phosphorus and potassium soil test values, indicating where there is no expected yield increase from fertilizer application. In the next phase, the tool will provide research-based phosphorus and potassium rate response information to assist farmers in selecting the minimum fertilizer rate expected to produce maximal crop yield.

The current version (FRST v1.0) includes data from nearly 2,500 phosphorus and potassium trials for 21 major agricultural crops, with the majority being corn and soybean. The team plans to expand the tool to other crops, cropping systems, and nutrients such as sulfur.

“We believe that FRST will not only benefit farmers by improving farm economics and conservation practices but also contribute to global sustainability,” said Bronc Finch, assistant professor and state extension specialist for soil fertility at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

With its data-driven approach, crop-specific information, geographical diversity, unbiased information, and scientifically sound data, FRST has the potential to revolutionize fertilizer recommendations, optimizing crop yields while minimizing environmental impact and maximizing farm profitability.