Professor

Oklahoma State University
Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering
120 Ag Hall
Stillwater,  OK  74078

phone: 405-744-8422  fax: 405-744-6059

email

Soil Fertility Specialist

Oklahoma State University
Plant and Soil Sciences
368 Ag. Hall
Stillwater,  OK  74078

phone: 405.744.9566  fax: 405.744.5269

email  website

Background:

When it rains, excess fertilizer in soil may be washed through storm drains to nearby lakes and streams. Nutrients that reach lakes and streams start a process called eutrophication. Rapid growth, or blooms, of aquatic weeds and algae use up the oxygen in the water. Extreme cases can lead to fish kills.

The eutrophication process is very difficult, and expensive, to stop. Once excess nutrients enter a water body, they begin cycling between the bottom sediments and the water. This continues long after the source of the nutrients has been eliminated. Like many other problems, the best cure is prevention.

To minimize water quality problems, it is important to apply fertilizer at the proper time and rate, specific to the type of plant and its individual needs. This webpage is designed to help you best manage your soil nutrients, whether your crop is the grass in your lawn or wheat in 1000 acres.

Research:

The following sites link you to information on the cutting edge work of nutrient management.

OSU Nitrogen Use Efficiency Website
Precision Sensing Technology
Nutrient Management in Watersheds

Resources:

Follow the links below for useful nutrient management tools.

OSU Soil, Water, & Forage Analytical Laboratory
Sensor-based Nitrogen Rate Calculator

Reference Material:

OSU Factsheet F-2225, OSU Soil Test Interpretations
OSU Factsheet F-6005, Mulching Garden Soils