During 2009, Crops & Soils magazine, published by the American Society of Agronomy and available free to all holders of CCA, CPAg, CPSS, and CPSC certifications, ran a series of articles covering the basics of 4R Nutrient Stewardship. The 4R Nutrient Stewardship concept defines the right source, rate, time, and place for fertilizer application as those producing the economic, social, and environmental outcomes desired by all stakeholders in the plant ecosystem.

The final article in the series, appearing in the November-December issue, is entitled “Know Your Fertilizer Rights: Right Place.” Previous articles in 2009 introduced the 4R Nutrient Stewardship concept (Mar.-Apr.issue), followed by discussions of right source (May-Jun.), rate (Jul.-Aug.), and time (Sep.-Oct.). With the current article, a total of 15 authors have contributed to these publications.

In the article on the “right place”, authored by Dr. T. Scott Murrell (IPNI), Dr. Guy Lafond (Indian Head Research Farm, SK), and Dr. Tony Vyn (Purdue Univ., IN), the topics discussed are: nutrient uptake by roots, managing fertilized soil volume, and managing limited root access to nutrient supplies. General principles are provided, along with illustrative examples taken from corn, soybean, and wheat crops. The article is accompanied by a self-study continuing education unit (CEU).

Crops & Soils magazine is available on request to current CCA, CPAg, CPSS and CPSC members at >https://www.agronomy.org/publications/crops-and-soils<. Reprints of the individual articles are available to all readers, regardless of certification, at >http://www.ipni.net/4r<. This link also provides access to supplementary materials and background information on 4R Nutrient Stewardship.
For more information, contact Dr. T. Scott Murrell, Northcentral Director, IPNI, 2422 Edison Dr., West Lafayette, IN 47906. Phone: (765) 463-1012. E-mail: smurrell@ipni.net.