Progress 08/01/00 to 07/31/05
Outputs
This project has addressed several issues relevant to the production of crops, especially vegetables, on organic soils. Deep zone tillage can improve the quality of carrots. Water table management influences nitrogen use efficiency. Foliar manganese application is important for optimizing yields and improving N use of potatoes and onions. Petiole sap nitrate concentrations of carrots and celery can be used as a guide for when supplemental nitrogen is needed. For onions the root sap nitrate concentration is a good indicator of the plant N status. Slow release N carriers can effectively provide N to celery and onions. Fertilizer placement for onions is important for maximizing bulb size and yield. Fertilizer placed more than 2 inches directly below the seed is the best. Placing fertilizer more than 2 inches away for the seed results in stand and yield reductions. Providing adequate potassium appears to be important for good onion growth and minimizing leaf tipburn.
Inadequate potassium can be more yield limiting for celery and onions than phosphorus. High tissue sodium concentrations is an indicator of insufficient potassium supply. Nitrogen fertilization is important for maintaining the health of carrot tops, but has much less effect on root yields. Long-term P and K studies have supported the nutrient recommendations provided by MSU. Other than manganese, foliar nutrient applications have not proven to be beneficial for carrots, celery, onions and potatoes grown in organic soils.
Impacts
Proper soil and nutrient management are essential for production of vegetable crops on organic soils. Studies with carrot, celery and onions support the use of soil testing as a cost effective nutrient management tool. With costs for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers increasing significantly, carrot, celery and onion growers can optimize costs for fertilizer inputs by soil testing. Savings for phosphorus and potassium may amount to $25 to $40 or more per acre. With all nitrogen materials producing similar carrot, celery and onion yields and quality, nitrogen input costs can be minimized by using the most cost effective material. Savings can be $15 or more per acre. Topdressing nitrogen as needed, based on petiole sap nitrate test results, for a carrot crop grown on a good muck soil can improve net income by over $60,000 for 100 acres of carrots. Onions are responsive to topdressing with nitrogen, but the material used has little effect on yield and
quality. Use of raise beds and deep zone tillage for carrot production improves the quality and value of carrot by 30 percent or more. Foliar application of managanese to potatoes and onions grown on high pH organic soils can improve marketable yields and crop value by up to 100 percent. In some years use of placed fertilizer can improve onion yields by 25 percent or more, and reduce the days to harvest for celery. Overall, use of good nutrient and soil management practices, documented in conducted research, can greatly benefit the net income of farmers growing crops on organic soils.
Publications
- No new publications since 2004 report.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
On a Houghton muck applying 30 lb nitrogen (N) per acre preplant and then topdressing 30 lb N per acre at 5 or 9 weeks after planting resulted in a carrot root yield of 575 cwt per acre compared with 490 cwt per acre with only preplant nitrogen. Topdressing 30 lb N per acre at both 5 and 9 weeks after planting resulted in a yield of near 615 cwt/A. The current MSU base N recommendation for carrots grown on organic soils is a total of 60 lb N/A. In this study spending an additional $18 per acre on topdress nitrogen increased crop value by $625 per acre. Topdressing 30 lb N per acre at either timing increased the soluble solids (sugar) content of the carrot roots from 7.6 to 8.2 %. Nitrogen rate did not appear to affect disease incidence. In a soil with medium available P and high K levels applying more than120 lb N, 75 lb P2O5 and 150 lb K2O per acre did not improve celery growth and yield. These results are in reasonable agreement with current MSU recommendations.
Eight weeks after transplanting celery, plants topdressed with urea plus magnesium sulfate had the greatest biomass. At harvest there were no differences in total or marketable celery yields when topdressed with four different nitrogen materials. Topdressing calcium, magnesium or potassium along with urea had no impact on marketable celery yield. Three biweekly sprays of potassium phosphate and sodium nitrate resulted in better onion yields than with three other foliar nutrient sprays. Bulbs of onions sprayed with phosphoric acid had the lowest pyruvic acid level and those sprayed with a 20-20-20 fertilizer had the highest. The soluble solids content was not affected. Onions were topdressed with five nitrogen materials at 100 lb N per acre and urea plus potassium or superphosphate. Yield was the highest with ammonium sulfate and urea + superphosphate topdress. A slow release N material produced the lowest yield. Soluble solids content was not affected by the topdress material. The
lowest pyruvic acid content occurred where supplement potassium chloride was topdressed and the highest value occurred where superphosphate was topdressed.
