Progress 05/01/06 to 05/01/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results of sugarcane nutrient management studies have been disseminated to growers and the public through a series of grower meetings, workshops, and field days, as well as through electronic extension publications (EDIS documents published through the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service). The latest information regarding BMPs for fertilizer application and results of P rate and S rate studies were provided to growers and farm personnel as part of BMP training conducted in multiple sessions each year. Workshops and seminars were conducted periodically to provide growers with research progress reports and the latest recommendations for nutrient management. There were field days at the Everglades Research and Education Center in 2005, 2008, and 2011 at which research projects and lab facilities were demonstrated to growers and research results were discussed. In the last five years six extension publications have been written or revised and two additional publications are in review. These provide information on sugarcane leaf sample preparation, leaf nutrient diagnosis, nutrient management using leaf analysis, nutritional requirements of Florida sugarcane, persistence of P fertilizer in Histosols, a revised soil-test P fertilizer calibration for sugarcane on Histosols, and a soil-test calibration for Ca silicate application on Histosols. In addition, an Excel spreadsheet was developed and made available to growers for calculation of DRIS leaf nutrient indices using leaf nutrient concentrations to assist with nutrient management decisions. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Improvements in soil test calibrations for sugarcane in Florida have been needed for some time because fertilizer recommendations have been based on research conducted at least 30 years ago. During that time pH levels in organic soils have generally increased due to soil subsidence which results in shallower soils and increased concentrations of calcium carbonate from the underlying limestone. Of particular concern has been the soil test phosphorus calibration because of limitations of the current water extraction procedure. We have developed a new phosphorus calibration using the Mehlich 3 extractant which relates well to sugarcane yield across a wide pH range on organic soils. This will have positive economic and environmental impacts by ensuring that phosphorus fertilizer applications are closely matched with crop requirement. We have also developed a new soil test silicon calibration for calcium silicate amendment applications for sugarcane grown on organic soils. For years growers have used calcium silicate as an amendment for soils low in available silicon because of the requirement sugarcane and rice have for this nutrient, and this new calibration will assist growers in making cost-effective decisions regarding amendment applications. Several studies are currently being conducted to improve and update other soil test calibrations. The elemental sulfur study on organic soils has already demonstrated that 500 lb S/acre is not necessary for all soils with pH 6.6 as the current recommendation states. The nitrogen rate study on mineral soils has demonstrated that the current recommendations need revision to account for differences in crop year and rainfall, but that some growers have been applying more nitrogen than necessary. Other studies include potassium rate on organic and mineral soils, phosphorus rate on mineral soils, and silicon rate on mineral soils. We are also working with growers to evaluate organic amendments for mineral soils such as sugarcane mill mud and compost to determine viable alternatives for increasing organic matter content and to improve sustainable productivity on low-fertility sands. Leaf nutrient analysis can be useful as a complement to soil testing for nutrient management decisions. Results of the leaf nutrient survey and DRIS fertilizer supplement study have been used to provide growers with the information to effectively use leaf nutrient analysis in their operations. New leaf nutrient guidelines show growers where the concentration of each nutrient is on a growth response curve. By encouraging sugarcane growers to use leaf analysis to adjust the next fertilizer or amendment application, application costs are minimized and growers can target specific adjustments in nutrient application that can either reduce costs or increase production. We are working to provide nutrient management solutions that are cost-effective and sustainable through long-term research and effective communication with growers.
Publications
- McCray, J. M., A. L. Wright, Y. Luo, and S. Ji. 2011. Soil phosphorus forms related to extractable phosphorus in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Soil Sci. In press.
- McCray, J. M., R. W. Rice, Y. Luo, and S. Ji. 2012. Phosphorus fertilizer calibration for sugarcane on Everglades Histosols. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. Accepted.
- McCray, J. M., P. R. Newman, R. W. Rice, and I. V. Ezenwa. 2011. Sugarcane leaf tissue sample preparation for diagnostic analysis. Gainesville, FL. University of Florida. EDIS. SS-AGR-259/sc076.
- McCray, J. M., L. Baucum, K. Morgan, and S. Ji. 2011. Sugarcane yield responses to mill mud and compost application on mineral soils in Florida. American Society of Sugarcane Technologists. Annual meetings (abstract). St. Petersburg, FL. June 8-10.
