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Staff Information Page

Merle F. Vigil, Research Leader / Soil Scientist
 

Central Great Plains Research Station

USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Northern Plains Area

40335 Rd. GG

Akron, CO 80720

Phone: 970-345-0517 / 970-345-2259

FAX: 970-345-2088

E-Mail: Merle.Vigil@ars.usda.gov

 

Education

1980 B.S. Agronomy, Colorado State University

1983 M.S. Soil Fertility, Colorado State University

1989 Ph.D. Soil Fertility/Soil Chemistry, Kansas State University

 

Research Interests

Mineralization-Immobilization of soil organic N and crop residue N

Nitrate leaching through soils

Crop residue management and nutrient cycling of animal manures

Fertilizer use efficiency particularly with N fertilizers

The effect of soil water on N use efficiency

Management strategies to maximize fertilizer and water use efficiencies

Simulation modeling of the above processes

Recent Publications

Westfall, D.G., Vigil, M.F., Peterson, G.A. Managing soil fertility in diverse dryland cropping systems.  In J.D. Hanson and J.M. Krupinsky (eds). Proceedings from Dynamic Cropping Systems: Principles, Processes, and Challenges. Aug. 4-7, Bismarck North Dakota. 2003. p. 265-268.

 

Davis, J.G., Vigil, M.F., Jakubowski, B.R., Smith, G.M. Impact of manure characteristics and management on nitrogen mineralization.  Proceedings from the Western Nutrient Management Conference. Salt Lake City, UT. 2003. v.5 p. 29-33.

 

 Benjamin, J.G., D.C. Nielsen, M.F. Vigil. 2003. Quantifying effects of soil conditions on plant growth and crop production.  Geoderma v. 116p. 137-148.

 

Davis, J.G., Iversen, K.V., Vigil, M.F. Nutrient variability in manures: Implications for sampling and regional database creation. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 2002. v. 57 p. 473-478.

 

Vigil, M.F., B. Eghball, M.L. Cabrera, B.R. Jakubowski, and J.G. Davis. 2002. Accounting for Seasonal nitrogen mineralization: An overview. J. of Soil and Water Conserv. 57:(6) p. 464-469.

Vigil M.F. and J.G. Benjamin. 2002. Nitrogen response of sunflowers in a no-till dryland rotation. Agron. Abstracts Nov 10-14 Indianapolis IA.

 

Nielsen, D.C. M.F. Vigil, R.L. Anderson, R.A. Bowman, and A.D. Halvorson. 2002. Cropping system influence on planting water content and yield of winter wheat. Agron. J. 94:962-967.

Nielsen, D.C., and M.F. Vigil. Legume green fallow effect on soil water content at wheat planting and wheat yield. Agron. Abst. CD-ROM. 2002.

Pikul J.L. Jr, T.E. Schumacher and M.F. Vigil. 2001. Nitrogen use and carbon sequestered by corn rotations in the Northern Corn Belt, U.S. Proc of the 2^nd International Nitrogen Conf. on Science Policy. The Sci. World 1(S2) 707-713.

 

Davis J.G., K.V. Iverson, and M.F. Vigil. 2002. Nutrient variability in manures: Implications for Sampling and Regional database creation. J. of Soil and Water Conserv. Soc. 57:(6) p. 473-479.

 

Bowman, R.A., and M.F. Vigil. 2002. Soil testing and analyses for different phosphorus pools. J. of Soil and Water Conservation Soc. 57:(6) p. 479-485.

 

Vigil, M.F., B. Eghball, M.L. Cabrera, B.R. Jakubowski, and J.G. Davis. 2001. Accounting for seasonal nitrogen mineralization: A review. In Annual Agronomy Abstracts, [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI.

Vigil, M.F. (ed.) 2000. Innovative Technologies for Planning Animal Feeding Operations. Proc. Workshop USDA-NRCS, SWCS, Denver, CO. 4-5 Dec. 1999. 200 pages.

Vigil, M.F., J.G. Benjamin, and J.S. Schepers. 2001. Yield response and fertilizer recovery by dryland sunflowers in a no-till rotation. In Proceedings of the 23^rd Sunflower Research Workshop. January 17-18th, Fargo North Dakota 23:90-94.

