Effect of Phosphorus Fertilizer Rate on Irrigated Russet Burbank Potato

Phosphorus (P) fertilizer is routinely applied to potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Manitoba, Canada; however, little information is available regarding P responses in this region. Field studies were conducted from 2003 through 2006 to determine the impact of P rate [0, 15, 29, 43 kg P ha^?1 as broadcast incorporated monoammonium phosphate (MAP)] on Russet Burbank potato. Increasing P rate resulted in a linear increase in marketable yield in 2005, a quadratic increase in 2006, and no effect in 2003 and 2004. Phosphorus application had no effect on the yield of tubers <85 g, tuber number, or quality, but petiole P concentration and postharvest soil-test P levels increased with increasing P rate. Results of this and other studies show that P fertilization may improve potato yields, although increases are not completely predictable. Additional research is required to refine soil-test guidelines and petiole P sufficiency levels for this region.     

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) Potential to Contribute Solubilized Soil Phosphorus to Subsequent Crops

Reports supporting folklore beliefs that buckwheat (BW) can significantly contribute solubilized phosphorus (P) from sparingly soluble soil P to subsequent crops remain anecdotal. To quantify P solubilized by BW from five inorganic and three organic pools in a Fargo silty clay, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (WHT) was grown as a reference crop to compare P mineralized and P uptake in a complete randomized design. Following fractionation and analysis, P changes between pools indicated solubilization from recalcitrant to less recalcitrant P pools. Calcium-bound P contributed the most P (72% of inorganic pool) to the available fraction, and P uptake by BW (40 kg ha^?1) was significantly greater than wheat (16 kg ha^?1) from the inorganic pools, whereas WHT uptake was significantly greater (P < 0.05) from the organic pool. Following harvest, more P was found in available P pools after BW compared to WHT, suggesting potential solubilization of P to subsequent crops compared with WHT.     

Soil Chemical Properties and Nutrient Composition of Cocoyam Grown in an Organically Fertilized Soil

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years to evaluate the influence of cow dung and rice husk application rates on soil chemical properties and nutrient composition of cocoyam cormels. The treatments comprised four rates each of cow dung and rice husk (0, 10, 20, and 30 t/ha) arranged as a factorial experiment using randomized complete block design with three replicates. The treatments were incorporated into the soil 2 weeks before planting of cocoyam each year. After 2 years of cropping, soil samples were collected from the respective plots and analyzed so also cocoyam cormels. Cow dung application positively and significantly (P < .05) affected soil pH, organic matter (OM), and the soil nutrients (r = 0.95, 0.98, and 0.94–1.00, respectively) while rice husk application significantly and positively influenced soil OM, nitrogen and phosphorus (r = 0.98, 0.95, and 0.98, respectively). Aside potassium content that was enhanced, cow dung application did not significantly affect the nutrient composition of the cocoyam cormels. However, 30 t/ha of applied rice husk caused significant reduction in crude protein and fiber contents but significant increase in carbohydrate. There was negative and significant correlation between rice husk and the cormels crude protein (r = ?0.97). A total of 20 t/ha each of the organic fertilizers was found to be optimum for improving soil fertility and invariably yield without compromising the nutrient content of the cocoyam cormels.     

Philosophy and mechanics of how we arrive at fertilizer and lime recommendations

Abstract

Our experience in soil analysis work began 40 years ago. In those early stages, this was part time work. Most of it stemmed from farm managers and large farm operations. For the past 30 years, soil analysis has been a major program with us.     

Predicting total soil lead from an acetic acid‐sodium acetate buffered solution

Abstract

Total soil lead was predicted satisfactorily from the Lead extracted by the Standard Morgan soil testing solution (sodium acetate with acetic acid, pH 4.8). Using 161 soils, 85% of the variance in total lead content was accounted for by:

Total Lead = ‐115 + 106.4 √Sodium Acetate Extracted Lead A modified Morgan solution, utilizing EDTA as a chelating agent, extracted greater than 3 times as much lead as the regular Morgan's solution, but was no better in predicting total lead.     

Control of soil solution interferences in an automated nitrate method

Abstract

An AutoAnalyzer method for nitrate nitrogen based on hydrazine reduction followed by diazotization was re‐examined after certain soil solutions had given poor recoveries. Modifications to the reaction parameters, particularly in the reduction stage improved the recovery of nitrate as nitrite. Soluble organic compounds in the samples were more critical than inorganic salts, but the proposed method allowed tolerance of up to 30 mgl^‐1 total organic carbon. Concentrations of various inorganic ions in soil solutions and natural waters were usually below the limits shown to be critical for the improved method.     

