Correct fertilizer decisions are always important for economic and environmental reasons. When margins are narrow, the need to make informed decisions is even more important. This presentation will discuss recent studies conducted throughout Minnesota where we are researching optimum nitrogen management focusing our attention on nitrogen source and time of application. We have been looking at various nitrogen sources with a special emphasis on urea and polymer-coated urea to determine what might be the best application timing and correct proportion of these sources for different field conditions. The research clearly shows that one size does not fit all and while polymer-coated urea is more expensive than urea, the improved efficiency of the first under conditions of higher nitrogen-loss potential makes it a better economic alternative. We will present economic and agronomic outcomes of these studies and discuss what they mean in practical terms.

Speaker: Fabián Fernández, University of Minnesota

Biography: Dr. Fabián G. Fernández is a Professor in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota. Fernández earned his Ph.D. degree from Purdue University and M.S. and B.S. degrees from Brigham Young University. The research and extension education programs of Dr. Fernández focus on soil nutrient management and plant mineral nutrition. His emphasis is in understanding nitrogen cycle processes that influence corn production and the environmental fate of nitrogen. His applied and basic research is recognized locally, nationally and internationally. He is the author of 80 peer-review publications and hundreds of scientific abstracts and proceedings and extension publications and presentations. Fernández has enjoyed mentoring 9 Ph.D. and 13 M.S. students in his program and co-advised or assisted another 11 graduate students. He has served in multiple capacities and is an active member of the Soil Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy.