August 22, 2011

Effective fertilization of cereal crops

Fertilizer requirements of cereal crops depend mainly on two things: the fertility status of the soil (after harvesting the previous crop) and the yield targets of the farmer. Soils of low fertility status require more fertilizer as do higher yield targets. At each harvest, nutrients taken up from the soil by the growing crop are exported from the field in the form of grain or stover (see Table 1), further depleting the productive capacity of the soil. Thus, arable soils require external nutrient replenishment in the form of fertilizers (organic and mineral). Nutrient mining and insufficient supply of plant nutrients are some of the major problems contributing to declining crop yields. Maize and wheat, like most field crops, require a good supply of primary nutrients (i.e. nitrogen – N, phosphorus – P, and potassium – K) with the addition of other essential elements (e.g. magnesium – Mg, sulfur – S, zinc – Zn, and boron – B) in smaller quantities where necessary.

How to choose the fertilizer

Fertilizer use in cereal systems aims at providing the crop with balanced proportions of essential nutrients when required. Crop growth is dependent on a sufficient supply of each nutrient, and yield is limited by the nutrient in shortest supply. To determine fertilizer needs for your crop, it is essential to know which nutrients are required for the desired target yield. Nitrogen is the most important nutrient in plant growth and is involved in all major processes of plant development and yield formation. Loss of green color is the most typical hunger symptom of N. Yellow discoloration of leaves from midrib backwards and premature death of lower leaves are also indicators of N deficiency. In the early stages of a plant growth, P is important in laying down the foundation for its productivity. P deficiency is accompanied by a marked reduction in plant growth and leaves develop a dark bluish-green and purple color. A K deficiency is accompanied by a weakening of the stalk, resulting in lodging and crop loss. Symptoms of K deficiency include drying along the tips and edges of lower leaves.

carefulFertilizerApps
Figure 1. Careful fertilizer application is essential to prevent overuse and reduce the overall fertilizer costs.

The recommended fertilizer application rate depends on a number of factors:

Crop variety and yield potential: Varieties differ in their response to fertilizers depending on their yield potential. Improved cereal varieties with high yield potential will require more nutrients in order to achieve their yield potential. Their yields will be significantly reduced if fertilizer rates are low.
Crop and fertilizer management: Efficient use of applied nutrients depends on soil and crop management. Fertilizer application methods and timing affect nutrient availability. Timely weeding reduces competition for nutrients by weeds. Application of irrigation water (in terms of both amount and timing) influences nutrient movement in the soil and the uptake by crop.
Soil type: Soil fertility is determined by soil type, which in turn is based upon its depth, organic matter content and texture. N, P and S reserves in inherently poor soils with low organic matter content, coarse texture and a history of continuous cropping for many years, are usually very low while there may be sufficient K for 50-75% of crop needs.
Balance of other fertilizer elements: A sufficient supply of all nutrients (including micronutrients) is important for a good, healthy crop and the efficient use of each applied nutrient. If the nutrient is present in soil, but insufficient in quantity, the plant growth and uptake of other nutrients is limited.
Weather conditions: Response of rainfed crops to fertilizer also depends on soil moisture. Highly variable rainfall patterns make optimum yield and fertilizer requirements difficult to predict, so fertilizer use is a risky investment. When drought risk is high, split applications of nitrogen fertilizers may be advisable, with adjustments throughout the season based upon evolving weather conditions. Generally P applied in the previous season retains some residual availability for the next crop since it is not easily leached.

Blanket fertilizer recommendation packages for different agro-ecological zones based on a ‘normal’ season’s yield potential are available from most national agricultural research institutions. However, many of these recommendations do not take into account the variations in soil type, different crop management practices, and weather conditions.

Timing and methods of fertilizer application

One of the most important aspects of fertilizer usage is to know when and how fertilizers should be applied. It depends primarily on the type of crop grown and the mobility of the particular nutrient applied to soil. With nutrients that are stored efficiently in soil (i.e. P, K, S), fertilizers can be broadcast annually at or before planting, or banded below the seed. P is immobile in soil and it should therefore be incorporated into the root zone (e.g. during sowing). N application should be timed to coincide with periods of peak demand and rates adjusted according to rainfall received during the season via split application (particularly in sandy soils) to reduce leaching losses.

