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Show THE PAYSON CHRONICLE SPECIAL FARM SUPPLEMENT Payson. Utah,' Thursday, March 25. 1965 Crops, Like People, Can Also Suffer from Malnutrition Plants like people, can suffer from malnutrition even when fed heartily; and, like people, they become healthier if the proper tonic is administered. According to Roy C. Lipps, chief western agronomist for U. S. Steel new research inminor dicates that or trace elements are as important to plants as vitamins are to human development We dont think of them as minor anymore," he stresses, 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 out that while such elements ed pUnt material nitrogen' easily corrected by proper apferplication of nitrogen-ric- h tilizers such as ammonium .sulfate, anhydrous ammonia and ammonium nitrate. All of the 11 western states contain areas of zinc and iron deficiency. Other elements like boron, magnesium and copper are also reported in insufficient supply; however, iron and zinc deficiencies seem to be the most critical from a crop production standpoint. Correction of zinc deficiencies' created dramatic responses in fruit trees, com and beans plus a significant yield and quality response in potatoes with more No. 1 potatoes produced. , Iron deficiencies are most often found in alkaline soils. Soils with high phosphate levels accentuate zinc problems where zinc is in insufficient supply. Lack of molybdenum affects alfalfa and pea produc- amounts, an absence of these micronutrients can have a deeffect on plant vastating growth. These new studies underscore again and again the importance soil testing of programs, Dr. Lipps said. While general fertilizer recommendations are helpful, only through a scientfic test can an individual farmer know exactly what his farm soil contains, its strengths, its deficiencies and specific needs, Once tested, the soil can be ' fertilized by prescription which successful farmers say takes the guesswork out of farming and greatly increases their profit potential. This way particular needs can be met on a crop by crop field by field tion. well-plann- basis. Latest research points out these signficant facts about western soils: Most soils in the Intermounas zinc, copper, iron, molybdenum, and manganese are tain area are deficient in the used by plants in small key essential constituent of , "i 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 semitive to lew level of zinc include: com, field beans, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, barley, red clover, alfalfa, sugar beets, oats, asparagus, mustard and broccoli. r Both zinc and iron can be made more available by using acidic soil conditioning materials or acid forming fertilizers. Principal among these are sulfate, ammbnium polysulfide and soil sulfur.": In summarizing the newest saidr- Reseaeqh data, information points to the fact that many western" soils are borderline in their capacity to supply micronutrients for maximum production. Fortunately the fertilizer industry now has materials and the preliminary research knowledge to attack these problems. The challenge is to solve these minor element problems so that major plant foods like nitrogen, phosphorus and potash can continue to produce top crop yields for western . . extra farm profits ssoia WITH FERTIUZSR! Dn-Lip- ps -- growers. SULFER SUPER PHOSPHATE AND TREBLE Proper amounts of warm sunshine, moisture and pesticides help produce healthy crops. And when your soil contains the right balance of chemical nutrients, your land can bear high profit yields. rhats why fertilization is so important. To determine whatour soil needs for peak productivity, periodic soil tests are a must. Your county agent can help select the right amounts of fertilizer for your land, and assist in choosing the best seed and methods of planting. To help finance your spring fertilization, planting or other farm operating expenses, see the manager at First Security Bank now. Hell show you how you can borrow most effectively when you need money to help increase your propertys production. FIRST SECURITY BANK Member Federal Deposit Insurance CorMration SUPER ..PHOSPHATE STILL AVAILABLE TYPES OF - YOUR MOST RELIABLE SOURCE OF SUPPLY ALL OTHER FERTILIZER - ; i . a r CALL COLLECT for spreading dale MINERAL FERTILIZER CO; Midvale, Phom 255-560- 3 Utah or 255-272- 1 |