Economic and Environmental Effects of Nitrogen Testing for Fertilizer Management

Concern about nonpoint source pollution of water resources has resulted in a search for new technologies and farming practices that can reduce agriculture's contribution to pollution and enhance environmental quality. This report assesses the potential of information technology (soil and tissue nitrogen testing) to improve nitrogen (N) fertilizer management and reduce N losses to the environment. A simultaneous equations model is developed to assess factors associated with the adoption of N testing and the impact of N testing on N fertilizer use, corn yields, and net returns to corn growers. Implications of N testing for environmental quality are also derived