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Michigan has strong wheat markets, but one of the “rubs” against growing more wheat has been the challenge for growers in producing high-quality crops year after year, and also increasing their yield. Perhaps the biggest keys to productivity are figuring out the optimal nitrogen application program, planting date and fertility program.
For these reasons, the Michigan Wheat Program has dedicated 17 percent of its annual research budget to nutrient management and fertility projects in recent years.
Key researchers in the area of nutrient management have been Dr. Kurt Steinke of the MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences; Dr. Bruno Basso of MSU’s Geological Sciences Department; and MSU wheat specialist Dennis Pennington. Researchers joining the line-up of wheat-funded projects in 2017 were Dr. Jason Smith and Dr. Steven Safferman.
Basso’s work utilizes drone technology to monitor and optimize the use of nitrogen fertilizer and fungicide in wheat fields. Steinke has studied the impact of numerous variables surrounding nitrogen (N) applications on wheat including planting dates, timing of N, preferred N rates, forms of N used and growth regulators. Safferman and Smith are studying possible phosphorous leaching routes that may be impacting Lake Erie.
Wheat farmers looking to increase productivity and profitability, and protecting the environment, will be interested in the following reports on nutrient management and fertility projects funded by the Michigan Wheat Program.
MSU and the Michigan Wheat Program caution that three years of data should always be reviewed to get a more complete picture of research results. Farmers also must weigh input costs for fertilizer, fungicides and other inputs against the up-side of higher yields.
Research by Dr. Bruno Basso
In this project, Basso had several research objectives including continued development of high-resolution maps of wheat potential vs. actual yields; analyzing these “yield gaps;” and analyzing and mapping contributing factors, notably water and nitrogen stresses.
For the first time, Basso looked at Michigan farms enrolled in the Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN), which is also focused on stemming the gaps between potential yield and actual yield through adaptative wheat management decisions. Basso compared YEN results to his SALUS simulations.
In conclusion, Basso noted the concept of yield gaps is well-known to Michigan wheat farmers, and that he sought to determine the reasons why maximum wheat yield potential was not achieved. The SALUS crop model accurately simulates these systems to ensure nutrients are allocated efficiently for each stability zone.
Click below to review the 2023 and 2022 final written reports on this project.
Research by Dr. Kurt Steinke, Dr. Martin Chilvers, Maria Suplito, Andrew Chomas, Bill Widdicombe
In year two of this project, Dr. Steinke and his research team continued to evaluate the interaction of three high-management practices (starter fertilizer, fungicide, late-season nitrogen) with regard to impact on grain yield and straw yield, as well as the nutritive grain quality.
Steinke found that the impact of autumn starter fertilizer was more pronounced in the 2022-2023 season than it was the first year. He noted the importance of adequate precipitation during
the later wheat-fill stages, with the early summer 2023 being quite dry.
The study looked at the complex relationship between the previous crop (soybean, corn) on the plot and fall
starter fertilizer plus late-season nitrogen, on growth characteristics and ultimately the protein content of the “Wharf” soft red winter wheat.
Click below to review the 2023 final written report on this project.
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Research by Dr. Kurt Steinke, Dr. Martin Chilvers, Maria Suplito, Andrew Chomas, Bill Widdicombe
In a breakdown of high-management wheat production practices, Dr. Steinke and his research team evaluated the interaction of three high-management practices (starter fertilizer, fungicide, spring nitrogen) with regard to impact on grain yield and straw yield, as well as the nutritive grain quality.
Their first objective was to determine the impact of autumn-applied starter fertilizer, multiple fungicide application timings and late-season applied nitrogen. The theory was that autumn starter fertilizer would elicit more tillers which, in spring, would enhance biomass production and canopy closure. Early-season fungicide would benefit the crop, and late-season nutrient would improve grain and straw yield.
The second objective was to determine the influence of autumn-applied starter fertilizer and late-season nitrogen on the nutritive quality of soft red winter wheat. This theory held that autumn starter fertilizer would reduce grain quality due to increased tillering but that a late application of nitrogen in spring would increase protein content during grain fill.
The first year’s evaluation showed that starter fertilizer increased grain yield, plant height and head count but diminished yield. Autumn starter provided the highest mean straw yield when late-season nitrogen was not applied. Late spring-applied nitrogen resulted in higher grain yields, nutrient concentration and protein content. The team acknowledges that cool weather conditions could have enhanced this response.
Click below to review the 2022 final written report on this project.
