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I‘ . «D. . .. L ”Uh 6t . . NJK Ii‘ 1 r, ~ _ n< _ . (‘5‘ J... ‘ .o f \ ..u 71.3 w an r ... I.“ .w . . x . ... ‘ou I.“ ‘4 s“ a.“ $.o at» up ... .0 .r. . Ti 31... ..n ..I u...» ”...... .ML Lt.” ...u.. . (3‘ S C C S . a ‘00 00.9. u o. ”n 5 I‘ll“ ‘5’...» I has «4...». .1. u .,.. . r \ H _:_:.:____:_:_::_,,_:_:_:_:_ 'flli'lliflll'!!fll' This is to certify that the thesis entitled The Effect of Starter-Solution Chemicals and Certain Other Cultural Practices on Growth and' Yield of Tomatoes, Cabbage, Strawberries , Sweet Corn and Snap Beans presented by Alexander Norman Heath, Jr. has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for Lin—degree 111W JMOWQ / l 1 Major professor —. ———— fin - u. w'. -'——- ————-—‘——-—-—u -. .L; ——-—-—-1 4‘1 1" ~ ‘« ‘ll‘ fibuia'fi’", . THE EFFECT OF STARTER-SOLUTION CHEMICALS AND CERTAIN OTHER CULTURAL PRACTICES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF TOMATOES, CABBAGE, STRAW- BERRIES, SWEET CORN, AND SNAP BEANS BY ALEXANDER NORMAN REATH, JR. A THE SIS Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department Of Horticulture 1952 TH E315 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . The author wishes to thank Dr. R. L. Carolus, under whose competent guidance and direction these studies were carried out. He is also grateful to Mr. Larry Barber, foreman at the Upper Peninsula Experiment Station, and others who have directly or indirectly contributed to this thesis. 300069 TABLE OF CON TENTS Greenhouse Studies of the Tolerance of the Tomato, Cabbage, and Strawberry to Various Concentrations of Several Soluble Fertilizer Formulations ............................. Experimental ........................... Methods and mate rials .................. Re sults ............................. Field Studies of the Effect of Concentration of Various Soluble Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Tomatoes, Cabbage, and Strawberries ..... Experimental ........................... Methods and materials .................. Results ............................. 12 26 27 27 2.7 30 44 Effect of Soluble Fertilizer on Transplanted and Direct-Seeded Sweet Corn and the Effect of Soil Ridging and Carbon Applications on Sweet Corn and Snap Beans . . . . ............... Expe rim ental ........................... Methods and mate rials .................. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS .................. BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................. 51 51 51 53 57 60 63 .[llf'll‘llflllllllll'll‘ll {lull-III Ill tlllllllfl‘ll'lflllll. .llllnlllhlllllIH TABLE III. IV. VI. VII. VIII. LIST OF TABLES Page Influence of Soluble-Fertilizer Formulations on the Soluble -Sa1t Content of the Soil and on the Green and Dry Weight of Tomato Plants .............. . ................ 13 Influence of Soluble-Fertilizer Formulations on the Soluble-Salt Content of the Soil and on the Green and Dry Weight of Cabbage Plants ........................ ' ....... 16 Tolerance of Robinson Strawberry Plants to Various Concentrations of Several Fertilizer Formulations in the Greenhouse ..... 19 The Effect of Various Soluble-Fertilizer Formulations and Sugar on the Early and Total Yield of Early Chatham Tomatoes ....... 31 The Effect of Various Soluble Fertilizer Formulations on the.Yie1d of Globe and Copenhagen Market Cabbage ............... 34 Early and Total Runner-Plant Production as Influenced by Soluble Fertilizers on Several Strawberry Varieties ............... 35 Relative Early and Total Runner-Plant Production as Influenced by Soluble Fertilizers on Several Strawberry Varieties ............................. 38 Strawberry Yield as Influenced by Soluble Fertilizers on Several Straw- berry Varieties ........................ 4O vi TABLE Page IX. Coefficients of‘ Correlations Between Runner Formation and Yield of Strawberry Varieties, as Influenced by Soluble Fer- tilizers ..... . ........................ 41 X. Influence of Soluble Fertilizer and Transplanted and Direct—Seeded Methods of Planting on the Maturity, Number, Size, and Yield of North Star Sweet Corn ................................ 54 XI. Effect of Ridging Soil and Carbon Appli- cations on Stand and Yield of Sweet Corn and Green Snap Beans ........ . .......... 56 XII. Effect of Ridging on Stand and Yield of Snap Beans ........................... 58 LIS T OF FIGURES FIGURE Page 1. Influence of Soluble Fertilizer Formulations on the Soluble Salt Content of a Strawberry Soil.........‘ ....................... 25 2. Relation Between Runner Plant Formation and Yield of Ten Strawberry Varieties, as Influenced by Soluble Fertilizer ............. 42 INTRODUCTION Some vegetables and strawberries frequently fail to develop and produce satisfactorily in northern areas due to the shortness of the frost-free period or to a lack of sufficient effective heat during the crop season. Therefore, it is imperative that crops grown at the higher latitudes be treated in such a manner that the seedling plants develop rapidly during their early stages. Any practice or method of culture that would promote early growth should hasten maturity, and thus reduce the hazards of a short season. The application of concentrated fertilizers in solution to transplanted crops in order to stimulate early growth should be particularly effective in cold soils. Cold soils are generally lower in nitrates and other soluble forms of nitrogen, due to reduced biological activity at low temperatures. Recent unpublished obser- vations (13, 19) indicate that the ability of plants to appropriate phosphorus is also reduced at low temperatures. In addition, it is general knowledge that phosphorus-deficiency symptoms appear more frequently in cabbage and tomato plants when the soils are either wet or cold. Inasmuch as both nitrogen and phosphorus are required in rather large quantities to promote root and shoot de- velopment, concentrated fertilizers used as ”starter solutions” should be particularly effective on .colder soils. However, the quantity to apply, below a toxic level, necessary to promote rapid early growth, and the ratio Of the various nutrients that will bring about the most favorable growth has not been well established. In addition, variations in the starter-solution nutrient ration and level for both different kinds and different varieties of crops probably vary, and should be determined. Problems in sweet corn and snap bean production in the north are frequently related to poor stands and delayed planting occasioned by cold, wet soil conditions. While some of these troubles have been partly overcome by the introduction of better adapted varieties and seed treatment, still, cultural practices that would allow earlier plantings on colder soils without impairment of germination or yield and early maturity would be of great value. REVIEW OF LITERATURE It is common knowledge that excess salts in the soil can have detrimental effects on plant growth. Ahi and Powers (1), in studying alkali soils, grew salt grass and strawberry clover at 55° and 75° F. in the greenhouse, and found that on the soils of high salt content the higher temperature resulted in poorer germination and growth of these crops. Similarly, Magisted (11) reported that at a given salt concentration the relative yield of several crops was depressed as the temperature increased. While large quanti— ties of either monovalent or divalent ions depressed growth in most crops, he found that salts with monovalent ions were in some cases more toxic. Merkle and Dunkle (12) showed that a close relationship existed between inorganic soluble matter and electrical conductivity readings of aqueous soil extracts. They found that conductivity readings obtained from 1:1 soil-water extracts of greenhouse soils were ten to one hundred times greater than those obtained from field soils, and reported that the ”ceiling value" for germination of several greenhouse plants was approximately 200 x -5 10 mhos, based upon a 1:2 soil-water extract. A study of the effect of salt concentration on plant behavior is of practical importance with the increasing use of soluble fer- tilizers in transplanting water. Baker (2) was among the first to report that the incorpora- tion of soluble fertilizers in transplanting water increased tomato yields. By the addition of 4.6 pounds of monoammonium phosphate to 50 gallons of water, early yields were increased by 80 percent and total yields were increased by 20 percent. Later work by Sayre (15, 17) generally substantiated Baker's findings. He found that a mixture composed of two parts "Ammo Phos A" and one part nitrate of potash, applied at the rate of 8 pounds per 50 gal- lons of water, supplied at a volume of one-fourth pint per plant, significantly increased both early and total