The Rural Voice, 1978-11, Page 27Advice on Farming
Quebec experiment
shows fertilizer can be reduced :
Experiments in Quebec with potato
crops in soils rich in phosphorus and
potassium indicate some farmers could
reduce fertilizer application without affect-
iog yield and quality of their crops.
The experiments were conducted at
Kamouraska and Cacouna by researchers
from Agriculture Canada's Experimental
Farm at La Pocatiere.
Plants assimilate only between five and
30 per cent of the phosphorus and
potassium added to the soil each year.
Over the long term this brings about a
needless build-up of these nutrients.
"The idea was to exploit these reserves
of phosphorus and potassium," says
Gordon Barnett. a researcher at La
Pacatiere. "When these nutrients are fixed
in the soil, they become very difficult for a
plant to assimilate. And an excessive
amount of phosphorus and potassium can
upset the soil's mineral balance."
All possible combinations were tried at
different rates of application: nitrogen
only, nitrogen with phosphorus but no
potassium, nitrogen with potassium but no
phosphorus, nitrogen with phosphorus and
potassium.
Nitrogen was responsible for most yield
increases. Phosphorus produced a 15 per
cent yield increase and potassium prod-
uced little increase.
When only nitrogen is applied on a soil
rich in phosphorus and potassium, the
potatoes have a slightly higher specific
gravity and a yield that is approximately 80
per cent of that obtained with a complete
fertilizer.
Nitrogen is the most important factor in
growing potatoes in these soils. Although
the soil already contained a great deal of
phosphorus, a light application was
necessary to obtain the maximum yield.
"Most farmers now apply an 8-16-16 or
8-12-12 fertilizer at a rate of 2,000 to 2,300
kilograms per hectare (1,500 to 2,000 lbs
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per acre)," Mr. Barnett says. "However,
with a 10-10-10 formula applied at a rate of
900 kg per hectare (800 lbs per acre),
farmers would obtain the same yield and
lessen the residual effects of phosphorus
and potassium in the soil. In soils rich in
phosphorus and potassium, research has
shown that the use of 20-10-5 fertilizer
would produce excellent yields. A very
satisfactory yield can be obtained even
when 36 to 45 kg of nitrogen only are
applied. And considering the increase in
the price of fertilizer the savings obtained
cannot be overlooked."
The experiments have also shown that
fertilizer effectiveness varies depending on
the type of application. In these types of
soils, it is more effective to apply the
phosphorus in conventional bands beside
and below the seedpiece, rather than
broadcasting it.
When the fertilizer is applied in this
manner, it is in contact with a smaller soil
area, can be better assimilated by the plant
and is available to the plant for a longer
period of time. This type of application is
therefore more economical.
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THE RURAL VOICI. .NO%F:MBF:R 1978 PG. 27