Without a means of anticipating the nature of the upcoming season, the best a farmer can do is to apply fertilizer tailored for a typical season. To minimize losses, farmers can employ ‘response farming’ strategies where applications are conditional upon rainfall and are adjusted according to the evolution of the season. Application of nitrogen shall be split to at least two (heavy textured soils) or three (sandy soils) doses in a season. Nitrogen should not be applied if there is severe wilting.

maintainingCropResidue

Figure 2. Maintaining crop residues in the field contributes to natural cycle of nutrients and reduces the need for fertilizer.

Nutrient	Maize, grain (1 t)	Maize, stover (1 t)	Wheat, grain (1 t)	Wheat, straw (1 t)
Nitrogen	16 kg	7.3 kg	26.8 kg	6.4 kg
P2O5	6.8 kg	2.6 kg	10.7 kg	1.5 kg
K2O	4.8 kg	18 kg	6.1 kg	10.9 kg
Magnesium	1.6 kg	2.3 kg	2.7 kg	0.9 kg
Sulfur	1.4 kg	1.4 kg	1.8 kg	1.3 kg

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August 12, 2011

Potassium Fertilizer Application In Crop Production and for the Lawn

Filed under: Agricultural news, fertilizer Usage, potassium fertilizer — Tags: potassium fertilizer — belongsmj @ 3:46 am

Potassium Fertilizer for the Lawn

Plants need balanced nutrition to thrive, just like people. One of the important nutrients for plant growth and development is Potassium (K), which is a component of most standard lawn fertilizers. To use Potassium fertilizers correctly, it is important to understand how Potassium functions in plants, and how to recognize the signs of Potassium deficiency.

Potassium in Fertilizer

Potassium is one of the “big three” nutrients found in most lawn fertilizers. Most fertilizer analysis gives the N-P-K number, which indicates what percentage of each nutrient is in the fertilizer. The percentage of Potassium is indicated by the last number in the N-P-K analysis.

Potassium Function in Plants

Potassium is integral to many growth processes in plants, including:

Photosynthesis
Starch and protein production
Enzyme reactions
Water movement
Protein synthesis
Cell wall components
Fruit development

Recognizing Potassium Deficiencies

(See above picture.) Potassium deficiency is a serious problem for all plants, because it is involved in so many different plant processes. Plants experiencing potassium deficiencies will show the following symptoms:

Yellowing and curling of edges of lower (older) leaves
Sometimes leaves will turn purple
More likely to occur in times of drought stress
Leaf edges looked burned

There are a number of things that can cause potassium deficiency. Sandy soils tend to be more deficient in potassium, because it is leached easily from soils that do not have a high CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity). Adding organic matter to the soil can help in potassium retention. Soils with a low pH (acidic soils) sometimes have enough Potassium, but it is not available to plants. It is important to test the soil pH to see if the potassium is there, but not available.

Correct Application of Fertilizers

Many soils are deficient in Potassium, but it is always a good idea to look at the soil test before adding any fertilizer. Flowers, fruits and vegetables need more potassium fertilizers during flowering and fruiting. General lawn fertilizers will usually have a balanced analysis, and will have enough Potassium for the average lawn, unless the soil is severely depleted or the pH is off. Apply potassium fertilizers that are balanced with Nitrogen and Phosphorous, and your soil will receive its necessary requirements to support plant growth.

The most common form of potassium fertilizer used in Alberta is potassium chloride (KCl), which has the analysis 0-0-60 or 0-0-62 (Table 4). It is mined and refined in Saskatchewan. Potassium chloride can be blended with nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers to produce grades such as 10-30-10, 6-24-24, etc.

