THE? WEE-163$ QF FERTILKZERS. ON THE ‘1’le
AND CHEMICAL COMPOSETION OF CROPS
GRQWN QN QRWIC $911.3

Thests for {The Dome; of DH. D.
MECHEGER‘ SYME EJEWJ'EBSEW
Lawrence NT. Shepherd

.1962.

a w .,~ .V
nun. it?

This is to certify that the

thesis entitled

The Effects of Fertilizers on the Yield
and Chemical Composition of Crops
Grown on Organic Soils

presented by

Lawrence N. Shepherd

has been accepted towards fulfillment
of the requirements for

PhoDo degree in 8011 SCience

//‘, C j , wit/{Mew

Major professor

 

Date—I‘Efl134962

0-169

L I B R A R Y L
Michigan State
University

   
 

ABSTRACT

THE EFFECTS OF FERTILIZERS ON THE YIELD AND
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF CROPS GROWN ON
ORGANIC SOILS

by Lawrence N. Shepherd

Studies were initiated on Michigan organic soils to
determine: (a) crop response to variable rates of sodium
chloride and potash; (b) methods of control of magnesium
deficiency associated with certain Pascal celery varieties;
(c) the need for and methods of application of molybdenum
for crop production; and (d) the effect of placement of
phosphorus and manganese fertilizers on the availability
of manganese.

A field experiment was carried out at the Michigan
Muck Experimental Farm to determine the effects of rates
of sodium chloride at varying rates of residual and applied
potash on the yield and chemical composition of sugar beets.

A three—ton increase in the yield of sugar beet roots
was obtained from plots treated with sodium chloride at low
rates of potash, and no yield increase was obtained where
the potash rate was 600 pounds per acre. A partial substi—

tution of sodium for potassium occurred with the sugar beet

Lawrence N. Shepherd

plant. Sodium and potassium were antagonistic to each other,
as evidenced in plant uptake, and either or both suppressed
the uptake of magnesium and calcium. The level of residual
potassium in the soil was not maintained even at a 600—pound
annual application of potash per acre.

Field experiments were conducted to determine the
residual effect of hydrated magnesium sulphate (9.87% Mg)
applied as high as 10,000 pounds per acre to the soil on the
control of magnesium deficiency symptoms on the leaves of
Utah 10B celery. A second field experiment was carried
out to study the interaction of levels of potash and magnesium
on the yield and chemical composition of celery.

Controlling the symptoms of magnesium deficiency on
the leaves of Utah 108 celery did not significantly affect
the yield of the crop. Magnesium sulphate applied at 10,000
pounds per acre to the soil was less effective in the control
of the symptoms than 80 pounds of magnesium sulphate applied
in eight applications of ten pounds each as a foliar spray.

The magnesium composition of the above—ground portion
of celery did reflect the magnesium treatment to the soil.
However, the magnesium content of the plant was not considered
as a reliable index to the incidence of magnesium deficiency
symptoms occurring on the leaves of the plant. Potash applied

at 1,200 pounds per acre suppressed the yield of celery and

Lawrence N. Shepherd

the uptake of magnesium by the plant. This was not true,
however, with calcium.

Field and greenhouse experiments were initiated to
determine crop response from molybdenum. Molybdenum analyses
of plant tissue were made to determine availability of the
element to plants from various methods of application.

Significant increases in the yield of cauliflower,
onions, lettuce and spinach were obtained from molybdenum
applied to several Michigan organic soils.

In a field experiment of split—plot design, broadcast
sodium—molybdate applications to the soil were ineffective
in increasing the yield or molybdenum content of spinach.
However, the split—plot treatment of Moly—Gro (38% Mo) applied
on the seed significantly increased the yield of spinach.
When molybdenum seed treatment was coupled with one-half
pound of sodium molybdate per acre, mixed with the basic
fertilizer and banded two inches below the seed of cauli-
flower, the molybdenum content of the oven-dry tissue was
9.5 parts per million.

The molybdenum seed treatment at one-half ounce per
acre of Moly-Gro increased the molybdenum content of the
tissue by .2 to .4 of a part per million in the oven—dry

tissue.

Lawrence N. Shepherd

It was found that banding a phosphate carrier two inches
to the side and two inches below the seed of soybeans increased
the yield to about the same extent as a broadcast appli—
cation of 20 pounds of manganese per acre. The data indicated
that the increased yields from the band application of
phosphorus were the result of enhanced availability of man—

ganese rather than the phosphate uptake by the crop.

THE EFFECTS OF FERTILIZERS ON THE YIELD AND
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF CROPS GROWN ON

ORGANIC SOILS

BY

Lawrence N. Shepherd

A THESIS

Submitted to
Michigan State University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Department of Soil Science

1962

This thesis is affectionately dedicated

to my wife and daughter.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author expresses special appreciation for the
guidance and valuable counsel of Dr. J. F. Davis, the encour-
agement of Dr. R. L. Cook, and the helpful advice of Dr. Kirk
Lawton, his fellow graduate students and members of the Soil
Science Department during the course of this study.

The writer also expresses his appreciation to Drs.

R. E. Lucas and H. C. Beeskow for their constructive criticism
of the manuscript.

He expresses his sincere appreciation to the late
Dr. G. P. Steinbauer for his contributions to the writer as
an outstanding teacher and for his suggestions as a member
of the guidance committee.

He is especially indebted to Dr. E. J. Benne for
chemical analyses, the use of equipment and for suggestions
on the manuscript. Appreciation is also expressed to Drs.

K. N. Satyapal and A. L. Kenworthy for assistance in chemical

analyses.

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
REVIEW OF LITERATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EXPERIMENT I. THE EFFECTS OF SODIUM CHLORIDE AND
POTASSIUM ON THE YIELD AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
OF SUGAR BEETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Results and Discussion . . . . . . . . . . .
EXPERIMENT II. MAGNESIUM AND UTAH 10B CELERY . .
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A. The effect of magnesium sulphate on
the chemical composition and control
of magnesium deficiency of Utah 10B

celery . . . . . . . . . . . . .

B. The effects of magnesium and potassium

on the yield and chemical composition

of Utah 10B celery . . . . . . . . .
Results and Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . .

EXPERIMENT III. THE EFFECTS OF MOLYBDENUM.AND LIME
ON THE YIELD AND MOLYBDENUM CONTENT OF CROPS . .

Procedure 0 O O O O O O O O O O O O I O O O O 0

Results and Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . .

iv

PAGE

l9

19

21

34

34

34

35

37

46

46

51

PAGE

EXPERIMENT IV. THE EFFECTS OF PLACEMENT OF
PHOSPHATE AND MANGANESE FERTILIZERS ON THE YIELD

AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SOYBEANS . . . . . . . 71
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Results and Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
LITERATURE CITED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

TABLE

LIST OF TABLES
PAGE

The effects of rates of application of
sodium chloride and potash on the yield
and sucrose content of sugar beets,
1955 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

The effects of rates of application of
sodium chloride and potash on the
chemical composition of sugar beet tops,
1955 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

The effects of rates of application of
sodium chloride and of potash on the
chemical composition of sugar beet
roots, 1955 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

The effects of rates of application of
sodium chloride and potash on the yield
and sucrose content of sugar beets, 1956 . 27

The effects of rates of application of
sodium chloride and potash on the chemical
composition of sugar beet tops, 1956 . . . 28

The effects of rates of application of
sodium chloride and potash on the
chemical composition of sugar beet
roots, 1956 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

The effect of sugar beets on potassium soil
test values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

The effect of magnesium on the yield,
chemical composition and incidence of
magnesium deficiency on the leaves of
Utah 103 celery, 1955 . . . . . . . . . . 38

vi

TABLE

10.

ll.

12.

l3.

14.

15.

l6.

17.

The effect of residual magnesium on the
yield and incidence of magnesium
deficiency on the leaves of Utah 10B
celery, 1956 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The effects of magnesium and potassium levels
on the yield and chemical composition of
Utah 10B celery, 1955 . . . . . . . . . .

The effects of magnesium and potassium levels
on the yield and chemical composition of
Utah 10B celery, 1956 . . . . . .

The effect of molybdenum applied to several
organic soils on the dry weight and molyb-
denum content of cauliflower grown in the
greenhouse, 1959 . . . . . . .

The effects of broadcast and seed treatment
applications of molybdenum on the yield
and molybdenum content of spinach grown
on Spalding peat, 1959 . . . . . . . . .

The effects of molybdenum and lime on the
dry weight and molybdenum content of
cauliflower grown on organic soil in
the greenhouse, 1960 . . . .w. . . . .

The effects of molybdenum and lime on the
dry weight and molybdenum content of
onions grown on organic soil in the
greenhouse, 1960 . . . . . . . . . .

The effects of molybdenum and lime on the
dry weight and molybdenum content of
head lettuce grown on organic soil in
the greenhouse, 1960 . . . . . . . . .

The effect of molybdenum on the yield and‘
molybdenum content of cauliflower grown
on Houghton muck - Michigan State
University Muck Experimental Farm, 1960

vii

PAGE

39

42

43

52

55

56

57

58

69

TABLE

PAGE
18. The effects of placement of phosphate
and manganese fertilizer on the yield
and chemical composition of soybeans,
1961 . . . . . . . . . . . 73

viii

FIGURE

LIST OF FIGURES

The effects of molybdenum and
growth of cauliflower .

The effect of molybdenum seed
the early growth of onions

The effects of molybdenum and
growth of onions .