Vigil, M.F., B. Eghball, M.L. Cabrera, B.R. Jakubowski, and J.G. Davis. 2002. Accounting for Seasonal nitrogen mineralization: A review. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. In review.

Benjamin, J.G., D.C. Nielsen, M.F. Vigil, and R.A. Bowman. 2001. Quantifying effects of soil physical condition on plant growth and crop production. In Annual Meeting Abstracts, [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI.

Nielsen, D.C., M.F. Vigil, J.G. Benjamin, R.A. Bowman, R.L. Anderson, A.D. Halvorson. 2001. Crop rotation effect on water content at wheat planting and wheat yield. In Annual Meeting Abstracts, [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI.

Pickul, J.L., L. Carpenter-Boggs, M.F. Vigil, T. Schumacker, M. J. Lindstrom, and W.E. Riedell. 2001. Crop Yield and soil condition under ridge and chisel plow tillage in the northern corn belt, USA. Soils and Tillage Research. 60:21-33.

 

Bowman, R.A., and M.F. Vigil. 2000. Sulfur and micronutrient changes as a function of dryland cropping intensity. In Proceedings Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference. 8:165-170. March 7-8, 2000.

Carpenter-Boggs, L., J.L. Pikul Jr., M.F. Vigil, and W.E. Riedell. 2000. Soil nitrogen mineralization influenced by crop rotation and N fertilization. Soil Sci. Soc. Am J. 64:2038-2045.

 

Vigil, M.F. (ed.) 2000. Innovative technologies for planning animal feeding operations. proc. workshop USDA-NRCS, SWCS, Denver, CO. 4-5 Dec. 1999. 200 pages.

Vigil, M.F., J.G. Benjamin. 2000. Recovery of deep placed 15N by sunflowers. Agron. Abstr. Pp.277 Am. Soc. Agron. National meeting, Minneapolis, Minn.

Archer, D.W. , J.L. Pickul Jr., M.F. Vigil. 2000. Economics analysis of nitrogen starter fertilizer and rotation effects of soybean quality. Agron. Abstr. Pp.133 Am. Soc. Agron. National meeting, Minneapolis, Minn.

Benjamin, J.G., D.C.Nielsen, M.F. Vigil, R.A. Bowman, R.L. Anderson. 2000. Dryland crop rotation effects on the least limiting water range in eastern Colorado. Agron. Abstr. Pp.314 Agron. National meeting, Minneapolis, Minn.

Bowman, R.A., M.F. Vigil. 2000. Sulfur and micronutrient changes as a function of dryland cropping intensity. In Proceedings Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference. 8:165-170. March 7-8, 2000.

Bowman, R. A., and M. F. Vigil. 2000. Manure P sorption and release in semiarid soils. Innovative technologies for planning animal feeding operations Conference Proc. (ed. M. F. Vigil and L. Pieper, Akron, CO). p. 28-36. Dec. 4-6, Renaissance Denver Hotel, Denver, CO.

Bowman, R A., and M. F. Vigil. 2000. Phosphorus: What happens in the soil? Colo. Conserv. Tillage Assoc. Proc. 12:65-67. Feb. 8-9, Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, CO

Jakubowski B.R., M.F. Vigil, J.G. Davis, B. Eghball. 2000. In-situ nitrogen mineralization of manure amended soils. Agron. Abstr. Pp.355. Am. Soc. Agron. National meeting, Minneapolis, Minn.

Jakubowski, B.R., M.F. Vigil, J.G. Davis, and B. Eghball, 2000. In-situ nitrogen mineralization of manure amended soil. In Proceedings Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference. 8:122-126. March 7-8 2000.

Pickul, J.L. Jr., Carpenter-Boggs, M.F. Vigil, and W.E.Riedell. 2000. Corn soybean yields and soil condition under ridge and chisel-plow tillage in the northern corn belt. In Proceedings Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference. 8:244-250. March 7-8, 2000.

Vigil, M.F., and D.C. Nielsen. 1999. Are legumes logical? Colorado Farmer-Stockman 53:27-30. (popular publication).