Impacts
Nutrient management is essential for production of vegetable crops on organic soils. Studies with celery support the use of soil testing as a nutrient management tool. With costs for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers increasing significantly, celery growers can optimize costs for fertilizer inputs by soil testing. Savings may amount to $20 to $30 or more per acre. With all nitrogen materials producing similar celery yields and quality, nitrogen input costs can be minimized by using the most cost effective material. Savings can be $10 or more per acre. Topdressing nitrogen as needed for a carrot crop grown on a good muck soil can improve net income by over $60,000 for 100 acres of carrots. Onions are responsive to topdressing with nitrogen, but the material used has little effect on yield and quality. Onion farmers can save money by using the most economically price nitrogen material. This can save up to $10 for each 100 pounds of nitrogen that is
applied.
Publications
- Warncke, D.D. (ed) 2004. Muck Crops Annual Research Report No. 29: Muck Crops Report. Mich. State Univ. AES, East Lansing, MI 48824
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Celery biomass and nutrient accumulation was monitored in fourteen different fields planted from mid-April to late July. The pattern of biomass and nutrient accumulation was similar for most plantings. Celery grew slowly during the first 4-5 weeks before entering a rapid linear growth phase until harvest. The slow lag phase was longest for the early planted celery and shortest for the celery planted in July. Nitrogen concentration in the celery gradually declined during the slow growth phase, but increased following nitrogen application. Banding fertilizer near the plants at transplanting tended to increase early growth for the early plantings. Measurement of the soil nitrate content or the petiole sap nitrate concentration provided an indication of the nitrogen status of carrots and when additional nitrogen is needed. Remote sensing of the spectral reflectance of the carrot canopy was found to not be a good indicator of nitrogen status or need. Use of a dynamic soil
adjustment factor for calculating the vegetative index was found to be better than using a constant factor. Spraying two liquid fertilizers at three rates, 6, 12 and 18 gallons per acre, on onion seed before the seed furrow is closed reduced plant stands, but did not reduce bulb yield. Spraying a low salt fertilizer on the soil surface after seed furrow closure, at all three rates, increased plant stand and bulb yield. With both fertilizers yield was best with 6 gallons per acre sprayed on the soil over the seed. In four field studies onion bulb size was decreased as plant population was increased, especially above 200,000 per acre. New onion varieties show potential for larger bulb size.
Impacts
Band placed fertilizer can improve early celery growth and marketable yield for celery transplanted in April and May, but the benefit decreases as soil and air temperatures increase. Knowing when to and when not to apply band placed fertilizer is of economic importance in terms of either improved yield or reduced input expenditure. Monitoring the soil nitrate and petiole sap nitrate levels are two diagnostic tools that enable efficient utilization of nitrogen inputs. Applying nitrogen only when needed reduces the risk of nitrate loss into water resources or nitrous oxides into the air. Spraying liquid fertilizer over onion seed as it is planted provides a convenient, less costly way of supplying nutrients to young developing seedlings. It also provides a way of supplying other protectants around the germinating seed that can improve plant growth and bulb quality. Improvement in bulb yield from this approach in this study provided an economic benefit around $300 per
acre.
Publications
- Makries, J.L. and D. D. Warncke. 2003. SAVI determination in carrots: Comparing constant and dynamic soil adjustment factors. North Central Extension.-Industry Soil Fertility Conference Proceedings: Vol. 19:200-210.
