Southern and Eastern Russia Program activities will be concentrated in three Federal Districts: Southern, Volga and Siberian. Agronomists from agricultural enterprises and farmers will be educated regarding the basic 4Rs of fertilizers Best Management Practices (FBMPs) through close cooperation with key research and extension centers in the above-mentioned regions. Moreover, we plan to create a communication network with leading regional scientists and experts for the exchange of information.

Field experiments will include crop rotations with cereals (wheat, barley and maize) and oil crops (rapeseed, soybean), and regional achievements in conservation tillage will also be taken into consideration. The demonstration of the effects of plant nutrition on yield and quality parameters of crops will be an integral part of field experiments. The development of nutrient decision support systems for cereals and oil crops is planned for the four Federal Districts.

Additionally, we plan to support research on topics such as precision agriculture techniques, estimation of plant N status at field level, evaluation of extractants for measuring available soil P and K, and the assessment of secondary and micronutrient deficiencies.

Extension activities are planned to be organized simultaneously with participation of agronomists from agricultural enterprises, farmers, advisers, and decision makers. M.Sc. and Ph.D. students will be involved into research activities and supported projects. Moreover, such additional educational activities as lectures on FBMPs for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students will be organized at agricultural universities.