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Show Farm and Garden Guide 15 Fertilizer is not pollution source? Farm use of commercial fertilizers is not a significant source of nutrient pollution in Utah streams as many people believe, according to soil scientists at Utah State University. Environmental planning reports pointing the finger at farmers use of commercial fertilizers and saying they are polluting the streams is not supported by research, stated Dr. Paul D. Christensen, USU extension soil specialist. Research of the Sevier River, cited in Utah Science, winter 1979, showed evidence to the contrary. Christensen and Reuel E. Lamborn and Rex. F. Nielson of the Department of Soil Science and Biometeorology, USU, reported the study. The river and its tributaries were sampled at three different time periods and 54 locations between the headwaters near Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument to the end of the stream below the last farms in the Delta-Deseretare- a. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the main fertilizer elements applied on Utah farms. The researchers found no apparent relationship between commercial fertilizer use and nitrate in the water. They noted that the level of phosphorus tended to decrease down the river. On the other hand, likely they found that potassium incoming from soil minerals creased as the return flow from subsurface drainage increased. Potassium fertilizer is rarely used on farms in the Sevier River Basin. The researchers noted that the total amount of dissolved minerals referred to as salt concentrations in the Sevier River did increase as the river descended from its source in the mountains. This is what they expected. The pattern has been going on for years. The explained that any consumption of water concentrates the salt in the remaining water. They acknowledge that irrigated agriculture likely has accentuated the trend but it is not related to use of commercial fertilizers. The Sevier River and its 0 miles tributaries traverses entirely in Utah. It makes an ideal river to study in relation to the 200-30- returns to the river. Since the water is used over and over five to ten times as it is recycled through irrigated farm soils, they say that it should show program to minimize agriculture pollution, the researnational chers noted. The water is diverted and rediverted many times as the surface runoff and subsurface drainage any cumulative effects from use of commercial fertilizers. Chemical misuse harms shrubs Weed and plant pathology specialists at Utah State University say they are seeing an increase in injury of shrubs and trees over the state due to misuse of weed chemicals. The greatest problem seems to stem from the use of the so called These are soil soil sterilants. applied chemicals such as Atrazine andSimazine. This type of herbicide is commonly used to control weeds along ditches, fence lines, and similar places where it is desirable to control all of the plants. The university advises to be careful and not put these chemicals on soil above the roots of shrubs or trees that can be killed when the chemical reaches down through the yellow or chlorotic mottling of the leaf. The plant seen from a distance may have a distinct yellowing appearance. Depending on the amount of chemical that gets to the roots the tree or shrub may die or it may survive and look bad. People usually suspect plant diseases, soil deficiencies or insects symptoms, he noted. The extension people advise, know what herbicides you are using and be sure to use them properly. Seek advice from the county extension agent and from weed control guides published by USU Extension "'1 Health is more than Luck! MAGICMILL Micronized Wheat Grinder for all your wholegrains ORI BEST & Specializing EXCALIBUR DEHYDRATORS For this year's crop of homegrown vegetables. Lightweight and convenient. S drugless way to S The help your body get healthy and 244 E. Main, Price 637-569- 9 Steak Tonight? i 'i & NEW KIND Good For You, OF FORD! In More Ways r g1"' ALL NEW Huntington Tractor & Implement Co. ALL DIESEL DRIVE OR 13 TO 30 HORSEPOWER oJJSKSU All you need is FORD k HERBS ft a NEW KIND of FORD! It's a in 5 J Village Health Foods & Frame Shops soil. USU Extension Plant Pathologist, Sherman Thomson, was called out on a lot of problems during the 1979 season that people suspected as diseases in their trees and shrubs. Many of the problems he found were caused by herbicides. He noted that people found this hard to believe because they didnt realize how the chemical works. They visualized weed killers as simply foliage sprays. Also it is often a year or more from the time a soil sterilant is applied until it starts to show damage on trees or shrubs. Often in that length of time the fact that the herbicide was applied is forgotten. Thomson said the symptoms of this herbicide damage include a as the culprits when they see these Than One. 150 Utah Beef Council South 6th East, Suite 10B Salt Lake City, Utah 84102 S |