Evaluation of Secondary and Micronutrients for Wheat Using On-Farm Research.

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the main crops in the state of Kansas, with larger number of acres in central and western Kansas .The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate wheat response to secondary and micronutrient fertilization, and (ii) assess field scale variability of soil nutrients using on-farm research and geographic information system (GIS) tools. This study was completed on a field under no-till system at 6 locations in Kansas. A replicated strip trail aproach was used with strips of about 960 ft long and 40 ft wide. Two treatments were aplied including a control (no fertilizer) and fertilizer mix. The treatment were replicated 3 times. Soil and tissue samples were collected from approximately 15 feet around flagged points located every 80 feet along the middle of each strips by systematic sampling pattern. Soils samples were collected before fertilizer treatment application. Tissue samples (flag leaf) were collected at the Feekes 10 growth stage. Results confirm large field variability for micronutrient soil test. Tissue nutrient concentration was increased with the application of micronutrients, however micronutrient fertilizer seldom affect grain yield.