tomato yields. It was also noted that larger yields resulted from this treatment than if 2 pounds of the fertilizer per 50 gallons of water were applied at the rate of 1 pint per plant. Small gains in yield were achieved when the roots of tomato plants shipped from Georgia were dipped in a nutrient solution previous to shipment (16). In the above ex- periments by Sayre, at the concentrations employed, growth-regu- lating substances in the solutions were of little value, and generally resulted in reduced yields. Rahn (14) summarized a four-year study with tomato and one year's work on cabbage, in Pennsylvania, with results quite parallel to those of Sayre. He concluded that tomatoes require a high phosphorus starter, whereas cabbage starter-solution needs are more fully met by a high-nitrogen fertilizer. In Michigan, Carolus and Schleusener (3) significantly in- creased the yield of Stokesdale tomatoes by the use of one-half pint per plant of a starter solution formulated by adding 5 pounds of a mixture Of 50 percent monopotassium phosphate and 50 percent diammonium phosphate to 50 gallons of water. With the addition of starter solutions, the increase in yield with normal fertilizer was 1.45 tons per acre, and even with applications of additional fertilizer, side dressed, the increase in yield for the starter solu-' tion was 1.62 tons per acre. Carrier and Snyder (4) applied a mixture containing two parts of monoammonium phosphate and one part of potassium ni- trate at various intervals before transplanting to several nursery and floral crops. Snapdragons flowered earlier when, the solution was applied five days previous to transplanting, while Delphiniums flowered earlier when the solution was applied eight days before transplanting, but Forsythia, a woody perennial, gave no response to treatment. They concluded that the application of fertilizer be- fore transplanting stimulated the development of new roots by causing increased nutrient absorption so that the plant was more likely to survive and grow in its new location. Darrow (6) has reported that the yield of strawberry plants is related to the early establishment of runner plants during the first season of growth. However, the yield is generally modified in part by total runner and runner-plant production, the relation between time of fruit-bud formation and the end of the growing season, and the competition between adjacent plants. Work done by Loree (10), in Michigan, showed that phos- phorus alone had little effect on strawberry-plant growth. Greater vegetative growth and fruit production was obtained when phosphorus was applied in combination with nitrogen. Nitrogen applications made in the spring, alone or in combination with phosphorus and potash, resulted in vigorous runner formation. Summer applica- tions at rates similar to those made in the spring produced fewer runners, although there was better crown development. However, Wiggans (18) reported that strawberries usually do not require additions of commercial fertilizers, although applications of 300 pounds per acre of superphosphate may some- times be beneficial. Leonard and Bear (8) reported that celery yields in sand cultures increased when the potash was reduced and replaced by equivalent amounts of sodium. The yield of tomatoes, Swiss chard, and table beets in the field was increased when common salt was applied to the soil as a partial substitute for potash. lllllllllllltlll ill 1' Ill-III PART I Statement of the Problem Michigan growers are familiar with the obstacles encoun— tered with early spring plantings. Among others, low temperature is a problem of particular importance, because this hazard results in delay in planting, poor stands, late maturity, and reduced yields. A number Of techniques and practices can be used to overcome the effects of low temperature. This would include the use of new varieties, plant protectors, fertilizers, crop rotation, and special cultural practices. Low yields of cabbage and tomatoes are of frequent occur— rence, especially where the plants have been slow to resume growth after the transplanting operation. The application of transplanting solutions containing concentrated fertilizers is a possible means of overcoming this hazard. These solutions supplement the natural moisture and nutrient supply, which are needed for the early es— tablishment of the plant following transplanting. However, more specific knowledge should be obtained regarding the effects of III! lllllll i ll“ llllll!l. Illllluill' II iflflllllfllllfilillfll I! various rates and analyses of fertilizer on cabbage and tomatoes to increase the efficiency in the use of these solutions. Strawberry growers in the Upper Peninsula frequently have difficulty in setting new plantings until the latter part of May or early June, due to cold, wet soils followed by dry periods after planting. This Often leads to a high mortality of strawberry trans- plants. Another problem resulting from the late start has been the lack of a satisfactory development of early runner plants. The runner plants are established too late in the season; thus resulting in weak plants that are susceptable to winter injury, which subse- quently results in low yields the following season. This study, made both under greenhouse conditions and in the field at Chatham, Michigan, shows the effect on plant growth of some concentrated water-soluble fertilizers on cabbage, tomatoes, and strawberries. Greenhouse Studies of the Tolerance of the TomatoL Cabfigg, and Strawberry to Various Concentrations of Several Soluble Fertilizer Formulations Expe rimental Methods and materials. This phase of the study was car- ried out in the greenhouse using six-week-old well-grown Stokesdale 10 tomato and Resistant Detroit cabbage plants. On January 6, 1952, the plants were set in No. 10 tin cans containing a soil made up of one part sand, one part peat, and two parts loam soil. Three one—plant replicates consisting of uniform transplants were treated at the time of transplanting with 250 cubic centimeters of each of the following solutions: (1) 10-52-17 (Takehold);l (2) 13-26-13 (Hygro);2 (3) 13-26-13 (composed of diammonium phosphate, am- monium nitrate, and potassium chloride); (4) 13-26-13 (which was the same as treatment No. 3, with the addition of 22 percent of sugar by weight). Each fertilizer was used at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 ounces per gallon of water. Thereafter, the plants were watered with distilled water when con- ditions warranted. The soluble-salt content of a sample of soil from each can was estimated twenty-five days after planting by measuring elec- trical conductance, as described by Davidson (7). The plants were 1 Takehold supplied by Victor Chemical Works, Chicago, Ill. 2 Hygro supplied by McCormick and Co., Inc., Baltimore 11 removed two days later, at which time the roots were washed and the green and dry weight of each plant recorded. Under conditions similar to those discussed for the cabbage and tomatoes, 256 Robinson strawberry plants were planted Decem- ber 26, 1951. These potted plants, which had been held in cold storage for two months to break their rest period, were divided into four replicates. Each replicate had a strawberry plant treated in the same manner as described for the tomato and cabbage, using the following materials: (1) 21-53-0 (diammonium phosphate); (2) 0-53-34 (monopotassium phosphate); (3) 23-0-34 (comprised of 45 percent potassium chloride and 55 percent ammonium nitrate); (4) 10-52-17 (Takehold); (5) 23-21-17 (Rapid Gro);3 (6) 6-25-15 (VHPF);1 (7) 15-30-15 (Kapco);5 and (8) 8-8-20 (Chateliers).6 3 . Rapid Gro supplied by Rapid Gro Corporation, Dansville, 4 VHPF supplied by Miller Chemical and Fertilizer Com- pany, Baltimore, Md. 5 Kapco supplied by Kelly Agricultural Products, McKees— port, Pa. 6 Chateliers supplied by Chateliers Laboratories, St. Petersburg, Fla. ‘ 12 Fluorescent lights were used to extend the daylight period to fifteen hours. This was accomplished by hanging eight light assemblies of 80 watts each above the bench and allowing them to light the area from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Records were taken of the date of runner initiation, number of runners, length of runner, and number of runner plants. In addition, the electrical conductance of the soil was measured forty-five days after planting. Results. The effects of the fertilizer treatments with Stokesdale tomatoes on the soluble-salt content of the soil and on the green and dry weights are shown in Table I. Although the soluble-salt content of the soils increased with application of the fertilizer, the lowest readings were obtained from the soils treated with 10-52-17. The fertilizer treatment composed of 13-26-13 plus sugar resulted in a significant