Table 4. Potassium fertilizers

Nutrients – % by weight
Name	N	P205	K20	S	Remarks
Potassium chloride	0	0	60	0	Most commonly available K fertilizer and usually cheapest
Potassium chloride	0	0	62	0	Most commonly available K fertilizer and usually cheapest
Potassium sulphate	0	0	50	18	Contains sulfur as well as potassium
Potassium nitrate	13	0	37	0	Used mainly for vegetables and fruit trees
Sul-Po-MagTM	0	0	23	16	Specialty fertilizer, containing magnesium

Although not extensively utilized to date, potassium sulphate (K2SO4) will soon be produced in Saskatchewan and could be an important fertilizer source in areas where both potassium and sulfur are required nutrients. In the past, potassium sulphate produced in the USA has not been competitively priced with potassium chloride from Saskatchewan.

Method of Potassium Fertilizer Application

Annual Crops
Since potassium uptake depends primarily on root interception, placement of potassium fertilizers with or near the seed is usually the most effective method of application provided the rate of application is not greater than the seed can tolerate. If too much potassium or other fertilizer is placed with the seed, germination and emergence may be delayed or reduced.

The safe level of potassium that can be applied with the seed depends on the crop. In general, smaller seeded crops such as canola have a lower tolerance than cereal grains. The clay and organic matter content of the soil and the soil moisture content will also have an effect on possible germination problems.

With average soil moisture conditions and for medium textures, the total amount of seed placed fertilizer materials should not exceed 175 lb/ac, and the amount of N plus K2O should not exceed 40 lb/ac. For less tolerant crops such as canola, flax and peas, the application of potassium with the seed should not exceed 15 lb K2O/ac, provided other fertilizers are not seed placed. These recommendations are based on the use of a double-disc or similar drill, which places the seed and fertilizer in a very narrow band. If the opener spreads the seed over a wider band, higher rates of fertilizer can be safely placed with the seed.

Side-band placement is an efficient means of applying potassium. In this placement, the fertilizer is in a band approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) to the side and 2.5 cm (1 inch) beneath the seed. This separation of fertilizer and seed reduces the possible detrimental effects on germination when high rates are applied. Machinery for placing seed and fertilizer in this configuration is not readily available commercially, and the method is not widely practised.

Banding (also referred as deep-banding of potassium into the soil prior to seeding has, to date, not received a great deal of research attention, but there is no reason to believe that this should not be a good method of applying potassium fertilizer.

The two methods, banding prior to seeding and side-banding, should give similar results.

Broadcasting potassium before seeding is less efficient than applying potassium in a band with or near the seed. The major role for broadcast applications of potassium fertilizer will be in “building up” soils extremely deficient in potassium.

Determining the Need for Potassium Fertilization

The easiest way to determine the need for potassium fertilization is through a soil test. In Alberta, response to potassium fertilizer has been related to the amount of potassium extracted from the soil with ammonium acetate. Results of potassium fertilizer research with barley in central Alberta are shown in Table 2.

Large increases in barley yield were usually obtained when potassium fertilizer was applied to soils with less than 151 lb/ac of extractable potassium. On soils with 151 to 250 lb/ac of extractable potassium, moderate fertilization (15 to 30 lb/ac of K2O) usually resulted in a profitable response.

Table 2. Yield response of barley to potassium fertilizer at different soil extractable K levels (Lacombe Research Station and ADA date)

Soil Extractable-K (lb/ac in the 0-6 in. depth)	No. of Sites	Average Increase in Yield (bu/ac)
less than 101	17	25.8
101 – 150	21	12.1
151 – 200	18	5.2
201 – 250	8	5.9
greater than 250	34	3.4

Response to potassium fertilization is sometimes obtained on soils not considered deficient in potassium. Research, principally in Oregon, Washington and South Dakota, has shown that the presence of chloride in potassium chloride can result in increased yield through the suppression of plant diseases such as take-all and common root rot. Such responses cannot be predicted at this time. Therefore, the use of potassium chloride on non-potassium deficient soil for the suppression of disease must be on a trial and error basis.