Use of regression analysis for converting quicktest‐measured lime and fertilizer recommendations into actual values based on longer equilibration times

Abstract

Soil tests should produce data useful for making accurate lime and fertilizer recommendations aimed at optimizing chemical conditions for plant growth or providing available nutrient levels sufficient for maximum yields. In order to attain these objectives, we believe, quicktest‐computed rates have to be made equivalent to actual values through a regression adjustment. Although it may not be most desirable to use this adjustment for each new population of soils, it may be worse to try to use a function derived from one group of soils on a second group not well represented by the first.     

Influence of P and K fertilization on Phytophthora root rot or excess soil water injury of alfalfa cultivars

Abstract

Phytophthora root rot (PRR) is an important disease of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in wet soils. Excess soil water (ESW) stress is required for the successful infection and development of PRR. The effects of P at 0, 40, and 80 μg.g^‐1 soil and K at 0, 120, and 240 μg.g^‐1 soil (in factorial combinations) on the severity of PRR or ESW stress was investigated on a PRR‐susceptible (Iroquois) and a resistant (Oneida) alfalfa cultivar in a greenhouse trial. P and K applications significantly increased the dry weight of tops prior to imposition of PRR or ESW stress. However, plants subjected to PRR or ESW stress did not respond significantly to P or K and there was no significant effect of P or K on the severity of PRR or ESW injury. The plants subjected to PRR or ESW stress had lower tissue P concentration than those under stress‐free conditions. Increasing P additions resulted in a significant increase in P concentration of Iroquois plants, while in Oneida the response was non‐significant. The response of K concentration in the plant to increasing K additions was dependant on P levels.     

Physical activation of biochar and its meaning for soil fertility and nutrient leaching – a greenhouse experiment

The slow alteration of the surface of charred biomass (biochar) over time may contribute to an improved nutrient retention and thus fertility of tropical soils. Here, we investigated soils from temperate climates and investigated whether a technical steam activation of biochar could accelerate its positive effects on nutrient retention and uptake by plants relative to nonactivated biochar. To this aim, we performed microcosm experiments with sandy or silty soil, mixed with 2.0, 7.5 and 15.0 g/kg soil of fine (<2 mm) or coarse‐sized (2–10 mm) biochar from beech wood (Fagus sp.). After initial fertilizer (NPK), ashes and excess nutrients were leached with water, and the microcosms were planted for 142 days with Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum ssp. italicum). Thereafter, leachate, soil and plant samples were analysed for their nutrient contents. The results showed that biochar additions of ≤15 g/kg soil left elevated contents of available P and N in the surface soil but reduced their uptake into the plants. As a result, total biomass production was unchanged. Different particle size and application amounts influenced these findings only marginally. Nitrate leaching was enhanced in the sandy soil (+41% for nitrate, but reduced in the silty soil ?17%) and P was immobilized. Hence, the fertility of the temperate soils under study was only marginally affected by pure biochar amendments. Steam activation, however, almost doubled the positive effects of biochars in all instances, thus being an interesting option for future biochar applications.     

Soil conservation on road embankments using palm‐mat geotextiles: field studies in Lithuania

The application of geotextile mats constructed from the palm leaves of Borassus aethiopum (Borassus) and Mauritia flexuosa (Buriti) was investigated in field experiments. The use of geotextiles caused improved soil moisture storage during dry summer periods on a steep (21–25°) roadside slope in Lithuania. The enhanced soil moisture under the Borassus and Buriti mats encouraged better root development of perennial grasses, increased the number and weight of earthworms and increased the dry biomass of perennial grasses by 50.5 and 18.2%, respectively, compared with a grassland control. The mean rate of water erosion from bare soil during the study period from 17/04/2007 to 11/12/2008 was 33.21 Mg/ha. The cover of palm‐mat geotextiles decreased soil losses from bare fallow soil by 94.8–91.1%. An erosion rate of 0.85 Mg/ha over this 21‐month period was measured on the slope under perennial grasses without geotextile cover. Application of geotextile cover on perennial grasses completely prevented soil erosion by water. Therefore, use of geotextiles has clear soil and water conservation benefits on industrial slopes susceptible to erosion. The use of geotextiles has multiple benefits including soil conservation, the improvement of plant growth conditions and the encouragement of earthworm populations.