increase in growth when the average of the seven concentrations was compared with the average of the 13-26-13 analysis, because growth was not reduced at the higher concentrations where sugar was included. Sugar could have been assimilated as a food which favored the retention of nonab- sorbed salts in the soil, or it may have resulted in a more favor- able media for plant growth. When the average of the concentrations TABLE I 13 INFLUENCE OF SOLUBLE-FERTILIZER FORMULATIONS ON THE SOLUBLE-SALT CONTENT OF THE SOIL AND ON THE GREEN AND DRY'WEIGHT OF TOMATO PLANTS (averages of three in grams per plant) Rate Fertilizer Analysis (oz. 1 - 2-1 ~ per Facwrs 3 5 7 13-26-13 13-26-13 al )* Take- "H r0" 13-26-13 + Su ar Average g ‘ hold" yg g 0.5 Salt** 28 35 28 35 32 G. Wt. 54.7 55.7 58.0 57.7 56.5 D. Wt. 3.9 3.9 4.3 4.7 4.2 1.0 Salt 38 42 41 41 41 G. Wt. 51.0 51.3 59.3 57.0 54.7 D. Wt. 3.9 3.6 4.1 4.4 4.0 1.5 Salt 39 55 47 47 47 G. Wt. 52.0 52.3 45.3 52.3 50.5 D. Wt. 3.4 3.8 3.0 3.9 3.5 2.0 Salt 43 61 55 54 54 G. Wt. 47.3 64.3 46.3 59.7 54.4 D. Wt. 3.5 4.8 3.1 4.6 4.0 2.5 Salt 46 68 56 60 58 G. Wt. 52.3 50.7 43.7 55.0 50.4 D. Wt. 3.8 3.9 3.0 4.3 3.8 3.0 Salt 37 75 63 85 65 G. Wt. 50.7 50.3 36.0 49.3 46.6 D. Wt. 3.4 3.5 2.3 3.5 3.2 3.5 Salt 46 75 64 86 68 G. Wt. 48.0 30.3 24.3 45.3 37.0 D. Wt. 3.5 2.1 1.6 3.1 2.6 . II I . ill..lill llv 0" III-II" I l 14 TABLE I (Continue d) Fe rtilize r Analysis Rate (oz. .. 2.. per Facmrs 10 5 17 13-26-13 13-26-13 a1)* "Take- "H M 13-26-13 + S Average g. . hOId” ygro ugar Avg. Salt 4o 59 51 5 8 G. Wt. 50.9 50.7 44.8 53.8 D. Wt. 3.6 3.7 3.1 4.1 * 250 ml. solution applied per plant. -5 ** In terms of Mhos x 10 on a 1:5 soil-water extract. Least Significant Difference at 5% level: Green Weiglit Drx Weight Fertilizer ................. 8.9 N.S. Conc entration ............... 6 . 5 O . 6 Same Fertilizer, Different Concentration ............. l4. 9 1 . 3 Different Fertilizer, Same Concentration ............ , 15. 6 1. 5 15 used was studied, it was found that the green and dry weights showed a general decline above a concentration of 2.0 ounces per gallon, and at 3.0 ounces per gallon a significant reduction in growth was observed. However, on the basis of the individual fertilizers, there was no reduction in growth where Takehold or a 13-26-13 with sugar added was applied. As concluded by Ahi, Powers, and Magisted (1, 11), a greater reduction in growth would have occurred had the plants been grown at a warmer temperature at the high concentrations . The data presented in Table II showed the influence of sev- eral soluble fertilizers on the soluble-salt content of the soil and on the green and dry weight of cabbage plants. At all concentra- tions, Takehold produced the highest green and dry weight yield of cabbage; yet, the soluble-salt readings were the lowest for this fertilizer. Takehold-treated plants had 6.4-gram larger green weights and 0.4-gram greater dry weights than the plants treated with Hygro. Apparently, the high phosphorus in Takehold favored rapid early growth of cabbage. The sugar had no effect on the green and dry weights of cabbage or the salt content of the soil, especially at the high concentrations, where the tomato gave a response. A depression in the growth of cabbage occurred as the INFLUENCE OF SOLUBLE-FERTILIZER FORMULATIONS ON TABLE II 16 THE SOLUBLE-SALT CONTENT OF THE SOIL AND ON THE GREEN AND DRY WEIGHT OF CABBAGE PLANTS (average of three in grams per plant) Rate Fertilizer Analysis (oz. per Facmrs 13 52 17 13-26-13 13—26-13 a1 )* Talce- "H ro" 13-26-13 + Su ar Average g ‘ hold" yg g 0.5 Salt** 19 28 30 23 25 G. Wt. 58.7 52.7 55.3 60.7 56.9 D. Wt. 4.0 3.7 4.1 4.4 4.1 1.0 Salt 27 40 36 36 35 G. Wt. 60.0 52.0 50.3 56.0 54.6 D. Wt. 4.5 4.1 4.0 4.1 4.2 1.5 Salt 30 44 36 40 38 G. Wt. 61.3 60.0 56.3 57.3 58.7 D. Wt. 4.6 4.7 4.4 4.2 4.5 2.0 Salt 33 49 45 40 42 G. Wt. 56.7 50.3 52.3 55.7 53.8 D. Wt. 4.5 3.8 4.3 4.3 4.2 2.5 Salt 36 58 48 45 47 G. Wt. 55.0 49.0 45.7 48.7 49.6 D. Wt. 4.3 3.8 3.4 3.4 3.7 3.0 Salt 32 63 52 56 51 G. Wt. 55.7 41.3 44.7 39.0 45.2 D. Wt. 4.1 3.1 3.0 2.7 3.2 3.5 Salt 35 75 56 55 55 G. Wt. 46.7 43.7 46.7 44.7 45.4 D. Wt. 3.6 3.3 3.5 2.6 3.3 17 TABLE 11 \(Continued) Fe rtilize r Analysis Rate (oz. - 2,- per Facmrs 1° 5 17 13-26-13 13-26-13 a1)* ”Take- -"H H 13-26-13 + S Average g . hold" ygro ugar Avg._ Salt 3o 51 43 42 G. Wt. 56.3 49.9 50.2 51.7 D. Wt. 4.2 3.8 3.8 3.7 * 250 ml. solution applied per plant. ** In terms of Mhos x 10.5 on a 1:5 soil-water extract. Least Significant Difference at 5% level: Green Weight Drj Weight Fertilizer ................. 4.7 0.5 Concentration ............... 4 .1 0 . 4 Same Fertilizer, Different . Concentration . ............ 9.4 0.9 Diffe rent Fe rtilize r, Same Concentration ............. 5 . 4 O .9 18 fertilizer concentration was increased above the 2.0—ounce level or the electrical conductance of the soil was raised above 40 or 45 mhos x 10-5. The data in Table III show that some of the fertilizers were toxic to strawberry growth at the higher concentrations. The 23-0—34 fertilizer killed all the strawberry plants above a concen- tration of 1.0 ounce per gallon, while plants treated with a 0-53-34 survived concentrations as high as 3.5 ounces. A possible expla- nation for this is found in Figure 1, where the electrical conduc- tance readings for these fertilizers are compared with several other nontoxic fertilizers, such as 10-52-17 and 6-25-15. In gen- eral injury occurred as the soluble-salt concentration of the soil approached 55 mhos x 10-5. This indicated that concentration, rather than the ions in the fertilizer mixture, caused the toxic effects. Salts which made up the mixtures were probably highly dissociated. From the data presented in Table III, and general observa- tions of the plants, it was concluded that the most ideal fertilizer, regardless of concentration, was the 0-53-34 from monopotassium phosphate. Monopotassium phosphate, although lacking in nitrogen, produced more vigorous early runners and runner plants than did 19 TABLE III TOLERANCE OF ROBINSON STRAWBERRY PLANTS TO VARIOUS CONCENTRATIONS OF SEVERAL FERTILI- ZER FORMULATIONS IN THE GREENHOUSE (average of four replicates) Factors Check 0.5 Monopotassium Phosphate (0-53-34) Salt concentration* ............. 21 25 Percent plant surviva1** ......... 100 100 Number of days to first runner . . . . 59 52 Percent runner length** ......... 100 166 Percent runners** ............. 100 140 Percent runner p1ants** ......... 100 300 Salt concentration ........ . ..... 21 30 Percent plant survival .......... 100 100 Number of days to first runner . . . . 59 51 Percent runner length ........... 100 160 Percent runners ............... 100 140 Percent runner plants ........... 100 300 Takehold (10-52— 17) Salt concentration .............. 21 29 Percent plant survival .......... 100 100 Number of days to first runner . . . . 59 58 Percent runner length ........... 100 123 Percent runners ............... 100 170 Percent runner plants ........... 100 50 20 TABLE III (Continued) Rate of Application (ounces per gallon) 1.0 1.5 zto 2.5 311 3.5 Monopotas sium Pho sphate JO - 5 3- 3 4) 25 25 26 26 25 29 100 100 100 100 100 100 45 52 48 50 54 53 169 146 191 137 109 160 170 180 170 140 200 140 500 250 550 300 250 300 'VIUPF‘(6-25-15) 32 35 42 34 43 42 100 100 100 100 75 75 49 51 48 48 47 62 183 154 197 131 149 60 150 140 170 170 100 90 250 300 400 300 200 0 Takehohi(lO-52-l7) 34 34 38 50 64 66 100 100 100 100 75 25 46 49 52 51 56 63 154 154 129 146 106 80 120 190 160 190 130 60 250 450 200 300 200 o 21 TABLE III (Continued) Factors Check 0.5 Diammonium Phosphate 423—53-0) Salt concentration .............. 21 41 Percent plant survival .......... 100 100 Number of days to first runner . . . . 59 57 Percent runner length ........... - 100 117 Percent runners ............... 100 150 Percent runner plants ........... 100 100 Rapid Gro (23-21-17) Salt concentration . . ............ 21 28 Percent plant survival .......... 100 100 Number of days to first runner . . . . 59 51 Percent runner length ........... 100 160 Percent runners . . . ............ 100 130 Percent runner plants ........... 100 300 Kapco (15-30- 15) Salt concentration .............. 21 33 Percent plant survival .......... ‘ 100 100 Number of days to first runner . . . . 59 60 Percent runner length . . . . . .' ..... 100 .106 Percent runners . . ............. 100 170 Percent runner plants ........... 100 250 Potassium Chloride and Ammonium Nitrate (23-0-34) Salt concentration .............. 21 43 Percent plant survival .......... 100 100 Number of days to first runner 59 48 Percent runner length ........... 100 197 Percent runners ............... 100 60 Percent runner plants ........... 