Research in Montana has indicated that potassium deficiency may occur on soil with high soil-test potassium because of slow potassium diffusion in cold, dense soils. These results have been used to promote the need for potassium fertilization for early seeding of cereal crops in central and northern Alberta.

Research in Alberta on potassium deficient soils has shown equal response of barley to potassium with early and late seeding. If soil potassium was less available at lower soil temperatures, greater response to potassium should have been obtained with early than with late seeding. The results do not support a great potassium requirement for early seeding.

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June 12, 2010

Help you understanding fertilizer

Filed under: Agricultural news — Tags: Fertilizer — cheminfo @ 6:57 am

　　Fertilizer is to provide one or more essential plant nutrients, improve the soil, improving soil fertility level of a class of substances. One of the foundation of agricultural production. As early as the Western Zhou Dynasty of China had already decomposed after that weed in that role for Shuji growth. “Arts for the People” in detail the methods of planting green manure and legume crop rotation with grass crops, methods, etc.; also referred to the use of crop stalks and cow manure mixed, made after trampling and manure composting method. In fertilization, the “pan-winning book,” described in detail, emphasizing Shizujifei and Effects of applied fertilizer on crop growth and importance. Tang, Song later as the promotion of rice in the Yangtze River, fertilization growing accumulation of experience, and thus concludes that “timely, appropriate soil and material should” fertilization principle that fertilization should vary with climate, soil, crop factors, changes may be. With the emergence of modern chemical industry and development of various chemical fertilizers have been brought forth. The mid-18th century, phosphate appeared first in the UK. German production of potash fertilizer in 1870. The successful development of the early 20th century ammonia. Subsequently, compound fertilizer, fertilizer and trace elements also have to sell long-acting fertilizer. As the number and variety of the increase in fertilizer and improve the quality of agricultural production in the total input of fertilizer and increasing the crop yield is also higher.

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May 31, 2010

Micronutrient fertilizers application will be more and more widely

Filed under: Agricultural news — Tags: Micronutrient fertilizers — cheminfo @ 2:18 am

Zinc, boron, cu, mn, molybdenum, iron and other trace elements is essential plant nutrients in agricultural production, the effect is very obvious, such as rice “ZuoDou”, provides zinc will BaiMiao, rapeseed corn flower of boron appear without real phenomenon caused by lack of boron, cotton and not spend’s will.

At present, due to the sharp increase of traditional fertilizer in the soil surueyed, lack of trace elements in scope is more and more big, the large-scale production and microelements fertilizer has become a trend in the future, the application of fertilizer, trace elements will be more and more widely.

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May 19, 2010

epidemic influence Japan’s senior cattle,”Mr Hayao miyazaki cow” leave only six

Filed under: Agricultural news — cheminfo @ 6:48 am

In western Japan kyushu in miyazaki prefecture 18 declared a state of emergency, to prevent disease from spreading further livestock. Local estimation, the cattle and pig cull will exceed 10 million, the economy has lost over 160 million yen.

Mr Hayao miyazaki ox is bent some “and” the fruit varieties, ox calves exported to Japan in farms. The disease affects senior beef market in Japan.

A state of emergency

The British aid in miyazaki prefecture and the Cardiff 18 held a press conference, the state of emergency declared foot-and-mouth disease. According to a statement, the epidemic area to the vehicle disinfection, Crowds gathered to postpone the activity, Voluntarily reduce unnecessary, Residents wash hands, gargle, wearing a mask.

This is Japan for the first time since 2000, the disease outbreak in miyazaki prefecture is first announced emergency.

According to the east and the development situation of the disease, and the specific area may be killed all livestock.

Japan’s forestry aquatic provinces and the government announced in miyazaki prefecture, and raise livestock raisers 15 that appear, is expected to have symptoms of disease by 2.8 million pigs cattle killed.

The daily news reports, the 18th, spread to 126 farms in miyazaki prefecture, plan to cull the livestock quantity 11.4 million, about foot-and-mouth disease occurs in miyazaki prefecture livestock before 10 percent of the total.