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Research by Dr. Kurt Steinke and Graduate Research Assistant Seth Purucker
This second-year project continued to look at the effectiveness of multiple variables in maximizing the yields of a red winter wheat (Starburst) and a white winter wheat (Jupiter) in two Michigan locations.
Dr. Steinke utilized 15 research plots at each site, including two control plots, to bring together a variety of prior studies on the individual wheat crop inputs. The project looked at the impacts of weekly nitrogen (N) applications; split N applications; autumn starter fertilizer; plant growth regulator; fungicide treatment; and seeding rate. The controls had none of the additional inputs and all of the additional inputs.
Steinke noted that autumn starter fertilizer was the only input to decrease grain yield when removed from enhanced management, and to increase grain yield when added to traditional management. Other inputs have positive yield responses under various management conditions that are likely site- and year-specific and should be considered in a total production-market perspective.
Click below to review the 2019 PowerPoint slides and the final report.
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Research by Dr. Kurt Steinke and Graduate Research Assistant Lacie Thomas
In this project, Dr. Steinke continues to focus on the potential for increased yields of wheat grain and wheat straw as well as increased grower profitability, by using both starter nitrogen fertilizer at planting and spring-applied nitrogen.
In the second year, Steinke looked at data to support the working hypothesis that autumn-supplied starter fertilizer will increase wheat stand resilience prior to spring green-up for improved grain yield and straw production – and improves grower profitability despite additional input costs.
The same two research sites, red and white winter wheat varieties and fertilizer treatments were used as in Year 1. Findings echoed Year 1 and other prior research that low pre-plant residual nitrate concentrations, including the sulfur component, and timely fall planting likely resulted in positive grain and straw yield response.
He cautions that the response will be field- and site-specific. Click below to review the 2021 PowerPoint slides and the final report.
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In this project, Dr. Steinke continues his focus on nitrogen – probably the key macro-nutrient needed in wheat production. The research analysis covers not only wheat grain, but also the growing market for wheat straw used in livestock bedding, feed and biofuel production.
In the first year of the project, Steinke explores the hypothesis that autumn-supplied starter fertilizer will increase wheat stand resilience prior to spring green-up for improved grain yield and straw production – and improves grower profitability despite additional input costs.
Two research sites were used and two varieties each of red and white winter wheat, one each short-statured and one tall-statured. Lots of charts and data are supplied, creating a growing body of data suggesting that spring-applied nitrogen cannot “make up the difference” in yield and profitability when autumn starter nitrogen fertilizer is not used.
Click below to review the 2020 PowerPoint slides and the final report for the first year of this project.
Research by Dr. Bruno Basso and Rich Price
Having developed the nitrogen prescription map protocols for Michigan wheat farmers, Basso turned his drone research techniques to gathering data about the interaction of nitrogen applications relative to soil moisture in this project. This project was performed on high-management wheat crops looking at the impact of soil moisture.
Basso’s data categorized nitrogen efficiency by yield stability zone for three fields that utilized nitrogen prescription maps vs. other fields that applied nitrogen as a flat rate (140 lbs./acre). First-year results suggest a yield response for all positions in cold and wet weather and that there was no additional yield response for higher nitrogen applications (160-180 lbs./acre).
Click below to review the 2021 PowerPoint slides and the final written report on this project:
Research by Dr. Bruno Basso and Rich Price
In 2021, Basso completed his sixth year of research for the Michigan Wheat Program using drone technology to collect nitrogen data and plant response. His projects have utilized yield history of a specific wheat field and remote sensing from the drone, which were integrated into crop simulation modeling.
Various nitrogen rates can be input to the model to forecast multiple nitrogen application scenarios and resulting wheat yields. Several wheat varieties and nitrogen management strategies have been incorporated.
The overall goal is to develop turn-key on-farm “nitrogen prescription maps” for Michigan wheat farmers. At this point, the project has developed a protocol/procedure for the prescription map.
Click below to review the 2021 PowerPoint presentation:
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In the first year of the “prescription maps” project, Basso looked to enhance precision agricultural technology by developing drone-assisted tools to help growers more accurately use nitrogen in their wheat. The project sought to allow more accurate nitrogen application, depending on the year’s weather conditions and the yield history/soil conditions across the same farm.
By applying nitrogen as needed based on both farm history and current environmental conditions, growers can be more efficient in nitrogen applications and potentially boost yields.
