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Show Use Peasoim Sim Crop Soil Apfplinca&oom) by PAUL D. CHRISTEISEN, Extension Soil Specialist Utah State University, Logan Remember these six main reasons for buying and applying apply-ing materials to your crops and soil: (1) Supply needed plant nutrients, (2) improve ganic matter supply. Research and industry have provided fine chemicals to control weeds , insects and nematodes. Used according to recommendations and in conjunction con-junction with good farming practices, these products contribute con-tribute to increased yields and profits. Bacterial inoculation of legume leg-ume seed has given good yield response in certain acid soil areas of the country. However in many of the alkaline soil areas, such as Utah, field tests have shown little or nothing in favor of inoculated seed. Research has shown that general additions of basteria or bacterial solutions to the soil are of little or no value in decreasing crop yields. Each handful of ordinary garden or farm soil contains billions of bacteria, molds and other microbes. mi-crobes. In addition, bacteria and other microorganizms are added to the soil on dust particles and in the irrigation irriga-tion water. In purchasing any product, keep in mind the function you want it to serve. Avoid the "miracle" mixtures and cure-alls. tilth of your soil, (3) control weeds, (4) control insections, (5) control nematodes in your soil, and (6) introduce needed micro-organzisms under specific speci-fic situations. By carefully considering the reasons you can avoid spending spend-ing money for products that are actually of little value to you. First, keep in mind that plant nutrient needs can best be satisfield through the application ap-plication of standard commercial commer-cial fertilizers like ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, concentrated superphosphate, ammonium phosphate, and minor element products proved prov-ed by research. Reliable up-to-date fertilizer recommendations recommenda-tions can be obtained from your USU County Extension Agent. In addition, he can tell you how to sample your soil and where to get it tested to determine fertilizer needs. Fertilizer needs in each state are continually and consistently con-sistently being investigated by the Extension Services and the Agricultural Experiment Stations. These investigations constantly involve new products pro-ducts and new procedures. Fertilizer recommendations are based on more than 100 years of careful laboratory and field testing, both locally and all over the world. Soil tilth can be maintained maintain-ed or improved with organic matter and good tillage practices; prac-tices; however, large amounts of manure or crop residues are required to affect material changes in the soil. Manure applications often total 10 to 20 tons per acre. If you have manure, apply it. You can't build soil or increase organic matter by the simple application applica-tion of a few gallons of dilute bacterial solution. You can "grow" organic matter in the soil if you apply commercial fertilizers at rec-omended rec-omended rates and follow good management practices. Increased yields of tops usually us-ually mean increased yields of roots. The roots stay in the soil and contribute to the or- |