lsu_soilfertilityteam

Can you see the difference? Nitrogen Use Efficiency taking place through research trials. 🚜

This is one example, nearly 60 acres of field with our cooperator Mr. Juan, one of many other sugarcane producers in Louisiana that are looking for new solutions on sugarcane production systems with the LSU AgCenter 🌾

Technologies we are testing here:
- Coated urea (slow release);
- Nano urea and DAP (with less N application);
- Mobile Variable Rate Applicator;
All compared with Standard practices.

Field Day 🚜 Today our team heads to Mr. Joby’s farm to attend a field day for sugarcane growers and to share some of our research advances. 📊

Dr. Tubana shared an overview of the project and the technical approach to the performance of Sensor-Based N Recommendation using a mobile variable-rate (VRT) coulter in sugarcane.

Dr. Nicchio presented the results of 9 field tests conducted across several Louisiana sugarcane production areas in 2025 using this technology including producers' fields and LSU AgCenter research locations, with 6 showing better performance with VRT in comparison with the farmers' practice, using around 50 lbs less per acre of nitrogen rates.

The research assistant and master student Marcos Nodari explained to the audience how the VRT was built and how it can be used as a tool to help producers optimize fertilizer inputs maintaining productivity and improve the collection of data to refine this technology approach in Louisiana Sugarcane Production Systems.

🌾 After 10 days of rain in a row it’s time to get back to the field to finish the last foliar treatments in sugarcane. 🚜📲

Thanks to our good teams, at the lab and at the field, we’re accomplishing a lot of things. Geaux tigers! 🐯

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🧬🧪🥼 These days our Master Student Jeisy Varela and Research Assistant Marielly Sousa worked at the LSU Sweet Potato Research Station to extract RNA from rice and soybean samples treated with nano fertilizers. These findings will show the effectiveness of this new technology and the genetic expression within the plants. Stay tuned to see more! 😁🧪👩🏻‍🔬

It’s about time! 🌾🚜 Wheat Harvest! 📊
The soil fertility team will harvest nearly 200 plots of different tests. The first one was done at the Northeast Research Station, where our team established a research tests in collaboration with University to evaluate potential Silicon Sources.

Silicon Time! ⚗️🧪 5-Day Method of almost 70 samples testing the soluble Si of different Silicate materials that are potentially being tested as Silicon sources 📊🔝

Corn 🌽 is growing fast 💨🚜
Last season our plot tests range yield between 140-240
bu/ac, in many cases showing responses from sulfur and biochar application. This year, we’re also conducting tests where we are looking the use of biologicals to improve nutrient efficiency. 🌾

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Variable Rate Application (VRT) of Nitrogen in Sugarcane. 🚜

This year, following up on research from previous years, one of our research associates and now master student, Marcos Nodari, is establishing tests at multiple sites in cooperation with Louisiana producers. The goal is clear: to find technologies that increase nutrient efficiency, reduce nutrient loss, and optimize application rates according to the plants' needs. 🌾

From the lab to the farm! 🔝

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⚗️📊Part of our research duties is not only establishing research tests but also providing experimental research in a real-world context that presents difficulties that we don’t see at a research level some times.

This year we are working along with more cooperators and producers here in Louisiana where we can match our research goals with their work experience and challenges that they are facing.

That is why one of our main objectives is to look for better answers and best management practices. 🚜

In this example, in nearly 30 acres of field, with high pH soil (~8.0), we are testing a nanotechnology fertilizer, variable rate application of nitrogen, and slow-release technology, etc. 🌾