4R Research Fund Awards Second Round of Grants

01st Jul 2014 4R Consistent,4R's in the Media,Implement the 4Rs,

More than $2
million is earmarked for projects
to
conduct research and provide demonstrations on the impacts of 4R nutrient
stewardship

WASHINGTON,
D.C. – The 4R Research Fund today announced it has awarded more than $2 million
in grants for four research and demonstration projects that will add to current
knowledge and fill existing research gaps regarding fertilizer best management
practices. The Fund, supported by the fertilizer industry and other
stakeholders, is a science-based research initiative to improve agricultural
sustainability by

 When
combined with today’s announcement, the 4R Research Fund has to date granted
nearly $2.4 million in support of science-based research aimed at addressing
cropping system productivity and concerns regarding nutrient losses into the
environment.  expanding knowledge of 4R Nutrient Stewardship (use of the
right fertilizer source, at the right rate, at the right time and in the right
place).

 “This
effort helps support research needed to ensure the long-term viability of
agriculture in North America,” said Chris Jahn, President of The Fertilizer
Institute. “A sustainable agricultural sector is a vital part of a strong
economy.”

 With
guidance from an industry and academic technical advisory group, the fund’s
management committee selected the following research and demonstration projects
for funding:

  • Kevin
    King, with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural  Research Service (ARS), was awarded funds for
    a project in partnership with Heidelberg University, LimnoTech, Ohio State
    University, The Nature Conservancy and
    the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI ) to evaluate the impacts of
    adopting practices associated with 4R Nutrient Stewardship, and the impact of
    the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) 4R Certification program on crop
    productivity and profitability, water quality, and perceptions of growers,
    nutrient service providers and residents in the WLEB.
  • Nathan
    Nelson was awarded funds to lead efforts at Kansas State University on research
    to assess interactions between cover crops and phosphorus (P) fertilizer
    management and their impact on P loss, P use efficiency, crop yield and net
    return. The effort will also assess how these interactions impact nitrogen (N)
    loss and N use efficiency.
  • Tony
    Vyn at Purdue University was awarded a grant to evaluate how late-vegetative
    and late-season N applications impact modern corn hybrids and the physiological
    reasons for the differences. 
  • Matthew
    Helmers and John Sawyer of Iowa State University were awarded funds to assess the
    production and environmental impacts of multiple N management practices on
    drained landscapes including fall ammonia with a nitrification inhibitor, spring
    ammonia, and a split application with a season-specific side-dress rate. 

 The
fund supports
U.S. and Canadian projects in partnership with land-grant universities, watershed
stakeholders and government agencies, as well as industry initiatives. Last
year, the North American fertilizer industry pledged $7 million to fund this
multi-year research effort.

 “The
fertilizer industry has a key role in feeding a growing population, but we must
do so in a way that increases cropping system productivity while minimizing the
effect on the environment,” said IPNI President Dr. Terry Roberts. “With this
effort, we continue to advance knowledge of the best management practices that
will lead to the success of that goal.”

 Created
in 2013, by The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), the Canadian Fertilizer Institute
(CFI) and IPNI, the Fund is providing resources for a multi-year research
effort to measure and evaluate the economic, social and environmental impacts
of 4R Nutrient Stewardship.  For additional details about the
awarded projects, the 4R Research Fund, or contributors to the fund click here.

Contact
information:

Laura
Kubitz, 202-515-2716, [email protected]

4R
Website: http://www.nutrientstewardship.com/funding