Below are MSU Extension MontGuides, Bulletins, and Learning Modules that provide more in-depth information on soil fertility topics.

Soil Scoops offer concise summaries designed for quick reading.

For more information, please vist the MSU Extension Store at: https://extension-store.montana.edu/ 

 

These MSU Extension MontGuides/Bulletins are sorted alphabetically:

MSU Extension MontGuides and Bulletins:

  1. Cover Crops as Partial Replacement of Summer Fallow (MT202203AG) (January 2022): Cover crops are one tool to improve soil health and long-term agricultural sustainability, especially when grown in place of fallow. This MontGuide summarizes the information in the MSU Extension bulletins Cover Crops: Soil Health, Cover Crops: Management for Organic Matter and Nitrogen, and Cover Crops: Soil Water and Small Grain Yield and Protein.
  2. Cover Crops:  Management for Organic Matter and Nitrogen (EB0237) (2022):  This publication presents how cover crop species selection and management affect soil organic matter (SOM) and nitrogen (N).  The focus is on cover crops planted as summer fallow or partial-summer fallow replacement in dryland systems.
  3. Cover Crops: Soil Health (EB0238) (2022): Cover crops are one tool to improve soil health and long-term agricultural sustainability, especially when grown in place of fallow. In Montana studies, mixed-species cover crops did not create more total biomass (over cover-wheat rotation), thus microbial activity, than single-species pea cover. Cover residue high in N promotes bacterial activity and over time reduces reliance on chemical N fertilizer, thus reducing the risk of soil acidification and nitrate leaching. Specific cover species may provide specific microbial benefits, promote arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM-fungi) or promote disease-suppressing bacteria.
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  4. Cover Crops: Soil Water and Small Grain Yield and Protein (EB0236) (2022): The focus of this publication is on cover crops in the semi-arid northern Great Plains as ‘greening’ or partial replacement of the summer fallow period, and their impact on soil water and the following small grain crop.
  5. Conventional to Organic Transition  (MT200901AG) (Reviewed 2012):  Organic agriculture is one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors in Montana. This Montguide reviews the definition of organic agriculture and describes some of the economic, environmental, and biological challenges that a producer could face during the transition period from conventional to organic practices.
  • Developing Fertilizer Recommendations for Agriculture (MT200703AG) (Revised July 2019): Developing fertilizer rates specific to your soil and crops should improve crop yield and profit.
  • Factors Affecting Nitrogen Fertilizer Volatilization (EB0208) (Revised June 2020):  This bulletin explains the various soil and climate factors that interact to affect ammonia volatilization from nitrogen fertilizers. Understanding these factors can help crop producers avoid applying urea and other nitrogen fertilizers in situations that may promote substantial volatilization, select best management practices to minimize loss, and increase nitrogen use efficiency.
  • Fertilizer Guidelines for Montana Crops (EB0161) (Reprinted December 2023): This booklet provides fertilizer guidelines for Montana agricultural producers, with a view to protecting water quality. Tables for each crop include fertilizer rates for a range of yield potentials, available N, and soil analysis values for P, K and micronutrients.
  • Home Garden Soil Testing and Fertilizer Guidelines (MT200705AG) (Reviewed October 2018): Soil testing and interpreting your soil test results are useful for developing fertilizer rates specific to your garden.
  • Interpretation of Soil Test Reports for Agriculture (MT200702AG) (Revised November 2023): Soil testing and interpreting soil test results are critical for determining optimum fertilizer rates.
