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Show f A Experiments indicate high need for vegetables nitrogen Alvin R. Hamson Utah. by Acting Head, Horticulture Dej)t Utah State University r Fertilization experiments a period of years at Utah ov-e- State University have indicat- ed generally high requirements for nitrogen and phosphorous by vegetable crops grown in Modern methods are responsible for increased production Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied each year to vegetable crops in most instances. Phosphorous requirements depend upon past history of fields where vegetable crops are grown. Farmers and gardeners should submit samples of soil for test through County Extension Agents to determine the need for phosphate. On row crops, such as sweet corn or snap beans, fertilizer can best be applied in bands at planting time provided equipment is available for proper placement. Severe fertilizer injury will Many farmers still missing boat on chemical fertilizers Strawberry reservoir still below normal in available water Chemical fertilizers remain In spite of high precipitation one of the farmers very best in the month of February, the buys. Yet only about seven perwater picture on the Straw- cent of Western farmers use berry project appeared below fertilizers at the most profitnormal, according to measure- able rate. An uncomfortably ments taken March 1st and large number about 55 released this week by Water use no fertilizer at all. Commissioner Lynn MendenThese surprising facts were hall. The total stored water revealed last week by Dr. Richfor irrigation was re- ard Bahme of the National ported as 107,600 acre feet Plant Food Institute. He spoke of the reser- at the seventh annual fertilizor about 38 voirs capacity. Last year at er conference on the Colorado this time there was a total of State University campus at 156,690 acre feet in the reser- Fort Collins. voir. The total February inflow By not using fertilizers, farthis year was recorded at 3,290 mers are failing to take advanacre feet. Last year the Feb- tage of this method of reducing howunit costs and therefore increasruary inflow was 5,110 ever this was one of the highest ing their income, Dr. Bahme stated. February inflows on record. Reasons why farmers fail to Precipitation during February as measured at East Por- use fertilizers at higher, more tal was 2.86 inches. The precip- profitable rates, were brought itation measured during the out in a survey which the inmonth at the Power plant sta- stitute made in 10 western tion was 2.26. Last year, Feb- states, including Colorado. The ruary precipitation was a rec- reasons, which often can be branded as misconceptions, are ord high of 3.82. The as follows: average is 1.48. 1. They feel that fertilizers Snow measurements at the show-eare not necessary, even d course snow simply Portal East 31.56 inches of snow bearing though repeated experiments 8.5 inches of water. Last year show that fertilizers can boost measured 26.4 snow and 7.25 average crop production by 50 percent or more. water. few farmers still believe that organic fertilizers (animal and green manures) are the best source of plant foods. But Dr. Bahme noted that it is extremely difficult to apply enough organic fertilizer to obtain enough of the essential plant food elements. And, in the final analysis, these organic forms must decompose into inorganic nutrients in order to become available for crop use. The study showed, Dr. Bahme concluded, that more vigorous educational effort was needed to overcome these barriers to fertilizer use. He urged fertilizer dealers, Land Grant College scientists, county agents to and agricultural officials work together on an expanded educational program. 4. A By John L. Swenson, Soil Scientist Soil Conservation Service result if the fertilizer is placThere are people who say ed closer than 2 inches to the that if farmers farmed the side of the row. Best results same way in 1960 that they did are obtained if the fertilizer is in 1940, many people would placed approximately 3 inches not have all that they wanted to the side and 3 inches deeper to eat. Increased use of fert- than the seed. Under no circumilizers is one example of better stance should the fertilizer be farming methods. mixed with the seed or apUse of fertilizers by Utah plied over or below the farmers is increasing very rap- seed directly row. For transplanted idly. In 1947 only 18,597 tons crops, such as tomatoes, cabwere sold; by 1959, 35,000 tons bage, cauliflower or broccoli, were sold. In 12 years the ton- the most economical placement nage used was nearly doubled. of fertilizer is in bands 3 inchCommercial fertilizers are es- es to the side of the plants and sential to a stable modern ag- 6 inches deep. riculture. They are used to balFor vegetable crops grown 2.. Lack of money. However, Strawberry Ridge measureance the nutrients in the soil in rows of close spacing, such Dr. Bahme added ,an increasand to restore in part the fer- as peas, carrots, lettuse or cel- ments showed 48.76 inches of 13.5 inches of