The effect of molybdenum seed
growth of head lettuce .

ix

lime on the

treatment on

lime on the

treatment on the

PAGE

61

63

65

68

INTRODUCTION

Studies reported herein are related to four problem
areas of crop production on Michigan organic soils. These
are: (a) the response of some crops to sodium chloride;

(b) the magnesium deficiency associated with certain varieties
of celery: (c) crop response to molybdenum; and (d) the effect
of phosphate and manganese placement on the availability of
manganese to soybeans.

In general, sodium is not considered as an essential
element for the growth of plants; however, the yield response
of some crops to sodium has been known for nearly one hundred
years. In Michigan sodium chloride is recommended on organic
soils for the celery and beet crops. Reports from growers
have indicated inconsistent results from the application
of sodium chloride to organic soils where salt responsive
crops were grown; however, the results obtained in Michigan
studies over the years indicate the response from sodium
(to be related to the level of residual potassium in the soil
or to the rate of potash fertilizer applied to the soil for
the crop, with response to sodium chloride decreasing with

increased available potassium. The sodium chloride study

was initiated on existing plots at the Michigan Muck Experi—
mental Farm to determine the yield response of sugar beets

to sodium chloride at various soil levels of residual potassium
and to determine the yield response of this crop where
additional rates of potash were applied across soil varying

in levels of potassium.

Some Pascal celery varieties show very serious magne—
sium deficiency symptoms when grown on the organic soils of
Michigan. In fact, to the present, certain varieties of
celery are the only crops grown on organic soils in Michigan
on which a magnesium problem has been known to occur. In
general, the problem is one of quality as indicated by marked
yellowing of the foliage. Yield loss is usually caused by
trimming the outer petioles to remove the yellow appearance
of the celery stalk rather than a loss of dry matter produced
per acre from inadequate magnesium for plant growth. Johnson
(40) reported that the magnesium deficiency of celery grown
on organic soil could be corrected by applying high rates of
magnesium compounds to the soil; and he stated that for mature
susceptible varieties when the magnesium content was raised
to .144 percent or above in the above—ground portion of the
plant no symptoms of deficiency developed. This magnesium
work was carried out as a follow up to Johnson's studies to

determine the residual value of high rates of magnesium

sulphate in controlling the symptoms and to obtain additional
data on the composition at the deficiency level in the plant.

The first indication that a molybdenum problem existed
on organic soils in Michigan was recognized by Lucas (48) in
comparing the chemical composition of onion leaves obtained
from a problem area with leaves from an area where the onions
were growing normally. Onion leaves from the problem area
contained only .05 parts per million of molybdenum in the
tissue, whereas the normal plants contained 0.7 parts per
million of molybdenum. Hosner (38) demonstrated the first
known response to this element on organic soil in this country
in a greenhouse study using lettuce and cauliflower as indicator
crops. To determine the need for this element in fertilizer
recommendations for crop production on organic soils, studies
were initiated both in the field and the greenhouse.

In fertilizer placement studies, response of some crops
appeared to be greater than should be expected from the
elements applied in the fertilizer band; also, many crops
appear to suffer from inadequate manganese because of method
of application, rate, or choice of the carrier used. The
phosphate—manganese study was initiated to determine the
effect of placement of phosphate and manganese fertilizers

on the availability of manganese.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Sodium Chloride

In general, sodium is not considered at the present
time to be an essential element for the growth of plants:
however, the yield response of some crops to sodium has been
known for nearly one hundred years. Voelcker, as cited by
Lehr (47), obtained yield increases of mangels from soil
treatments of sodium chloride as early as 1865.

The most common role of sodium in plant growth was
attributed to the substitution of this element for potassium
(66). The amount of sodium substitution for potassium was
reported to be from two-thirds the total potassium requirement
for a crop (30) to no response for some species of plants.
Cope gt_a1. (13) obtained yields of crops equal to potassium—
treated plots where one—half the potassium requirement was
substituted with sodium. Sayre (61) used sodium at four levels
to replace one—fourth the potassium requirement of soybeans
and table beets. He concluded that sodium chloride should
be considered more as an important ingredient of the fertilizer

mixture than as a substitute for part of the potassium.

Dorp—Petersen and Steenbjerg (22) concluded that sodium
has some of the same functions as potassium in plants and can
be substituted for it in part. Their pot experiments showed
that sodium did not replace equivalent amounts of potassium
in plant tissue and that two to three times as much sodium
was required in the plant to produce the same effect in
increasing yield as potassium. They obtained no response in
plant growth from sodium when the level of potassium was
adequate.

Harmer and Benne (33) showed an absence of response
to sodium when the level of potassium in the soil was very low.

Aldrovandi (l), in studying potassium and sodium rela—
tionships on soils of Italy, found no response in beet yields
from sodium where the soils were low enough in available
potassium to obtain a response from potassium.

Decoux gt_al. (20) obtained the highest yield of
sugar (6.243 kg. per ha.) where the plots received 60 kilo-
grams of potash and 119 kilograms per hectare of sodium
oxide equivalent, while the lowest yield of sugar (5.884 kg.
per ha.) was obtained from plots receiving a soil treatment
of 240 kilograms per hectare of potash.

Harmer and Benne (33) classified crops according to
their degree of response to sodium. Harmer g§_al. (34)

reported that not only were there differences among species

in their response to sodium, but varieties of the same species
were markedly different in their response.

Cope and co—workers (13) attributed yield increases of
corn, sudangrass and alfalfa to increased potassium adsorption
when sodium was applied to the soil. Yield increase of ladino
was believed to be a combined effect from sodium substitution
for potassium and from increased adsorption of potassium.

When soils were fertilized with sodium and cropped by oats,
the potassium content of the oat tissue was decreased and
large amounts of sodium were adsorbed. The yield increase

of oats was attributed to a sodium substitution for potassium.
They found that the addition of sodium to a Mardin silt loam
increased the release of nonexchangeable potassium by about
40 percent as measured by ladino clover and alfalfa uptake.

On the other hand, the application of potassium decreased

the release of nonexchangeable potassium. The application

of potassium or sodium to the soil tended to reduce the content
of calcium and magnesium in plants grown on it.

According to Bower and Wadleigh (lO), increasing the
percent saturation of the exchange complex with sodium tended
to decrease the level of calcium, magnesium and potassium
in plants.

Larson and Pierre (46) found the effectiveness of

sodium to be 100, 40, 29 and 1 percent as effective as potassium

on a Carrington loam with the growth of beet roots, flax
-grain, oat grain and corn, respectively. They suggested that
the response of various crops to potassium or sodium might be
estimated from the value of K i (X) (Na), where K = exchange—
able potassium in me. per 100 grams, Na = exchangeable sodium
in me. per 100 grams, and X = a factor specific for each
crop. Their correlation coefficients of total (K + Na)
contents versus yield of beets were 0.91 and 0.93 for two
soils, compared with values of 0.24 and 0.46 respectively
for K alone versus yield. They concluded that this information
indicates that at low soil potassium levels, the amounts of
exchangeable potassium may not be a reliable index to response
of sodium-responsive crops to potassium fertilizers. The
additions of sodium to the soil will generally depress the
uptake of potassium by plants. In some cases it may have no
effect, or may even slightly increase the uptake of potassium.
Additions of either sodium or potassium will generally depress
the uptake of calcium and magnesium, but additions of one may
have little effect if calcium and magnesium have already been
depressed by the other.

Several workers (11, 12, 37, 45), studying the effect
of sodium on the yield response of the cotton plant at low
levels of potassium, have demonstrated marked response of

cotton to sodium on potassium-responsive soils. In general,

the response to sodium decreases with increased rate of potash
applied. In some cases, sodium from sodium nitrate was more
effective in increasing the yield of cotton than an equivalent
amount of potash (45). Marshall and Sturgis (51) decreased
the yield of seed cotton with sodium chloride at a rate of

72 pounds of Na 0 equivalent but increased yields when sodium

2
nitrate was used. This suggests that the cotton plant is
very sensitive to chloride.

Bear (7) has described the tendency of plants to
maintain a constant level of cations and anions in plant tissue
per unit of dry matter. Additions of too much potassium may
repress adsorption of calcium, or too much chlorine may
lower nitrogen uptake by the crop.

Younts and Musgrave (76) have reported depressed corn
growth from chlorine rates of 45 to 90 pounds per acre (60

to 120 pounds K 0 as KCl) when applied in the row. Teater

2
_§§_§l. (69) found the yield of corn was not affected by
chlorine rates up to 90 pounds in the row and 540 pounds
broadcast. However, a chloride rate of 120 pounds per acre
in the row did depress corn yield significantly in one year
out of two. They stated the amount of chloride accumulating
in the top soil after two years of heavy fertilization with

ammonium chloride was relatively insignificant. Haas (32)

has suggested that an application of 100 pounds or less of

chlorides per acre may interfere with carbohydrate metabolism
in tobacco plants, resulting in excessive starch accumulation
in the leaves. Also associated with increased salts are
decreased percentages of nitrate—nitrogen and protein nitrogen
in plants.

In nutrient solution studies, Truog et al. (71) found
that the amount of water required per gram of dry matter
produced was considerably less with the addition of sodium
to the nutrient solution than without it. The contents of
sodium and potassium were high in the plants and proportional
to the amounts in the nutrient solution.

Other workers (49, 57) have reported that increasing
the salt concentration of the soil solution increases the
osmotic pressure, and the rate of water adsorption in the
plant is reduced. Timm (70) has emphasized the resistance
of sugar beets to wilting at high temperatures in the greEn-
house where sodium chloride was applied to the soil.

In studying the effect of salt on aerobic micro-
organisms, Franco (29) found no microorganisms developed on
soils where the sodium chloride content was greater than 0.2
percent or where the sulfur content was over 0.06 percent.

