Revising the crop nutrient uptake and removal guidelines for Western Canada

Dr. Fran Walley, University of Saskatchewan

Start Date: December 11, 2020
End Date: December 31, 2022

AWC funding: $22,009

Summary:

At the most recent (March 11, 2019) Soils and Crops symposium (Northern Great Plains 4R P Fertilizer Symposium, Prairieland Park, Saskatoon) there was considerable discussion regarding the widely varying values used to estimate nutrient uptake and removal in harvested crop. Moreover, it generally was agreed that the published information used by agronomists to estimate nutrient removal (e.g., Canadian Fertilizer Institute Nutrient Uptake and Removal, most recently updated in 2001) is woefully in need of updating to reflect current crop yield norms, and to reflect typical nutrient concentrations of grain samples of current crop varieties. Crop yields for major crops in western Canada continue to trend upwards (Statistics Canada 2019 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/) due in part to changes in management, but largely reflecting improved genetics. With the development of new crop varieties with enhanced yield potential and different genetics, the nutrient uptake demands have changed over time. 

Objectives:

1. Determine and revise estimates of the nutrient uptake and removal of crops commonly grown in western Canada.

2. Develop a user friendly online and mobile app for determining nutrient uptake and removal estimates.