workshop d strategic use of gypum with famers to reduce nutrient loading ron chamberlain

7/30/2019 Workshop D Strategic Use of Gypum with Famers to Reduce Nutrient Loading Ron Chamberlain

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STRATEGIC USE OF GYPSUM WITH FAR

TO REDUCE NUTRIENT LOADING

Ron Chamberlain, GYPSOIL Division of

Beneficial Reuse Management


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Topics

Background Gypsum

Soil Issues

Research

Soil Biology Results

Testimonials

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Background

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4

What is quality of water in the U.S.

45% of river miles are impaired

47% of lake acres,

32% of estuarine water is impaired.

Agriculture is considered a major contributor to water qualPhosphorus loss from agriculture

Water Quality


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Green Bay


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Lake Erie


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The Gulf of Mexico

.

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Dispersed Soils Erode8


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Gypsum

Increases soil structural stability Reduces soil crusting

Improves water infiltration/conductivity

Reduces erosion

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What is Gypsum?

Gypsum CaSO4

.2H2O

Calcium Sulfate DiHydrate

Analysis

Calcium 20% Sulfate Sulfur 16%

1 Ton Calcium 400#

Sulfate Sulfur 320#

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Metals Concentrations11


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Soil Problems

Slow water infiltration Ponding

Surface sealing

Erosion of soil, nutrients, pesticides, etc.

Poor rooting Nutrient deficiencies

Lower soil productivity vs. potential

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Cause

Dispersed soil structure (compacted) Texture (clay & silt)

Deficient calcium

Excess magnesium, aluminum, sodium

Lime

Tillage

Manure

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Solution

Restore Good Soil Structure Increase water infiltration rates

Increase biological activity

Increase efficiency of mineral fertilizer

Improve long term, sustainable soil quality Increase crop production efficiency

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Soil Structure

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SoilMakeup16

45%

25%

25%

5%

Mineral Matter

Air


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SoilStructure17

Dispersed Flocculated


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Badvs. Good Soil Structure18

Dispersed (Bad) Flocculated (G

Ca2+

C

Mg2+

Water


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GypsumTurns Bad Into Good19

Ca2+

C

Mg2+

MgSO4g

CaSO4 + waterCa2+ + SO42-


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Qualified Soils20


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Research

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Research22

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 20 40 60

Run time, min

Infiltration,

mmh

-1

Blount Ca

Blount Mg

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0 20 40

Run time, min

Soilloss,kgm-2h

-1Blount Ca

Blount Mg

Better water infiltration, less erosion


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Effect of Gypsum on Erosion and P Loss23

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

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Control Gypsum

Runoff (mm)

Soil Loss (g/10 sq m

SRP (mg/sq m)

Research


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Research24

Concentration (mg l-1) of N-NH4+, N-NO3

- and

dissolved reactive P-PO4-3 in runoff


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Flocculated vs. Dispersed25


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Balancing Soils

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Nutrients Cling to Clay and OM27

Available to plants measured on the soil te


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A Balanced Soil28

Balanced TypCalcium 70-85% DefiMagnesium 10-13% ExcePotassium 2-5% Low*

Hydrogen 1-10% High

Exchangeable elements

Non-exchangeable elementsPhosphorus 25-100 lbs. LowSulfur 25-300 lbs. Low

*High rates applied annually


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Balanced Calcium Helps Soil Drain29

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

33% 41% 61% 74%

WaterInfiltration(inches/hr)

% Calcium


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Gypsum Helps Soil Drain Better30


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Better Drainage31


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Biological Systems Ro

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Healthy Soil Biology33


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Healthy Soil Biology

Jobs Break down organic residue

Build soil structure

Mineralize nutrients

Needs Energy Moisture

Food source (organic residue)

Good soil environment

Oxygen

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COMPOSITION of SO


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Soils are generallycomposed of

thousands of crop

years worth of

fertilizer nutrients

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FOR 1 PLOW ACRE 6b INCHES IN DEPTH

APPROXIMATELY 2,000,000 LBS. OR 1,000 TO

SANDY LOAM SILT LOAM

ELEMENTS POUNDS / ACRE POUNDS / ACRE

Organic Matter 20,000= 54,000= LBS. Of Nitrogen 1,340 3,618 Live Portion* 1,000 3,600

(*Earthworms, Bacteria, Fungi, Actinomycetes, e

Silicon Dioxide 1,905,000 1,570,000 Aluminum Oxide 22,600 190,000

Iron Oxide 17,000 60,000

Calcium Oxide 5,400 6,800 Magnesium Oxide 4,000 10,400

Potash 2,600 35,000

Phosphate 400 5,200


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What Drives Soil Nutrient Release?36

Total Supply parent material (or applied)Moisture rain fed or irrigation

pH

Oxygen

Microbial activity

Begins with good soil structure (built by gypsum)

Nutrient Release

Driven by healthy plant growth

and microbial activity}


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Results

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Jack Maloney, Brownsburg, IN

2,600-acre corn and soybeanno-till operation

Started applying gypsum in2002

Improved soil structure, water

infiltration

Better soil and water quality

Improved yields, lowerproduction costs

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Crop Results, Jack Maloney

320 acre field

5th year gypsum

Corn

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Soil Profile Results

Improved

Soil structure

Water infiltration

Crop rooting

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Soil Biology Moving Down

Improved

Sub soil structure

Water infiltration

Crop Rooting

Soil biology migration

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Soil Biology Moving Down

Improved Sub soil structure

Water infiltration

Crop Rooting


Organic matter migration

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Crop Roots Follow Soil Biology

Improved Sub soil structure

Water infiltration


Organic matter migration

Deeper crop rooting

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Production Results

Improved yields

overall and during

stress

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Soil Input Results

320 Acre Field

Fertilizer Input Reduction (50 tons)

Phosphate (11-52-0) 138#/a Less

Potash (0-0-60) 179#/a Less

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Financial Results46


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Testimonials

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A N


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Rodney Rulon, Arcadia, IN

6,000 acre corn and soybeanno-till operation

Started applying gypsum in

problem fields 5 years ago,

expanded to 3,000 acres in

2010

Sees improved water

infiltration there

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R d R l A d IN


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Rodney Rulon, Arcadia, IN

Keeping water for the plant

has a benefit to the yield.And

fertilizer is terribly expensive --

there is no reason to let it leave

our farm.

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Mill F O WI


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Miller Farms, Oconomowoc, WI

3,500-acre cash grain, no-tilloperation plus pasture-raisedlivestock

Started applying gypsum in 2009

Less water ponding

Less compaction problems in tight claysoils

Saw soybean yields increase 15-20bu./acre after single application

Luke, Nick and Robe

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C l i


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Conclusion

Gypsum A foundation tool

Applied according to recommendations will

Improve soil structure,

Improve water infiltration, Enhance soil biology,

Help reduce nutrient loading into watersheds

Improve crop production efficiency

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workshop d strategic use of gypum with famers to reduce nutrient loading ron chamberlain

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