Other factors affecting crop responses to sodium as
suggested by Harmer et a1. (34) are the composition of the

fertilizer (content of sodium), composition and drainage of

10

the soil and seasonal climate. Harmer and Benne (33)
reported plants with a narrow potassium to sodium ratio
indicated a probable sodium-responsive crop and a wide ratio

a non-responsive crop.
Magnesium Deficiency of Pascal Celery

Some 1045 abstracts of recent compilation on magnesium
research appear in a publication by International Minerals
and Chemical Corporation (50).

The interest of this review was limited to the magne—
sium problem associated with certain Pascal celery varieties
of which Utah 10B is one of the most susceptible to magnesium
deficiency.

The work of Pope and Munger (56) showed a single gene
controlled the utilization of magnesium as evidenced by a
3:1 Mendelian ratio of the first generation from crossing a
non-susceptible variety with Utah 10B.

The magnesium deficiency as described by Davis and
McCall (19) was "A foliar condition, appearing on celery as
a definite pattern of mottling and yellowing on the tips of
the older leaves, and then progressively spreading downward
along the margins and inward between the veins of the leaflets."

Wittwer and McCall, as cited by Johnson (40), listed

the green celery varieties as to their degree of susceptibility

11

to magnesium deficiency as follows: (a) highly susceptible——
Utah 10B, Utah Ten Grand, Utah Top Ten, Pascal Superb,
Superior Pascal; (b) moderately susceptible——Utah 16:

(c) slightly susceptible-—Utah 52-70, Utah Special, Utah
Jumbo, Emerson Pascal; (d) not susceptible--Utah 15 and Summer
Pascal.

Davis and McCall (19), in studying methods of correcting
the magnesium problem of celery at ten locations in Michigan,
found that applications of 2000 pounds per acre of magnesium
sulphate applied as a side-dressing proved ineffective (100
percent of plants contained symptoms); but symptoms were almost
completely controlled and yields increased slightly by spraying
ten pounds of magnesium sulphate per acre at lO—day intervals
throughout the growing season.

Johnson gt_§1. (42), in a two-year study with 19
celery varieties at four locations in Michigan on soils with
exchangeable calcium to magnesium ratios ranging from 6:1
to 14:1 and the magnesium saturation as high as 23 percent,
found that severe symptoms of magnesium deficiency occurred
at all locations. The most susceptible varieties arranged
in decreasing order were: Utah 10B, Utah 52—70, Emerson
Pascal, Growers Pascal 49, and Summer Pascal (Waltham strain).

Johnson gtyal, (41) reported two to four tons of

hydrated magnesium sulphate applied to the soil were required

12

to control symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Symptoms were
reduced to a minimum when the exchangeable calcium to magnesium
ratio in the soil was less than 3:1 and when the magnesium
saturation of the exchange complex was greater than 22 per-
cent. Sodium chloride and high rates of potash tended to

make the problem more serious (40); but, in general, the

most effective means of control of the magnesium problem
associated with certain Pascal Celery varieties were through

foliar sprays of Magnesium (19, 56, 40, 41, 42).

Molybdenum

Arnon and Stout (4) were the first to establish
molybdenum as an essential element for the growth of higher
plants using the tomato as an indicator plant. Anderson (2),
working on an Australian ironstone soil in pot tests, obtained
yield increases of lucern almost double the check from sodium
molybdate applied at two pounds per acre. Walker (73) was
the first to demonstrate a plant response to molybdenum on
soils of this country.

Rubins (60) cited areas of known molybdenum deficiencies
in the United States as being along the Atlantic and Gulf
Coasts, the Midwest and the Northwest. Robinson (58)
reported molybdenum content of soils ranged from a trace to

about 20 parts per million, and the average of 500 analyses

13

from several countries as 2.5 parts per million of molybdenum
in soil.

Evans (24), from a review of the role of molybdenum
in plant growth, concluded that molybdenum is an essential
element in the process of nitrogen fixation and nitrate
reduction when the nitrate source of nitrogen is utilized.
There is evidence that hydrogenase is associated with the
nitrogen—fixation mechanism in microorganisms, and molybdenum
is an essential constituent of this enzyme.

Mulder (52), working with organic soils in the Nether-
lands, obtained increased yields of white clover from the
application of molybdenum to soils in 13 out of 17 cases.

The pH of the soils ranged from 4.9 to 6.2. He worked with
indicator crops of lucern, cauliflower, white cabbage, turnip,
lettuce, spinach, radish, sugar beet, potato, tomato and

cereals. In estimating available molybdenum by the Aspergillus

 

.3199E assay method, some rather high values were obtained in
acid soils on which cauliflower plants showed severe symptoms
of molybdenum deficiency.

Several workers (52, 68, 3) report phosphate in most
cases enhances molybdenum uptake. Stout §t_§1. (68) stated
under conditions of intensive cropping at high phosphate levels,
recoveries of 10 to 50 percent of the applied molybdenum may

be removed in a single crop. Stout (68) postulated that added

14

phosphate might exchange for soil adsorbed molybdenum; this
is analogous to the release of soil molybdenum upon making
soils alkaline by exchange of soil adsorbed molybdate

for hydroxyl ions (5).

Several workers (72, 38, 52, 3, 23, 6) and others
have demonstrated that the availability of molybdenum to
plants in general increases as the pH of the soil is increased.
Although soil molybdate is fixed more strongly in acid reactions,
it has been shown (68) in culture solution studies that
adsorption of molybdates by the plant is greater from acid
solutions than from solutions of neutral reactions.

Anderson (3) stated that the extent to which the
application of lime corrects molybdenum deficiency depends
upon the amount of unavailable molybdenum present in the soil.
Good response from liming or molybdenum application was
obtained from a soil containing ten parts per million of
molybdenum, whereas very little response was obtained from
lime where the soil contained only one part per million of
molybdenum. Walker (73) obtained a response to molybdenum
on serpentine soils of a pH as high as 6.8.

Barshad (6) found the molybdenum content of plants
grown on the same soil varied from 1.3 parts per million in
the leaves of cantaloupe to 141 parts per million in the

dry tissue of cow peas. Stout et a1. (68), in analysis of

15

molybdenum deficient plants, found a range from .25 to .03
parts per million of molybdenum in the dry tissue and tentatively
set .5 parts per million of molybdenum in the dry tissue as
indicative of an adequate supply.

Barshad (6) observed that the amount of molybdenum in
the plant was related to the amount of molybdenum in the soil,
and that molybdenum in the plant may vary widely without any
deleterious effect on the plant.

Many workers (14, 15, 25) in areas where the molybdenum
Content of pasture forage ranged from 4.6 to 20 parts per
million or above have reported a disease of cattle or sheep
caused by an excess of molybdenum. In the United States, the
problem has been reported in California (5, 6), Florida (44,
31) and Oregon (60). Suggestionslqzworkers to reduce the
problem were: (a) feed cattle dry roughage (5); (b) utilize
the peat and muck areas of Florida for hay production rather
than pasture to prevent return of plant residue to the soil
(31); and (c) injection of copper solution into the animal
(16).

Mulder (52) found an antagonistic relationship between
manganese and molybdenum. Mulder (52) and Stout §£_a1. (68)
reported that sulfates suppress fluauptake of molybdenum.

Stout g£_al. (68) demonstrated molybdenum adsorption by

soil grown plants can be lowered by reducing soluble phosphate

l6

and increasing soil sulfate levels. He reduced the molybdenum
content of peas from 16 to 2.75 parts per million in the
tissue by the application of two tons of calcium sulfate per
acre.

Robinson and Edgington (59) have suggested a connection
between abundance of free hydrated iron oxides and molybdenum
availability, and the possibility of iron concretions locking
up molybdenum in an entirely unavailable form.

Davies (17) in reviewing literature concerning avail—
ability of molybdenum in soils discussed it in relation to
four forms: (a) unavailable (held within the crystal lattice
of primary and secondary minerals): (b) conditionally available

(retained as the M00 anion by clay minerals and available

4
depending upon the pH and phosphate status); (c) in organic
matter; (d) water soluble.

Kedrov-Zikhman gtgal, (43), working on podzolic and
peat soils, found that supplying cobalt and molybdenum by
side-dressing growing plants or by soaking the seed in solutions

of cobalt and molybdenum salts were often more effective in

increasing plant growth than broadcasting the materials.
Placement of Phosphate and Manganese

Manganese availability on organic soils decreases as

the pH of the soil increases. At a pH of about 5.8 and above,

17

it is advisable to apply supplementary manganese in order to
meet requirements of many crops for this element (26).

Sherman and Harmer (64) were the first to study the
need for manganese for crops in Michigan. They reported that
to control manganese deficiency in oats grown on organic soil
the most practical methods were the application of manganese
sulfate or sulfur.

Shepherd et a1. (62), in a study with several manganese
carriers to determine the most effective method of applhzation
and the effectiveness of the various carriers, found the order
of response in methods of application to be banding, broad—
casting, and spraying, with no difference among carriers when
the carriers were banded. They used the onion as an indicator
crop. When Frit or oxide carriers of manganese were broad-
cast, they were much less effective in increasing crop yield
than the sulfate carrier.

Hashimoto et a1. (35) applied fused phosphate to the
soil. The pH was increased, and the availability of manganese
decreased. The resulting deficiency was corrected in barley
by the application of manganese fertilizer. They reported
fertilizing the crop with super phosphate on unlimed fields
was not injurious.

Fiskel and Mourkides (28) in evaluating manganese

carriers found, in general, an increase in the manganese

18

content of tomato plants at the higher of two levels of super
phosphate applied in pot experiments. They thought the
increased response at the higher level may have been due to
calcium or to localized acidity from the gypsum.

