Fertilizer Recommendation Program

Introduction

The MSU Fertilizer Recommendation Program allows users to input data about their crop and the results of a soil test to receive research-based recommendations for crop nutrients and lime that optimize production while protecting the environment. The tool can be used to:

• Retrieve on-demand, soil-test based MSU nutrient recommendations for improved fertilizer management
• Get updated recommendations for a different crop when plans change
• Compare recommendations from your soil testing lab with current Michigan State University recommendations
• Learn more about crop nutrient requirements and soil test interpretation

The recommendations from the tool are most applicable to commercial producers. For information tailored to home gardeners, please visit https://homesoiltest.msu.edu.

Quick Start Guide

1. Enter information about your field and the crop grown. Required entry fields are marked by a red asterisk. Additional entry fields will appear based on your selections.
2. Enter data from your soil test. Again, required entry fields are marked by a red asterisk. If you are using the tool on a mobile device, the crop and field information and soil test results will be entered on separate tabs.
   • Note that accurate recommendations will depend on using quality data from soil test procedures compatible with those used by the MSU Soil and Plant Nutrient Laboratory (SPNL), as explained in the detailed instructions for the tool.
   • If your soil test results are reported in pounds per acre (lb/ac) instead of parts per million (ppm), you can generally divide your values by 2 and enter as ppm for mineral soils.
3. Click “Get Recommendations” to receive your fertilizer recommendation report. The report follows the same familiar format as reports from the MSU SPNL. Click “Go Back” at the top right of the page to update your entered data and obtain new recommendations, for example to change the crop grown.

Visit the Detailed Instructions page for more information.