100 150 22 TABLE 111 (Continued) Rate of Application (ounces per gallon) 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 Diammonium Phosphate (23-53-0) 41 49 58 55 69 90 100 100 75 75 0 0 52 52 52 56 137 126 126 86 150 170 190 70 250 300 250 0 Rapid Gro (23-21-17) 37 63 68 73 104 87 75 25 0 0 0 0 48 65 149 49 130 30 200 0 Kapco L15-30-15) 56 63 63 69 68 86 100 100 50 0 0 0 52 56 56 160 129 126 120 140 60 200 200 50 Potassium Chloride and Ammonium Nitrate (23-0-34) 50 74 82 97 98 100 75 0 O 0 0 0 53 123 40 100 23 TABLE III (Continued) Factors Check 0.5 Chateliers (8-8-20) Salt concentration .............. 21 27 Percent plant survival ...... . . . . 100 100 Number of days to first runner . . . . 59 66 Percent runner length ........... 100 57 Percent runners ............... 100 110 Percent runner plants . . .‘ ........ 100 0 * Terms of electrical conductance in mhos x 10“5 on a one part soil to five parts water extract. ** Based on check equal to 100 percent. 24 TABLE III (Continued) Rate of Application (ounces per gallon) 1.0 1.5 2.0 , 2.5 3.0 3.5 Chateliers LB— 8-20) 44 44 58 59 61 83 100 100 75 50 0 0 61 60 63 64 91 103 74 91 100 90 50 30 0 100 0 0 ELECTRICAL CONDUOTANCE (M10 - 5 ) .001 ...—'"F— or.. 90 - .‘l e./ 00f /.° / ‘ 70 . 0 .I ,7 . f’ 60 :/ ’1 . / ,I’ " I so /°./ I” r/ f ” ./ ...—j I ’;}\. / I: y ./,I \/ 30 ~—-_ Potoeeium Chloride aloe monium Nitrate (23 -O-34) I0 ...-1- Takehold (IO’SZ’W) —e-e- VHPF 5 lb [.5 270 2.5 34.0 as FERTILIZER OONOENTRATION (Ouncee oer Gallon) FIGURE l Influence at Soluble Fertilizer Formalotione on the Soluble Salt Content at o Strawberry Soil (Electrical Conductance in MhoexlO-s ono one-port eoil to tive-port eater extract) 26 any other fertilizer. By the same standards, strawberries did not respond to the 8- 8-20, as the position of this fertilizer at the bot- tom of Table III indicates. Discussion. The soluble-salt content of the soil increased as the fertilizer. concentration was increased, regardless of fer- tilizers or crops grown (Tables I, II, and III). Cabbage nutritional demands are greater than those of tomatoes or strawberries, as shown by the lower soluble-salt readings obtained from the 10-52- 17-treated soil. However, the soluble salt retained in the soil varied, depending upon the utilization of nutrient by the species grown, as well as the degree of ionization of the ingredients in- volved in formulating the various analyses. These conclusions are supported by work done by Collander, Magisted, and Ralm (5, ll, 14). Growth of cabbage and tomatoes decreased as the fertilizer concentrations were increased above the 2.0-ounce level. Concentrations toxic for strawberry growth were dependent upon the fertilizer applied, since the application of 3.5 ounces of mono- potassium phosphate resulted in no injury, whereas plants treated with 23-0-34 were killed at rates as low as 1 ounce per gallon. As has been indicated by Merkle and Dunkle (12), the higher con- centrations of fertilizers had an adverse effect on green weight of 27 cabbage and tomatoes, due to the high soluble-salt content of the soil. Injury occurred in cabbage as the soluble-salt reading of the soil‘ approached 40 to 45 mhos x 10-5, while strawberries and to- matoes were injured at around 55 mhos x 10-5. The data in Fig- ure 1 show that various fertilizers produced high salt readings, which affected plant growth. However, various component ions could have caused injury, according to observations made by Magisted (11). Conclusions drawn by Ahi, Powers, and Magisted (1, 11) support the supposition that under field conditions, where lower temperatures would prevail, strawberry, cabbage, and tomato plants would withstand a higher concentration of fertilizer than was found in this greenhouse study. Field Studies of the Effect of Concentration of Various Soluble Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Tomatoes, Cabbage, and Strawberries Expe rimental Methods and materials. To determine the value on growth and yield of various concentrated fertilizers used as starter solu-- tions, experiments were conducted with tomato, cabbage, and straw- berry plants. The tests were conducted at the Upper Peninsula 28 Experiment Station on a Chatham stony loam soil, on plots that had received a preplanting broadcast fertilizer application of a 4-16-16 analysis at the rate of 400 pounds to the acre. In the tomato test, four replicates of five plants each of the Early Chatham variety were set 2 feet apart in rows 6 feet apart on May 28, 1952, inla randomized block experiment, using the following soluble fertilizer mixtures: (1) 10-52-17 from 50 percent (NH4)ZHPO + 50 percent KH P04; (2) same as (1) + 22 4 2 percent beet sugar; (3) 15-37-15 from 75 percent (NH4)2HPO4 + 25 percent KCl; and (4) same as (3) + 22 percent beet sugar. At the time of setting, 1 pint of solution containing either 1, 2, or 4 ounces per gallon of one of the above fertilizers was used around each plant. A check treatment with water was included for comparison. After setting, the plants. were covered with hot— caps for twenty days for protection against possible frost. Fol- lowing the removal of these protectors, the flower clusters were sprayed at weekly intervals for three weeks with a spray con— taining 30 parts per million of parachlorophenoxy acetic acid to insure fruit set. Four harvests of ripe fruit were made between August 22 and September 16. 29 In the cabbage test, three replicates of ten plants each of two varieties, Copenhagen Market and Globe, were set 1-1/2 feet apart in rows 3 feet apart on June 25, 1952, in separate random- ized block experiments, using the following fertilizer mixtures: PO; (1) 10-52—17 from 50 percent (NH4)ZHPO 2 4 4 + 50 percent KH (2) 17-26-22 from 50 percent (NH HPO4 + 50 percent KNO ; and 4)2 3 (3) 7-26-39 from 50 percent KHZPO4 + 50 percent KNO3. The three formulas used resulted in one mixture that was high in phosphorus, one that was high in nitrogen, and one that was high in potassium. One-half pint of a solution from concentrations of either 1, 2, or 3 ounces per gallon of the above fertilizers was applied around each plant at the time of planting. An additional treatment was included with water, which served as a standard. The marketable cabbage was harvested September 9, 1952. Ten strawberry varieties, which included N. Y. 23502, Empire, Eden, Premier, Temple, Senator Dunlap, Erie, N. Y. 28597, Sparkle, and Fairland, were planted May 17, 1951, 2 feet apart in the row with 4 feet between rows in a split-plot experiv ment using one-half pint of the following fertilizer solutions at both 1- and 2-ounce concentrations per gallon: (1) 0-26-0 from NaZPIPO4-7HZO; and (2) 10-52-17 from 50 percent (NH‘1)2HCPO‘1 + 30 50 percent KHZPO4. A water treatment was included as a control. Each treatment was replicated with seven plants per replicate. Records obtained in 1951 included early runner-plant count made August 6, and total runner-plant count recorded September 11. During 1952, fruit was harvested from June 19 to July 3, and the yield from each treatment was recorded. Results. The effect of various soluble—fertilizer formula- tions and sugar on the early and total yield of Early Chatham to— matoes is shown by the data in Table IV. The average early yield was increased 1.6 tons per acre and the total yield was in- creased 1.86 tons per acre by the application of starter solutions at the concentration of 1 ounce per gallon. Yields were generally depressed or not increased significantly at the higher concentra- tions. A 33-percent increase in early yield over that from un- treated plots was obtained from applications of 15-37-15 plus 22 percent sugar at 1 ounce per gallon; however, yields were de- pressed at the 4-ounce concentration. Apparently, the addition of the larger quantity of sugar with the 15-37-15 formulation at the higher concentration was of no value, as yields were as low as, or lower than, those from plots receiving the same fertilizer without sugar. 3 1 TABLE IV THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS SOLUBLE-FERTILIZER FORMULA- TIONS AND SUGAR ON THE EARLY AND TOTAL YIELD OF EARLY CHATHAM TOMATOES (average yield in tons per acre, based on four replicates) Fe rtilize r Analysis Concentration 10-52-17 10-52-17 per Gallon* ”Takehold" + Sugar Early Total Early Total Control . . .'. . . . 8.34 17.31 8.34 17.31 1 ounce ....... 9.95 20.07 9.13 19.78 2 ounces ...... ‘ 6.98 17.93 9.73 18.95 4 ounces . . . . .. 8.20 ' 19.06 8.95 19.42 Average ...... 8.37 18.59 9.04 18.87 * 1 pint solution applied per plant. Least Significant Difference at 5% level: Early Total Fertilizer ...................... 1.05 NS. Concentration ............... . . . . . 1.38 1.19 Same Fertilizer, Different Concentration . 2.76 2.43 Different Fertilizer, Same Concentration . 