Performing Department
Stockbridge School of Agriculture
Non Technical Summary
Publish and periodically update Bulletin # 493 "Recommended Soil Testing Procedures for the Northeastern United States", as necessary to reflect advances in soil testing methodology among member states. Publish and periodically update "Recommended Methods of Manure Analysis", jointly developed with NCR-13 and SERA-IEG-6 members. Publish findings from these NEC67-sponsored or associated projects in appropriate refereed journals: "Calibration of Soil Test Phosphorus for Corn in the Northeastern US", "Nutrient Removal by Corn Grain Harvest", "Lead Extraction using Three Soil Fertility Tests and EPA Method 3050". Sponsor training sessions, as requested, at NEBASA meetings. Topics covered (as appropriate) include soil testing methodology and interpretation, nutrient management, soil testing for regulatory and environmental monitoring, and garden center/homeowner-scale fertility management. Training sessions commonly provide participants with CCA and Nutrient Management Specialist recertification credits. Committee-sponsored field research plots are available for use in Extension field days and tours, as examples of soil testing calibration, soil fertility and nutrient management, and soil nutrients as a potential environmental concern. Exchange Extension-type educational materials, bulletins, fact sheets, and training techniques used in each state. Committee members provide a network of expertise, which is available for solving common problems in all member states throughout the year.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
To improve and standardize soil, plant and waste analysis methods used within the Northeastern region of the US
To improve crop nutrient recommendations based on soil, plant and waste analysis results and other soil and management factors
To provide a forum for discussing and responding to challenges facing soil testing and nutrient management efforts
To support Extension efforts in soil testing, nutrient management and related environmental issues
To serve as an educational resource on the appropriate use and interpretation of soil, plant and waste analysis for the general public.
Project Methods
1. Hold annual meetings to update members on advances in soil/plant/waste analysis methods, laboratory instrumentation and data management, nutrient management techniques and policy, and research and Extension efforts in each state. 2. Initiate, coordinate, and update cooperative research efforts into soil test calibration and soil testing methods development. 3. Share any and all soil test calibration or crop nutrient response data among all members. Archive and share soil samples and associated response data from crop fertility trials, for use in calibrating alternative soil testing systems in other states. 4. Establish a common philosophical basis for soil test interpretations and recommendations across all testing systems in the Northeast. Standardize recommendations for equivalent interpretation levels across all testing systems. 5. Update all members on activities within SPAC, MASTWG, and NCR-13 through members attending one or more of these annual meetings. Appoint a member of NEC-67 to serve on the NAPT steering committee. 6. Meet jointly every four years with NCR-13 and SERA-IEG-6 to work on common issues, to discuss and solve common problems on a national basis. Seek and share calibration and other information with both committees through contacts established at joint meetings and through members who attend both NEC-67 and one or both of the other meetings.