- Makries, J.L. and D.D. Warncke 2003. Relationship between fractional coverage and reflectance measurements of the carrot canopy. In Annual Meeting Abstracts (CD ROM). ASA-CSSA-SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Warncke, D.D. (ed) 2003. Muck Crops Annual Research Report No. 28: Muck Crops Report. Mich. State Univ. AES, East Lansing, MI 48824.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Foliar sprays of Mg + Mn, B or Cu + Mn applied to carrots receiving 50, 100 or 150 kg N/ha had no significant effect on the petiole sap nitrate concentration, top biomass, total root biomass or marketable carrot yields. Although not significant, foliar disease incidence tended to be less with the biweekly Cu + Mn sprays. Petiole sap nitrate concentration increased from 1650 ppm to 2960 ppm when 50 and 150 kg N/ha was applied. Top biomass was unaffected, but total root biomass and marketable carrot yields were decreased significantly by the highest N rate. Onion varieties grown at two locations were found to vary significantly in the pyruvate and sugar contents. Relative differences were similar at both locations. Nitrogen carrier did not affect the pyruvate and sugar contents of onion bulbs grown in a Houghton muck. Onion bulb yields were similar when grown with five different nitrogen carriers. There were no differences in storage quality of onion bulbs, from the
2001 N carrier study, stored until late February. Foliar Mn applications (2.2 kg/ha per application) improved the growth and yield of four potato varieties grown in Houghton muck. This is in contrast to no benefit when the potato varieties were grown on a McBride sandy loam. Biweekly sprays of Mg + Mn improved celery yields across four N management programs.
Impacts
Studies conducted in 2002 continue to show that foliar nutrient management practices for crops grown on organic soils have a significant impact on crop quality and yield. Biweekly spray applications of Mg + Mn to celery can improve net income by over $100 per acre. Using petiole sap nitrate concentration as a guide for N additions can optimize carrot quality and yield and protect water quality by preventing excess N use and loss. In this year's study reducing N use actually resulted in increased income (better yield) by $200/acre, and reduced N expenditure by $22/acre. Improvement in potato yields with foliar Mn sprays can improve gross income by at least $200/acre depending on variety.
Publications
- Warncke, D.D. (ed) 2002. Muck Crops Annual Research Report No. 27: Muck Crops Report. Mich. State Univ. AES, East Lansing, MI 28824
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, urea-ammonium nitrate, urea and calcium nitrate, with and without a nitrification inhibitor (NI), topdressed on onions at 165 kg N/ha did not affect the storage qualities of the onion bulbs. Total sugar, enzymatic pyruvic acid (PA)and elemental contents of the onion bulbs were similar for all N carriers except the S and PA contents were higher with ammonium sulfate. Marketable onion bulb yields were best with ammonium sulfate + NI and ammonium nitrate + NI. Foliar sprays of Mn on potatoes improved N use and increased yields for potatoes grown on organic soils with pH above 6.0. Yields of over 120 g (4 oz.) tubers of Russet Norkotah were increased by 5.5 to 11 Mg/ha (50 to 100 cwt/A) when sprays were started at tuber set and applied every two weeks. Even one spray of 2 kg Mn/ha about 4 weeks prior to maturity improved size and marketable yields by 2.5 Mg/ha. Biweekly foliar application of Mn and Mg to celery improved total and
marketable yields, and improved the response to sidedress N. Placing fertilizer below or near the celery plant at transplanting improved early plant growth, but this did not translate into improved yield. Cover crops seeded the previous August were evaluated for the effects on weed growth. Forage turnip and sorghum-sudangrass were the most effective in suppressing spring weed growth, followed by buckwheat, oilseed radish and barley.
Impacts
Organic soils require different management practices than mineral soils. These studies help determine those that are most beneficial. Combined foliar manganese and magnesium sprays applied to celery can improve gross income by $100 per acre and reduce the nitrogen requiement by 40 lb/A. Foliar manganese sprays on onions and potatoes grown on organic soils can improve yields by at least 100 cwt/A, and even at $6.00 per cwt that is a significant economic benefit. Use of raised beds for growing carrots is now fairly standard practice because it improves quality and marketable yields. An increase in marketable carrot yields of 50 cwt per acre is common compare with growing on flat ground. And in wet years the benefit is even greater, sometimes making the difference between having a crop and losing it. Onions also benefit from raised beds but to a lesser degree than carrots. At $6 to $10 per cwt the economic impact is significant. Use of appropriate cover crops to help
control early season weeds can help reduce use of chemical herbicides. Return of investment in these practices is very good for the farmers using them.
