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Show Alfalfa Is Important Utah Crop Alfalfa is grown more widely in the state of Utah than any one other single irrigated crop. As a result, considerable amounts of fertilizer has, and is, being used. In the early days when land was virgin, it contained adequate phosphorus or adequate plant nutrients to grow most crops that were being produced. Some fifty to one hundred years later, it was found that many of these land nutrients have been removed from the soil, so that it is now necessary to replace them, in order to produce a satisfactory crop. With alfalfa, the needs are primarily those of supplying phos phorus. Alfalfa feeds heavily on phosporus, and needs it in relatively large amounts in order to produce good yields. According to Rex F. Nielson, assistant professor of agronomy at Utah State University, it has been found through a number of trials, that the soils of Utah are well supplied with potassium, another element that alfalfa needs in relatively large amounts. However, he indicated, it is available in fairly large quantities in most of our irrigation waters. He went on to say that a symbiotic relationship between nitrogen-fixing organisms on the plant root is capable of taking free nitrogen from the air, and fixing it so that additional nitrogen need not be applied to alfalfa. We have also run a number of tests in this area, he continued, and to date, have never had any evidence that nitrogen is of any value to a crop of alfalfa. This is rather fortunate then, that we only need one commercial fertilizer to be used with alfalfa. We would suggest that barnyard or poultry manures be used if they are available. However, they may be used more beneficially on other crops that will also use the nitrogen that is present." He said that the problem with alfalfa boils down to primarily supplying the phosphorus fertilizd er. With alfalfa, which is a is it better crop, perennial long-live- ttWV.V.WXVM Pasture and row crops require adequate nitrogen at the start of the season for strong early growth and development. It is during this period when extensive feeder roots and top growth are developed. Whenever possible, apply the full nitrogen treatment early in the growing season. to utilize phosphate for the fer- and the productivity of the land, tilizer on a rotation basis; that is, is usually adequate to take care if sugar beets, which require a of the needs of alfalfa: This high amount of phosphorus, are would mean, Nielson added, if grown, fetrilize the sugar beets to ' an application were made at the maintain or reach the phosphor- time of planting, a subsequent apus level that would be adequate plication might be made 2 or 3 for production of four or five years later that would carry the years of alfalfa, this to be follow- alfalfa on through the normal 3 ed without any additional phos- to 5 year rotation." A number of questions have phorus on the alfalfa. Nielson went on to say that if been asked regarding the time of sugar beets are not grown, then applying phosphorus to alfalfa. it is desirable to apply phos- It has been determined that it can phorus at the time the alfalfa is be applied conveniently either in being planted. It can be applied the Spring or Fall with little difbroadcast prior to planting, or it ference in 'effect. Actually, apmay be applied after the crop is plications have been made beestablished. About 100 pounds of tween first and second cutting on some, very deficient sites, and available phosphorus, ap- these have proved to be quite plied every 2 to 4 years, depend- satisfactory. There may be some ing upon the nature of the soil, evidence to indicate that in areas where the winters are open and dry, that Fall application might be superior. It also helps to distribute the work load. It is good to apply fertilizer in the Fall after peak work load is over, and also in the Spring, when it does not interfere with other Spring work. Nielson went on to say, We have noted in a number of fertilizer trials that where a site is extremely deficient, even on a stand as old as 8 to 10 years, that a surface application of phosphorus very often will increase the yield as much as 100 per cent. The residual effects of phosphorus on alfalfa last over several years. We have run a number of trials where as much as 100 per cent five years after the initial application." He added that this will not hold on all situations, and he emphasized that if the soil is really deficient, a single application will last a long time. The residual effect is usually proportionate to the amount of phosphorus applied, as the larger applications will give a residual effect that will last longer than a smaller application. He continued, We would suggest that before applying phosphorus to alfalfa, that soils be collected and sent to the state soil testing laboratory at Logan, where a good estimate may be made regarding the phosphorus status of the soils. This is particularly valuable in determining those soils which are well supplied with phosphorus, P2-0- 5, , BROADCAST ANO PLOW DOWN YOUR fertilizer whenever possible. Many researchers report that plowing fertilizer down for potatoes, beets, corn and other row crops is an excellent method of application. OF FERTILIZER brings fertilizer and crop residues in to close contact and facilitates more rapid breakdown of carbonaceous material. Extra nutrients are released for the new crop. Extra bushels or tons at harvest time is the pay off. PLOWING PUCES FERTILIZER shallow both deep and shallow enough to be available to new seedlings in early season and deep enough to be in moisture and available to deeper roots during the hot summer growing season. EARLY FERTILIZATION gets the job done ahead of planting and assures maximum efficiency from fertilizer. Support Local Advertisers It Fays The farmer who fertilizes early in the season not only gets a vital job completed before the rush but he blso gets maximum benefits from his fertilizer. Many county agents, researchers and sugar company fieldmen stress the importance of early application. fertilizaDont delay, order today. And for tion, insist on USS Nitrogen Fertilizer, made by United States Steel. Available in bag, bulk or tank, USS Nitrogen pre-pla- nt Fertilizers are profit-producin- g ' , . top-qualit- y, fertilizers. Know enough to use enough and make sure you get USS Nitrogen Fertilizers. HARVEST MORE DOLLARS! Use enough fertilizer! Farmers who don't use enough fertilizer get lower yields and lower profits. FERTILIZE EARLY and use USS Nitrogen Fertilizer for results that count at the bank. O rugntwftd IrodemoHi buy from Intermountain Farmers Assn. Formerly Utah Poultry Farmers (Branch Manager) Co-O- p HAROLD PETERSON t for your fertilizer needs & |