  • Management to Minimize Nitrogen Fertilizer Volatilization (EB0209) (Revised June 2020): Volatilization of ammonia from nitrogen fertilizers is controlled by a number of soil properties, environmental conditions, and management practices. This bulletin describes best management practices to minimize ammonia volatilization loss and increase nitrogen use efficiency, with a focus on urea fertilizer. The bulletin Factors Affecting Nitrogen Fertilizer Volatilization describes soil properties and environmental conditions affecting volatilization.
  • Market Vegetable Farms: Soil Characteristics & Testing (EB0239) (New October 2022): One of three MSU Extension bulletins available to help market vegetable farmers manage soil fertility and health, this bulletin presents soil properties important to soil fertility management and how soil tests quantify these properties.Cost: $5.00
  • Market Vegetable Farms: Soil Nitrogen & Sulfur (EB0240) (New October 2022): This is one of three MSU Extension bulletins available to help mixed-vegetable farmers (market gardeners) manage soil fertility and health. This bulletin presents nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) amendment options, including cover crops, and guidelines to help select the right amendment source, rate, timing, placement, and rotations. Cost: $10.00
  • Market Vegetable Farms: Soil Phosphorus, Potassium & Micronutrients (EB0241) (New October 2022):  This is one of three MSU Extension bulletins available to help market vegetable farmers manage soil fertility and health. This bulletin presents phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and micronutrient amendment options, including the effect of cover crops on nutrient availability. It provides guidelines to help select the right amendment rate, source, timing, placement, and rotations. Market Vegetable Farms: Soil Nitrogen & Sulfur presents the same type of information for nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S). Market Vegetable Farms: Soil Characteristics & Testing presents soil properties that are important to soil fertility management and how soil tests quantify those properties. Correct soil testing is critical for knowing which nutrients, and how much, to add. Cost: $5.00
  • Minimizing Nitrate Leaching from Croplands (EB0226) (January 2018) This publication includes information about using fertilizer and crop management practices to minimize nitrate leaching, benefit crop production and protect the quality of groundwater.
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  • Montana Barley Production Guide (EB0186) (November 2017): This publication provides current information on barley production for producers within the state of Montana. The authors have attempted to provide all the basic information necessary for the establishment and management of a barley crop, including variety selection, planting dates and rates, crop rotation, irrigation management, harvesting, fertility management, weed management, plant diseases in barley, insect pests and field diagnostics.
  • Montana Cool-Season Pulse Production Guide (EB0210) (2017): This publication provides current knowledge on best management practices for production of dry pea, lentil, and chickpea for producers in the state of Montana. The authors have included basic information needed for successful production of these pulse crops as well as links to more detailed or current information on the Web. When viewing this document online you can simply click on these links to take you to those websites. All links referred to within the text are listed in the back of this publication.
  • Montana Wheat Production Guide (EB0197) (Revised November 2017): This publication provides current information on wheat production for producers within the state of Montana. The authors have attempted to provide all the basic information necessary for the establishment and management of a wheat crop, including variety selection, seeding dates and rates, cropping systems, nutrient management, plant diseases in wheat, integrated management of weeds and insect management.
  • Nitrate Toxicity of Montana Forages (MT200205AG) (Revised March 2024): This publication outlines strategies for avoiding nitrate toxicity, including proper management, monitoring forage nitrate levels, and appropriate feeding programs. 