Publications
- Warncke, D.D. (ed) 2001. Muck Crops Annual Research Report No. 26: Muck Crops Report. Mich. State Univ. AES, East Lansing, MI 48824
- Warncke, D.D., 2001. Effects of nitrogen carriers on onion bulb qualities and yields. Report to: Michigan Onion Commodity Committee, Dept. Crop and Soil Sciences, Mich. State Univ., East Lansing, MI 48824
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
During the wet 2000 growing season the benefit of growing carrots and onions on raised beds in muck soils was demonstrated very well. When grown on raised beds there was a harvested crop compared to very poor crop without. Placement of Cu, Mn, Mo and other trace elements in the seed furrow of onions or carrots had no beneficial or adverse effects. Even applying Mn at 5.5 kg/ ha with the onion seed had no adverse effect on germination, seedling vigor or stand. Band placing fertilizer directly below or 5 cm to the side of the transplant row improved early celery growth but had not significant effect on final crop yield. Placement of a fertilizer band more than 5 cm away from the onion seed row at a depth of 6 cm resulted in reduced stand and yield. The results were similar with both liquid and dry granular fertilizers, and were similar to the results of 1999. Early foliar sprays of Mo and Mn increased plant stand and yield of onions in 1999. In 2000 the sprays were
delayed due to wet weather. As a result no beneficial effects were observed.
Impacts
Studies on organic soils help determine those practices that are beneficial. For onions and potatoes foliar sprays of manganese may improve yields by up to 200 cwt per acre, and even at $5.00 per cwt that is a significant economic benefit. Placement of fertilizer and use of raised beds are other management practices that have been researched and documented to provide economic benefit. Return-on-investment for these practices is very good for the farmers using them.
Publications
- Warncke, D.D. (ed) 2000. Muck Crops Annual Research Report No. 25: Muck Crops Research Report. Mich. State Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., East Lansing, MI
- Warncke, D.D. 2000. Fertilizer placement for onions. Report to: Michigan Onion Commodity Committee, Dept. Crop and Soil Sciences, Mich. State Univ., East Lansing, MI
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Spraying 2.2 kg Mn/ha as MnSO4 twice on two potato varieties and one onion variety grown on a Houghton muck with a soil pH of 6.7 significantly increased marketable yields. Marketable onion yield was increased from 4.38 to 9.01 Mg/ha. US No. 1 tuber yields of Onaway (round white) potato was increased from 2.94 to 5.54 Mg/ha. Yield of over 113 g tubers of Gold Rush (russet type) was increased from only 0.30 to 2.69 Mg/ha. The Mn spray was applied in combination with sidedress nitrogen rate. Nitrogen had little effect this year on onion yield. Potato tuber yields were increased with N application. Spraying onions at the 2 to 6 leaf stage with molybdenum and/or manganese improved number of harvestable bulbs and marketable yields. Placing liquid or dry fertilizer more than 5 cm to the side of a seeded onion row (when placed 6 cm deep) resulted in decreased numbers of harvestable bulbs and yield of marketable bulbs over 5 cm in diameter. In the seed furrow placement of
various micronutrients had no positive or negative effect on carrot or onion germination, stand or yield.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Warncke, D. D. (ed.) 1999. Muck Crops Annual Research Report No. 24: Muck Crops Research Report. Mich. State Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., East Lansing, MI
- Warncke, Darryl. 1999. Fertilizer placement for onions. Report to: Michigan Onion Committee, Dept. Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
- Warncke, D. D., 1999. Manganese and nitrogen effects on petiole sap nitrate, leaf chlorophyll and yield of potato. p. 34 In Abstracts of 6th International Symposium on Soil and Plant Analysis. Brisbane, Australia.
