Date of Award:

5-2026

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Plants, Soils, and Climate

Committee Chair(s)

Matt Yost

Committee

Matt Yost

Committee

J. Earl Creech

Committee

Grant Cardon

Abstract

Improving the efficiency of fertilizer and seed use is increasingly important for forage producers in the Intermountain West, where alfalfa and silage corn form the foundation of dairy and livestock feed. This thesis evaluates two strategies designed to boost crop productivity: microbial fertilizer coatings and variable-rate seeding.

The first study examined whether Powercoat®, a fertilizer-applied microbial inoculant, could enhance yield, forage quality, or soil phosphorus availability in alfalfa grown on four commercial fields in northern Utah. Across all locations, fertilizer increased yield at only two sites, and Powercoat did not provide additional improvements in yield, forage quality, or soil nutrient levels beyond fertilizer alone.

The second study assessed the potential for variable-rate seeding in silage corn by testing multiple plant populations across elevation and soil texture zones in eight commercial fields. While most fields showed no response, three fields demonstrated modest yield increases when seeding rates were adjusted in lower elevation or finer textured soils. These results indicate that variable rate seeding may offer benefits in select situations but is not universally effective.

Collectively, the research suggests that microbial fertilizer coatings like Powercoat may not provide consistent advantages under Utah growing conditions, while variable-rate seeding shows potential when based on soil texture and elevation. These findings highlight the importance of validating new agricultural technologies on individual farms before broad application and investment.

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