|
Department of Soil Science
263 Soils Bldg
1525 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262.2633
 |
KEITH A. KELLINGProfessor. B.S. Biological Aspects of Conservation, 1966; M.S. Soil Science, 1972; Ph.D. Soil Science, 1974, University of Wisconsin-Madison 608-262-2752 |
Principal Area of Interest
Soil fertility
Appointment
R esearch 20%, Extension 80%
Teaching, Research and Extension
My work as an Extension Soil Scientist provides me with a variety of opportunities for programming with Wisconsin farmers, ag industries, and ag professionals. Soil fertility for forages, small grains, crops grown on organic soils, and potatoes, the management and use of lime and manure, and the development of soil testing and plant analysis interpretative systems are my primary concerns.
Although I have no formal teaching appointment, I coordinate and am the primary instructor for Nutrient Managment: Agronomic Crops (Soil Science 334). In addition to considering current soil fertility practices and recommendations, this class provides students with practical experience in developing an actual nutrient management plan for a farm.
It is critical that nutrients be used appropriately and as efficiently as possible from both a production and environmental perspective. Soil testing and calibration of fertilizer and lime rates for Wisconsin's dominant soil types are essential for effective use of these materials. Knowledge of fertilizer response under various conditions affords the opportunity to make fertilizer recommendations for the best use of the farmers' economic resources while minimizing potential environmental problems. Although many experiments do not have calibration of soil tests as a primary goal, almost all fertility work is incorporated into our calibration data bases.
One potential source of usable nutrients is the recycling of animal waste products. With the development of increasingly stringent guidelines for controlling nonpoint sources of pollution, and with increasing concern about using on-farm resources, farmers need to know how to best use manure as part of their fertility program to optimize production and minimize environmental problems.
Recent research efforts have included calibration of potato nitrogen needs under several crop protectant regimes, evaluation of N placement to improve nitrogen use efficiency in potato systems, and development of nitrogen management profiles for promising new Wisconsin varieties. Our work with manure has shown that fall applications are as or more effective than spring applications, even when the manure is not incorporated. Preliminary results from our evaluation of manure use in potato production systems has shown that this shallow-rooted crop may result in lower levels of nutrient availability than when manure is applied for corn, but no increases in disease (scab or foliar diseases) were observed except when manure was spring-applied before planting the potatoes. We have just completed a major experiment delineating the contribution of soil test versus top-dressed K to alfalfa yield and tissue cation levels. We also continue a small program to evaluate alleged benefits from various nonconventional soil additives or programs.
Publications
Kelling, K.A., D.T. Westermann, and R.E. Voss. 2001. Nutrient imbalances. p. 75-78. In W.R. Stevenson and R.L. Loria (eds.) Potato disease compendium. 2nd Ed. Am. Phytopath Soc., St. Paul, MN.
Kelling, K.A., R.F. Hensler, and P.E. Speth. 1999. Influence of nitrogen concentration on tuber set and development. Proc. Wis. Potato Mtgs. 12:69-78.
Kelling, K.A. 1998. Nutrient availability from dairy manure. p. 259-262. In Animal production systems and the environment: an international conference on odor, water quality, nutrient management and socioeconomic issues, 19-22 July, Des Moines, IA.
Kelling, K.A., L.G. Bundy, S.M. Combs, and J.B. Peters. 1998. Soil test recommendations for field, vegetable and fruit crops. UWEX Publ. A2809. 54 pp. (major revision)
Kelling, K.A., and P.E. Speth. 1998. Alfalfa response to K rate, source and time of application. Proc. North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conf. 14:110-118.
Thompson, R.B., D. Morse, K.A. Kelling, and L.E. Lanyon. 1997. Computer programs that calculate manure application rates. J. Prod. Agric. 10:58-69.
Panique, E., K.A. Kelling, E.E. Schulte, D.E. Hero, W.R. Stevenson, and R.V. James. 1997. Potassium rate and source effects on potato yield, quality and disease interaction. Am. Potato J. 74:379-398.
Sutton, A.L., J.F. Power, D.L. Day, J.P. Fontenot, D.L. Forester, D.J. Huber, D.D. Jones, K.A. Kelling, T.A. McCaskey, J.A. Moore, and L.M. Safley. 1996. Integrated animal waste management. CAST Task Force Rep. 128. 87 p.
Motavalli, P.P., K.A. Kelling, T.D. Syverud, and R.P. Wolkowski. 1993. Interaction of manure and nitrogen or starter fertilizer in northern corn production. J. Prod. Agric. 6:191-194.
Kelling, K.A., and P.E. Fixen. 1992. Chapter 6: Soil and nutrient requirements for oat production. p. 165-190. In H.G. Marshall and M. Sorrels (eds.) Oat Sci. and Tech. Agron. Monogr. 33, ASA, Madison, WI.
Comfort, S.D., K.A. Kelling, D.R. Keeney, and J.C. Converse. 1990. Nitrous oxide production from injected dairy manure. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 54:421-427.
Kelling, K.A., and J.E. Matocha. 1990. Chapter 23: Plant analysis as an aid in fertilizing forage crops. p. 603-644. In R.L. Westerman (ed.) Soil Testing and Plant Analysis. 3rd ed. SSSA, Madison, WI.
Grau, C.A., K.A. Kelling and R.P. Wolkowski. 1989. Observations on the effect of P, K and S fertilization on alfalfa injected by Phytophthera megasperma . J. Prod. Agric. 2:136-139.
Simmons, K.E., K.A. Kelling, R.P. Wolkowski, and A. Kelman. 1988. Effect of calcium source and application method on potato yield and cation composition. Agron. J. 80:13-21.