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
In a nitrogen (N) x manganese (Mn) study, two foliar applications of MnSO4 to supply 2.2 kg Mn/ha significantly increased yields of marketable tubers of Onaway and gold Rush potatoes. Manganese application increased chlorophyll meter readings on the leaves by about 5 %, but had little effect on the petiole sap nitrate concentration. Without foliar Mn marketable Onaway tuber yields were maximized with 88 kg N/ha, but when Mn was applied there was no yield response to pre-hilling N application. Foliar Mn application also significantly increased onion yields even though Mn had been included in the broadcast preplant fertilizer. Multiple foliar applications of various combinations of Ca, Mg, B, Mn, Zn, Cu and Mo at mid-season had no significant beneficial effect on foliage quality or crop yield. In the initial yield of a fertility study with peppermint little differential response was seen among various N, P or K treatments. Application of 80 kg/ha P2O5 and 140 kg/ha K2O
to soils having a range of pre-established soil test values (from very low to high) resulted in similar yields among the various plots with sweet corn, carrots and celery.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Warncke, D.D (ed.) 1998. Muck Crops Annual Research Report No. 23: Muck Crops Research report. Mich. State Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., East Lansing, MI
- Warncke, Darryl and Robert Herner. 1998. Evaluation of pre-harvest nitrogen management as a factor in storage quality of celery. Report to: Celery Research, Inc., Dept. Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
In field studies with onions, carrots and celery the pre-sidedress soil nitrate test and the petiole sap nitrate test were used to manage nitrogen inputs on organic soils. In all cases use of these two diagnostic tools resulted in equal yields with the same amount of or less of nitrogen input in comparison with the farmers program. In a water management study nitrogen accumulation, as indicated by a root sap nitrate test, was greatest with the water table maintained between 45 and 55 cm below the soil surface. Total and marketable onion yields were better with sprinkler irrigation than with sub-irrigation. Maintaining the water table near 50 cm resulted in better yields than where it was near 70 cm. Two nitrogen management studies were conducted with celery on organic soils. Soil nitrate and petiole sap nitrate levels are good guides for managing N. Nitrogen application during the final four weeks of growth was found to be critical for optimizing marketable yields. In
a long term P-K study in a Houghton muck, a soil P level (Bray-Kurtz P1) less than 60 ppm delayed maturity and reduced yield of sweet corn. Soil K levels less than 200 ppm also delayed maturity and reduced yield. Increasing the P soil test value to near 60 ppm and the K test value to near 200 helped increase yield of radishes. Increasing the level of K in the soil decreases the Na content of the radish roots and tops but has little effect on Ca and Mg.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Warncke, D. D. (ed.) 1997. Muck Crops Annual Research Report No. 22: 1996 Muck Crops Research Report. Mich. State Agr. Exp. Sta., East Lansing, MI.
- Warncke, D. D. 1997. Tissue and soil nitrate testing for nitrogen management in onion production. Proceedings: 1997 International Soil and Plant Analysis Symposium, Minneapolis, MN.
- Warncke, Darryl. 1997. Soil and petiole sap nitrate testing for managing nitrogen in celery production. Report to: Celery Research, Inc., Dept. Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
Soil and tissue sap nitrate tests can be useful tools for managing nitrogen additions in production of carrots, celery and onions. Soil nitrate tests are most effectively used prior to the first topdress nitrogen application. For carrots and celery monitoring the sap nitrate content of the youngest fully elongated petioles provides a guide to the nitrogen status of the crop and when to apply more nitrogen. In onions the root sap is a better guide than sap from the stem or bulb tissue. Data collected in 1996 supported the critical nitrate level guidelines established for carrots in 1995. The 1996 celery and onion data indicated that the guidelines established in 1995 for these two crops could be lowered by 50 ppm N. The critical sap nitrate N levels during the final growth stages are 250, 325 and 250 ppm respectively for carrot, celery and onion. For carrot grown on loamy sand under a center-pivot irrigation system water distribution was found to have a significant
effect on the nitrogen status and growth of the crop. Applying 12 kg N/ha as urea to the carrot foliage three times during the growth period produced yields and maintained foliage quality equal to carrots receiving twice as much soil applied nitrogen. Onion yield and size distribution is influenced by plant population. Total yield of the five varieties studied increased up to about 625,000 plants per hectare. Production of the larger, more valuable bulbs was maximized at populations less than 500,000 per hectare.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Warncke, Darryl D. 1996. Soil and plant tissue testing for nitrogen management in carrots. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 27:597-605.