- McCray, J. M., A. L. Wright, R. W. Rice, Y. Luo, and S. Ji. 2011. Extractable soil phosphorus related to phosphorus fractions and sugarcane yield on Florida Histosols. American Society of Agronomy. Annual meetings (abstract). San Antonio, TX. Oct. 16-19.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The first of three journal articles on the sugarcane phosphorus (P) rate study has been published. Recommended P rates on organic soils will remain within the currently recommended range of 0-36 kg P/ha, but the new calibration uses Mehlich 3-extractable soil P. A proposed calibration for calcium silicate application for sugarcane on organic soils has been published. First time applications of calcium (Ca) silicate are recommended with acetic acid-extractable silicon (Si) < 15 g Si/m3, with maintenance applications recommended up to 25 g Si/m3. Optimum leaf Si concentration was determined to be > 6.0 g Si/kg, with 0.95 and 0.80 relative yield at 5.0 and 2.5 g Si/kg, respectively. More work is needed to develop a soil-test calibration for Si on mineral soils and a new Ca silicate rate experiment was established in fall 2010. A new experiment with rates and sources of magnesium was also established on a mineral soil in fall 2010. We are in the final year of our study of furrow-applied amendments on mineral soils. In the first ratoon crop of our current experiment there was a significant increase in tons cane/ha with application of mill mud in the furrow (28 and 56 m3/ha), but the response has not been consistent across years and locations. Growth and yield responses to a broadcast application of compost + sewage sludge (113 m3/ha) on a mineral soil at another location suggest that broadcast applications of organic amendments may result in a more consistent growth response. We have one more year remaining in our N rate study on mineral soils. Results will be used to update N rate recommendations with possible use as a best management practice (BMP). There have been varying responses in sugarcane yield to treatments in the elemental sulfur (S) study on organic soils. We have two more years of field work with the objective of updating S recommendations for high pH organic soils. Results from our current study will be combined with previous experiments to provide response data over a wide range of pH and extractable Ca. The green cane management study is being continued as a multidisciplinary effort to determine BMPs for sugarcane harvested with no pre-harvest burn. Soil samples taken periodically during the growing season have not shown differences in nutrient availability between burn and green harvest treatments. We established two new potassium (K) rate experiments in fall 2010 which makes a total of three locations in this study on organic soils. Potassium rates in the study range from 0 to 336 kg K/ha. We are continuing our study of a material applied to fertilizer designed to reduce fertilizer requirement and will harvest the first crop in fall 2010. Also, large lysimeters (3m wide, 4m long and 0.6m deep) are being used to measure the effect of vinasse (by-product of ethanol production) treatments on water quality and sugarcane growth on organic soil. In the first year of this test there were no differences in sugarcane yield or water quality parameters between any treatments. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
A new extension EDIS document based on information from the sugarcane leaf analysis survey and DRIS fertilizer supplement projects has been published. This document is designed to assist growers in using leaf analysis to improve their nutrient management programs. Leaf analysis as a nutrient management tool has been encouraged and to assist growers we have teamed with the UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory to process and analyze grower leaf samples in 2009 and 2010. We have a new proposed soil-test method (Mehlich 3) for sugarcane P recommendations on organic soils and the Everglades Soil Testing Laboratory in Belle Glade is providing this analysis to growers in 2010/11 in addition to the current water extractable P soil test. This will allow growers to become familiar with the new method before formal adoption which is anticipated to be in fall 2011. The new Mehlich 3 soil test will improve fertilizer P recommendations while ensuring that water quality requirements are met. A new calibration for soil-test Si (acetic acid method) on organic soils has also been published which will assist growers in making informed decision about application of Ca silicate as an amendment for sugarcane. Seminars were conducted to provide growers with the latest research findings and to make suggestions for improved fertilizer management with soil and leaf analysis.
Publications
- McCray, J. M., Rice, R. W., Luo, Y., and Ji, S. 2010. Sugarcane response to phosphorus fertilizer on Everglades Histosols. Agron. J. 102:1468-1477.
- Ye, R., Wright, A. L., and McCray, J. M. 2010. Seasonal changes in nutrient availability in sulfur-amended Everglades soils under sugarcane. J. Plant Nutrition. In Press.