Hoff and Mederski (36) reported that banding 200 pounds
per acre of 0-20—20 was as effective in increasing the yield
of soybeans as a 30 pound per acre rate of manganese sulfate.
The yields were 17, 30, and 31 bushels per acre for the
control (no fertilizer or manganese), 30 pounds of manganese

sulfate, and 200 pounds of 0-20-20 per acre, respectively.

EXPERIMENT I

THE EFFECTS OF SODIUM AND POTASSIUM ON THE
YIELD AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF
SUGAR BEETS

Procedure

A study concerning the response of crops to salt at
varying rates of potash was established on Houghton Muck
located at the Michigan Muck Experimental Farm in 1951. The
soil had a pH of 6.3 and contained 85 percent organic matter
as determined by loss on ignition. The experimental design
was a split plot containing four potash levels and two sodium
chloride levels. The treatments, replicated four times,
were: 100, 200, 300 and 600 pounds per acre of potash applied
annually. The split treatment consisted of an annual appli-
cation of 500 pounds of sodium chloride per acre on one-half
of each plot. All polts received a basic application of 100
pounds per acre of phosphate along with minor elements
appropriate for the crop grown. Table beets and celery were
grown on the area from 1951 through 1954. All plots were
sampled and tested in the spring of 1955. The test results

indicated a uniform level of residual phosphorus across all

19

20

plots in the experiment, and a uniform residual potassium
level for each of the four rates of potash applied.

In 1955, the plots were split a second time--one-
half of each plot received the regular treatment, and the
other half was left untreated with phosphate or potash ferti-
lizer. There were a total of 72 plots following the last
split.

The potash source used was fertilizer grade potassium
chloride, and the phosphorus was 0-45-0. The potassium
carrier, sodium chloride and 40 pounds per acre equivalent
of borax were weighed and broadcast on each plot as required
according to plot diagrams then disced-in prior to planting.
The 0—45—0, applied at the rate of 100 pounds per acre of

P O

2 5, was banded two inches below the seed at time of planting

on those plots which were to receive the treatment. The
area was cropped with U.S. 400 sugar beets for two consecutive
years, 1955, and 1956. Soil samples were taken each fall and
spring, and tests for phosphorus and pbtassium were made by
the Spurway Active method (67).

The planting dates were May 20 in 1955 and June 2 in
1956. At harvest time, fresh weights of the tops and roots
were recorded, and samples for chemical analysis were taken.

The roots were washed, quartered vertically, and a few

thin slices were cut from each piece. The field sample

21

contained a minimum of ten roots or tops from each plot. The
beet top sample was obtained by cutting the petioles at their
base near the crown of a quartered root. The samples were
weighed fresh, and again after having been dried in a forced—
draft electrical oven at 174 degrees Fahrenheit.

Plant material was ground in a Wiley Mill through a
20-mesh screen and stored in 8—ounce wide—mouth sample jars.
A further sample was prepared by bulking the replicates of
each treatment for the tops and roots for chemical analyses.

The calcium and magnesium analyses of sugar beet
tissue from plots in 1956 were determined with a Beckman DU
flame spectrophotometer equipped with a photomultiplier. All
other analyses for chemical constituents of the sugar beet
samples taken in 1955 and 1956 were analyzed in accordance
with methods as outlined in Official Methods of Analysis of

the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (54).

Results and Discussion

The data in Table 1 show the yield of tops were fairly
uniform across all treatments with no significant differences
in weight apparent. Likewise, no significant differences in
the percent sucrose resulted from treatment. Potash, however,
caused significant increases in the root yields. Yields from

plots receiving 200 pounds of potash were significantly higher

22

 

 

 

 

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23

than those from plots treated with 100 pounds. Also, the

yields from the plots treated with 600 pounds of potash were
significantly higher than those from plots treated at the
ZOO—pound rate. The salt did not significantly increase

yields of beets on the fertilized plots, but these data indicate
a yield response from the salt where the two lowest levels of
potash were applied.

The 1955 chemical composfizion data of the tops and
roots are given in Tables 2 and 3. These data show a much
higher value in the tops than in the roots for all elements
reported. The nitrogen and phosphorus content of the plants
appear to be high and rather uniform across all treatments.
The manganese content of the tops appears to be well within
a desirable range for plant growth, and the treatments
apparently had no effect on the level of this element. The
calcium and magnesium contents of the tops were consistently
depressed from the sodium chloride treatment except at the
lowest residual level of potash (Table 2). However, this
fact is not apparent from the composition of the roots (Table
i 3). The potassium content of the tops, in general, increased
with residual potassium level in the soil or potash applied.
Also, the sodium content of the tops reflected the treatment
to the soil. There was an inverse relationship between the

percentages<1fsodium and potassium in the tissue.

Table 2.

1955.

The effects of the rates of application of sodium
chloride and potash on the chemical composition of
sugar beet tops,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pounds per acre Percent of oven-dry tissues
P205 K20 NaCl N P K Na Ca Mg Mn
Part A. Fertilized 1951 - 1954
100 100 0 4.55 .545 2.87 3.07 1.14 1.16 .0044
100 100 500 4.44 .439 4.04 2.25 1.15 1.29 .0057
100 200 0 3.89 .491 2.91 2.61 1.13 1.12 .0107
100 200 500 4.59 .502 3.81 2.80 .88 .94 .0065
100 300 0 4.20 .498 4.06 .98 1.10 1.10 .0049
100 300 500 4.06 .586 4.03 2.03 .73 .66 .0053
100 600 0 4.11 .432 4.77 1.88 1.08 1.09 .0064
100 600 500 4.50 .459 5.73 2.69 .70 .80 .0064
Part B. Fertilized 1951 - 1955

100 100 0 4.35 .583 3.20 1.76 1.63 1.28 .0099
100 100 500 4.20 .488 2.28 3.09 1.00 .99 .0096
100 200 0 4.51 .504 4.72 1.62 1.15 .98 .0110
100 200 500 3.86 .433 5.16 2.12 1.07 .90 .0074
100 300 0 3.92 .491 5.39 1.32 1.34 1.07 .0070
100 300 500 4.06 .482 5.01 2.19 1.02 .97 .0069
100 600 0 4.26 .512 6.49 1.01 1.15 .83 .0065
100 600 500 3.49 .366 6.35 1.97 1.34 .81 .0096

 

25

Table 3. The effects of rates of application of sodium chloride
and of potash on the chemical composition of sugar

beet roots, 1955.

 

 

Percent of oven-dry tissue

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pounds per acre
P205 K20 NaCl N P K Na Ca Mg Mn
Part A. Fertilized 1951 — 1954
100 100 0 2.10 .201 .79 .76 .110 .266 .0014
100 100 500 1.53 .225 .98 1.06 .088 .233 .0018
100 200 0 1.43 .202 1.49 .16 .133 .239 .0015
100 200 500 1.74 .212 .91 2.10 .135 .244 .0019
100 300 0 1.04 .169 2.28 .19 .089 .176 .0009
100 300 500 1.49 .246 2.27 1.28 .102 .213 .0019
100 600 0 1.89 .192 3.44 .53 .098 .285 .0010
100 600 500 1.86 .247 2.45 .65 .105 .323 .0023
Part B. Fertilized 1951 - 1955

100 100 0 1.70 .286 1.21 .39 .125 .251 .0014
100 100 500 1.00 .185 1.01 .90 .087 .160 .0018
100 200 0 .92 .204 1.55 .44 .098 .158 .0025
100 200 500 1.50 .289 2.22 .63 .124 .225 .0019
100 300 0 1.02 .157 2.34 .38 .098 .165 .0013
100 300 500 1.48 .213 2.23 .60 .088 .206 .0019
100 600 0 1.36 .236 2.97 .24 .112 .174 .0020
100 600 500 1.19 .216 2.75 .31 .099 .214 .0018

 

26

The data in Table 4 show that 1956 yields and sugar
percentages were considerably different from those of 1955.
In 1956 the yields of roots from plots receiving the three
highest rates of potash (200, 300 and 600) were significantly
higher than the yields from plots receiving the 100—pound
rate. Also, the plots where either 100 or 200 pounds of
potash were applied and which received salt produced higher
beet yields than did the corresponding plots which did not
receive salt. By grouping the data from all plots that
received potash, it was possible to show that salt caused
significantly higher sucrose percentages.

In 1956 the yield of beets from the fertilized plots
was considerably higher than from the unfertilized plots.

In Table 4 the data from the unfertilized plots show that

in every case where salt was applied sugar beet yields were
increased. The percent of sucrose was not significantly
affected by the plot treatments of salt or residual potassium
level in the soil.

The data in Table 7 show the potassium level of the
soil in the spring of 1955, and in the spring of 1957 following
the two—years' cropping with sugar beets. The loss of potassium
from the soil as a result of cropping is apparent on the
plots that were unfertilized in 1955 and 1956. The highest

soil test level dropped in a two—year period from about 300

27

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28

Table 5. The effects of rates of application of sodium
chloride and potash on the chemical composition of
sugar beet tops, 1956.