2.59 2.36 32 TABLE IV (Continued) Fe rtilize r Analysis 15-37-15 _ _ A - 15 37 15 + Sugar verage Early Total Early Total Early Total 8.34 17.31 8.34 17.31 8.34 17.31 9.52 17.28 11.14 19.82 9.94 19.17 9.38 18.91 9.46 20.98 8.89 19.20 10.51 21.19 ‘8.63 16.51 9.07 19.06 9.44 18.68 9.39 18.66 33 In this test, conditions were favorable for cabbage, as in— dicated by yields that were larger than those normally obtained by commercial growers in the area (Table V). The 10-52-17 at the 3—ounces-per-gallon concentration produced an increase in yield of 6.96 tons in the variety Globe and 4.78 tons in Copenhagen Mar- ket. The latter variety also produced a 2.91-ton higher yield than Globe, when only water was applied at transplanting time. The average yield of cabbage at the 3-ounce concentration was greater. than the control, as indicated by increases in yield of 20 percent for Globe and 11 percent for Copenhagen Market. Tolerance stud- ies had also indicated that cabbage responded to higher concentra- tions of fertilizer than tomatoes, in the starter solution. The average yield for Globe cabbage was 2.98 tons greater from the plants treated with 17-26-22 than from those treated with 7-26-39. Copenhagen Market responded similarly, although the differences were not significant. Rahn (14) was of the opinion that cabbage required large amounts of nitrogen; however, the additional potash in the 7-26-39 could have been toxic to the seedlings. Strawberry varieties varied in runner plants from a low average, with Fairland, of 67 to a high average, with Empire, of 125 runner plants per ten plants, as shown in Table VI. The data THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS SOLUBLE-FERTILIZER FORMULATIONS ON THE YIELD OF GLOBE AND TABLE V COPENHAGEN MARKET CABBAGE (average yield in tons per acre, based on three replicates) 34 Fertilize r Analysis Concen- 10-52-17 tration ”Takehold" 17-26-22 7-26-39 Average per Gallon* Cop. Cop. Cop. Cop. Globe Mkt. Globe Mkt. Globe Mkt. Globe Mkt. Control 23.59 26.50 23.59 26.50 23.59 26.50 23.59 26.50 1 ounce 25.05 27.35 26.19 25.11 23.47 24.02 24.93 25.47 2 ounces 24.74 27.89 29.77 29.95 23.49 26.92 25.95 28.25 3 ounces 30.55 31.28 28.68 28.68 25.95 28.31 28.37 29.40 Average 25.99 28.25 27.06 27.56 24.08 26.44 * One-half pint solution applied per plant. Least Significant Difference at 5% level: Globe Cop. Mkt. Fertilizer ....................... 2.03 1.22 Concentration ..................... 2.0 5 1 . 45 Same Fertilizer, Different Concentration . . 3.57 2.51 Different Fertilizer, Same Concentration . . 3.45 2.25 35 TABLE VI EARLY AND TOTAL RUNNER-PLANT PRODUCTION AS INFLUENCED BY SOLUBLE FERTILIZERS ON SEVERAL STRAWBERRY VARIETIES (expressed as number of runner plants per ten plants) Varieties 1 oz./gal. Water 0-26-0 Early Total Early Total N. Y. 23502 ............. 71 86 86 103 Empire ................ 88 105 78 111 Eden ..... , .......... ‘. . . 130 148 56 76 Premier ............... 74 87 66 90 Temple ................ 83 100 73 92 Senator Dunlap ........... 118 140 71 87 Erie . ................. 77 95 100 124 N. Y. 28597 ............. 83 110 99 128 Sparkle ................ 57 76 65 82 . Fairland ............... 48 59 47 54 Average ............... 84 100 74 94 * One-half pint of solution applied per plant. Least Significant Different at 5% level: Early Total Variety ............................ 28 25 Fertilizer Treatment ..... . ............ 12 13 Sarne Variety, Different Treatment ......... 40 42 Different Variety, Same Treatment ......... 43 43 TABLE VI (Continued) 36 Concentration and Analysis of Fe rtilize r* 2 oz./gal. 1 oz./gal. 2 oz./gal. A 0-26-0 10-52-17 10-52-17 verage Early Total Early Total Early Total Early Total 86 118 105 122 134 164 96 118 105 121 111 130 140 159 104 125 64 83 101 119 147 163 99 118 83 95 63 79 101 112 77 92 100 117 78 94 75 108 82 102 61 80 116 136 148 170 102 122 68 95 109 124 70 , 86 85 105 86 100 87 104 113 144 93 117 82 96 53 80 61 70 63 80 41 58 54 73 74 94 53 67 77 96 87 106 106 127 37 in Table VII show the influence of treatment on the relative num- ber of runner plants, as compared to water. On the average, runner-plant production of all varieties was reduced by the 0—26-0 fertilizer and increased by the 10-52-17 fertilizer, particularly at the higher application, where an average increase of 27 percent was noted. However, there was a marked difference in varietal response to treatment, as indicated by the fact that in the Eden variety the application of 0-26—0 reduced runner-plant formation by approximately 50 percent, while in the N. Y. 23502 variety the application of the same fertilizer resulted in an increase of 20 to 37 percent in runner-plant production. The response of the other varieties to 0—26-0 varied considerably from these values, with a tendency, with certain exceptions, to show a larger increase at the higher concentrations. Seven out of ten strawberry varieties gave a pronounced increase in runner-plant formation with the higher concentration of 10-52-17, as compared to the lower 1-ounce con- centration. For example, N. Y. 23502, Empire, Premier, and Senator Dunlap all showed increases of 25 percent more runner plants for the high concentration than for the low concentration. On the other hand, in the Erie variety, the higher concentration of TABLE VII 38 RELATIVE EARLY AND TOTAL RUNNER-PLANT PRODUCTION AS INFLUENCED BY SOLUBLE FERTILIZERS ON SEVERAL STRAWBERRY VARIETIES (expressed as percentage, with water based as 100 percent) Concentration and Analysis of Fertilizer* varieties l 0,1226%:1. 2 03-26%? 115-I52??? 2135:??? Early Total Early Total Early Total Early Total N. Y. 23502 121 120 121 137 148 142 189 191 Empire 89 106 119 115 126 124 159 151 Eden 43 51 49 56 77 80 105 110 Premier 89 103 112 109 85 91 137 129 Temple 88 92 120 117 94 94 90 108 Senator Dunlap 60 62 52 57 98 97 125 121 Erie 130 131 88 100 142 131 91 91 N. Y. 28597 119 116 104 91 105 95 136 131 Sparkle 114 108 ‘144 126 93 105 107 92 Fairland 98 92 85 98 113 124 154 159 Average 88 94 92 96 104 106 126 127 ' * One-half pint of solution applied per plant. 39 either fertilizer was toxic, as indicated by a decrease of over 30 percent in runner-plant formation. The yields produced the following year bear some relation to runner-plant formation, as shown in Table VIII. To determine the extent of this relationship, coefficients of correlations presented in Table IX and Figure 2 were calculated between runner—plant formation and yield. The correlations indicated that without starter-solution treatment, the ten varieties showed no significant association between runner-plant formation and yield. The corre- lation between total runner-plant formation and yield of 0.031, with water, indicates the lack of even a slight relationship. However, correlations calculated between runner-plant production and yield . from treated plants are quite high, and, in the case of the 2-ounce application, are significant with both fertilizers. This correlation of runner-plant formation and yield was not reflected in the aver- age yield from all varieties due to the fact that some of the varie- ties that failed to give a runner-plant response to treatment showed a marked reduction in yield. In other varieties--for example, Senator Dunlap and Empire--an increase of 25 and 59 percent in early runner-plant formation with the 2-ounce concentration of the TABLE VIII 4O STRAWBERRY YIELD AS INFLUENCED BY SOLUBLE FERTI-' LIZERS ON SEVERAL STRAWBERRY VARIETIES (expressed as number of 16-quart crates per acre) Concentration and Analysis of Fertilizer* 1 , , oz. 2 oz. oz. oz. Varietles per per per per W ' . ater gal. gal. gal. gal. Avg 0-26-0 0-26-0 10-52-17 10-52-17 N. Y. 23502 305 359 350 283 334 326 Empire 257 206 212 219 350 249 Eden 263 193 144 274 312 237 Premier 251 218 200 118 183 194 Temple 131 157 160 122 80 130 'Senator Dunlap 135 99 84 113 189 124 Erie 100 144 137 119 116 123 N. Y. 28597 190 65 65 78 105 101 Sparkle 94 77 107 70 52 80 Fairland 87 61 39 62 100 70 Average 181 158 150 146 182 * One-half pint of solution applied per plant. Least Significant Difference: 5% Level Variety . . . .p ............................ 62 Fertilizer Treatment ...................... Same Variety, Different Treatment ............. 99 Different Variety, Same Treatment ............. 104 41 TABLE IX COEFFICIENTS OF CORRELATIONS BETWEEN RUNNER FORMATION AND YIELD OF STRAWBERRY VARIETIES, AS INFLUENCED BY SOLUBLE FERTILIZERS Treatment Early Total (rate per gal.) Runners Runners Water 0.625 0.031 1.0 oz. 0—26-0 0.164 0.185 2.0 oz. 0-26-0 0.536 0.706* 1.0 oz. 10-52-17 0.593 0.583 2.0 oz. 10-52-17 0.835** O.786** * Significant at 5% level. ** Significant at 1% level. Ililiiiiliiillllllllllllllliiiiiiii €8.28... .3200 E 0882.... 8 00:33) ates-6.5 co» 3 23> ace 8.5650“. .55 .853 :83... 5:38. N 939... 2.00 cum 00.5.0 2. 3m.» 00» 08 08 on. 00. on 00 8 285 g .20... l I) N - 0.8.0 8:8 to 280 .o .850 A 3 l J “V. e 8m N31 83:! 