Japan’s peasants associate miyazaki local branch estimation, killing animals for loss of farmers has reached 161 billion yen ($1.74 billion).

The government support

The Japanese government established 17 JiuShanYouJiFu prime minister led, coordinated countermeasure foot-and-mouth disease “relief headquarters issues.” More than 18, the government announced that, from the aspects of prevention, and financial support in miyazaki prefecture.

The general secretary, said a mouth in miyazaki prefecture through adjusting the government is to consider the “special delivery tax”, compensation for livestock raisers culling.

The east, says he believes that the government aid to dial out at least 100 billion yen ($1.1 billion).

Finance minister kamei incense as static, he will require financial institutions with flexible financing needs of farmers.

Agriculture is the province to foot-and-mouth aquatic command centers. However, the minister ChiSong guang long referred to in response.

Japanese media reports, April 11, the first cases of the disease in miyazaki prefecture confirmation. With 20 provinces, the government in forestry department established countermeasures aquaculture. But in the five months before and after the “golden week” holidays and ChiSong to overseas trip, May 10, on-the-spot investigation to areas.

Biggest opposition liberal Democratic Party (LDP) GuYuanZhen ChiSong accused in a poor response early outbreak, the spread of ChiSong resign, requirement. ChiSong refused.

Hatoyama 18 admit, government authorities in miyazaki prefecture and cope with exist deficiencies, says the disease affects channels to quickly determine, it is imperative to prevent epidemic continued to spread.

Eastern kingdom, epidemic is not controlled “into”, “the existence and the spread of kyushu.

“Bull market”

As the Japanese advanced beef “and” one representative, Mr Hayao miyazaki beef cattle and matsuzaka the spectator cows, kobe cows well-known overseas. Different grades of Mr Hayao miyazaki beef in Japan for domestic wholesale price per kilogram of 160 dollars to $320.

Except for the local breeding cattle, of cattle are sold to the county is one of the main income in miyazaki prefecture breeding. Miyazaki prefecture livestock maternity data display, 2008 in miyazaki prefecture 2.9 million foreign output calf, constitute a “matsuzaka the spectator cattle” and “saga cow” famous brand “lifeline” major. With the highest “matsuzaka the spectator cow”, for example, more than 4 into 2009 in miyazaki prefecture from the calf.

In miyazaki prefecture ZhongNiu bring major outbreak. 16, ZhongNiu centralized management of livestock improvement ShiYeTuan appeared in miyazaki prefecture, 49 cases ZhongNiu head was killed, including a so-called “ZhongNiu legend”, “children” 22 million. The agency has put the first “, “ZhongNiu transferred to 20 kilometers from the” safety “, but with the spread of disease, “come back”.

Local officials in herds ZhongNiu die, sigh, “Mr Hayao miyazaki cow” is not only the brand alls gone, will also affect other counties of famous brand, “this is the beef is unimaginable.

Forestry officials said, because aquatic provinces have two calves at three months to cultivate period, the influence of produce large supply of calf, but if Mr Hayao miyazaki cow calves transaction can’t restart, ensure the supply will become a calf.

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Foot-and-mouth disease affects Japan “bull market”

Filed under: Agricultural news — cheminfo @ 6:03 am

Miyazaki beef is a kind of “and cow”, “And cow” is Japan’s most successful cattle improvement, is the world’s leading best-of excellent meat cattle, tenderness, nutrient-rich.

The risk of extinction

Except for the local breeding cattle, of cattle are sold to the county is one of the main income in miyazaki prefecture breeding. Miyazaki prefecture livestock maternity data display, 2008 in miyazaki prefecture 2.9 million foreign output calf, constitute a “matsuzaka the spectator cattle” and “saga cow” famous brand “lifeline” major. With the highest “matsuzaka the spectator cow” as an example, 2009 for more than 40 percent from the miyazaki prefecture calf.

