Course Description:
Soil moisture plays a key role in nutrient availability, root development, and driving yield in dryland cropping systems. Modern agronomic practices have led to significant stratification of immobile nutrients in the soil profile, making water availability even more critical. In this course we will explore how to use data from soil tests, tissue tests and moisture probes to identify important stress signals. We will also learn how to apply this information to develop adaptive nutrient management strategies for improving water and nutrient use efficiency.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Understand how nutrient mobility and stratification effects root access to nutrients under dry conditions.
- Proactively identify nutrient limitations by integrating data from soil tests, tissue tests (old vs. new leaves), and soil moisture probes
- Apply four-dimensional agronomic thinking to make adaptive nutrient management decisions that improve both water use efficiency and nutrient use efficiency
Time: 61 minutes
Quiz: 15 questions
CCA/CEU Credits: 1.0 Nutrient Management
* CEU credits will be submitted on your behalf upon the completion of the course. This process can take up to 30 days to appear in your account. Please make sure your CCA# is including in your profile. If you have any issues please contact ATP at info@atpag.com
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Course Content
Course Instructor
Elston grew up on a dairy farm near Ryley Alberta where he learned about hard work and tenacity. Hockey, baseball and fishing were key to his youth. He knew early in life that science was his career focus.
He attended Camrose Lutheran College and later completed his B. Sc. in Agriculture (Agronomy, U of A) and an M. Sc. in Soils (Elemental Sulphur Fertilizer, U of A). While doing his masters he worked full time as a research associate with mentor Dr. Marvin Nyborg and continued working on many practical research projects for 8 years full time and 7 part-time after leaving to join Alberta Agriculture to work in research and extension for 17 years.
During all this Elston moved back to his home town and served on Village Council for 9 years (8 as Mayor), he was Chair of Beaver Regional Waste Management and Chair of the Joint Councils of Beaver County. Amongst this mess, Elston attempted to complete a Ph. D. on a project involving a detailed understanding of N cycling. While the thesis was not completed, all the data was published adding to a still growing body of scientific and popular press. In 2002, Elston left his position as Lead of the Field Crop Development Center (Alberta Agriculture) and started Sun Mountain Inc. and began his affiliation with Agri-Trend. Elston has travelled extensively and has trained people on every continent (except Antarctica) on various facets of crop production, soil science and nutrient management. He has recently established a speaking, teaching, training and publishing company called EarthDirtSoil.