- Warncke, D.D. (ed.) 1996. Muck Crops Annual Research Report No. 21: 1995 Muck crops research report. Mich. State Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., East Lansing, MI.
- Warncke, D.D. 1996. Nitrogen management in carrot production: Evaluation of foliar N application and diagnostic aids. Report to Michigan Carrot Committee, Mich. State Univ. Dept. Crop & Soil Soil Sci. Rpt.
- Warncke, D.D. 1996. Petiole nitrate analysis for nitrogen management in celery. Report to Celery Research, Inc., Mich. State Univ. Dept. Crop & Soil Sci. Rpt.
- Warncke, D.D. 1996. Nitrogen management of onions: Tissue sap nitrate analysis. Report to Michigan Onion Committee, Mich. State Univ. Dept. Crop & Soil Sci. Rpt.
- Warncke, D.D. 1996. Influence of plant population on onion bulb size and yield. Report to Michigan Onion Committee, Mich. State Univ. Dept. Crop & Soil Sci. Rpt.
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
Growing carrots and potatoes on raised beds improves crop quality and crop yields. Carrots grown on raised beds are 3 to 5 cm longer and more uniform in diameter from shoulder to tip than carrots grown with a flat soil surface culture. Without bedding the carrots have a heavy shoulder. Raised beds provided less benefit for onions. Soil surface shape had little effect on response to N. Maintaining the water table between 45 and 53 cm below the soil surface resulted in less foliar disease compared to sprinkler irrigated onions. A lower water table, below 75 cm, results in better yields and quality of carrots and potatoes. The high water table resulted in lower N use efficiency due to more N loss during periods of excess rain. N was lost presumably due to denitrification since the concentration in the drainage water remained constant. Petiole sap nitrate N concentration of carrot and celery is a good indicator of N status of the whole plant. The critical value of youngest
mature petioles decreases with age of the plant. For celery it is near 800 ppm at 4 weeks after transplanting and decreases to near 250 close to harvest. Carrots the critical petiole N concentration is near 800 prior to root enlargement and decreases to near 200 as roots approach harvest size, 3 to 4 cm. Onions roots are a better diagnostic tissue for N status than are lower leaves.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- WARNCKE, D. D. 1995. 1994 Muck Crops Research Report. Muck crops annual research report #20. Mich. State Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., E. Lansing, MI 48824
- WARNCKE, D. D. 1995. Nitrogen management in carrot production: Evaluation of foliar N application and diagnostic aids. Report to Mich. Carrot Commodity Comm. Dept. Crop and Soil Sciences Rpt., Mich. State Univ.
- WARNCKE, D. D. 1995. Petiole nitrate analysis for nitrogen management in celery. Report to Mich. Celery Research, Inc., Dept. Crop and Soil Sciences Rpt., Mich. State Univ.
- WARNCKE, D. D. 1995. Nitrogen, water table, and bed culture management for onions. Report to Mich. Carrot Commodity Comm. Dept. Crop and Soil.
