Montana State projects receive support from Montana Fertilizer Advisory Committee

BOZEMAN - Research in the Montana State University College of Agriculture received continued support from the Montana Fertilizer Advisory Committee last month, advancing knowledge around soil acidity, water use efficiency, new crops and more.

The committee annually awards funds that are collected through an assessment on commercial fertilizers. Those funds support research and education focused on soil health and fertilizer use, among other areas. The committee is made up of agricultural producers and representatives from the College of Agriculture and MSU Extension.

"We are excited to see the committee's hard work in determining funding for these important agricultural producer and industry related grants," said Darrin Boss, associate director of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture. "This funding stream, from grassroots support, directly impacts the producers and fertilizer industry. The committee is made up of producers (users of fertilizer) and industry representatives, so it represents the current and future needs of both entities. The current grant awards will be for this year's planting season and should show impact on the industry within the next few years. The Montana fertilizer assessment monies fund research that is designated through Extension and outreach papers and activities throughout the state of Montana."

The 2026 MFAC funding totals $483,630, up from roughly $441,000 in 2025. It will support more than 50 faculty and graduate students from the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology and the Department of Research Centers. A full list of the funded projects is below.

• "Foliar application of Mg, Zn, and Si for optimum yield and quality of soy and dry beans in eastern Montana," led by Chengci Chen.
• "Potential of Silicon Fertilization in Enhancing Growth, Yield, Quality, and Decreasing Lodging, Pests and Diseases of Spring Wheat and Winter Barley in Montana," led by Marilyn Dalen.
• "Management of root rot disease on field pea and wheat using biofertilizer," led by Raissa Debacker Moura.
• "Research Analytical Chemist, Environmental Analytical Laboratory," led by Stephanie Ewing.
• "Wheat Tillering Capacity and Yield in Response to Variable Planting Density and Fertilizer," led by Mike Giroux.
• "Understanding the fertility needs of winter barley in Montana," led by Joseph Jensen.
• "Optimizing Nitrogen Inputs to Reduce Scope 3 Emissions in Barley Production in Montana, Idaho and North Dakota," led by Joseph Jensen.
• "Determination of sulfur fertilizer rates for a range of Montana crops," led by Clain Jones.
• "Impacts of sulfur fertilizer on flea beetle damage in mustard and canola," led by Jessica Kansman.
• "Enhancing Effective Nitrogen Use via Microbes for Montana Malt Barley," led by Jennifer Lachowiec.
• "Optimizing Boron Management for Sustainable Wheat Production and Soil Health in Montana II," led by Jennifer Lachowiec.
• "Winter canola seeding date and N/S fertilizer application timing in Montana," led by Perry Miller.
• "N-Fertilizer Optimization for Winter Wheat Forage Production," led by Suchismita Mondal.
• "Quantifying Nitrogen Leaching in Irrigated Fields," led by Adam Sigler.
• "Evaluating the Longevity of Lime Applications: Impacts of Tillage Strategies, Lime Sources, and Soil pH Dynamics on Crop Yields," led by Joao Souza.

More information about the Montana Fertilizer Advisory Committee can be found at ag.montana.edu/mfac.