How Crop Nutrient Removal Trends Affect Agronomics and Economics of Nutrient Management

Removal of nutrients with harvested grain and biomass influence soil-test nutrient levels, required fertilization, and indirectly, profitability. Additionally, most North Central U.S. state fertilizer recommendations account for crop removal when determining fertilization rates for phosphorus and potassium. Grain and biomass nutrient concentrations and removal can vary for a given soil-test level and yield level. This presentation will include recent data investigating: (1) variability of crop nutrient removal as corn and soybean yield increase, (2) effects on soil-test phosphorus and potassium levels, and (3) implications for profitable fertilization strategies.