 

Pounds per acre Percent of oven-dry tissue

 

 

P205 K20 NaCl N P K Na Ca Mg

 

Part A. Fertilized 1951 - 1954

 

100 100 0 3.25 .458 2.71 1.53 .793 .926
100 100 500 2.82 .428 2.83 3.20 .727 .717
100 200 0 3.47 .480 2.54 1.50 .700 .807
100 200 500 3.12 .473 2.11 3.15 .600 .513
100 300 0 3.09 .463 3.07 1.32 .640 .627
100 300 500 2.56 .393 2.46 3.20 .380 .420
100 600 0 3.06 .395 4.31 .92 .466 .707
100 600 500 2.06 .418 4.04 1.68 .500 .607

 

Part B. Fertilized 1951 - 1956

 

100 100 0 2.93 .497 3.21 1.19 .547 .647
100 100 500 2.65 .458 2.78 2.97 .473 .507
100 200 _ 0 3.04 .510 3.52 1.11 .507 .567
100 200 500 2.87 .477 3.98 1.81 .407 .393
100 300 0 2.82 .475 4.23 .79 .620 .420
100 300 500 3.13 .477 4.50 1.40 .283 .293
100 600 0 2.61 .477 4.71 .67 .473 .413
100 600 500 2.63 .442 4.99 .97 .440 .367

 

29

Table 6. The effects of rates of application of sodium
chloride and potash on the chemical composition
of sugar beet roots, 1956.

 

 

Pounds per acre Percent of oven-dry tissue

 

 

P205 K20 NaCl N P K Na Ca Mg

 

Part A. Fertilized 1951 — 1954

 

100 100 0 1.12 .190 1.05 .590 .217 .340
100 100 500 .98 .160 1.08 .543 .162 .280
100 200 O 1.09 .213 .88 .346 .202 .265
100 200 500 .93 .197 .79 .750 .192 .308
100 300 0 .98 .140 .89 .250 .183 .238
100 300 500 .95 .170 1.07 .397 .197 .292
100 600 0 1.15 .157 1.85 .247 .192 .322
100 600 500 .93 .197 1.47 .283 .150 .263

 

Part B. Fertilized 1951 - 1956

 

100 100 0 .93 .220 .96 .233 .202 .255
100 100 500 .86 .187 .94 .340 .167 .247
100 200 0 .85 .207 1.19 .173 .172 .237
100 200 500 .82 .223 1.18 .210 .177 .237
100 300 0 .88 .217 1.34 .130 .175 .237
100 300 500 .82 .203 1.29 .177 .152 .233
100 600 0 .81 .220 1.49 .113 .157 .233

100 600 500 .83 .263 1.61 .130 .147 .223

 

30

Table 7. The effect of sugar beets on potassium soil test

 

 

 

 

 

values:*
Grade 0-10-10 0L10-20 0-10-30 0-10-60
. 1bs./A. 1bs./A. 1bs./A. 1bs./A.
Spring**
2
1955 90 111 152 86
Figgélized None 1000 None 1000 None 1000 None 1000
" 1b A 1b A lb A lb A
1956 / / / /
Spring***
1957 17 13 15 41 42 94 68 260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*.018 normal acetic acid extract.

**Soi1 test levels established by continuous treatment
of the fertilizer grade as indicated and applied annually at 1,000
pounds per acre from 1951 through 1954.

***Soil test values following two years'

cropping with U.S. 400 sugar beets.

consecutive

31

pounds of potassium per acre to less than 50 pounds. Potash
applied at the rate of 600 pounds per acre tended to lose
residual potassium under the sugar beet cropping.

The data in Tables 5 and 6 show the chemical composition
of tops and roots of sugar beets from the 1956 season. In
general, the same trends are apparent from these data as
were mentioned previously from the 1955 data. That is, the
application of sodium chloride and the increased residual
and/or applied potassium depressed the contents of magnesium
and calcium in the tops. This is not apparent from the
composition data obtained for the roots. An antagonistic
relationship between potassium and sodium contents of the
tops from the fertilized plots was demonstrated. However,
the residual potassium level was so low in plots previously
treated at the 100-, 200- and 300-pound levels that the sodium
chloride treatment increased the percent of sodium in the
tissue above that of the potassium.

The nitrogen content of the tissue from plots treated
with salt was lower than that of the tissue from plots with
the no-sodium chloride treatment. The lower nitrogen values
were more consistent on the unfertilized plots where salt
did not affect the percent sucrose; but on the fertilized
half of the plot where salt did significantly increase the

percent sucrose, the nitrogen level of the tissue was more

32

inconsistent. A dry fall occurred in 1956, and it is possible
that the water level in the soil coupled with the salt treat-
ments may have slowed mineralization of nitrogen as mentioned
by Franco (29). The phosphorus content of the tissue in

1956 was high and uniform on all plots including those
receiving no phosphate or potash after 1954.

These data show a trend toward a slight reduction in
the yield of tops and roots where the highest level of potash
was applied vdjfli the sodium chloride. Decoux gtgal, (20)
reported that a sodium carrier was more effective than potassium
chloride in producing sugar per acre with sugar beets. In
view of the depressing effects of chlorides on some crops
as cited by others (51, 76, 69, 32), chlorine may have been
the depressant where the highest rates of sodium chloride and
potash were applied. The chlorine in both carriers applied
annually at the highest rate was approximately 800 pounds per
acre.

These data agree with the work of others (7, 10, 46)
on the effects of potassium and sodium on the yields and
composition of the crop. The two elements appear to be antago-
nistic to each other, and either or both tend to suppress the
uptake of magnesium and calcium. These data further indicate
that a partial substitution of sodium for potassium occurred

in the sugar beet plant. The crop response from sodium

33

decreased with an increased residual level of potassium
in the soil or an increased rate of potash applied for the

crop.

EXPERIMENT II
MAGNESIUM AND UTAH 10B CELERY

Procedure

A. The effect of magnesium sulphate on the chemical
composition and control of magnesium deficiency of
Utah 10B celery.

This experiment was established at the Michigan Muck
Experimental Farm in 1955 to determine the residual effect
of high rates of hydrated magnesium sulphate on the control
of magnesium deficiency of Utah 10B celery. The magnesium
sulphate treatments were applied in 1955 only. The plots
were cropped with Utah 10B celery in 1955 and 1956.

The treatments consisted of hydrated magnesium
sulphate (9.87%.Mg) applied at the pounds per acre indicated:
(a) none, (b) 1,000, (c) 2,000, (d) 3,000, (e) 4,000,

(f) 6,000: (g) 8,000, (h) 10,000 and (i) 80 (ten pounds per
acre in 150 gallons of water at ten-day intervals throughout
the growing season). The experimental design was a randomized
block with three replications. All plots received a basic
fertilizer applied with the fertilizer attachment on the

grain drill in 1955 and 1956 to give nutrients of 50-100—300—

34

35

40 pounds per acre of N, P205, K20, and borax, respectively.
The magnesium sulphate was weighed for each plot, broadcast
by hand and then disced-in prior to planting the celery in
1955. The celery seedlings were transplanted into the field
in late June and harvested in early October each year.

The plants from each plot were harvested from a fixed
area in size, the fresh untrimmed plants were weighed, and
the weights were recorded. The yields were computed and
reported in tons per acre of fresh weight.

A minimum of five plants per plot obtained at harvest
time were quartered vertically, and one—quarter from each
was saved for tissue analysis. Drying, grinding, preparation
of the composite samples and chemical analyses were the same
procedures as previously stated for sugar beet tissue.

B. The effects of magnesium and potassium application

on the yield and chemical composition of Utah 10B
celery.

The experiment was established at the Michigan Muck
Experimental Farm in 1953. The area, a Houghton muck, was
originally developed in 1941 and had been used for experi—
mental plots continuously from 1941 through 1952. Standard
grades and rates of fertilizer normally used throughout this
period were 0-10-20 and 0-10—30 at 1,000 to 2,000 pounds

per acre annually. Chemical characteristics of the plot area

36

as reported by Johnson (40) from samples taken in 1953 were:
(a) pH 5.9—6.2, (b) 80 percent organic matter, (c) cation
exchange capacity 189 me. per 100 grams soil, (d) exchangeable
magnesium 23 me. per 100 grams soil, (e) exchangeable calcium
130 me. per 100 grams soil, (f) exchangeable sodium 1.2 me.
per 100 grams soil, and (9) base saturation 83.4 percent.
Shickluna (65) has reported the results of soil test corre—
lation studies of these plots for phosphorus and potassium
carried out in 1955 and 1956.

The treatments consisted of four rates of potash:
(a) none, (b) 400, (c) 800, and (d) 1,200 pounds per acre
with three rates of magnesium sulphate (9.87% Mg) superimposed
on each potash treatment. The three magnesium sulphate treat-
ments were: (a) none, (b) 500 pounds per acre, and (c) 80
pounds per acre applied in eight foliar applications of ten
pounds each in 150 gallons of water. The plots were replicated
three times. All plots received a basic application of 200
pounds of P205 per acre along with 40 pounds of borax. The
plots were cropped with Utah 10B celery in 1953 and then split
in 1954 so that one—half of each plot received the regular
treatment, and the other half of each plot received no potash

or phosphate fertilizer. The data reported were obtained from

the 1955 and 1956 crops.

37

The Utah 10B celery seedlings were transplanted late
in June and harvested in early October each year.

Harvesting, plant sampling, sample preparation and
methods of chemical analyses were the same as previously

mentioned.

Results and Discussion

The data in Table 8 show the effect of magnesium
sulphate (9.87% Mg) on the yield, chemical composition and
deficiency rank of Utah 10B celery in the year of treatment.
The residual effect of these treatments are reported in
Table 9.

There is a great deal of difference in the severity
of the magnesium deficiency symptoms occurring on the crop
from one year to the next as indicated by the deficiency rank
in the check treatments. The yield of celery was not signif—
icantly affected by treatment in either year. The percent
of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sodium in the tissue
appears to be adequate and rather uniform across all treat—
ments of the experiment (Table 8). The magnesium in the tissue
increased as the rate of magnesium applied to the soil was
increased. The 10,000 pounds per acre treatment of magnesium
sulphate resulted in .256 percent magnesium in the tissue

which was the highest of any treatment. On the other hand,

38

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39

Table 9. The effect of residual magnesium on the yield and

incidence of magnesium deficiency on the leaves of

Utah 10B celery, 1956.

