Michigan State University Extension
Soils & Soil Management - Fertilizer - 06029701
07/10/97
D. R. Christenson, D. D. Warncke, M. L. Vitosh, L. W. Jacobs and J. G. Dahl, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
The Michigan State University soil testing program and service is part of a continuing soil fertility educational effort of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and the Cooperative Extension Service. Soil samples can be submitted through county Cooperative Extension Service offices or directly to the MSU Soil Testing Laboratory.
This bulletin provides general guidelines for fertilizer placement and management and provides fertilizer recommendations based on analysis of the soil. The general organization provides information about soil sampling, soil testing, and soil acidity and liming followed by fertilizer recommendations for field crops grown on mineral and organic soils. Extension Bulletin E-550B, "Fertilizer Recommendations for Vegetable Crops in Michigan" gives recommendations for vegetable crops.
The goal of the soil testing and fertilizer recommendation program is to provide adequate but not excessive nutrients for crop production.
Recommendations are formulated with agronomic, economic and environmental considerations.
Fertilizer recommendations given in this bulletin are based on a soil test, soil management group and/or texture of surface soil, yield goal and previous crop. Applying recommended fertilizer rates with proper timing and placement will minimize the chance that fertilizer nutrients will contaminate surface or groundwater. Fertilizers applied nearest to the period of greatest plant uptake are used most efficiently. On sloping soils, incorporate or place fertilizers beneath the soil surface to reduce runoff loss.