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Show Application of fertilizer in Soil can now be fertilized seed bed vital by prescription e If fertilizer is worked well into the seed bed, it makes little difference how it is ap- according to Charles Painter, soils specialist of the University of Idaho extension people, they become healthier if the proper tonic is admin- istered." service. Placement of fertilizer at depths of six to eight Inches may be advantageous, he says, under dry soil conditions. Placement under these circumstances influences availability of nutrients. This would apply in particular to areas where soil in the top six inches may be quite dry. Under irrigation the condition is not common. Where furrow irrigation is used, placement of fertilizer below the water line in furrows decreases accumulation in the soil surafce. Soluble nutrients move with the moisture. When fertilizer is placed below the water line, the plant food moves down into the soil. When it is necessary to broadcast phosphorus fertilizer such as for on the surface established pasture or alfalfa application in the early hay spring or fall is encouraged. This gives the material a chance to get into the soil where it will be taken up by plant roots. There are certain conditions, Painter says, where spring applications of fertilizer are highly recommended. In areas where a good deal of moisture is received in winter there is leaching of nutrients applied in the fall. This is most serious on sandy soils. Also, on poorly drained soils, loss of nitrogen may occur as a gas. Soil erosion in the winter also results in loss of fertility. A particular advantage of spring application is that more is known about available soil Dont gamble on crop yields non-lrrigat- In non-irrigat- out that while such elements as zinc, copper, iron, molybdenum, and manganese are used by plants in small amounts, an absence of these micronutrients can have a devastating effect on plant growth. "Plants, like people can suffer from" malnutrition even when fed heartily; and, like plied, moisture. March 27, 1964 THE MT. PLEASANT (UTAH) PYRAMID Page Two According to Dr. Roy C. Lipps, chief western agronomist for US Steel, new research indicates that minor or trace elements are as important to plants as vitamins are to human develop- ment. We dont Ihink of them as he stresses, minor anymore, "because our newest studies of western soils prove that small amounts of these plant foods make major differences in profitable crop production. In order to underscore their real importance to crop yields soil scientists now prefer to call them micronutrient elements. Careful soil research points ' These new studies well-plann- farming and greatly increases their profit potential. This way particular needs can be met on a crop by crop, field by field basis. Soils with high phosphate levels accentuate zinc problems where zinc is in insufficient supply. ar- eas the available moisture is an indication of the amount of nitrogen needed for efficient production. Yatch out for soil cure ells Be warry of soil and crop "cure alls. Theyre expensive and dont work the way the sellers would lead you to believe. Fortunately, the needs of Utah field crops normally can be satisfied with nitrogen and phosphate. Trace elements, iron and zinc are needed in some areas of the state, par--, ticularly on some fruit trees and ornamentals. These require specific chemicals and treatments. Wholesale application of trace elements in fertilizer isnt recommended. Various soil amendments, organic products, and "soil conditioners are frequently offered the farmer. They come and go with each season. Know your product through your local reliable dealer. leu fch quality Crops sensitive to lack of iron include:, citrus and fruit trees, sugar beets, potatoes, sorghum, milo, beans and the cereal crops wheat, barley, oats and rye. Crops sensitive to low level of zinc Include: corn, field beans, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, barley, red clover, alfalfa, sugar beets, oats, asparagus, mustard and broccoli. -- Nitrogen Fertilizers Are Shipped to You Via Rio Graads, under- score again and again the imsoil portance of testing programs, Dr. ZJpps said. While general fertilizer recommendations are helpful, only through a scientific test can an individual farmer know exactly what his farm soil contains, its strengths, its deficiencies and specific needs, he reports. Once fertilized thesoil can be f e r t i lized "by prescription which successful farmers say takes the guesswork out of The Shippers' Railroad" . |