- Ye, R., Wright, A. L., McCray, J. M., Reddy, K. R., and Young, L. 2010. Sulfur-induced changes in phosphorus distribution in Everglades Agricultural Area soils. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosys. 87:127-135.
- Ye, R., Wright, A. L., Orem, W. H., and McCray, J. M. 2010. Sulfur distribution and transformations in Everglades Agricultural Area soil as influenced by sulfur amendment. Soil Sci. 175:263-269.
- McCray, J. M., and Ji, S. 2010. Calibration of sugarcane response to calcium silicate on Florida Histosols. J. Plant Nutrition. Accepted.
- Morgan, K. T., McCray, J. M., Rice, R. W., and Gilbert, R. A. 2010. Review of current sugarcane fertilizer recommendations: A white paper from the UF/IFAS Sugarcane Fertilizer Standards Task Force. Proc. Soil Crop Sci. Soc. Fla. Accepted.
- McCray, J. M., Ezenwa, I. V., Rice, R. W., and Lang, T. A. 2010. Sugarcane plant nutrient diagnosis. Gainesville, FL. University of Florida. EDIS. SS-AGR-128/SC075.
- McCray, J. M., and Mylavarapu, R. 2010. Sugarcane nutrient management using leaf analysis. Gainesville, FL. University of Florida. EDIS. SS-AGR-335/AG345.
- Rice, R. W., Gilbert, R. A., and McCray, J. M. 2010. Nutritional requirements for Florida sugarcane. Gainesville, FL. University of Florida. EDIS. SS-AGR-228/SC028.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The sugarcane phosphorus (P) rate study has been completed and a proposed new soil test P calibration for sugarcane on organic soils has been developed using the Mehlich 3 extractant. The first of two journal articles on this study is in review. Recommended P rates will remain within the currently recommended range of 0-36 kg P/ha, but there is an improved correlation of tons sugar/ha with Mehlich 3-extractable soil P compared to water (the current extractant), acetic acid, or Bray 2. Data analysis is continuing on the calcium silicate rate studies. It appears that the soil tests correlations for organic and mineral soils will need to be different, with higher soil silicon (Si) concentration being required on mineral soils. Two journal articles are planned. We are continuing our study of furrow-applied amendments on mineral soils. We also included a treatment of compost + sewage sludge in our latest nitrogen (N) rate test on mineral soil. The furrow applications of mill mud or compost appear to have limited and inconsistent benefits, but observations suggest that a broadcast application of compost + sewage sludge at 60 cubic yards/acre can have a substantial benefit to sugarcane on sands with low organic matter content. We are in the last year of two small-plot experiments in the N rate study on mineral soils. We plan to continue the remaining two small-plot N rate experiments for two more years. We also currently have four commercial N rate trials that are continuing. Results will be used to update N rate recommendations for mineral soils. There have been varying responses in tons sugar/ha to treatments in the elemental sulfur study on organic soils. There have been significant yield responses to some treatments at two of the three locations, but no responses to the highest S rate (448 kg S/ha). In fall 2009 we established a new small-plot experiment on a site with higher soil pH and extractable calcium than the other locations to ensure that we are covering the range of conditions in growers' fields. The green cane management study is being continued as a multidisciplinary effort to determine best management practices for sugarcane harvested with no pre-harvest burn. In fall 2009 we established the first small-plot experiment in a study of potassium (K) rates for sugarcane on organic soils. Potassium rates tested are 0, 56, 112, 140, 168, 196, 224, 280, and 336 kg K/ha. We established another small-plot experiment to measure sugarcane yield response to a material applied to fertilizer with the purpose of increasing nutrient availability and so allowing growers to reduce fertilizer rates. This test includes 100, 80, and 66.7% of P and K rates with and without the fertilizer treatment. Also, lysimeters (3m wide, 4m long and 0.6m deep) have been constructed to measure the effect of vinasse (by-product of ethanol production) treatments on water quality and sugarcane growth on organic soil. Sugarcane will be planted and vinasse treatments applied during the 2009/10 season. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Information from the sugarcane leaf analysis survey and DRIS supplement projects has been used to develop an EDIS document (in review) to assist growers in using leaf analysis to improve nutrient management. Leaf analysis was encouraged for sugarcane growers in 2009 by working with the Extension Soil Testing Laboratory in Gainesville to process and analyze over 500 leaf samples from growers and by providing interpretations of the results. Seminars were conducted to provide growers with the latest fertility research findings and to make suggestions for improved fertilizer management with soil and leaf analysis. The new proposed soil test phosphorus calibration is an improvement over the previous calibration and should help to improve grower confidence in phosphorus fertilizer recommendations, while maintaining water quality. We plan to implement the new calibration in fall 2010.
