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Show FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1962 THE EPHRAIM ENTERPRISE, EPHRAIM, UTAH PAGE TWO Alfalfa is grown more widely in the state of Utah than any one other single irrigated crop. As a result, considerable amount of fertilizer has and is being used. In the early days when land was virgin, it contained adequate phosphorous 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 Alfalfa feeds phosphorous. heavily on phosphorous 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 in relatively needs 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 berelationship symbiotic organtween nitrogen-fixinisms 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 ber 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 boilds down to primarily supplying the phosphorous fertilizer. With alfalfa which is a perennial crop, it is better to utilize phosphate for the fertilizer on a rotation basis; that is, if sugar beets, which require a high amount of phosphorous, are grown, fertilize the sugar beets to maintain or reach the phosphorous level that would be adequate for production of four or five years of alfalfa, this to be followed without any additional phosphorous on the alfalfa. Dr. Nielson went on to say that if sugar beets are not grown, then it is desirable to apply phosphorous at the time the alfalfa is being planted. It can be applied broadcast prior to plant, oi it may be applied after the crop is established. Abut t90 pounds of available P2 05, phosphorous, applied every two to four years, depending upon the nature of the soil and the productivity of the land, it usually adequate to take care of the needs of alfalfa. This would mean, Dr. Nielson added, if an application were made at the time of planting, a subsequent application might be made two or three years later that would carry th ealfalfa on through the fiormal three to five year rotation." A number of questions have been asked regarding the time of applying phosphorous to alfalfa. It has been determined that it can be applied conveniently either in the spring or fall with little difference in effect. Actually, applications have been made between first and second cutting on some very deficient sites and these have proved to be quite satisfactory. There may be some 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 doesnt 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 eight to ten years, that a surface application of phosphorous very often will increase the yield as much as 100 per cent. The residual effects of phosphorous on alfalfa last over several years. We have run a number of trials where a single application of phosphorous on a highly deficient soil has increased yields 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 resdual effect is usuto the ally proportional amount of phosphorous applied, as the larger applications will give a residual effect that will last longer than a smaller application. He We would sugcontinued, gest that before applying ' phosphorous to alfalfa, that soil be collected to sent to the state soil testing laboratory at Logan where a good estimate may bd made regarding the phosphorous status of the soils. This is particularly valuable in determining those soils which are well supplied with phosphorous. (8$$) Nitrogen Fertilizer Ephraim Co-o- p EPHRAIM . long-live- d a Program Thai Pays THE PROGRAM THAT PAYS WtrUiFifttfcw For your copy, see your dealer or write United States Steel, SIS Kearns Building, Salt Lake City, Utali The successful farmer sets specific goals and he has a plan to reach them. this program can do for you. See your dealer or write, 919 Kearns Building, Salt Lake City, Utah. 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