 

  • Nutrient Management in No-Till and Minimum Till Systems (EB0180) (Revised April 2021): Nutrient availability can differ somewhat among no-till, minimum till, and till systems. This guide explains how nutrients should be managed in no-till and minimum till systems to optimize crop yield and quality.
  • Nutrient Uptake Timing by Crops to Assist with Fertilizing Decisions (EB0191) (Revised March 2024):  Timing the application of nutrients so that they are available before peak crop nutrient demand is critical. Adequate nutrients early in the growing season are necessary to maximize yield and ensure that nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are especially available for good grain or seed fill. This document presents nutrient uptake curves for selected Montana crops (small grains, oilseeds, corn, and sugar beet) to help growers and their advisers optimally time fertilizer applications. The focus is on N because it is more commonly top-dressed than P or potassium (K).
  • Practices to Increase Wheat Grain Protein (EB0206) (Revised March 2025):  To produce high grain protein there must first be enough nutrient resources to meet wheat’s requirements for vegetative growth and grain yield. Grain from wheat stressed by drought or high temperatures during grain fill frequently has higher protein, though certain crop and fertilizer management practices can increase protein without sacrificing yield, regardless of weather conditions. This bulletin provides information on factors and practices affecting protein of both spring and winter wheat.
  • Soil Fertility Considerations for Market Gardens (MT202305AG) (Revised June 2023): This MontGuide summarizes three MSU Extension bulletins focused on soil fertility for market gardens: Soil Characteristics & Testing (EB0239), Nitrogen & Sulfur (EB0240), and Phosphorus, Potassium & Micronutrients (EB0241).
  • Soil Nutrient Management for Canola (EB0224) (Revised February 2024):  High canola yields depend on sound soil fertility management, proven agronomics, and cooperative weather.  This bulletin presents the first item.
  • Soil Nutrient Management for Forages: Nitrogen (EB0216) (Reviewed February 2018):  This bulletin focuses on using legumes or other sources of nitrogen for established perennial forage stands.  Newly seeded perennial stands and annual forage crops require slightly different nitrogen management and are discussed briefly.
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  • Soil Nutrient Management for Forages: Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur and Micronutrients (EB0217) (Reviewed February 2018) This bulletin focuses on phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and micronutrients for established perennial forage stands. Nutrient management for stand establishment and annual forage crops is slightly different than for established stands and is discussed briefly.
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  • Soil Nutrient Management on Organic Grain Farms in Montana (EB0200) (Revised October 2022)  Maintaining soil fertility and replacing nutrients removed at harvest are inherent challenges in organic production. Except for nitrogen (N), which can be added by legumes, nutrients removed at harvest must eventually be replaced or made more available from the soil by altering soil properties. Soil testing is the best way to know which nutrients, and how much, might need to be added for optimal benefit and use of resources (time, labor, material), and protecting the environment. 
  • Soil Sampling Strategies (MT200803AG) (Revised September 2017) Understanding different soil sampling strategies enables more accurate characterization of soil nutrient levels and variability, and therefore cost-effective fertilizer management.
  • Using Growing Degree Days to Predict Plant Stages (MT200103AG) (Reprinted July 2018)  It’s tough to predict plant growth based on the calendar because temperatures can vary greatly from year to year. Instead, growing degree days, which are based on actual temperatures, are a simple and accurate way to predict when a certain plant stage will occur.
  • Water Quality Suitability for Residential Irrigation (MT202605AG) (New April 2026)  Suitability of water quality for irrigation can be assessed based on potential impacts to plant health, effects on soil health, or health concerns for people eating the plants. This guide is focused on water quality related to plant and soil health impacts, but includes a section on human health considerations.
  • What Does Yellowing or Chlorosis Tell Us About the Health of a Plant?  (MT202205AG) (January 2022)  Yellowing, also known as chlorosis, is a symptom commonly observed in plants in agricultural fields and gardens. Diagnosing its cause accurately is not always straightforward. Yet, just like a fever in humans is usually indicative of the body’s attempt to fight a viral or bacterial infection, chlorosis in a plant is usually suggestive of some dysfunction in the pigments that give most plant species their normal green color. But, what exactly are those pigments? What is chlorosis and what causes it? How can chlorosis be treated? This MontGuide addresses these questions and gives some examples of plant chlorosis.

Learning Modules:


Nutrient Management Modules:

Nutrient Management was selected in a June, 2001 MSU Extension survey as the topic that the most Montana Extension Agents and Rocky Mountain Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) would like to learn more about.  Soil scientists in the Dept. of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences created fifteen Nutrient Management modules, covering such topics as Soil Sampling and Laboratory Selection, Plant Nutrition and Soil Fertility, and Cycling and Fertilization for each of the essential plant nutrients. Each module includes a quiz that can be taken to enhance your learning.