Click below to review the 2020 PowerPoint presentation of the “prescription maps” project:
Research by Dr. Bruno Basso and Rich Price
In 2021, Basso completed his sixth year of research for the Michigan Wheat Program using drone technology to collect nitrogen data and plant response. His projects have utilized yield history of a specific wheat field and remote sensing from the drone, which were integrated into crop simulation modeling.
Various nitrogen rates can be input to the model to forecast multiple nitrogen application scenarios and resulting wheat yields. Several wheat varieties and nitrogen management strategies have been incorporated.
The overall goal is to develop turn-key on-farm “nitrogen prescription maps” for Michigan wheat farmers. At this point, the project has developed a protocol/procedure for the prescription map.
Click below to review the 2021 PowerPoint presentation:
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In the first year of the “prescription maps” project, Basso looked to enhance precision agricultural technology by developing drone-assisted tools to help growers more accurately use nitrogen in their wheat. The project sought to allow more accurate nitrogen application, depending on the year’s weather conditions and the yield history/soil conditions across the same farm.
By applying nitrogen as needed based on both farm history and current environmental conditions, growers can be more efficient in nitrogen applications and potentially boost yields.
Click below to review the 2020 PowerPoint presentation of the “prescription maps” project:
Research by Dr. Bruno Basso
In the third year of this project using drone images to improve wheat quality, Basso’s focus was to develop a protocol that can be adopted by any farm using Precision Agriculture, which could be used to increase protein content, reduce nitrogen loss and potentially increase grain yield.
The project collected a variety of data from fall soil samples, plant samples and remote drone imagery to plug into Basso’s Systems Approach to Land Use Sustainability (SALUS) to make crop recommendations.
To learn more about the outcomes, click below to review the 2019 presentation and final report.
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In Fall 2017, the Basso research team planted a wheat trial at a field with eight years of yield history data, which had been turned into a yield stability map. Plant and soil samples were collected in conjunction with remotely sensed imagery from a UAV for analysis.
The project goal was to correlate nitrogen sidedress applications with other crop performance data, ultimately to develop a protocol to assist farmers using precision agriculture technologies to improve their nitrogen use efficiency. Precision application of nitrogen in wheat – aided by drone imagery – can one day perhaps be used to establish better-targeted nitrogen applications to areas of the field where it is most needed, thereby enhancing profitability.
Producers should discuss strategies with their applicators, including such details as applicator width, tip size, tank capacity, GPS module and other factors, the report advises.
Click below to review the 2018 PowerPoint slides and 2018 final report.
Click below to review the 2018 PowerPoint slides and 2018 final report.
Research by Dennis Pennington
This applied research project by MSU wheat specialist Dennis Pennington looks at several options to attain maximum yield – vs. maximum profit – in Michigan wheat. The world record wheat yield is 249 bushels/acre. By contrast, Michigan’s best year was 2016 with a record 89 bu./acre.
Research trials were developed in consultation with BASF and their United Kingdom consultants, who already have a Max Wheat Yield project in the UK.
Pennington used Starburst red winter wheat, drill seeded at 1.6 million seeds/acre on 7.5-inch rows. He experimented with nitrogen applications with and without plant growth regulator (PGR), split applications of fertilizer, time of day of application, and various forms of nitrogen including liquid and solid urea.
The first-year project had mixed results and a full reading of this brief report is recommended for further insights. Click below to review the 2018 PowerPoint slides and final report.
Research by Dennis Pennington
Testing a Canadian-recommended practice, MSU wheat specialist Dennis Pennington took a two-year look at the effects of fall-applied starter fertilizer for Michigan Wheat. He utilized Starburst red winter wheat and Jupiter white winter wheat planted in six sites – on-farm and at research stations – across the Lower Peninsula.
The project tested the placement of starter fertilizer, whether broadcast incorporated or in the planting furrow, as well as how planting date impacted the effectiveness of starter fertilizer. The Canadian recommendation is 50 lb/acre of starter fertilizer to increase fall growth, tillering and winter survival rates for Canadian wheat farmers.
In the Michigan trials, Pennington followed conventional management factors according to MSU Extension recommendations and varied the starter fertilizer form and rate. While the full results should be studied, Pennington’s two years of data found a yield gain sufficient to pay for the additional fertilizer in the southern test sites. Data from Northern Lower Peninsula sites was insufficient to be conclusive.
Overall, the study shows there were yield and economic benefits from adding phosphorous to starter fertilizer to both the red and white winter wheats in 2017 and 2018. Pennington reminds farmers to be mindful of environmental considerations in managing additional phosphorous in wheat production.