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Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94
Outputs
In a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium study carrot yield and quality was improved by phosphorus application. Nitrogen improved top growth but had little effect on root yields. Applying potassium had little effect on carrot growth and yield even though the initial potassium level was low. No interaction effects were observed. Within three water table management zones (20 to 24, 26 to 30 and 36 to 40 inches below the soil surface) the use of raised beds and increasing nitrogen amounts were evaluated for production of carrots and onions. Nitrogen rates were studied with celery, potatoes and sweet corn. Nitrate-N status of the soil was monitored throughout the season. Following periods of excess rain the soil nitrate-N level was lowest with the highest maintained water table. The nitrate-N concentration in the outflow water was near 2 mg/l in May and June, but declined to near 0.1 mg/l in late August and early September. These levels were similar for all three water
management zones. In this soil with near 80 % organic matter denitrification is apparently a big factor. The soil nitrate-N level did reflect the amount of nitrogen applied. Carrot and onion yields were improved by raised beds, especially with the highest water table. During this relatively wet season crop yields were generally best with the water table below 36 inches.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- WARNCKE, D. D. 1994. 1993 Muck Crops Research Report. Muck crops annual research report #19. Michigan State Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., East Lansing, MI 48824.
- WARNCKE, D. D. 1994. Nitrogen, water table and bed culture management for onions. Report to Michigan Onion Commodity Committee. Dept. Crop & Soil Sciences Rpt., Mich. State Univ.
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Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93
Outputs
Rotating onions with alfalfa, carrots or corn has not significantly affected onion yields. However, rotation with these crops has reduced weed problems, especially yellow nutsedge, in comparisons with continuous onions. Monitoring of soil nitrate and ammonium levels indicated that alfalfa and corn utilize available soil N more rapidly during the first four to six weeks of growth than onions or carrots. There has not been an accumulation of available N in the alfalfa plots. Onion yield response to increasing rates of N has been similar in all four rotations. Presidedress soil nitrate testing worked reasonably well for indicating the supplemental N need in onions, sweet corn, potatoes and carrots, but less well for celery. A subirrigation study was initiated in 1993. Preliminary results indicate that maintaining the water table at 18 inches is too high for carrots, but acceptable for onions, sweet corn and potatoes. Carrot quality was the best in 1993 with the water
table maintained nearer 30 inches. Incorporating phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) into the soil prior to planting celery increased K uptake along with total and marketable yields of six celery cultivars. Applying more than the recommended rate of potassium provided no additional benefit.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- WARNCKE, D.D. 1993. 1992 Muck Crops Research Report. Muck crops annual research report #18. Mich. State Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., E. Lansing, MI 48824.
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Progress 01/01/92 to 12/30/92
Outputs
Significant amounts of nitrogen may be mineralized from organic soils during a growing season, but the actual amount may vary considerably from year to year. In an effort to minimize losses of nitrogen by leaching or denitrification farmers of organic soils are encouraged to apply minimal amounts of fertilizer nitrogen at planting time. Then prior to sidedressing additional nitrogen the collection and analysis of soil samples for available nitrate-N can be used as a guide for how much nitrogen to apply. Studies with onions, carrots and potatoes growing in organic soils have shown the use of the presidedress nitrate soil test to be a reliable guide for determining agronomic, economic and environmentally sound sidedress nitrogen amounts. The sidedress nitrogen amount is calculated from the following equation: XN = (N crop need) - (planting time N + soiltest Nitrate-N (kg/ha-30cm) - 25). Use of this approach in field demonstrations has shown significant reductions in
nitrogen use to be possible without affecting crop yields. Research data with increasing nitrogen sidedress amounts for onions, carrots and potatoes support the use of this equation. Sidedressing adequate nitrogen for carrots is more important for top growth than for carrot root growth and yield. Data from long term P-K plots continue to show that phosphorus is more critical for the production of the various muck crops than is potassium.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- WARNCKE, D. D. 1992. 1991 Muck Crops Research Report. Muck crops annual research report #17. Mich. State Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., E. Lansing, MI 48824.