Publications
- McCray, J. M., S. Ji, G. Powell, G. Montes, R. Perdomo, and Y. Luo. 2009. Seasonal concentrations of leaf nutrients in Florida sugarcane. Sugar Cane International 27:17-24.
- McCray, J. M., S. Ji, G. Powell, G. Montes, and R. Perdomo. 2010. Sugarcane response to DRIS-based fertilizer supplements in Florida. J. Agron. Crop Sci. In press.
- McCray, J. M., S. Ji, G. Powell, G. Montes, R. Perdomo, and Y. Luo. 2010. Boundary lines used to determine sugarcane production limits at leaf nutrient concentrations less than optimum. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. In press.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Journal articles have been written for the sugarcane leaf survey and DRIS supplemental fertilizer projects. Primary nutritional limitations of commercial sugarcane fields were identified for both organic and mineral soils. A table was developed which provides approximate leaf concentrations of 9 nutrients at which 10 and 25 percent losses in sugarcane production can be expected, which should be a useful tool for growers. The best time for collecting sugarcane leaf samples in Florida was determined to be in June or July, which is early during the grand growth period and so nutrient levels are best related to sugarcane production. It was determined that there was not an economic response to a summer fertilizer supplement based on spring leaf analysis, suggesting that a more cost-effective use of leaf analysis is to adjust the next year's fertilizer application or the next amendment application when sugarcane is replanted rather than adding an additional fertilizer application to the current crop. In the phosphorus rate study on organic soils, there have been production responses to P fertilizer in 2 of 4 sites over the last 4 years. The 2008/09 harvest is the last of the study and results suggest that an updated soil test for P on organic soils may need to include components for soil P capacity and intensity, possibly a combination of acetic acid-extractable and water-extractable P. We are concluding the last crop year of our last test of the 3 sites in the study of silica materials and rates. There were strong responses to calcium silicate at the first 2 locations, which had low soluble Si. Site 3 is being conducted on a soil with marginal soluble Si which should be useful in establishing a response curve. We will be using the information from this study to update calcium silicate recommendations for mineral and organic soils. We are continuing our study of furrow-applied amendments on mineral soils. We established a second location of this test and preliminary results show that sugarcane mill mud is the most promising material tested for improving production on low organic matter sands. Our nitrogen rate study on mineral soils has been expanded with 2 new small-plot locations and 2 new commercial field comparisons being planted in fall 2008. There are now 4 small-plot sites and 8 commercial sites in the study. Results will be used to update N rate recommendations for mineral soils. We are continuing the sulfur materials and rate study with 3 small-plot locations to examine options for improving micronutrient availability on high pH organic soils. There was no significant response to elemental sulfur in 2007/08 at the first location. Two new locations were planted in fall 2007. The results of this study will be used to update elemental sulfur recommendations for high pH organic soils. The green cane management study is being continued as a multidisciplinary effort to determine best management practices for sugarcane harvested with no pre-harvest burn. The organic soil location was replanted in fall 2007 and the mineral soil location was replanted recently in fall 2008. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Information has been generated from the sugarcane leaf survey and DRIS fertilizer supplement projects that should be very useful to growers. A table was developed from the survey which provides approximate leaf nutrient concentrations at which 10 and 25% losses in sugarcane production can be expected. Information from the survey can be used to help growers determine which nutrients may be most limiting on their farms. Also, it was found that certain nutrients are rarely deficient with current fertilization on specific soil types and so this is an area of potential fertilizer savings. One large sugarcane grower was able to reduce plant cane fertilizer costs by $20/acre based on our survey results. Leaf nutrient analysis is recommended to growers as a way to be more cost-effective with their nutrient management programs and to monitor crop nutrition. With the lack of a production response to current year fertilizer supplements based on leaf analysis, it is recommended that growers use leaf analysis to adjust fertilizer or amendments for the next year's crop or the next sugarcane planting.