8mm UBNNM 3:0... 5053.. .20» In 2.3-0. 8:8 to .86 a .6 85m .4 Lu 0: 22...... .0. 308 22 .o 3.50 8.2.3.0 its... e 2350 .383 d {u .... one.» .0 SB .n «008 s: .. 43 10-52-17 was associated with’ an increase in yield of fifty-four and ninety-three crates per acre. In Figure 2, the trend lines for runner-plant formation are shown, and indicate that with the 0-26-0 fertilizer an increase of one runner plant. per plant was associated with an increase of six and one-half crates per acre on an average of all varieties, while with the 10-52-17 an increase of one runner plant per plant was associated with an increase of only four crates per acre. Although the 0-26-0 fertilizer gave a larger increase in yield per acre per runner plant than the 10-52-17, the fact that the 10-52-17 treatment produced a greater number of runner plants resulted in a greater total yield per acre. This indicates that, as compared to water, the 0-26-0 fertilizer resulted in the production of runner plants that were uniformly more productive in the following season, while the application of 10-52-17 resulted not only in the production of runner plants that were more productive during the following sea- son, but also in the production of a greater number of runner plants, as compared to both water and the 0-26-0 fertilizer. Although the above is true on the average of all varieties, there are certain exceptions that have already been noted above, with some varieties, 44 which indicates that some care should be exercised in applying soluble fertilizers to strawberry plants. Discussion. The application to transplants of concentrated fertilizer in solution at planting time is for the purpose of aiding the plant in becoming ire-established in its new environment. This study indicates that the most desirable concentration and analysis to use, as reflected in maturity and yield, varies with the crop. The effectiveness of the treatment would also depend on the fer- tility level of the soil and nutrient status of the particular lot of plants grown. However, due to the physiological or biological unavailability of some nutrients under cold, wet soil conditions, one might expect localized applications of soluble fertilizers. to be of benefit even in soils of a high level of fertility. It would also appear that recently transplanted plants, because of their small root systems in relation to their tops, should respond immediately to such treatment and continue to respond until the root systems had been re-established. In a greenhouse study, the tolerance of tomatoes, cabbage, and strawberries to different concentrations of various fertilizer formulations was investigated. It was found that different 45 fertilizers varied markedly in the amount of soluble electrolytes at the higher concentrations, and that plant tolerance was directly related to this effect. For example, in tomatoes a formulation composed of diammonium and monopotassium phosphates showed an increase of electrolyte concentration of less than 50 percent with a sevenfold increase in application, while a second soluble fertilizer composed of (NH4)2HPO4, NH4NO3, and KCl showed an increase in electrolyte concentration of 100 percent with a seven- fold increase in application. With the first formula there was no significant reduction in the growth of tomatoes at the high concen— tration, but with the second formulation growth was reduced by ap- proximately 70 percent. No attempt was made to determine if this reduction in growth was associated with the high electrolyte con— centration or to the toxicity of one of the component ions. The fact that the addition of sugar to this formula, which reduced growth, partially overcame this toxic effect is of interest, inas- much as it did not reduce the amount of soluble electrolytes in solution. Probably the sugar influenced the osmotic concentration of the roots in some manner such that they were not injured by the high or toxic concentration of the electrolytes produced by the fertilizers. In field experiments where high concentrations of 46 starter solutions of fertilizers were applied, sugar in some cases appeared to be beneficial, while in others it reduced the yield. This reduction in yield might be related to the application of a large-enough quantity of sugar to cause such an intense biological activity that the nutrients available to the plants were reduced. In cabbage, the same additions of fertilizers did not result in as high a concentration of electrolytes in solution in soils, four weeks after application, as was found in the soils in which tomatoes were grown. As both crops were grown in the same soil, it would appear that seedling cabbage plants absorb a greater quantity of nutrients than tomatoes during the same period of time. Tomato growth was increased when sugar was applied in combination with the 13-26-13 fertilizer. Although cabbage growth was not affected by the sugar, neither was it reduced at high concentrations as much as the to- mato. In the strawberry, where other fertilizers than those ap- plied to cabbage and tomato were used, the results again indicated that fertilizers that resulted in high electrolyte concentrations in the soil are disastrous, and that salt readings of above 55 to 60 mhos x 10.5 from a one to five soil-water extract resulted in the death of the plants. Several of the commercial starter-solution fertilizer preparations developed sufficient electrolyte concentrations 47 at rates of 6 pounds per 50 gallons of water to be extremely toxic to strawberry plants. Of all'the materials used, monopotassium phosphate developed the lowest electrolyte concentration at high levels, and was not toxic, even at concentrations as high as 10.5 pounds per 50 gallons of water. From these tests it would appear that most of the materials used were not injurious to growth at concentrations below 4 pounds per 50 gallons of water. Caution should be exercised in using ma- terials containing chlorides and ammonium nitrates in making up starter-solution mixtures, as they developed the highest electro— lyte contents when applied to all three crops. Field studies showed that tomatoes, cabbage, and straw- berries responded favorably to applications of concentrated starter solutions applied at the time of transplanting. Sugar produced no ‘ protective effect against salt injury, as had been observed in the greenhouse studies with tomatoes. However, the concentrations used in the field were double the highest concentrations applied in the greenhouse studies. The field investigations showed that cabbage not only utilized large amounts of nitrogen, as had been reported by Rahn (14), but also was apparently more tolerant of high concentrations of starter-solution fertilizer than tomatoes. 48 The cabbage and tomato yields were considerably larger than nor- mally obtained in the area where as much as 800 to 1,000 pounds of 4-16-16 is generally used. An increased number of runner plants was produced by the ten strawberry varieties when treated with 6 pounds of 10-52—17 or 0-26—0 per 50 gallons of water. However, the former was most beneficial to the production of runner plants and yield. The re- sults with the phosphorus fertilizer did not agree with Loree (10), who reported that phosphorus had little effect on strawberry-plant growth. Wiggans (18) had indicated that strawberries in Nebraska responded to phosphorus, which agreed with the results obtained in this study. However, the results obtained with the 0-26-0 fer- tilizer might not be due to the influence of the phosphorus, ‘but could be due to the effect of the 23 percent sodium found in the fertilizer. Leonard and Bear (8) found that sodium replaced po- tassium and was taken up by celery plants. Similar conditions could have existed with strawberries. The work indicates that Under many conditions soluble fertilizer can be used to substantially increase the yield of to- matoes, cabbage, strawberries, and in the production of straw- \ berry plants. PART II Statement of the Problem Areas of northern Michigan have such short growing sea- sons that frequently a normal crop of sweet corn is difficult to produce. While the use of early-maturing varieties has been a partial answer to this problem, cultural practices that might pro— mote earliness should be evaluated. The value in terms of earli- ness of production resulting from transplanting sweet corn seed- lings as compared to direct field seeding of the crop has never been fully explored. Loomis (9) found that transplanting reduced the water supply of certain plants because the roots were injured when the seedlings were transplanted. The effects on plants due to root pruning and reduced water supply'are related to the ability of different species to regenerate new roots. Species such as to— mato and cabbage, which are easily transplanted, have a rapid rate of root replacement, but sweet corn and melons, which are normally injured by transplanting, have a slower rate of root re- placement. Presumably, there are inherent problems to be met when a sweet corn crop is grown from seedling plants. Starting ii. 