  • Module 1: Soil Sampling and Laboratory Selection. (4449-1) Learn how to describe soil sampling and handling procedures, explain the different philosophies in soil testing programs, and select an analytical laboratory. Revised Dec 2014
  • Module 2:  Plant Nutrition and Soil Fertility. (4449-2) Covers the 17 elements essential for plant nutrition; macronutrients and micronutrients; the function and mobility of nutrients within plants; the forms of each nutrient that are taken up by plants; typical nutrient plant concentrations; how nutrient needs change during the growing season; the basics of nutrient intake; and the basics of how nutrients are held or released by the soil. Revised Sept 2016
  • Module 3:  Nitrogen Cycling, Testing and Fertilizer Recommendations. (4449-3) Learn the nine major nitrogen processes that occur in soil; the major factors that affect each of the nitrogen processes; how different crops and cropping systems affect nitrogen availability; optimum nitrate sampling depths for different conditions; how soil nitrate tests are used to estimate nitrogen fertilizer requirements; and how to calculate nitrogen fertilizer application rates.
  • Module 4:  Phosphorus Cycling, Testing and Fertilizer Recommendations. (4449-4) Understand the various soil forms of phosphorus; recognize how soil and climate properties affect phosphorus cycling in soil; recognize how cropping systems affect phosphorus management; be able to make a phosphorus fertilizer recommendation based on a soil test report; recognize the advantages and disadvantages of different phosphorus fertilizers.
  • Module 5:  Potassium Cycling, Testing, and Fertilizer Recommendations. (4449-5) Learn the various soil forms of potassium; understand the soil processes that affect the availability of potassium to plants; understand how soil and climate properties affect potassium cycling; be able to make potassium fertilizer recommendations based on soil analysis and site characteristics.
  • Module 6: Secondary Macronutrients: Cycling, Testing and Fertilizer Recommendations. (4449-6) Learn the major processes that determine the availability of the secondary nutrients, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium, in the soil; know the factors that affect each of these nutrient cycling processes; recognize how different crops and cropping systems affect nutrient availability; understand how to calculate S fertilizer requirements.
  • Module 7: Micronutrients: Cycling, Testing and Fertilizer Recommendations. (4449-7) Learn about the eight micronutrients, the major nutrient cycling processes that determine the availability of micronutrients in soil, and the factors that affect each of these cycling processes. Learn how to diagnose and correct micronutrient deficiencies and how to calculate micronutrient fertilizer requirements. (2003)
  • Module 8: Soil pH and Organic Matter. (4449-8) Learn about soil pH is and how it is calculated; understand how soil pH affects nutrient availability in the soil; learn techniques for managing soil pH and the processes of soil organic matter cycling; and understand the role of soil organic matter in nutrient and organic carbon management.
  • Module 9: Plant Nutrient Functions and Deficiency and Toxicity Symptoms. (4449-9) Identify and diagnose common plant nutrient deficiency and toxicity symptoms, know potential limitations of visual diagnosis, understand how to use a key for identifying deficiency symptoms. and distinguish between mobile and immobile nutrient deficiencies.
  • Module 10: Commercial Fertilizers and Soil Amendments. (4449-10) Learn about fertilizer grade and calculate elemental nutrient content of a fertilizer, fertilizer manufacturing processes and forms, the effects of various fertilizers on soil pH and salt concentrations, fertilizer reactions in the soil, appropriate soil amendments for given soil conditions, and the potential for heavy metal accumulation following fertilizer or amendment application and calculate maximum allowable metal levels for products.
  • Module 11: Fertilizer Placement and Timing. (4449-11) Learn to identify fertilizer placement options, know the various fertilizer timing options, understand the effects of fertilizer placement and timing on crop yield and quality, and become familiar with the effects of fertilizer placement and timing on emergence, fertilizer use efficiency, weeds, and water quality.

Soil and Water Management Modules:

Soil and Water Management  was selected as the second most important topic in a June, 2001 survey of Extension Agents and Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs). Soil scientists in the Dept. of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences created these Soil and Water Management modules, covering such topics as basic soil and water interactions, salinity and sodicity issues, soil erosion, chemical transport, and water use efficiency.

  • Module 1: Basic Soil Properties:  In this module (4481-1) , learn about : (1) Basic soil properties and relationships between properties (2) How soil structure affects water and plant relations (3) How management practices influence soil structure, porosity and soil organisms (4) How relationships between soil chemical properties relate to exchange capacity, pH and salt-affected soils (5) How soil organic matter relates to basic soil properties
  • Module 2: Salinity and Sodicity Management:  In this module (4481-2), learn about: (1) How salt-affected soils develop (2) Properties of saline, sodic and saline-sodic soils (3) How to determine the relative difference of plant tolerances to salts (4) Management plans to prevent and reclaim salt-affected soils (5) Impacts of methane gas production on soil and water quality in Montana and Wyoming.
  • Module 3:  Managing for Soil Erosion:  In this module (4481-3), learn about:  (1) Different types of wind and water erosion (2) Physical factors that affect the rate of erosion (3) How conservation practices impact water erosion and environmental quality (4) How residue management and cropping systems affect soil productivity (5) How to estimate percent residue