Click below to review the 2018 PowerPoint slides and final report.
Research by Dr. Jason Smith and Dr. Steven Safferman
This first-time project was funded jointly by the wheat, corn and soybean check-off programs and conducted by Dr. Steve Safferman and Dr. Jason Smith, MSU extension researchers specializing in biomass and biosystems. Their research team looked at the continued problem of agricultural phosphorous (P) leaching into surface water, particularly Lake Erie.
The laboratory component of the research looked at the rate with which mono-ammonium phosphate, di-ammonium phosphate, dairy manure and swine manure leached through soil columns in simulated rain events. While no difference was noted between the two phosphate forms and swine manure, the dairy manure appeared to pull P deeper into the soil profile.
In the field, the team painted soil plots with colored dye to look at the effects of till/no-till practices and soil macropores (small air pockets) in escalating downward movement of mobile P.
Click below to read the 2017 final report on the project from Smith and Safferman.
Research by Dr. Kurt Steinke
In 2017, Steinke continued his studies of how wheat response to nutrition with a project that examined wheat yield and profitability in response to multiple inputs, individually and in combinations.
With higher rates of nitrogen application, wheat productivity increases were more likely when other high management practices were followed; under traditional management practices, including IPM, an increased rate of nitrogen did not have the same positive effect on yield.
However, the research could not identify any other high management variable that decreased yield when eliminated from the trial.
The report details Steinke’s results in this project when adding, increasing and eliminating several other variables including urease inhibitor, nitrification inhibitor, plant growth regulator, fungicide and micronutrients.
Click below to read Steinke’s 2017 report to the Michigan Wheat Program board, or to review the comprehensive PowerPoint presentation.
Research by Dr. Kurt Steinke
Concluding two years of research in 2015, this Steinke project addressed three specific questions: The effect of planting date on wheat yield; optimal N application rates for higher yields; and optimal N timing. His second year data indicate that planting date is the dominant factor for increasing wheat yield.
This research will continue into the future.
Click below to read the 2015 report or review Dr. Steinke’s PowerPoint presentation to the Michigan Wheat Program board.
Research by Dr. Kurt Steinke
In a one-year project that concluded with the 2013 harvest, Dr. Kurt Steinke was investigating two primary objectives: What was the optimal N rate and N timing to maximize the N benefit yet using the least fertilizer; and how did the newer fertilizer technologies such as urease and nitrification inhibitors impact wheat production.
Steinke tested 10 different nitrogen applications. Some yield increases were identified. A rather dry spring lessened the N losses typically seen through leaching and nitrification, making those N technologies less effective in these trials.
Click below to read Steinke’s final report from this project.
For more information on Steinke’s nutrient management research, growers may wish to visit soil.msu.edu.
Research by Dr. Bruno Basso
In his fourth and final report for the Michigan Wheat Program, MSU Foundation professor Dr. Bruno Basso summarizes his findings from utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), airborne imagery, yield monitor data and crop simulation models to explain how nitrogen could be managed more effectively to increase wheat yields and reduce negative environmental impacts.
In 2017, Basso’s lab conducted three on-farm trials measuring wheat response to a split application of side-dress nitrogen applied during the growing season.
The project analyzed multiple years of yield history to create the concept of yield stability classes to explain how yield zones in a field can change over space and time. Results indicated that wheat yields were more influenced by position in the landscape (yield stability zone) than actual timing of the nitrogen application.
Click below to read the final report from this project and see Basso’s aerial maps of yield zones on the farms.
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Dr. Bruno Basso, of MSU’s Department of Geologic Sciences, took a literal look at the future in this two-year project when he used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – called agricultural drones – to get a bird’s eye view at a crop’s response to applications of N and fungicide for Fusarium head blight, leaf rust, Septoria leaf spot and Stagonospora leaf blotch.
While it’s unlikely wheat farmers can implement Basso’s findings today, his 2015 research report provides a look at future crop monitoring techniques that will improve productivity and profitability. The project has been funded for another year, to enable Basso to develop a model.
Click below to review Dr. Basso’s reports:
The Michigan Wheat Program is a state-check off program voted in by the state’s wheat farmers to assess each bushel of wheat grown and sold. The funds from the program are utilized to further the wheat industry in the state benefitting the state’s nearly 8,000 wheat farmers who grow about 450,000 acres of wheat annually producing about a 40 million bushel crop.