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Show Crop Rotation Can Supply Much Nitrogen Scientists at Utah State University have indicated ha handof ling fertilizer requirements in ns can be done spring gra several ways. In the past, animal manure was used to supply the needed plant nutrients. With the increased intensity of farming currenly in practice, it is ho longer poss ble to obtain animal manure to take care of these needs. As a result, it has been necessary to resort to commercial fertilizers. A practice that has been followed by farmers to supply nitrogen, which is the principal plant growth element needed by grains, is to follow alfalfa with small grains. When alfalfa is plowed up; the organisms in the nodules remain on the plant roots, decompose and release nitrogen to the new crop. As a result, when alfalfa has been plowed up, and spring grain planted, the nitrogen level of that soil usually is relatively high the firs year. Where alfalfa is no used in rotat:on or where the grain crop is planted several years beyond the time the alfalfa is plowed ou, then it becomes necessary to apply fertilizer. nitrogen When nitrogen fertilizer is applied to small gra ns, usually an increase in yield results. However, since a plant is more vigorous, it grows more lush and the problem of lodging is acute. variet'es o f grains should be used to avoid this problem. Normally, the range would be- something on the order of 50 to 10 pounds of available N breaker. This can ba applied with 300 pounds g Stiff-strawe- d - of ammonia nitrate or some 250 pounds of ammonia sulphate. The nutrient requirement for small grains in Utah is primarily limited to that of nitrogen. Plants Suffer Fertilizer Must Be MP Worked ; "v. 1 .5 Into Soil Bed y If fertilizer is worked well into the seed bed, it makes little ; 9 it ho wit is applied, according to Charles Painter, soils specialist at the University of Idaho. difference Placement of fertilizer at depths of $'x to eight inches Like may be advantageous under dry soil conditions. Placement inPlants, like people can suffer under these circumstances nutrifluences oi availability from malnutrition even when ents. This would apply in parfed heartily; and, like people, ticular to areas they become healthier if the where soil in the top six inches may be quite dry. Under proper 'tonic' is administered. New research indicates that irrigation the condition is not common. "minor" or trace eleis Where furrow irrigation ments are as important to used, placement of fertilizer beplants as vitamins are to hu- low the water line in furrows decreases accumulation in the man development. In order to underscore their soil surface. Soluble nutrients move wtih the moisture. When real importance to crop yields fertilizer is laced below the soil scientists now prefer to water line, the plant food moves call them micronutrient ele- down into the soil. When it is necessary to broadments. Careful soil research points cast phosphorus fertilizer on the surf;e such as for esout that while such elements as tablished pasture or alfalfa hay zinc, copper, iron, molybdenapplication in the early spring um, and manganese are used or fall is encouraged. This gives by plants in small amounts, an the material a chance to get into the soil where it will be absence of these micronutrients roots. can have a devastating effect taken up by plant There are certain conditions on plant growth. where spring applications of These new studies underscore fertilizers are highly recomagain and again the import- mended. In areas where a good ance of soil test- deal of mo:sture is received in winter there is leaching oi nuing programs. While general trients applied in the fall. This iertilizer recommendations are is most serious in sandy soils. helpful, only through a scientif- Also, on poorly drained soils, ic test can an individual farm- loss of nitrogen may occur as er know exactly what his farm a gas. So l erosion in the winsoil contains, its strengths, its ter also results in loss of ferdeficicicncics and its specific tility. needs. A paritcular advantage of 60 m I o 0 People v , .: .41 d d d Field test studies show dramatic differences in size, quality applications of plant foods can make in crop production and farm profits too! Idea behind the new approach is "a more exact tailoring of nitrogen and other plant nutrients to specific soil and crop needs," according to U. S. Steel agronomist, Dr. Roy C. Lipps. and yield that new n" spring application is that more tures feature newest research is known about available and experience tested techIn areas for boosting crop yields the available moisture is an in- niques western on soils. dication of the amount of nitroof Titles these farm needed efficient for gen production. films are "Profit on the Mountain," "Profitable Corn," "This Farm Films Feature Business of Beets," "Profitable Research Techniques .... Potatoes," and "A New Look d If a picture is worth a thousand words, then five new farm films produced by U. S. Steel represents a library of latest agricultural information. Available without charge to farm and ranch groups, the motion pic 16mm, color-sound ..:,..M&V- - ( l r v., county agent. of the films should be address-eto Coal Chemicals Sales Division, United States Steel Corporation, 919 Kearns Bldg. Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. d - Follow these simple steps to insure, ' representative soil samples ... Get full information from your at Range Management." Requests for free copies of t hebooklcts or temporary loan ' 2 Select proper sampling tool. - . . . - ,. :.. ... ! - , fit? 1 1 jrr My, Urn s" . W tr 3 Keep out or sampleparatcly all unusual areas .Sii. ,(t''- -' ""-if" W f from at 6 UTicn spade is used, save soil from'middle of slice. least 15 spots for each sample. 5 Take soil to plow depth 4 Divide field into areas for sampling. ''1 r I 7 4 pn&w-T- F 7 Mix well in a clean pail. 8 Fill J'Vl w tj -- j I. 1" V. ri II f V: v. - out in formation sheet 1 9 Number samples ownrecords. -- a T""T"T IP! . keep your jo ' J Always lime and fertilize ao soil test recom to cording your mendation. r ;ti |