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Economic and Environmental Implications of Soil Nitrogen Testing: A Switching‐Regression Analysis
Author(s) -
Fuglie Keith O.,
Bosch Darrell J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
american journal of agricultural economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.949
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1467-8276
pISSN - 0002-9092
DOI - 10.2307/1243812
Subject(s) - cropping , environmental science , nonpoint source pollution , fertilizer , regression analysis , nitrogen fertilizer , crop , soil test , pollution , agricultural engineering , agriculture , agronomy , mathematics , soil water , statistics , soil science , geography , engineering , ecology , archaeology , biology
Abstract A simultaneous equations, or “switching‐regression,” model is developed to assess the impact of soil nitrogen (N) testing on N fertilizer use, crop yields, and net returns in corn growing areas of Nebraska. The results indicate that when there is uncertainty about the quantity of available “carry‐over” N, N testing enables farmers to reduce fertilizer use without affecting crop yields. However, the value of information from N tests depends critically on cropping history and soil characteristics. These findings have implications for environmental and technology transfer policies designed to reduce nonpoint source water pollution.