 

 

Pounds MgSO

 

 

4 Tons Deficiency
.7H20 per acre per acre rank*
None 39.6 7.0
1000 45.0 7.3
2000 43.3 7.7
3000 45.0 6.0
4000 46.3 8.8
6000 43.9 6.0
8000 44.8 4.3
10000 44.7 4.7
Spray** 47.0 1.0
LSD (5% level) N.S.

 

*Rank 1 = no symptoms 10

magnesium deficiency.

= 100 percent symptoms of

**80 pounds per acre of hydrated magnesium sulphate
applied in 8 applications of 10 pounds each in 150 gallons

of water.

40

the check treatment contained the lowest level of magnesium

in the tissue. In general, the magnesium content of a
representative sample of the above-ground growth of Utah 10B
celery reflected the magnesium treatment to the soil. How-
ever, there was no relationship between the magnesium content
of the tissue in this method of sampling and the incidence

of the deficiency symptoms appearing on the plants as indicated
by rank.

Johnson (40) stated that for mature susceptible
varieties when the percent magnesium of the above-ground portion
was raised to 0.144 percent or above no symptoms developed.
These data indicate that magnesium content of the Utah 103
celery in the above-ground portion of the plant reflect
soil treatment, but must be considered as an unreliable guide
as to the occurrence and control of the magnesium symptoms
appearing on the plant.

In a later publication, Johnson §t_a1. (42) reported
that Utah 103 plants with a maximum of symptoms contained
0.247 to 0.257 percent magnesium. Values from 0.274 to 0.426
percent magnesium were found in plants with few-to-no
symptoms of deficiency.

Several publications (19, 56, 41, 42) reported that
the most effective method of control of magnesium deficiency

on Utah 103 celery was by foliar application of magnesium

41

compounds to the growing plants. A soil application of 10,000
pounds per acre of magnesium sulphate (9.87% Mg) was less
effective in controlling the symptoms of magnesium deficiency
in Utah 10B celery than 80 pounds per acre applied in eight
applications oftxnipounds each as a foliar spray. These data
show that the foliar application was also the most effective
means of control of the problem.

Johnson §t_al. (41) reported effective control of
magnesium deficiency from the soil application of two or
more tons of magnesium sulphate. The purpose of this experi—
ment was to determine the residual value in succeeding years
of such treatment on the control of the magnesium deficiency.

The data in Table 8 show that the 3,000 pound per
acre treatment of magnesium sulphate was effective in 1955
in the control of the problem as indicated by the deficiency
rank number, the lowest in the experiment. However, the data
in Table 9 show very low residual effect in the control of the
problem in 1956, one year after the treatments. The only
effective control as dictated by economics was the spray
treatment.

The data in Tables 10 and 11 show that the level of
nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium in the tissue was fairly
uniform across all treatments with more variability in 1956

than in 1955. The calcium values obtained in 1956 were much

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 10. The effects of magnesium and potassium levels on
the yield and chemical composition of Utah 10B
celery, 1955.
Pounds per acre Tons Percent of oven-dry weight
P 0 K 0 MgSO4 per N P K Na Mg Ca
2 5 2 acre
.7H 0
2
Part A. Fertilized 1953 only
200 0 0 24.7 2.52 .549 3.37 2.67 .223 2.45
200 400 0 25.5 2.68 .578 4.82 1.87 .215 2.22
200 800 0 28.8 2.50 .483 6.84 .84 .210 2.56
200 1200 0 27.4 2.45 .547 6.86 .67 .160 2.34
200 0 500 23.1 2.64 .537 2.97 2.76 .223 2.44
200 400 500 26.9 2.59 .613 5.45 2.01 .193 2.22
200 800 500 26.0 2.57 .538 6.94 .79 .191 2.55
200 1200 500 29.8 2.52 .536 6.81 .64 .159 2.32
200 0 80* 23.1 2.99 .648 3.74 2.68 .243 2.47
200 400 80* 25.8 2.79 .589 5.25 1.70 .249 2.44
200 800 80* 27.2 2.58 .586 6.96 .78 .187 2.24
200 1200 80* 22.6 2.92 .555 6.95 .57 .172 2.39
Part B. Fertilized 1953 - 1955
200 0 0 22.8 2.71 .489 3.85 2.39 .214 2.46
200 400 0 26.6 2.53 .569 6.07 .98 .194 2.16
200 800 0 31.4 2.73 .622 7.46 .82 .210 2.48
200 1200 0 25.3 2.65 .604 7.98 .74 .167 2.39
200 0 500 24.8 2.63 .518 3.55 2.53 .215 2.37
200 400 500 26.3 2.44 .528 6.65 .88 .244 2.38
200 800 500 31.3 2.50 .593 6.53 .94 .227 2.60
200 1200 500 26.5 2.70 .572 7.53 .74 .191 2.48
200 0 80* 23.6 2.59 .491 3.03 3.01 .217 2.39
200 400 80* 26.2 2.58 .519 6.23 .81 .195 2.38
200 800 80* 27.1 2.62 .607 6.87 .69 .203 2.32
200 1200 80* 23.1 2.91 .616 7.45 .66 .196 2.36
*8 applications of 10 pounds each in 150 gallons of

water per acre at lO-day intervals.

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 11. The effects of magnesium and potassium levels on

the yield and chemical composition of Utah 10B

celery, 1956.
Pounds per acre Tons Percent of oven-dry weight
13205 K20 MgSO4 p2;

. 7H20 a N P K Na Mg Ca

Part A. Fertilized 1953 only
200 0 0 34.0 2.45 .610 4.47 1.40 .187 .903
200 400 0 35.9 2.30 .563 4.70 1.21 .173 .913
200 800 0 39.1 2.20 .547 5.60 1.03 .217 1.013
200 1200 0 41.6 2.30 .600 7.07 .65 .257 .987
200 0 500 31.0 2.28 .533 4.33 1.28 .200 .973
200 400 500 34.9 2.18 .577 5.03 1.23 .197 .913
200 800 500 36.8 2.18 .587 6.37 .95 .190 1.033
200 1200 500 37.2 2.29 .590 6.27 .64 .173 .900
200 0 80* 33.1 2.54 .587 4.37 1.32 .167 .923
200 400 80* 36.2 2.16 .583 5.63 1.17 .197 .853
200 800 80* 34.5 2.06 .557 5.83 .76 .173 .830
200 1200 80* 37.0 2.25 .540 7.13 .85 .257 1.033
Part B. Fertilized 1953 - 1956

200 0 0 39.8 2.18 .550 4.07 1.482 .200 .770
200 400 0 41.8 2.31 .573 6.13 .873 .218 1.100
200 800 0 44.3 2.04 .580 8.13 .475 .233 .840
200 1200 0 42.8 2.31 .627 7.40 .508 .210 .954
200 O 500 36.6 2.53 .380 3.80 .375 .175 .970
200 400 500 43.2 2.00 .543 7.16 .600 .190 1.080
200 800 500 44.4 2.12 .597 8.06 .550 .240 1.100
200 1200 500 45.8 2.08 .567 7.75 .507 .230 .954
200 0 80* 36.0 2.25 .380 3.80 .625 .175 .830
200 400 80* 41.1 2.05 .540 6.70 .733 .260 1.060
200 800 80* 42.9 2.05 .593 7.40 .500 .210 .904
200 1200 80* 44.4 2.13 .565 7.29 .475 .200 .860

 

*8 applications of 10 pounds each in 150 gallons of
water per acre at 10-day intervals.

44

lower than those obtained in 1955. However, Johnson (40)
obtained calcium values as low as 1.06 and as high as 3.44
percent in the oven-dry tissue in 1953 and 1954, respectively,
from the same plots in the experiment. In spite of the low
values for calcium obtained in 1956, these data show the same
trend in both years; that is, the level of potassium did not
appear to affect calcium level in the plant to any great
extent. As the residual fertility level increased, or as the
rate of potash applied was increased, the percent of potassium
in the plant increased and the percent of sodium decreased.
In 1955 as the level of available potassium in the soil
increased, the percent of magnesium appears to have decreased
(Table 10). The data in Table 11 show more variability in
percent magnesium with no definite trend apparent for this
element in 1956.

The 1956 data from the unfertilized plots represent
the third consecutive celery crop without fertilizer applied;
and on the zero potash level, the fourth consecutive year
without potash. The only significant difference in yield
from treatment that occurred in the four years of the experi-
ment was on the fertilized half of the plots in 1956; the
celery yields from the three highest levels of potash were
significantly higher than from the no—potash treatment.

The same trend was apparent from the unfertilized plots, but

45

it was not significant. Another trend observed in data over
the years was for depressed yields at the highest level of
potash. This may have been an effect of chlorides as
previously mentioned in the discussion of Experiment I.
Root-knot nematodes were present on the roots of celery during
the harvesting in 1956 which may have been the cause of some
of the variability of these data and the lack of significance
in celery yield from the unfertilized half of the plots in
1956.

Furthermore, the only effective control of the magnesium-
deficiency symptoms of plants grown on these plots resulted

from the magnesium foliar treatment.

EXPERIMENT III

THE EFFECTS OF METHODS OF APPLICATION OF MOLYBDENUM
AND THE EFFECT OF LIME ON THE YIELD AND
MOLYBDENUM CONTENT OF CROPS

Procedure

Molybdenum studies both in the greenhouse and field
were initiated to determine the need for this element in
fertilizer recommendations for crop production on the organic
soils of Michigan. Hosner (38) reported the first known
crop response from this element on organic soil in this
country in a greenhouse study using lettuce and cauliflower

as indicator crops.