Publications
- McCray, J. M., S. Ji, G. Powell, G. Montes, R. Perdomo, and Y. Luo. 2008. Boundary lines used to determine sugarcane production limits at leaf nutrient concentrations less than optimum. Proceedings of annual meeting 18-20 June, 2008. Journal of the American Society of Sugarcane Technologists 28:54. (abstract).
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our sugarcane leaf survey and DRIS supplemental fertilizer projects have been completed and I am in the process of writing journal articles on the results of these projects. We collected a total of 412 leaf samples over 3 years from commercial sugarcane fields in the survey and also examined how leaf nutrients changed over a 3 year period and within the grand growth period of a single year for selected fields. In the DRIS fertilizer supplement study there were 69 paired comparisons of sugarcane fields with and without a summer fertilizer supplement based on leaf analysis of samples taken in spring (April-May). There were no significant responses to the fertilizer supplement over the 3 years of the study. In the phosphorus rate study on organic soils, there were responses to P fertilizer in 2 of 3 sites in the 2007/08 harvest. We plan to assimilate all available data from this and other recent P rate studies on organic soils in south Florida to develop updated sugarcane soil
test recommendations in the coming year. We have concluded our silicon/magnesium study on sand and will be evaluating the results over the next year. There was a strong production response to calcium silicate. We are continuing our calcium silicate rate test on an organic soil here at EREC and we will be using data from the 3 locations of our silica study to update calcium silicate recommendations for organic and mineral soils. We are continuing our study of furrow-applied amendments on mineral soils. The first location showed promising results with furrow applications of sugarcane mill mud, yard waste compost, and water-absorbent polymer. A new location was established in fall 2007 with similar treatments, also on a soil with low organic matter. The nitrogen rate test on an organic soil was continued for a second year. In the first year of that test the application of 67 kg N/ha increased sugar/ton of cane but did not increase tons cane/ha. We are completing our first year of the
nitrogen rate study on mineral soils. In this first year we had 3 small-plot locations and 4 commercial field comparisons. Nitrogen rates in the study range from 157 kg N/ha to 336 kg N/ha. An additional commercial field test site was established in fall 2007. We are completing our first year of the elemental sulfur/micronutrient study. We also have established 2 new test locations in this study in fall 2007. All sites in this study are organic soils with high pH and potential micronutrient deficiencies.
PARTICIPANTS: Mabry McCray: Principal Investigator; Rob Gilbert, Kelly Morgan, Ron Rice: Co-Investigators; Shangning Ji, Yigang Luo: Support personnel; Cooperating Growers: Florida Crystals Corporation, United States Sugar Corporation, Sugarcane Growers Cooperative, Lykes Brothers of Florida, Hilliard Brothers of Florida, Stitt Ranch, A. Duda and Sons, Alico Inc., R. C. Hatton Farms, and King Ranch of Florida
TARGET AUDIENCES: Sugarcane growers in south Florida and extension agents and other professionals working with growers.
Impacts
We have completed our DRIS fertilizer supplement study in which we used leaf analysis from samples taken in April-May to recommend a fertilizer supplement applied in June-July. There was no sugarcane production response to this supplement and our recommendation to growers is that they do not add a fertilizer supplement to their routine fertilizer program, but rather use leaf analysis to adjust their next planned fertilizer application. From our leaf survey we have developed a table of sugarcane production limits for leaf nutrient concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Si, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu. This can be used to determine the nutrient or nutrients most limiting sugarcane production so that a grower's fertilizer program can be adjusted accordingly.
Publications
- McCray, J. M., L. E. Baucum, S. Ji, and Y. Luo. 2007. Sugarcane plant crop response to mill mud, compost, and a water absorbent polymer on a mineral soil in Florida. In Abstracts, American Society of Sugarcane Technologists Meetings, New Orleans, LA. 13-15 June, 2007. American Society of Sugarcane Technologists, Baton Rouge, LA.
