Changing Fertilizer Philosophy
As more articles appear in the non-agricultural press about agriculture's loss of fertilizer into the environment, more articles appear in the agricultural press on how to address this problem. At this point in time the non-agricultural monitors of agricultural fertilizer loss are not impressed with the results of the agricultural establishment's proposed methodologies to prevent these losses. The people doing the monitoring are not impressed because the measured results are showing no improvement as the environmental problems continue at the same level or are actually increasing in size.
A recent article "Weatherproof Your Fertility Program" discussing this issue of fertilizer loss appeared in Farm Journal in October, 2018. In this article, Ken Ferrie attacks the two fertilizer elements nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) that are the most problematic when it comes to environmental loss. Ferrie finally makes a few statements that approach this problem in a way that the agricultural establishment will not embrace through its experts. Ferrie tries to divert attention from the center of the problem-over use of fertilizer-by discussing the 4Rs, especially focusing on timing and placement (distance).
NITROGEN
N loss into the environment is not new news and the amount of loss has stayed fairly consistent since it was first introduced in the Journal of Environmental Quality back during the Nixon administration in the early 1970s. That loss rate is at least 50% loss. The solution to N loss includes discontinuing fall application and getting the spring applied N as close to the plant and its time of usage as possible.
One of the new methods of controlling spring applied N is to place the N in the stem-water zone of the plant through a so-called Y-dropping system. By placing the N in that position it is believed to help significantly overcome the stress of low rainfall on the plant and on the soil microbiological life.
Since GMS is a low N fertilizer, the Growers Program targets the microbiological life to better use added and native sources of N in the soil. Also, foliar feeding places N in that stem-water zone for maximum use of the N.
PHOSPHORUS
The other weather-proofing discussion includes cold weather. The direct quotes from this section sound like literature that is used by Growers Chemical Corporation for GMS.
"In cold soil, just like dry soil, you get reduced microbial activity and reduced mineralization of nutrients, especially phosphorus and sulfur," Ferrie says. "Even in high-testing soil, phosphorus and sulfur availability will be low until soil temperature reaches and stays about 65°F. Then microbial activity and mineralization pick up again."
"Soil temperatures between 50°F and 65°F might last several weeks," Ferrie says, "But you can get a lot of growth during that period if plants have access to available nutrients."
The solution is to place some phosphorus-and sulfur, if needed-close to the seed as you plant. That will keep plants growing until the soil begins supplying nutrients. "Don't increase the rate. Just modify your placement and timing," Ferrie says.
GMS in the correct position at the proper timing is available to the seed, plant, and soil microbes. This allows for maximum utilization of all elements with minimum loss into the environment. How can you grow a crop with that dinky amount of fertilizer? Ask a GMS sales representative.
This is an excerpt from the Winter Growers Solution (2019) written by Staff.
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