A. Greenhouse Experiment

 

Four organic soils were obtained from problem areas
in the State. The soils were in a pH range from 5.0 to 5.4;
they were large deep deposits, high in organic matter, and
all were problem areas in onion production.

Soil 1 was obtained from a large deposit of Carlisle
muck. The sample obtained for greenhouse studies was from a
localized area within the deposit containing visible concretions

of iron and having a natural pH of 5.2. The area had been

46

47

cropped continuously by onions for about 20 years; but crop
failure had always occurred in the localized areas containing
the iron.

Soil 2 was obtained from a deposit of Rifle peat in
Mason County. This soil was located about 100 miles northwest
of East Lansing. The pH of the soil was 5.4. The farmer
had grown satisfactory crops of carrots, but the yields of
onions were unsatisfactory.

Soil 3 was from a deposit of Spalding peat of recent
development that had been limed with about ten tons of lime
per acre to bring the pH to 5.0. The only crop grown on this
soil was onions, and the yields were unsatisfactory.

Soil 4 was obtained from a large deposit of Spalding
peat in Calhoun County that had been previously limed with
about 20 tons of lime per acre to bring the pH to about 5.0.
In some areas of this deposit, the pH was 4.7. This field
had also been cropped by onions, carrots and potatoes for more
than ten years. However, the onion yields were, in general,
the most unsatisfactory of the crops grown.

These soils, referred to in Table 12 as 1, 2, 3 and 4,
were partially air dried, screened and each thoroughly mixed.
A uniform weight of each soil was placed in eight previously
cleaned and weighed two-gallon glazed earthenware jars. A

basic application of fertilizer equivalent to 3,000 pounds

48

of 10-10-30 and 25 pounds of copper per acre compounded from
analytical grade chemicals was applied to all pots.

The experiment consisted of two treatments: (a) no
molybdenum, and (b) four pounds of NaMoO4-2H20 per acre.
Each treatment was replicated four times with each soil.

The fertilizer materials were thoroughly mixed throughout

the entire soil volume. Snowball A cauliflower seedlings,
started in a molybdenum-deficient Montcalm sandy loam, were
transplanted on November 6, 1958. The greenhouse temperature
was maintained at about 75 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the
experiment. The plants were harvested January 1, 1959. The

fresh and dry weights of the samples were recorded, and the

plant material was prepared for chemical analyses.

B. Field Experiment

 

The next experiment in chronological order was a
field experiment established in Calhoun County on Spalding
peat at the location where the number 4 soil was obtained
for the greenhouse study. The experimental design was a
split plot with three treatments and four replications. The
indicator crop used was spinach. The main treatments consisted
of sodium molybdate applied at the rate per acre indicated:

(a) none, (b) one—half pound, and (c) two pounds. The split

49

consisted of (a) none, and (b) a Moly-Grol seed treatment.
The seed was treated at the rate of one—half ounce of Moly-
Gro to four pounds of spinach seed. The treatment for the
experimental area was 300 pounds of potassium chloride
drilled-in. The sodium molybdate was weighed, dissolved in
water, sprayed on the plots and then mixed in the soil by
discing. Fertilizer of the grade 6—24—12 containing one
percent copper was banded under the rows at the rate of 450
pounds per acre. The plots were seeded with a Planet Junior
Garden Seeder in the rows previously marked by the fertilizer
drill. The spinach was planted May 4 and harvested June 12,
1959. Samples of the above-ground portion of plants were

saved at harvest time for molybdenum determination.

C. Greenhouse Experiment

 

A second greenhouse experiment was set up using soil 1,
the most molybdenum-responsive soil of the first greenhouse
experiment. The experiment was designed to measure the
effects of methods of applying molybdenum and the effect of
lime on the growth of several crops. The basic fertilizer
was the same as described in the previous greenhouse exper—

iment. This experiment consisted of five treatments:

 

lMoly-Gro (38% Mo) trade name compound of Climax
Molybdenum Company, New York.

50

(a) no molybdenum, (b) Mo seed treatment, (c) three tons of
lime, (d) Mo (.2 pounds per acre) banded, and (e) Mo

(.4 pounds per acre) banded. All treatments were replicated
four times. The greenhouse temperatures were set for 75
degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime and reduced to 55 degrees
Fahrenheit at night. The indicator crops were Snowball A
cauliflower, Downing's Yellow Globe onions and Cornell 456
head lettuce. All crops were planted early in January and
harvested in March. Fresh and dry weights were recorded,
and the tissues prepared for molybdenum analysis. The seed
treatments for the crops are listed on Tables 13, 14 and 15

in the Results and Discussion.

D. Field Experiment

 

A final experiment was established at the Michigan
Muck Experimental Farm to determine the effects of seed
treatment alone and a seed treatment in combination with
molybdenum mixed in the banded portion of the fertilizer on
the molybdenum content of the crop. The experimental design
consisted of a randomized block with three treatments and three
replications. The basic fertilizer was 5-10-30 containing one
percent manganese and one-fourth percent boron applied at 800
pounds per acre two inches below the seed at the time of

planting. The treatments were: (a) no molybdenum, (b) Mo

51

seed treatment, and (c) Mo seed treatment + Mo (.2 pounds per

acre) banded with the basic fertilizer. The indicator crop

was Snowball A cauliflower. The crop was planted in June and

harvested in September, 1960. The cauliflower heads were

harvested, weighed and the yields reported in fresh weight of

the cauliflower heads in hundred weights per acre. Plant tissue

samples were taken at harvest time for molybdenum determinations.
Molybdenum determinations in composite plant samples

were made in duplicate by the Thiocyanate method as outlined

by Benne and Jerrim (8). This method is a modification of

the original method by Dick and Bingley.

Results and Discussion

The data in Table 12 show a significant increase in
the dry weights of cauliflower from the molybdenum treated
pots on soils 1 and 2. On soils 3 and 4, the dry weights
of the cauliflower from the molybdenum treated plots were
higher than the check; but the differences were not significant.
The molybdenum contents of the oven-dry cauliflower in Table
12 are all below the .5 parts per million of molybdenum that
Stout (68) set as indicative of an adequate level in plant
tissue. Interveinal yellowing of the leaves of all plants
was observed in the experiment in the early stages of growth,

but the plants in the molybdenum treated pots tended to grow

52

 

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53

out of the condition before harvest. Hosner (38) observed

the same trouble; he added additional molybdenum to the soil
and then finally applied molybdenum to the foliage to correct
the symptoms. This might indicate that insufficient molyb-
denum was applied to the soil or that soil applied molybdenum
was slowly available to the plant. It was observed that the
plant eventually grew out of the condition in the greenhouse
where the temperature was relatively high. This may indicate
a tie—up of molybdenum in an organic complex. With a relatively
rapid decomposition rate occurring in the greenhouse, the
molybdenum applied to the soil apparentlybecame released to
the plants through microbial activity. Mulder (52), in
working on the effects of manganese and sulfates suggested a
molybdenum tie-up problem on organic soil but concluded that
both manganese and sulfates were suppressing the uptake of
molybdenum. Kedrov-Zikhman gt_al. (43), working on peat soils,
found that supplying molybdenum by side-dressing growing plants
or by soaking seeds in solutions of molybdenum salts was more
effective than broadcasting the material in increasing plant
growth. The results of these workers tended to confirm a
problem of availability of molybdenum to plants when the
molybdenum had been applied to organic soil by mixing through-

out the soil volume or by broadcasting.

54

The data in Table 13 show a lack of response in
spinach yields from plots where the molybdenum was dissolved
in water, sprayed on the plots and disced-in before planting
at rates of .2 and .8 pounds per acre of molybdenum. The
.4 mmg. of Mo per gram of dry tissue contained in plant
material from the above treated plots and from the check
plots indicate a critical level of molybdenum in the plant
tissue. In every case where the seed treatment was used the
molybdenum level in the tissue was adequate for plant growth.
The yields of spinach obtained from plots with the seed
treatment were significantly higher than the yields obtained
from plots without the molybdenum seed treatment. These data
from the field experiment point out the fact that molybdenum
applied broadcast to organic soil was less available to the
plant than where molybdenum was applied as a seed treatment.
This was indicated by the yield increase of spinach and the
level of molybdenum in the tissue.

The data in Tables 14, 15 and 16 were obtained by
using additional soil 1 from the same location as previously
described. Molybdenum availability to plants in this soil
was so low that cauliflower plants did not grow beyond a three-
to-four-leaf stage without a molybdenum treatment.

The data in Table 14 show a significant increase in

the dry weight of cauliflower from pots receiving molybdenum

55

Table 13. The effects of broadcast and seed treatment
applications of molybdenum on the yield and
molybdenum content of spinach grown on Spalding

 

 

 

 

peat, 1959.
Treatment Tons per mmg Mo per
acre gram of tissue
None 6.1 .4
Mo seed treatment* 7.7 .6
Mo (.2 lb/A.) 6.4 .4
Mo (.2 1b/A. plus seed
treatment) 8.6 .6
Mo (.8 lb/A.) 6.5 .4
Mo (.8 lb/A. plus seed
treatment) 8.8 .6
LSD (5% level) method Without seed Seed treatment
of application treatment mean
mean
.6 ton 6.3 8.4

 

*Moly-Gro (38% Mo) seed treating
4 pounds of seed.

compound 1/2 oz. to

56

Table 14. The effects of molybdenum and lime on the dry
weight and molybdenum content of cauliflower
grown on organic soil in the greenhouse, 1960.

