#42: Understanding N Uptake with Dr. Mulvaney of Illinois University

In this episode, Dr. Mulvaney challenges the common belief that most of a crop’s nitrogen comes from fertilizer. Instead, he explains that the soil itself is the primary source of nitrogen uptake—thanks to the natural process of mineralization, where organic matter breaks down and releases plant-available nitrogen.Key takeaways:Fertilizer isn’t the dominant source of N—soil N plays a much larger role.Soils differ dramatically in their nitrogen-supplying capacity.Yield-based N recommendations ignore this variation, often leading to over-application.Dr. Mulvaney’s research is focused on improving nitrogen efficiency—boosting crop uptake while minimizing environmental harm. He collaborates with industry partners to refine fertilizer practices and promote the use of the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test (ISNT) for more precise, site-specific N management.If you’re looking to improve yields without wasting nitrogen dollars, this episode offers critical insights that could reshape how you think about nitrogen use.Watch the full length presentation here: https://youtu.be/JoExUqhuJas