- Gilbert, R. A., D. R. Morris, R. E. Perdomo, G. Powell, B. Eiland, C. R. Rainbolt, and J. M. McCray. 2007. Comparison of mill mud, soybean cropping system, and fertilizer nutrient sources for sugarcane an a sandy soil. In Abstracts, American Society of Sugarcane Technologists Meetings, New Orleans, LA. 13-15 June, 2007. American Society of Sugarcane Technologists, Baton Rouge, LA.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
We are in the final year of the sugarcane leaf survey and the sugarcane DRIS fertilizer supplement study. In the leaf survey we have collected leaf samples from selected grower fields in plant, and first and second ratoon crops to examine changes over time and to define trends in nutrient deficiency or imbalance. In the DRIS fertilizer supplement study we are using paired commercial sugarcane fields to compare cane and sugar production with and without a DRIS-based fertilizer supplement. Leaf samples were taken in April-May and DRIS indices for leaf analyses were used to determine fertilizer supplement recommendations for a June-July application in treatment fields. There has been no significant response to the supplements in the first 2 years of the study, but response may have been limited due to hurricane damage in 2004 and 2005. In the first year of the phosphorus rate study on organic soils, there were no significant differences in cane or sugar/ha between
phosphorus fertilizer rates ranging from 0 to 147 kg P/ha. At one of the two locations there was an increase in stalk population with increased P rate. We are making plans to establish another small-plot test on a site with moderate soil-test P to help define the soil-test value at which zero P fertilizer is needed. In the first year of two small-plot tests examining sugarcane production response to silicon and magnesium fertilizers (one organic soil and one mineral soil), significant increases in tonnes sugar/ha were found at each location with calcium silicate application, but not with magnesium silicate application. In general, broadcast application of calcium silicate (3.4 or 6.7 tonne/ha) resulted in higher sugar production per ha than furrow application (1.1 tonne/ha). In addition, a new small-plot study was initiated on an organic soil in fall 2005 to examine sugarcane production response to 0, 2.2, 4.5, and 6.7 tonnes calcium silicate/ha on a soil with low silicon
availability. A new small-plot study was established on a mineral soil in fall 2005 to examine the cost-effectiveness of adding either sugarcane mill mud or yard waste compost as furrow applications to increase organic matter in the root zone of low organic matter sandy soils. Each of these amendments was applied at rates of 14.1, 28.4, and 56.6 cubic meters/ha in the furrow before planting. A new small-plot study was established in fall 2005 to determine the sugarcane production response to nitrogen fertilizer on an organic soil. A rate of 67 kg N/ha was applied in the furrow at planting and compared with no nitrogen fertilizer. In the fall of 2006 we have just initiated 2 new studies, a sugarcane nitrogen rate study on mineral soil and a sulfur/micronutrient study on organic soil. The objective of the N rate study is to update grower recommendations to ensure that rates are adequate for economic production yet environmentally sound. The objective of the sulfur/micronutrient test is
to compare various combinations of elemental sulfur and micronutrients (applied in furrow at planting) as to their ability to increase cane or sugar production under high pH conditions.
Impacts
Fertilizers and amendments are major costs for Florida sugarcane growers, particularly with increased fertilizer costs in recent years. It is vital that growers have current and relevant information so they can make the best cost-effective decisions possible. Also, research must ensure that fertilizer and nutritional recommendations for growers will not have adverse environmental effects. Growers have expressed a willingness to adapt new approaches and techniques when these are demonstrated to work and improve their ability to compete. Sugarcane growers in Florida are working with us to cooperatively find ways to lower fertilizer costs and increase profitability with improved nutrition.
Publications
- McCray, J. M., Y. Luo, R. W. Rice, and I. V. Ezenwa. 2006. Sugarcane plant crop response to phosphorus fertilizer in 2 locations on organic soils in Florida. In Abstracts, Soil and Crop Science Society of Florida Meetings, Tampa, FL. 4-6 June 2006. Soil and Crop Science Society of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
- McCray, J. M., and S. Ji. 2006. Sugarcane plant crop response to silicon and magnesium amendments on organic and mineral soils in Florida. In Abstracts, American Society of Sugarcane Technologists Meetings, St. Petersburg, FL. 14-16 June, 2006. American Society of Sugarcane Technologists, Baton Rouge, LA.
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