Graduate Exit Seminar - Jaspreet Singh

Plan to join Jaspreet Singh's graduate exit seminar on October 29, 2025, at 1:00 pm in Kottman Hall, Room 333C or via Zoom. Jaspreet will present, "Soil Phosphorus Distribution and Stratification Under Different Land-Use and Agronomic Settings"

Abstract: Phosphorus (P) is essential for crop production as it plays a vital role in plant growth and development; however, its excessive presence in water causes environmental issues such as harmful algal blooms. Crops typically utilize only 10-20% of applied P; the remainder accumulates in soil or is eroded/leached into water bodies, resulting in reduced fertilizer use efficiency and increased risk of eutrophication. This study examined how different P fertilizer strategies (inorganic fertilizers and organic manures) and land-use systems (croplands, pastures, and forests) shape soil P pools, crop yields, and environmental P loss risk in Ohio. In field trials, typical vs. high-rate inorganic P fertilizer and manure (dairy and swine) applications were tested in a corn-soybean rotation, and soil samples from various fields were analyzed at two depths to evaluate vertical P stratification. Results will be presented during this seminar. These results provide valuable baseline data on soil P dynamics and highlight that both fertilizer strategies and land-use practices strongly influence the distribution of labile and stable P pools. The findings will highlight the importance of optimizing nutrient management to maintain crop productivity while protecting water quality in the long term.

Advisor: Dr. Manbir K. Rakkar