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Progress 01/01/91 to 12/30/91
Outputs
Use of zone tillage in combination with raised beds formed with a rolling bedderresulted in an increased marketable carrot yield by 9.6 Mg/ha over that produced with conventional seedbed preparation (plowing, disking and dragging). In an unplowed organic soil the use of zone tillage in combination with raised beds increased the percent of carrots being marketable from 14 to 56. This was due to an improved rooting environment in terms of better drainage and aeration. Use of zone tillage and bedding resulted in reduced onion yields primarily due to loose soil conditions which resulted in poor germination and reduced stands. Onions grown after onions, alfalfa, sudax or corn yielded the same. Topdressing the onions with 110 kg N/ha in mid-June increased marketable onion yields by 12.1 Mg/ha. Yield response was the same whether the nitrogen carrier was calcium nitrate or urea. Soil nitrate testing revealed that a relatively constant level of near 35 kg ammonium-N per
hectare occurred in the top 30 cm of this Houghton muck. The nitrate-N level in the soil increased during the season due to mineralization and also reflected the addition of fertilizer nitrogen. Topdressing carrots with 55 kg N/ha at mid-season increased the nitrogen content of the tops, but only caused a slight increase in the nitrogen content of the marketable carrot root. Total and marketable carrot yields were not affected by the nitrogen topdressing. The soil nitrate and ammonium content reflected very well the nitrogen addition.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- WARNCKE, D. D. 1991. 1990 Muck crops research report. Crop and Soil Sciences Annual Report AR-135. Mich. State Univ., East Lansing, MI.
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Progress 01/01/90 to 12/30/90
Outputs
Use of zone tillage and furrowed beds was studied for carrot and onion production. Zone tillage done just prior to seeding with each of two zone tillage implements increased total carrot yields 110 to 135 cwt per acre over yields produced by conventional tillage. Marketable carrot yields were increased from 74 percent for the conventional tillage system to 88 percent with zone tillage. Much of the increased yield was due to increased length of the carrots. The length of both the jumbo and number 1 carrots were 2.5 to 3.0 cm longer when grown following zone tillage. Use of furrowed beds improved the length of marketable carrots by 1.3 to 1.6 cm. Bedding following conventional tillage improved total carrot yield about 40 cwt/A and marketable carrot yields by 3 percent. Zone tillage decreased the soil strength enabling better root development. With conventional tillage the soil strength between 20 and 30 cm deep was near 3.8 MPa whereas in zone tilled plots the soil
strength ranged from 1.9 to 2.3 MPa depending on which implement was used. Bedding following zone tillage tended to increase the soil strength. Onion yields were significantly affected by the tillage system. However, zone tillage did improve the depth of rooting by onions. Inclusion of P and K along with N in the fertilizer used to topdress onions and carrots in mid to late June had no effect on yield or quality at three locations.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- STRZALKA, J. A. 1990. Effects of zone tillage and compaction on growth of carrots and onions in organic soils. M.S. Thesis. Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI 122 pp.
- WARNCKE, D. D. 1990. 1989 Muck crops research report. Crop and Soil Sciences Annual Report AR-MK 1. Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI.
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Progress 01/01/89 to 12/30/89
Outputs
Carrot growth, yield and quality are influenced by the physical conditions of the soil resulting from imposed tillage and/or traffic. Tilling a Houghton muck 16 inches deep only in the zone where the plant roots will grow (zone tillage) increased marketable carrot yields and length compared with carrots grown in plowed, disked and rolled plots. Results were positive and similar with both Bushhog Rotill and Tye Paratill units. Carrot yields and quality were similar whether or not the soil was plowed prior to the zone tillage operation. Compaction of the soil prior to seeding carrots in a Houghton muck reduced carrot length and marketable carrot yields. Compaction of this soil to a bulk density of 0.45 g/cm reduced the taproot length 40 percent compared to carrots grown in soil with a bulk density of 0.35 g/cm. Supplemental compaction of the soil reduced root and top growth of onions. Leaving the soil too loose also decreased root growth and onion yields. Zone tillage
of the Houghton muck did not provide beneficial effects for onion production. Compilation of three years of celery growth data has enabled the development of the first draft of an irrigation scheduling model for celery grown on organic soil. The model is driven by an algorithm for leaf area development, solar radiation, thermal time and rainfall. An understanding of soil moisture retention in organic soils and the response of celery to soil moisture levels is essential to the model.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- WARNCKE, D.D. 1989. MSU Muck Crops Res. Rpt. 60 pp. Michigan State Univ. Ag. Exp. Sta.
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