Nutrient management : publication
Reviewed by Zhiqiang Hu
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Biosolids are a product of the municipal wastewater treatment process. Typically, biosolids contain minerals and organic matter that can be beneficial to agricultural land.
Learn how agricultural practices impact water quality, from manure and pesticide use to fertilizer spills.
Learn how soil and aquifers filter nitrogen, the factors influencing groundwater contamination, and how soil types impact chemical movement.
Learn how to manage nitrogen fertilizer in crops to boost yields, reduce losses, and enhance environmental outcomes through best practices.
David Dunn
Soil Testing Laboratory
MU Delta Research Center
Gene Stevens
Plant Sciences
Delta Research Center
John LoryDepartment of Agronomy and Commercial Agriculture ProgramRay MasseyDepartment of Agricultural Economics and Commercial Agriculture ProgramMatt HerringDepartment of Agronomy and Commercial Agriculture Program
Use this worksheet to estimate the value of manure nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and gauge how much manure to apply to corn, wheat, soybeans.
This guide provides practical steps to accurately calibrate manure spreaders, ensuring efficient nutrient application and environmental compliance.
This publication provides guidelines for calibrating lagoon irrigation systems to ensure efficient nutrient application and prevent runoff.
It is preferable to know the nutrient content of your compost material. Based on the compost analysis you can decrease the amount of fertilizer needed. Complete and submit this form along with your compost samples for analysis.
This publication discusses applying biosolids to land, emphasizing nutrient supply based on plant needs and Missouri crop requirements.
This testing is intended to analyze nutrients and metals in the soil in your growing environment. Complete and submit this form along with your samples.
Provides guidance on equipment used for off-site land application of biosolids, focusing on logistics, equipment types, and operational considerations.
This publication discusses equipment used for on-site land application of biosolids, including pumps, pipelines, and applicators.
Harry C. Minor and John SteckerDepartment of AgronomyJ.R. BrownSchool of Natural Resources
Discover effective strategies for managing dairy manure to optimize nutrient recovery and enhance crop productivity through proper manure handling.
Livestock and poultry producers: Learn how to recover a portion of the plant nutrient value of animal manure to have a salable product for use in crop production in this University of Missouri Extension guide.
The main reason for fertilizing shade trees is to maintain vigor so that plants will be able to resist environmental stresses & pests. Visit our site.
Discover essential guidelines for profitable tomato production in Missouri, including site selection, soil improvement, and marketing strategies
Yard waste is valuable landscape resource. Visit our site for our Grass Clippings, Compost and Mulch: Questions and Answers resource.
Testing greenhouse media provides an assessment of the material to adequately provide plant nutrients and provide a good rooting environment. Complete and submit this form along with your samples.
The objective of this publication is to identify the differences and similarities between managing municipal wastewater and managing the manure from grow-finish pig systems.
Learn to build compost bins using wire mesh or snow fencing. Includes materials, tools, and step-by-step instructions for effective composting.
This testing is intended to analyze the nutrient composition of your soil. Complete and submit this form along with your samples.
This guide explains how to interpret biosolids lab reports for safe land application and compliance with environmental standards.
Laboratory analysis of manure determines nutrient levels—nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium—and moisture content for effective fertilizer use.
Learn best practices for land applying animal manure to minimize nutrient loss, reduce pollution, and protect water quality.
Eliminate the guesswork of providing nutrients for plant growth and avoid potentially environmentally harmful fertilizer applications by having your home lawn and garden soil tested. Learn the methods used by the MU Soil and Plant Testing in this guide.
Peter C. Scharf
Department of Agronomy
Making compost transforms garden waste into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner, enhancing soil structure and fertility while reducing landfill use.
Optimize alfalfa hay production by applying manure to enhance phosphorus and potassium levels, improve yields, and manage soil fertility effectively.
Manure testing is necessary to make optimum use of manure, which is a valuable source of nutrients for crops and improves soil productivity, while protecting water resources. Complete and submit this form along with your manure samples.
Learn how to test and adjust manure spreader overlap to ensure even nutrient application and improve crop growth across your fields.
Effective Neutralizing Material measures agricultural limestone's ability to neutralize soil acidity, factoring in calcium carbonate content and particle size.
Nyle C. Wollenhaupt and R. David HammerDepartment of AgronomyBruce W. ThompsonNatural Resources Conservation Service
Nitrogen is essential for plant growth, but excessive nitrate from fertilizers can contaminate groundwater, posing health risks, especially to infants.
Nitrate leaching occurs when excess water carries nitrates through soil into groundwater, posing health risks, especially to infants.
Nitrogen in soil undergoes mineralization and immobilization, affecting plant growth and water quality. Excess nitrate may contaminate groundwater, posing health risks.
Nitrogen fixation converts atmospheric nitrogen into plant-usable forms, enhancing soil fertility and reducing fertilizer needs.
Legumes convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, enriching soil and reducing fertilizer needs for subsequent crops.
Nitrogen plays an important part in many essential functions. Visit our website to learn about Nitrogen in the Plant.
John Lory and Steve CromleyDivision of Plant Sciences
This guide provides calculations and equipment considerations for land-applying biosolids based on nutrient targets and application rates
See recommendations for applying manure on corn, soybeans or fescue. Learn how to maximize slurry manure’s value and assess its storage and application cost.
When submitting a sample to the lab, this sample information form should be filled out accurately for the lab to properly interpret the plant analysis. Send the original form with the plant samples.
Editor's notesThe following abstract describes a publication that is only available as a downloadable PDF.This publication is a revision of North Central Regional Research Publication No. 221 (NCR221).
Roger Hanson
Department of Agronomy
Spectrographic analysis of plant tissue is a relatively new and accurate method for determining levels of major and minor elements in growing crops. However, good results make proper sampling of crops necessary. Keep the following points in mind when taking…
John A. Lory
Department of Agronomy and Commercial Agriculture Program
Charles Fulhage
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Separation distances for manure storage and land application help protect water quality by minimizing contamination risks from livestock operations.
Steve Cromley and John Lory
Division of Plant Sciences
This form provides testing options and costs for routine soil analysis and additional tests for researcher use only. Complete and submit this form along with your samples.
This testing focuses specifically on measuring nitrogen levels in soil samples for a variety of uses and functions. Complete and submit this form along with your samples.
Soybeans were the most successful crop for Missouri farmers in the 1970s & 1980s. Visit our site to learn more about Soybean Production in Missouri.
Learn how to test soil, apply fertilizers, and maintain nutrient levels for healthy vegetable and flower gardens.
Learn how sulfur and boron fertilization improve cotton yields, including soil test recommendations and deficiency symptoms to optimize cotton production.
Identify and resolve field crop issues using a systematic approach to diagnose plant symptoms, assess damage severity, and determine problem patterns.
Lime-stabilized biomass from food processing plants can enrich soil with phosphorus and calcium while neutralizing acidity.
Learn how to improve lawn health by recycling clippings, reducing thatch, and conserving resources with effective mowing and fertilizing techniques.