Soil Nitrate Testing for Willamette Valley Vegetable Production (2019) EM9221

Link: https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9221

This publication describes how to use in-season soil nitrate testing to adjust sidedress N fertilizer application rate to match crop N requirements. Data to support our recommendations comes from field trials conducted in the Willamette Valley for vegetable crops produced during summer months.… Read the rest

Oregon State University Cover Crop Calculator and User Guide

Link: https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/calculator

This free online tool compares the nutrient value and cost of cover crops, organic and synthetic fertilizers and compost. Use this Calculator to develop well balanced and cost effective nutrient management programs for your farm. Developed by Nick Andrews, Dan Sullivan, Jim Julian and Kristin Pool.

The OSU Organic Fertilizer and Cover Crop Calculator is a tool to assist with preplant nitrogen (N) input decisions. It forecasts the quantity of plant-available nitrogen (PAN) provided by inputs such as fresh organic materials, cover crop residues, and finished compost. The calculator is an Excel-based worksheet available for free download via the OSU … Read the rest

Estimating Plant-Available Nitrogen Release from Cover Crops

This publication assists western Oregon farmers and agricultural professionals in determining the nitrogen fertilizer replacement value of winter cover crops. Includes information on plant-available nitrogen (PAN) basics; a site-specific, step-by-step method to estimate PAN; Willamette Valley case studies; and appendices summarizing Willamette Valley cover crop research that supports these PAN estimates.

Link: https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/pnw636

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Baseline Soil Nitrogen Mineralization: Measurement and Interpretation (2020) EM9281

This Extension publication reviews baseline N mineralization which refers to plant-available nitrogen release that accompanies the decomposition of soil organic matter. The rate of baseline soil N mineralization is governed by the quantity and quality of soil organic matter, as modified by soil moisture and temperature. Baseline soil N mineralization typically supplies about half of crop N uptake. Soils that have been heavily manured for many years or are naturally very high in soil organic matter can supply most of the N required for crop production. Several laboratory tests for N mineralization are available, but most are useful only as … Read the rest