 

Vigil, M.F., D.C. Nielsen, and R.A. Bowman. 1999. Nitrogen dynamics in winter wheat-legume fallow. Agron. Abstr. pp. 257. am. Soc. Agron. National meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

 

Jacubowski B.R., M.F. Vigil, J.G. Davis, and B Eghbal. 1999. Insitu nitrogen mineralization of manure amended soil. In proceedings Great Plains Soil Fertility Converence. Vol 8.

 

Vigil, M.F. and D.C. Nielsen. 1998. Winter wheat yield depression from legume green fallow. Agron. J. 90 727-734.

 

Smith G., M.F. Vigil, and J.G. Davis. 1998. Nitrogen mineralized from manure amended soils. In proceedings Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference. Vol 7:34-39.

 

Vigil, M.F., D.C. Nielsen and R.L. Anderson. 1997. Cost of production and yields of alternative dryland crops. Conservation Tillage Fact Sheet #2-97.

 

Vigil, M.F., R.L. Anderson and W.E. Beard. 1997. Base temperature and growing-degree hour requirements for the emergence of canola. Crop Sci. 37:844-849.

 

Vigil M.F. and D.C. Nielsen. 1997. Winter wheat yield depression from legumes green fallow on subsequent winter wheat yields. Journal of Production Agriculture. In ARS peer review.

Vigil, M.F. and D.C. Nielsen. 1996. The effect of legumes in a green fallow rotation on winter wheat yields. Proceedings, Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference. Pages 169-173.

Vigil, M.F. and D.E. Kissel. 1995. Effect of temperature on nitrogen mineralization rate from incorporated crop residues. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 59:1636-1644.

Vigil M.F., D.C. Nielsen, R.L. Anderson and R.A. Bowman. 1995. Benefits of no-till and reduce-till dryland cropping systems. Proceedings Symposium for New Science and Agriculture. Ft. Collins, CO.

Vigil M.F. and Dick Sparks. 1995. Factors affecting the rate of crop residue decomposition under field conditions. USDA-NRCS/ARS. Conservation Tillage Fact Sheet #3-95.

Vigil, M.F. 1995. Fertilization in dryland cropping systems: a brief overview. USDA-NRCS Conservation Tillage Fact Sheet #4-95.

Vigil M.F., D.C. Nielsen, R.L. Anderson and R.A. Bowman. 1995. Taking advantage of the benefits of no-till with rainfall probability distributions. USDA-NRCS/ARS. Conservation Tillage Fact Sheet #5-95.

Vigil, M. F. and S.E. Hinkle. 1994. Residue cover reduction as affected by tillage sequence. Proceedings, Great Plains Residue Management Conference. Great Plains Agricultural Council Bulletin No. 150:21-26.

Vigil, M.F., D.E. Kissel, M.L. Cabrera, and C. Raczkowski. 1993. Optimal spacing of surface banded nitrogen in Fescue. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 57:1629-1633.

Vigil, M.F., D.C. Nielsen, A.D. Halvorson, and Bill Beard. 1993. Dryland canola production: Variety selection, nitrogen response and water use in the Central Great Plains. Proceedings, 1993 Western Canola Development meeting October 27-28 Spokane Washington. 3:129-133.

Vigil, M.F., J.F. Power, J.S. Schepers, and D.D. Francis. 1993. The effect of large urea pellets placed with DCD and acetylene on nitrogen recovery of irrigated corn. Agricultural Research to Protect Water Quality. Soil and Water Conservation Society. Proceedings, Volume 2:694-696.

Vigil, M.F., J.C. Yeomans, R.E. Lamond, and A.J. Schlegel. 1992. An overview of nitrification inhibitors and slow release fertilizers. In J.L. Havlin (ed.), Proceedings, Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference. March 3-4, 1992. Kansas State Univ. Manhattan KS. Vol 4:77-83.

Vigil, M.F. and D.E. Kissel. 1991. Equations for estimating the amount of nitrogen mineralized from crop residues. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 55:757-761.

Vigil, M.F., D.E. Kissel, and S.J. Smith. 1991. Field crop recovery and modeling of nitrogen mineralized from labeled sorghum residues. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 55:1031-1037.

 

Vigil, M.F. and D.E. Kissel. 1990. A comparison of measured and predicted N mineralized using MINIMO, subroutine of CERES-Maize. Proceedings, Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference. p. 111- 115.

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Last edited: Wednesday April 14, 2004