'l'l l t I! 1111 i " l 50 sweet corn seedlings in vermiculite, an expanded mica material, might reduce root injury resulting from transplanting. Starter solutions applied at time of plant setting should insure a sufficient supply of nutrients and favor early plant growth. In recent years the bean acreage has been increasing in northern Michigan. Growers have normally attempted to plant early in the spring to insure harvest before frost, and early enough to allow school children to assist with the harvest. While early plantings have solved these problems, they have not always proved entirely successful because yields have often been reduced, due to poor stands that resulted from cold, wet soils at planting time. Studies have indicated that ridged soils warm up more rapidly in the spring, due to a reduced moisture content of the soil and an increased temperature from a greater absorption of radiant heat. This study, conducted in the field at Chatham, Michigan, involves a study of the effect of a soluble fertilizer on transplanted and direct-seeded sweet corn. Also, use was made of carbon and soil ridging, as a practice that might provide a warmer soil for sweet corn and snap bean seed germination. 51 Effect of Soluble Fertilizer on Transplanted and Direct-Seeded Sweet Corn and the Effect of Soil Ridging and Carbon Applications on Sweet Corn and Snap Beans ' Experimental Methods and materials. These experiments were carried out in the field at Chatham, Michigan, on a Chatham stony loam soil to which 400 pounds of a 4-16—16 commercial fertilizer had been applied broadcast previous to planting. North Star sweet corn seedlings which had been started in flats of vermiculite in the greenhouse on May 28, 1951, were transplanted in the field on June 14. Following the transplanting operation, each was watered with 1 pint of a solution which con- tained either 0, 1.0, 1.5,12.0, or 3.0 ounces per gallon of a 10-52- 17 water—soluble fertilizer. Each concentration was replicated five times on ten plant plots in which the plants were spaced 9 inches apart in, rows spaced 3 feet apart. At the time that the sweet corn seedlings were set out, a similar randomized-block experiment of the North Star variety was direct seeded. However, the application of soluble fertilizer to the seeded plots was delayed until June 28, so that in both cases the fertilizer was applied when the seedlings were of a comparable 52 age. A record was taken of the date when 70 percent of the silks appeared on the plants in each plot. The transplanted sweet corn was harvested on September 6, and the direct seeded trial, on September 12. On May 21, 1950, rows, 20 feet by 3 feet, were staked off, and 40 percent of the rows were ridged 4 inches high and 6 inches across the top. Rival snap beans were planted at the rate of seventy—five seeds per row in both the ridged and nonridged rows. The following randomized treatments replicated four times, re- sulted in twenty plots: (1) seeds planted in the unridged rows; (2) same as (1), plus activated carbon (Cabot Carbon) spread over the unridged row; (3) activated carbon placed with the seed in the unridged row; (4) seeds planted in the ridged row; and (5) same as (4), plus activated carbon spread over the ridged row. The same procedure was followed in a comparable study with sweet corn, using the Marcross variety. The percentage germination and the yield of beans from three harvests, and the weight and number of marketable sweet .corn ears were recorded. Again in 1952, a second study of the effect of ridging as compared to plot planting of snap beans was carried out. Alternate 53 rows were ridged by the use of two 14—inch discs, mounted to the drawbar of the tractor. Four replicates of nine varieties of snap beans were planted on ridged and nonridged rows in 15-foot plots containing fifty seeds, which resulted in a total of seventy-have in— dividual plots. All varieties were randomized, with each variety represented by a 15-foot ridged row adjacent to a 15-foot non- ridged row in each replicate. The five green and four wax bean varieties studied were Wade, Bountiful, Stringless Black Valentine, Topcrop, Contender, Sure Crop, Kinghorn, Cherokee, and Pencil Pod. The percent stand was taken following germination, and the total yield of the three pickings made August 5, 12, and.22 was recorded. Results. Transplanted North Star sweet corn matured earlier in the season and produced a greater weight and number of marketable ears than the direct-seeded sweet corn, as shown in Table X. Transplanted sweet corn treated with a solution of 2 ounces of 10-52-17 per gallon matured 5.6 days earlier and pro- duced 322 dozen more ears than the water-treated direct-seeded sweet corn. Soluble fertilizer had no significant effect on the ma- turity and number of marketable ears produced by the direct-seeded 54 TABLE X INFLUENCE OF SOLUBLE FERTILIZER AND TRANSPLANTED AND DIRECT-SEEDED METHODS OF PLANTING ON THE MATURITY, NUMBER, SIZE, AND YIELD OF NORTH STAR SWEET CORN (average of five replicates) fi t 10-52«-17 No. Market- , Yield of Days to Weight per ”Take- Silk Count able Ears Ear (lb ) Ears (tons hold" per Acre 5' per acre) Rate (oz. per gal.)* D.** T.*** D. T. D. T. D. T. Check 63.6 60:6 9,09910,454 0.626 0.551 2.85 2.88 1.0 62.8 59.2 10,45411,422 0.606 0.609 3.17 3.48 1.5 62.6 59.0 11,035 12,197 0.591 0.587 3.26 3.58 2.0 62.8 58.2 11,03512,971 0.585 0.583 3.23 3.78 3.0 62.6 58.8 9,29312,584 0.643 0.571 2.99 3.59 Average 62.9 59.2 10,164 11,906 0.610 0.581 3.10 3.46 * One pint solution applied per plant. ** Direct seeded. *** Transplanted. Least Significant Difference at 5% level: Silk No. of , Count Ears Yield Planting Method ................ 1.0 1,162 0.24 Rate of Fertilizer .............. 1.6 2,033 0.48 Same Concentration, Different Planting Method .............. 2.1 2,130 0.68 55 sweet corn, but caused a significant increase in earliness where the sweet corn was transplanted and treated with a solution of 1.5, 2.0, or 3.0 ounces per gallon of 10-52-17. A significantly greater number of marketable ears was produced when 2.0 and 3.0 ounces per gallon of 10-52-17 solution were applied at the rate of 1 pint per plant. The direct-seeded sweet corn produced ears 0.029 pound larger than the transplanted sweet corn, but the latter re- sponded more favorably to soluble fertilizer. The results in Table XI indicated that under the condition of the experiment, ridging and the application of activated carbon to the soil did not promote a higher stand or yield of Marcross sweet corn than that obtained in unridged rows. The activated carbon, when placed in the row, decreased germination and yield. A significantly greater stand of Rival beans resulted whether carbon was applied or omitted to the ridged rows; however, the yields were not increased. It had been expected that the ridged soil, due to its warmth and available nutrients, might produce a greater stand and yield. The stand increased, but yield did not, because the moisture supply was detrimentally decreased during the season by ridging, and the plants on the ridged rows fell over and we re injured. 56 TABLE XI EFFECT OF RIDGING SOIL AND CARBON APPLICATIONS ON STAND AND YIELD OF SWEET CORN AND GREEN SNAP BEANS (average of four replicates) Marcross Rival Green Sweet Corn Snap Beans Treatments Yield Yield Percent (tons Percent (tons Stand per Stand per acre) acre) Unridged Row ......... 73 7.56 50 2.58 Cabot Carbon on Row . . . . 73 7.64 56 2.83 Cabot Carbon in Row . . . . 62 6.88 55 2.64 Ridged Row ........... 72 7.07 61 2.58 Cabot Carbon on Ridged Row .............. 70 6.72 64 2.39 Average ............. 70 7.15 57 2.61 Least Significant Difference at 5% level: Sweet Corn Snap Beans Percent Stand ............... 7 7 Yield . .................... N.S. N.S. 57 Results of a later study of the effect of ridging on the per- cent stand and yield of several snap bean varieties are presented in Table XII. No significant differences in stand or yield due to treatment were obtained between the averages of the ten varieties. The varieties responded differently to treatment, since the percent stand and yield varied with the variety and ridging treatment. Ridging the soil increased the yield of Topcrop snap beans 0.65 ton per acre, and Pencil Pod Black Wax snap beans, 0.96 ton per acre, but decreased the yield of Bountiful, Black Valentine, King- horn, and Cherokee. Wade had a 53-percent stand, but yielded 1.26 tons more than Contender, which had a 72-percent stand. Sure Crop, which produced 7.39 tons per acre, was the most productive wax bean variety tested. The temperatures averaged approximately 10° F. above normal during the growing season. No doubt this influenced the results obtained. The effects of ridging the soil probably would have been more beneficial had normal or below-normal tempera- ture s prevailed. Discussion. The harmful effects of transplanting, as de- scribed by Loomis (9), were partially overcome by the use of TABLE XII 58 EFFECT OF RIDGING ON STAND AND YIELD OF SNAP BEANS (average of four replicates) Percent Stand Yield (tons per acre Varieties Un- Un id d A . A . ridged R ge vg ridged Ridged vg Wade ..... 