2003 Report to the Directors

SERA-IEG-6

Average Number of Institutes: 16

Meeting Frequency: Annual

Average Research Scientists: 12

Average Extension Specialists: 25

Objectives:

1. To develop, modify, and document reference analytical procedures for laboratories performing nutrient analyses in the Southern region. Developing new analytical procedures is a top priority of this committee, since commercial laboratories do not have the time and often lack the research expertise to carry out this work effectively. Ongoing projects include: a. Develop a new lime requirement procedure that uses less harsh chemicals, and can be adapted to robotic measurement systems. D.E. Kissel, University of Georgia. (R) b. Identify causes of poor correlation of phosphorus determined by ICP with those by Colorimetric procedures and establish correction factors for converting from one method to the other. Halin Zhang, Oklahoma State University. (R). c. Develop as needed more publications that are collaborative between regional committees like the one just published entitled "Procedures for Testing Animal and Industrial By-Products". Nancy Wolf, Univ. of Arkansas (R&E) (Joint activity with NCR-13 and NEC-67). d. The development of a NIR spectroscopy package for the determination of forage quality for warm season forages. P. Vendrell, University of Georgia (R&E).

2.To encourage uniformity in the soil test correlation/calibration/interpretation process for the development of nutrient and resource management guidelines among geographic areas that share similar soils, crops, climate, and environmental concerns. Collaboration of adjacent states is especially important in making progress in soil test correlation/calibration/interpretation. Most active collaborative projects include: a. Rice Response to Boron Fertilization. Determine if flood-irrigated rice yields respond to B fertilization with emphasis on determining the proper B application rate(s) and time(s) of application. (Similar research and educational programs are being conducted within Arkansas with soybean since B deficiency of soybean has become a routine problem in northeast Arkansas.), Nathan Slaton, Morteza Mozaffarin, Leo Espinoze, Pat Bollich, University of Arkansas, Gene Stevens (Univ. Missouri-AES), and David Dunn (Univ. Missouri-AES). (R & E) b. Regional Publication -Development of uniform interpretation and recommendations for cotton in the Southeast, Dr. Charles Mitchell, Auburn University and Glen Harris, University of Georgia (E). c. The University of Arkansas and Mississippi State University are also studying the soil test calibration of rice for phosphorus. Other related studies for rice include timing of phosphorus fertilizer application and nitrogen fertilizer application management. d. Improve P recommendations for dual cropping of wheat for grazing and grain production. Gene Krenzer and Hailin Zhang, Oklahoma State University. (R)

3.To encourage analytical proficiency and adequate quality assurance/quality control among laboratories in the Southern region. A better understanding of quality of laboratory analysis and the factors affecting quality with different analysis methods will result from collaborative projects where analysis results are compared with common soils and soils from each state. An ongoing project of this type is: Quantify differences between ICP and Colorimetric P analysis in Mehlich I and III extracts across 8 University soil test laboratories in the Southeast. F.J. Sikora (Univ. of Kentucky, Extension), P. Howe (Univ. of Kentucky, Extension), R. Henderson (Louisiana State Univ.), Morteza Mozaffari (Univ. of Arkansas), Rao Mylavarapu(Univ. of Florida), W. Johnson and D. Kissel (Univ. of Georgia), H. Bryant and Anna Reynolds (Auburn Univ.), T.Provin (Texas A&M Univ.), H. Zhang (Oklahoma StateUniv.) (R)

4.To provide unbiased scientific reasoning for the proper use and interpretation of soil, plant, byproduct, and water analyses and their application to resource management. The successful implementation of soil, plant, and water analysis will require proper interpretation of the results for use by clients. Examples of ongoing projects include: a. Develop a dynamic Web publication to facilitate conversion of Mehlich I and III P determinations from one extractant to the other. F.J. Sikora and W. Thom, University of Kentucky (R&E) b. Develop systems for interpretation of the analytical results of groundwater for dissolved inorganic constituents from wells used for drinking purposes. Such systems will aid in the selection of water treatment systems. P. Vendrell, University of Georgia.

5.To facilitate the sharing and transfer of research data and educational materials among public institutions, laboratories, and other entities that use information generated from soil, plant, byproduct, and water analyses. Sharing of data and educational materials has long been a key component activity of this committee. Examples include: a. Hybrid bermudagrass and ginseng fertility, an active demonstration program showing the benefits of university recommendations Hubert J. Savoy, Jr., University of Tennessee Extension. (E) b. Web-based information related to soil testing and plant analysis. http://www.cropsoil.uga.edu/~oplank/plantanalysisturf. Dr. Owen Plank, University of Georgia. (E) c. Web-based information related to nutritional diagnostics for corn and small grain. http://www.cropsoil.uga.edu/~oplank/diagnostics70. Dr. Owen Plank, University of Georgia. (E). d. Development of Household water quality circulars. Paul Vendrell, University of Georgia.