In miyazaki prefecture ZhongNiu bring major outbreak. 16, ZhongNiu centralized management of livestock improvement ShiYeTuan appeared in miyazaki prefecture, 49 cases ZhongNiu head was killed, including a so-called “ZhongNiu legend”, “children” 22 million. The agency has put the rest of the team ZhongNiu “6″ transfer to 20 kilometers from the “safety”. If the infection, then the head is famous Japanese beef cattle “brand” Mr Hayao miyazaki will disappear.

Local officials in livestock production, maybe this threat to sigh, ZhongNiu disappeared will also affect other counties of famous brand, “this is the beef is unimaginable.

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May 18, 2010

The United Nations environment program calls for environmental protection and construction of natural fishery

Filed under: Agricultural news — cheminfo @ 6:34 am

The UN environment programme (unep) published the latest research report said on 17, if we give Worldwide natural fishery investment of $8 billion every yeah, for environmental protection and reconstruction for fishing, global fisheries fishable amount of the year is expected to increase 1.12 million tons.

Report says, the implementation of the environmental protection of natural fishery investment will in future global fisheries and 40 years for the global economy amounted to $1.7 trillion.

Environment bureau executive director Arab League Qi Mu· Shitaina said at same day’s report release conference that the global natural fishery is suffering the humanity “plundering” and “not the sustainable development”, the world is engaged in the fishing industry directly the practitioner has reached 35,000,000, fishes for the ships to surpass 20,000,000. If this fishery resources management’s defeat performs to contain not immediately, the fishery resources will dry further up.

Report says, protect and rebuild the natural fisheries environment should combine with the industry management reform, including the trade quotas, Marine reserves, the construction and repair damage has been gradually, and fishing area environment in this area of fish.

Fishing is an important source of protein food animals, how to protect and manage Marine fishery resources, and has attracted worldwide attention. United have already requires countries to adopt measures, maintenance and management of Marine resources, protecting the ecological environment, eliminate overfishing, eliminate wasteful fishery activities, and increase of fish resources, develop aquaculture. At the same time, some experts believe that when global fishery production fell even collapse, a kind of effective method is established for Marine reserves, this practice by providing security, and make the fish habitat to reproduce and migration, thus reduce the fish resources facing great pressure.

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May 17, 2010

The United States department of agriculture says U.S. corn yield increase

Filed under: Agricultural news — Tags: corn — cheminfo @ 2:34 am

According to the U.S. department of agriculture, 2010/11 annual American maize yield is expected to 13.4 billion per bushel, improved 2.60 million bushels from 2009/10.

Annual yield of corn by 11 per acre to 163.5 bushels, corn supply is expected to reach a record 15.1 billion bushel, improved 325 million bushels from 2009/10.

U.S. corn ending stocks for 2010/11 is expected to rise 5 percent, reaching 1.8 billion bushels.

Informa economics company released a new report estimated that this year the American corn acreage to 8960 million acres.

According to the international council of grain IGC (2010) is expected to yield of corn for 3.32 million tons of America.

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The most serious meteorological disasters in U.S.

Filed under: Agricultural news — Tags: meteorological disasters — cheminfo @ 2:19 am

In many people’s impression, America is a beautiful country which is bounteous and have the good crop weather.

However, living in the United States after a period of time, you will find that the U.S. is actually a weather disaster prone country, hurricane, fires, floods, blizzard is often seen on television.

Even more unexpected is, give u.s. the most serious damage, the most frequent meteorological disasters is drought, average annual happened to the drought disasters caused economic losses as much as $60 – 80 billion, much more than other meteorological disasters.

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May 14, 2010

Brazil’s agriculture seized unqualified pesticide

Filed under: Agricultural news — Tags: unqualified pesticide — cheminfo @ 2:51 am

Earlier this month, the Brazilian authorities seized 30 tons of unqualified pesticide. Authorities Checked 17 agriculture manufacturers in Sao Paulo state, including five pesticide manufacturers production unqualified pesticide, pesticide unqualified mainly embodies in unqualified tags, expired and active ingredients in high content. The action of the 92 products inspected, some of which are upcoming. nearly 80 per cent of Brazil’s pesticides production are in the Sao Paulo state.

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