Nutrient Management

Authors: Erika Crowl - Jennifer Reynolds

Maryland’s horse industry adds $2.9 billion to the state’s economy, according to the American Horse Council 2024 economic impact study. Maryland is home to over 94,000 horses and ranks number one in the United States in terms of horses per square mile. University of Maryland Extension (UME) is a non-formal education system within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) that has educators who can help guide and provide resources for Maryland’s horse enthusiasts. There are a variety of equine-related programs, online recordings, webinars, and publications that are offered through UME either for free or for a small fee to the public. Authors: Erica Crowl and Jennifer Reynolds; Title: University of Maryland Extension Resources for Horse Owners (EBR-51).

Authors: Dr. Nicole Fiorellino

Despite reports of phosphorus (P) deficiencies in corn grown on soils with high P concentrations in Maryland, the scientific literature does not consistently demonstrate a yield increase with the use of starter P fertilizer. In this study, we evaluated corn yields with and without starter P application on soils across a wide range of soil P concentrations in Maryland to determine if our local conditions are consistent with the literature. Author: Nicole M. Fiorellino; Title: Is Starter Phosphorus Fertilizer Necessary for Corn Grown on Atlantic Coastal Plain Soils? (FS-1160).

Authors: Jarrod Miller

Soils are composed of mineral and organic matter. Weathered rocks provide soil minerals, while organic matter forms from decayed animal and plant residues. An important component of healthy soil, organic matter helps maintain and improve soil’s physical condition. Some of these benefits include increased nutrient and water holding as well as stabilizing structure, which helps soil drainage. Organic matter is in a constant state of transition, continually breaking down and releasing finer, more decomposed particles. This breakdown is caused by scavengers in the soil (insects, earthworms, bacteria and fungi) as they feed on organic matter. These scavengers also become part of the soil organic matter when they die. As long as there are fresh sources of tissue in the soil, the cycle can continue and organic matter levels will stay constant. However, if fresh material is not added to the soil, organic matter will slowly be lost.