Ontario legacy database for phosphorus and potassium research in corn and soybean

Lead Applicant: Adrian Correndo

Research Priority: Sustainable Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre – Elora, Ridgetown, Winchester

Research Summary: Ontario's fertilizer guidelines for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), based on dated data, may not address current yield potentials and management practices. With soil test P and K values declining between 2001-2020, and research gaps noted for corn and soybean, there's a pressing need for an update of sustainable best management practices. This project's objectives include consolidating yield response experiments, initiating on-farm trials, refining P and K models with contemporary variables, assessing rate effects on crop removal, and launching a digital tool for data access. By enhancing correlations and calibration models, the initiative can optimize P and K use efficiency for more than 4 million acres of corn and soybean in the province. This refined approach aims to curb environmental risks and foster trust in the province's recommendations by promoting data transparency.