ing number of bankers are ansnow tility removed by cropping. The ery, the fertilizer may be water. bearing Last years measure- nouncing their willingness benefits of a well balanced and broadcast to finance partly before plow- ments showed 47.08 inches of even eagerness adequate supply of plant food ing in the spring or drilled into snow and 12.67 inches of water. fertilizer applications. extend well beyond the results the soil after the land is 3. Farmers ready apparently beas measured in terms of higher for lieve that unfavorable weather planting. Corn responded, in special yields. These include resistance to have a much greatSpecific recommendations for is tests ,to nitrogen fertiliz- er likely to disease .stronger stalks and the best fertilizer practice on effect on results from fertbetter-fille- d grain. each field and on each vege- ers to the extent of increasing ilizer use. However, research The question is frequently table crop is often best deter- average yields to 6.8 per acre. indicates that fertilizer freraised which type of fertilizer mined through careful observaquently can be used to help should I apply. A good general tion of crop response. A careful Profitable crops are overcome unfavorable moisture is to follow this: If the record of fertilization practices rule crops. conditions and to increase the Bui ONE EVERY MONTH crop to be grown is a legume should be kept on each field to efficiency of water use. fertilthe (alfalfa, peas, etc.) determine fertilizer needs in izer should be mainly phos- future years. phate. When the crop is a In a number of carefully grass type (small grains, corn) conducted fertilizer experiments then the fertilizer requirements on vegetable crops it has been call for more nitrogen. Fruit observed that fertilizer response crops usually have high nitro- of crops is directly influenced gen and low phosphate require- by the quantity of irrigation ments. Row crops such as sugar water applied. beets and other truck crops The following recommendarequire a fertilizer containing tions may be used as a guide both nitrogen and phosphate. to determine fertilizer practices Every farm is, however, a for vegetable crops: somewhat special case, and one Sweet Com : In situations cannot rely entirely on general of light and frequent irrigarecommendations or on the ex- tion, and good farming practicperiences of others in determ- es, 100-20- 0 pounds of Nitrogen ining the fertilizer needs. A per acre. Broadcast and plow better basis for determining down or or both. Rewhich fertilizers to use consists duce 5 lbs. for each nitrogen of (1) soil test, (2) analyzing ton of manure applied. For past fertilizer applications and fields where limited irrigation keeping in mind the types of is used, apply lbs. of Nicrops grown, and (3) conduct- trogen per acre. The need for ing some field experiments on fertilizer will depend on freyour own farm each year. quency of irrigation and fertilThe type of soil can also be ity of soil. Following alfalfa very important in the selection or fertilized row crop, fertilizand amount of fertilizers need- er requirements are low. ed. On sandy soils it is better Peas : Suggested application to make the application of fer- of lbs. per acre Nitrogen tilizers small, but frequent. Lar- and lbs. per acre Phosger and less frequent applica- phate. If productivity of land tions can be made on soils that is low, add Even the best of soils should periodically have a physical check nitrogen. If peas are more clayey. no follow phosphated crop, up to see if they are ready to produce at peak efficiency. Time of application is especrequired. phosphate Have your soil tested. Ask your county agent about soil testa ially important for nitrogen. It Tomatoes: Medium soil feris easily lost either to the at- tility, adequate water, good farthis week. mosphere as ammonia or car- ming practices, use 30-6- 0 lbs. Only properly fertilized soils can produce maximum regular profit. ried away by water. For this 0 and lbs. phosNitrogen, be should apreason .nitrogen Come in and visit with us about your credit needs. phate. Maintain high level of plied near the time when the phosphate in soil. If manure plants are growing at the max- is applied, reduce nitrogen ferimum rate. Except for crops tilizer 5 lbs. for each ton manwith high nitrogen requirements ure. Avoid too much nitrogen. it to is not 10-ye- ar U-S- U high-yieldi- MR. FARMER: side-dres- s, your soil need a 0-- 0-- 80-15- it necessary following alfalfa. apply Phosphate fertilizers can be almost anytime that crops are not over four or five inches high. In a crop rotation where legumes are included, it is a good practice to apply phosphate fertilizers at the time of seeding the legumes. applied Heavier fertilizer application of the few ways left for the farmer to cut his cost per unit of production. is one Nitrogen and potash fertilizers should never be placed in direct contact with seed. 133320 gXH33TrO CD2G33 Rnt SMvrity nm svfity Sank rl look ipriryt look of Moll. N A flrtf vrity ton of Utah, N-faferol Dfxil Inwrant Cotjwetioo Mwi |