This document summarizes the objectives and methodology of a study evaluating the effects of char, a byproduct of coal burning, in nitrogen management of maize soils in a semi-arid region. The study aims to: 1) Measure nitrogen losses from loam and sandy loam soils amended with various rates of char, 2) Evaluate the effect of char on maize fertilized with urea and manure in fields, and 3) Test sensors to estimate maize nitrogen status throughout growth stages. The results are expected to optimize nitrogen fertilizer use, increase nitrogen use efficiency and maize yields, and provide a tool to help small-holder farmers.

1. Soil & Nitrogen Management in Maize
(Research for Development)
Dinesh Panday
Doctoral Student | Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
13th Asian Maize Conference | October 8-10, 2018 | Ludhiana, Punjab, India

2. Photo Courtesy: Dr. Gary Hergert

3. Technologies/ practices are required to both
decrease environmental N losses from soils
and enhance N use efficiency.

4. A residue from inefficient burning of coal (from local industry in
Scottsbluff, NE);
Contains around 30% carbon by wt. and other essential plant nutrients.
Char: Potential Soil Amendment
Western Sugar Cooperatives in Scottsbluff, NE

5. I. To measure N losses in form of N2O emission, NH3 volatilization, and NO3
-
leaching from fertilized loam and sandy loam soils after adding various rates
of char compared to soils with no char at a laboratory setting;
II. To evaluate the effect of char in maize field fertilized with urea and
composted manure;
III. To test the ability of active and passive sensors to estimate in-season
maize N status.
Objectives
Evaluating effects of char in N management
in agricultural soils of semi-arid region

8. SPAD chlorophyll meter
Rapid Scan CS-45 (active sensor)
Micasense RedEdge (passive sensor)
@ V6, V8, V10, and R1 growth stages of Maize.
Maize N status measurement

9. Asian Scenario- Example from Nepal
Jury’s comment
“Although there are valid
reasons to question the long-
term sustainability of
intensifying industrial inputs
to Nepali agriculture, there
are also shorter-term needs
to increase food production
for a population expected to
grow by 25% in the coming
decades.”

10. Problem–
Soil fertility management recommendations are solely based on soil
types and agro-ecological zones
Need—
Balanced and safe use of fertilizers and farmers’ awareness
Maize-based agri food systems in Asia
Expected outcome of my research:
o Optimization of N fertilizer use and increase in maize yield,
o Increase in N use efficiency and minimize losses,
o Attractive tool for extension specialists to work with small-holder
farmers.

11. Further expansion through MAIZE project needs—
o Linkage of farmers’ indigenous knowledge with science;
o Development of maize varieties to make cropping system resilient;
o Institutional coordination to reach out to farmers.
Maize-based agri food systems in Asia

12. Dr. Bijesh Maharjan, UNL-PREC
Rex Nielsen, UNL-PREC
UNL Research Council
Western Sugar Cooperative, Scottsbluff, NE
---
Dr. B. M. Prasanna
Dr. Victor Kommerell
Claudia Velasco
Jennifer Johnson
Acknowledgment

13. Thank You!