52 55 53 7.49 6.71 7.10 Contender 67 76 72 6.13 5.55 5.84 Topcrop 66 70 68 5.34 5.99 5.67 Black Valentine . . . . 62 67 64 4.84 4.57 4.70 Bountiful 44 47 45 4.39 4.65 4.52 Sure Crop 65 66 65 7.83 6.96 7.39 Cherokee . . . . 79 74 76 6.71 6.75 6.73 Pencil Pod 66 72 69 5.27 6.23 5.75 Kinghorn 11 18 14 0.98 1.42 1.20 Average 57 60 5.45 5.42 Least Significant Difference at 5% level: Percent Stand Yield Ridging ........................... N.S. N.S. Varieties .......................... 4.8 0.32 Same Variety, Different Treatment ........ 6.8 0.46 Different Variety, Same Treatment ........ 7.4 0.45 59 vermiculite as a media for growing sweet corn seedlings. Growth was retarded by transplanting, but the direct-seeded sweet corn matured at a later date because the seedlings were two weeks older. North Star sweet corn transplants treated with 1 pint of a concentration of 2 ounces of 10-52-17 per gallon matured 5.4 days earlier and produced 322 dozen more ears than the direct- seeded corn. Transplanting without starter solution caused a re- duction in ear size; however, soluble fertilizer overcame this ef- fect at the 1.0-, 1.5-, and 2.0-ounce concentrations. Where growers and home gardeners are supplying the early market, or in areas frequented by early frost, the use of sweet corn transplants and soluble fertilizer could be tried. Ridging and activated carbon applications had no influence on stand or yield of sweet corn, and activated carbon decreased germination and depressed yields when placed in the row. How- ever, the germination and yield of some varieties of snap beans were increased by ridging.. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The investigation included studies of the tolerance under greenhouse conditions of tomatoes, cabbage, and strawberries to various concentrations of different fertilizer formulations and the response of these crops to the application of starter solutions under field conditions. The influences on sweet corn of ridging the soil and transplanting with starter solutions were observed. In addi- tion, studies of the effect of ridging on snap bean germination and yield were determined. In the studies of the tolerance of tomatoes, cabbage, and strawberries, it was found that fertilizers varied in their toxicity. This condition was associated with the level of electrolytes in the soil solution. KHZ‘PO4 and a formulation of (NH4)ZHPO4 + KHZPO4, when added to the soil, resulted in minimum increases in electro- lytes in the soil, whereas KCl and NH4NO in combination produced 3 the maximum increases in electrolyte concentrations. Additions of cane sugar to certain fertilizer chemicals did not lower the electrolyte concentration in the soil, but with tomato seedlings, prevented high concentrations of electrolytes from injuring plant growth. Possibly, osmotic relationships were altered. Inasmuch 61 as the above phenomenon was not exhibited by cabbage, this plant presumably differs inherently from the tomato .in its osmotic re- lations. Observations indicated that cabbage seedlings were more tolerant to high concentrations of fertilizer than either tomatoes or strawberries. Field studies with starter solutions on tomatoes indicated that both early and total. yields of a determinate variety grown on moderately fertilized soils were significantly increased by the use of 1 pint of starter solution at concentrations varying from 3 to 12 pounds per 50 gallons of water. Two cabbage vari- eties responded differently to starter—solution applications. On the basis of the average of all starter solutions applied, the Globe variety showed increases of approximately 5 tons to the acre with the application of one-half pint of a mixture composed of 9 pounds per 50 gallons of water, while the Copenhagen Market variety, with similar treatment, gave increases in yield of approx- imately 3 tons per acre. Strawberry varieties showed a differential response to starter-solution applications, indicating both differences in toler- ance and response to fertilizer treatment, as reflected in runner- plant formation and yield. From this it would appear that par- ticular caution should be exercised to avoid the indiscriminate 62 use of starter—solution fertilizers on strawberries. However, on the average of all varieties, one-half pint per plant of a solution consisting of 6 pounds of 10-52-17 per 50 gallons of water in- creased runner formation, and this factor was significantly posi- tively correlated with yield. Sweet corn transplants treated with 1 pint of a soluble- fertilizer solution composed of 6 pounds of 10—52-17 per 50 gallons of water produced a greater number of marketable ears earlier in the season than was produced by direct-seeded sweet corn. Further studies showed that activated carbon and ridging the soil had little effect on stand or yield of sweet corn. However, some varieties of snap beans re‘sponded favorably to the practice of ridging, even though above-average growing temperatures prevailed. Undoubtedly, ridging would have proved more beneficial had below— normal soil temperatures existed during the early stages of growth. BIBLIOGRAPHY Ahi, S. M., and W. L. Powers. Salt tolerance of plants at various temperatures. Plant Physiology, 13:767-89, 1938. Baker, C. E. Early fruiting of tomatoes as induced by use of soluble phosphate. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 35:668-72. 1937. Carolus, R. L., and P. E. Schleusener. Effect of irrigation on the yield of snap beans, sweet corn and tomatoes as influenced by certain cultural practices in 1949. Mich. Agr. Exp. Sta. Quart. Bull. 32:No. 4, 465-78. May, 1950. Carrier, L. E., and W. E. Snyder.~ The effect of a starter solution on several nursery and florist crops. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 55:513-16. 1950. Collander, Runar. Selective absorption of cations by higher plants. Plant Physiology, 16:691-720. 1941. Darrow, G. M. Development of runners and runner plants in the strawberry. USDA Tech. Bull. 122. 1929. Davidson, 0. W. Salts in old greenhouse soils stunt flowers and vegetables. Florists' Rev., 95:17-19. March 22, 1945. Leonard, C. D., and F. E. Bear. Sodium as a fertilizer for New Jersey soils. N. J. Exp. Sta. Bull. 752. October, 1950e Loomis, W. E. Studies in the transplanting of vegetable plants. Cornell Univ. Sta. Memoir 87. 1925. 10. 11. I 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 64 Loree, R. E. The nutrient requirement of strawberry. Mich. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bull. No. 70. October, 1925. Magisted, O. C., 313 E31.- Effect of salt concentration, kind of salt and climate on plant growth in sand cultures. Plant Physiology, 18:151-66. 1943. Merkle, F. (1., and E. C. Dunkle. Soluble salt content of greenhouse soils as a diagnostic aid. Amer. Soc. of Agr. Jour., 36:10-19. 1944. Norton, Robert. The influence of root temperature on radio active phosphorus uptake of the strawberry plant. Un- published data, Hort. Dept., Mich. State College. 1952. Rahn, E. M. A summary of starter solution experiments on tomatoes and cabbage at State College, Pa. Amer. Proc. Hort. Sci., 41:305-09. 1942. Sayre, C. B. Use of nutrient solutions and hormones in the water for transplanting tomatoes and their effect on earliness and total yields. Amer. Proc. Hort. Sci., 36:732-36. 1938. Sayre, C. B. A comparison of,nutrient solutions for trans- planting tomatoes and for packing Southern plants for shipment. Amer. Proc. Hort. Sci., 37:905-09. 1939. Sayre, C. B. Nutrient or starter solutions and Vitamin B for transplanting tomatoes. Amer. Proc. Hort. Sci., 38: 489-95. 1941. ‘ Wiggans, C. C. Strawberries in Nebraska. Univ. of Neb. Exp. Sta., Circ. 11. March, 1942. Wittwer, S. H., and E. N. Learner. The absorption of radio active phosphorous by the foliage and roots of the to- mato plant as influenced by temperature. Unpublished data, Hort. Dept., Mich. State College. 1952. Ill. 8‘1 III‘ eal‘ All)...“ .‘.I‘ ‘1 1it.(.(;IIJ‘I\“[-(K(J(f'sll\lxll (.I‘ III III"- (.‘n.l’\i‘|‘|\‘(!.\i(. ..l'.{-.lllll. [1 {It ‘\l| 31.1011 USE ONLY .10 l '54 "it" < 5% May 14'50 HICHIGQN STRTE UNIV. LIBRRRIES 31293103145128