 

 

 

 

Treatment Grams per mmg Mo per gram
pot of tissue
None .6 .2
Mo seed treatment* 19.4 .2
Lime (3 tons/A.) .9 .2
Mo (.2 lb/A.) banded 15.7 .4
Mo (.4 lb/A.) banded 14.3 1.3
LSD (5% level) 2.11

 

*Moly-Gro (38% Mo) seed treating compound 1/2 oz.
to 2 pounds of seed.

57

Table 15. The effects of molybdenum and
weight and molybdenum content

lime on the dry
of onions grown

on organic soil in the greenhouse, 1960.

 

 

 

 

Treatment Grams per mmg Mo per gram
pot of tissue
None .8 -
Mo seed treatment* 8.6 .5
Lime (3 tons/A.) 3.5 .2
Mo. (.2 lb/A.) banded 1.2 .5
Mo. (.4 1b/A.) banded 3.6 .5
LSD (5% level) 1.5

 

*Moly-Gro (38% Mo) seed treating
to 4 pounds of seed.

compound 1/2 oz.

58

Table 16. The effects of molybdenum and lime on the dry
weight and molybdenum content of head lettuce
grown on organic soil in the greenhouse, 1960.

 

 

 

Treatment Grams per mmg Mo per gram
pot of tissue
None 5.2 .2
Mo seed treatment* 9.2 .3
Lime (3 tons/A.) 7.7 .4
Mo (.2 1b/A.) banded 4.0 .1
Mo (.4 1b/A.) banded 3.0 .4
LSD (5% level) 2.37

 

*Moly-Gro (38% Mo) seed treating compound 1/2 oz.
to 2 pounds of seed.

59

over that of the check. Lime did not significantly affect
the yield. The dry weight of cauliflower from pots receiving
the molybdenum seed treatment was significantly higher than
the dry weight of plants from pots receiving the molybdenum
banded in the soil. Even though the molybdenum at rates of
.2 and .4 pounds per acre was banded two inches below the
seed at planting time in this experiment (Tables 14, 15 and
16), the young emerging plants were seriously deficient in
molybdenum before their roots extended sufficiently to obtain
the element from the band. This treatment resulted in a
growth lag for all three crops behind the growth rate of the
crops with the seed treatment. In the greenhouse when har—
vesting plants in an immature stage of growth, a rate of growth
was measured; whereas under field studies when plants are
harvested at a certain stage of maturity, such a growth lag
may not be apparent. The relative differences in cauliflower
growth as caused by the treatments are apparent in Figure 1.
These data show similar results from the onions (Table
15) and lettuce (Table 16) which were used as indicator crops
for response to the molybdenum and lime treatments.
Early growth differences of onions resulting between
the check and seed treatment are shown in Figure 2. Figure
3 was a later photograph taken of the onions with the response

from lime included.

60

Figure 1. The effects of molybdenum and lime on the growth
of cauliflower.

 

62

Figure 2. The effect of molybdenum seed treatment on the
early growth of onions.

 

64

Figure 3. The effects of molybdenum and lime on the
growth of onions.

 

66

The data in these Tables show the relative influence
of lime on the availability of molybdenum to the various crops.
Lime applied to the soil significantly increased the dry
weights of lettuce (Table 16) and onions (Table 15) but lacked
effectiveness in increasing the dry weight of cauliflower
(Table 14).

The growth differences of the head lettuce obtained
between the check and seed treatment are shown in Figure 4.

The molybdenum deficiency symptom on the head lettuce
plants of the check pots was a general loss of chlorophyll
over most of the leaf surface with a more noticeable loss
of chlorophyll from between the veins of the leaf.

The symptoms of molybdenum deficiency occurring on
the onions were characterized by a general loss of chlorophyll
over most of the leaf area, or by a general loss of chloro-
phyll in the tips of the older leaves. As the symptoms grew
more severe, the tips of the older leaves appeared to wilt
about one-half way down the leaf. The basal portion of the
leaf remained erect, but the tip-half of the leaf dropped
downward and tended to retain a green color in the wilted
part of the leaf.

The data in Table 17 show the yield and molybdenum
content of cauliflower as the result of molybdenum treatment.

The soil had a pH of 6.0 and should be considered as a

67

Figure 4. The effect of molybdenum seed treatment on the
growth of head lettuce.

 

69

 

 

 

 

Table 17. The effect of molybdenum on the yield and
molybdenum content of cauliflower grown on
Houghton muck - Michigan State University
Muck Experimental Farm, 1960.
Treatment Hundred weights mmg Mo per gram
per acre of tissue
None 204 .4
Mo seed treatment* 238 .8
Mo (.2 lb/A. plus
seed treatment)** 210 9.5
LSD (5% level) N.S.

 

*Seed treatment 1/2 oz. Mbly-Gro (38% Mo) to 2 pounds
of seed.

**Banded 2 inches below the seed at planting time.

70

borderline responsive soil. Slight symptoms of molybdenum
deficiency usually appear on the cauliflower crop early in
the growth period, but the symptoms disappear as the season
progresses. This was true of the cauliflower crop grown in
1960 and of the data reported in Table 17. These data show
the lack of a significant increase in the yield of cauli-
flower from plots receiving the molybdenum treatments over
the check. However, the composition data indicate a critical
level of molybdenum in the cauliflower tissue from the check
plot. The seed treatment for crops grown on this soil appears
to be in adequate quantity and an excellent method for
application because the level of molybdenum in the plant was
in a desired range. When the seed treatment was coupled

with molybdenum in the banded portion of the fertilizer, the
level of molybdenum was increased to 9.5 mmg. Mo per gram of
dry tissue which may be an undesirably high level.

The report of Cunningham (16) showed that molybdenum
poisoning in cattle occurred where the average molybdenum
content of pasture forage was as low as 4.6 parts per million.

Caution should be used in the application of this
element if methods other than the recommended rate in seed
treatment or parts of an ounce per acre are used in foliar
application. Any management factor that would enhance microbial

activity in subsequent years might increase the molybdenum

level in plants grown beyond that desired.

EXPERIMENT IV

THE EFFECTS OF PLACEMENT OF PHOSPHATE AND
MANGANESE FERTILIZERS ON THE YIELD AND
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SOYBEANS

Procedure

The experiment was initiated at the Michigan Muck
Experimental Farm in 1961 to measure the effects of placement
of phosphate and manganese on the yield and availability of
manganese to plants. The indicator crop in the study was
Acme soybeans. The experimental design was a randomized
block with three replications. The treatments were: (a) 50

pounds of P205 per acre broadcast, (b) 100 pounds of P205

per acre broadcast, (c) 50 pounds of P205 per acre banded,

(d) 100 pounds of P205 per acre banded, (e) 50 pounds of

P205 and 20 pounds of manganese per acre broadcast, (f) 100

pounds of P205 and 20 pounds of manganese per acre broadcast,

(g) 50 pounds of P205 and 20 pounds of manganese per acre

banded, (h) 100 pounds of P205 and 20 pounds of manganese

per acre banded, and (i) 100 pounds of P 0

p 5, 20 pounds of

manganese and 10 pounds of sulfur per acre banded. The
fertilizer band was located two inches to the side of and two
inches below the seed. The plot size was 11 feet (four

71

72

33—inch rows) by 52 feet. The basic fertilizer was 200 pounds
of potash per acre drilled-in with the fertilizer attachment
on the grain drill. The broadcast treatments were applied

by hand, and the area was disced to mix the fertilizer in the
soil before planting. The banded treatments were applied

with the Muck Experimental Farm fertilizer placement drill

at the time of seeding. The carriers used were 0-45-0,
potassium chloride, NuManese (48% Mn) and sulfur. The plots
were planted June 2, 1961; plant samples (above-ground portion)
for chemical analyses were obtained July 15; and the plots
were harvested late in September.

Plant material was prepared for chemical analyses
as previously stated for other crops.

The analyses for potassium and nitrogen were determined
as outlined in Official MEthods of Analysis of the Association of
Official Agricultural Chemists (54). All other chemical con-
stituents in the soybean tissue were determined with a photo-
electric spectrometer produced by Applied Research Laboratories,

Incorporated, Glendale, California.

Results and Discussion

The data in Table 18 show that the highest yields of
soybeans were obtained from plots where a combination of

fertilizer materials was banded. There were no significant

73

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74

differences between yields where different rates of phosphate
were used when the manganese, or manganese and sulfur, were
included in the banded fertilizer. With one exception the
highest yields of soybeans were associated with manganese
content of tissue of 22 parts per million or higher. The
yield of soybeans from plots treated with 50 pounds of phosphate
per acre broadcast was significantly lower than the yields
of beans from all other treatments. It appears from the
chemical composition of the tissue, that manganese and not
phosphorus was associated with lower yields. These data show
that the banding of the phosphate carrier was about as effective
in increasing the yield as the broadcast application of 20
pounds of manganese. There was one exception to this where
the "SO—pound phosphate and 20—pound manganese" treatment was
applied. The yield of soybeans from the plots treated at the
lOO-pound broadcast rate was significantly higher than the
yields of beans from plots treated at the 50-pound rate of
phosphate broadcast.

In general, chemical composition of nutrients in the
plant other than manganese appears to be within desirable
ranges; and these nutrients probably did not have a suppressing

effect on the yield of soybeans.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

EXPERIMENT I: THE EFFECTS OF RATES OF SODIUM
CHLORIDE AND POTASH ON THE YIELD AND
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SUGAR BEETS

A field experiment was carried out at the Michigan
Muck Experimental Farm to determine the effects of rates of
sodium chloride at varying rates of residual and applied
potash on the yield and chemical composition of sugar beets.

A three—ton increase in the yield of sugar beet roots
was obtained from plots treated with sodium chloride at low
rates of potash, but no yield increase was obtained from
sodium chloride where the potash was applied at 600 pounds
per acre.

A partial substitution of sodium for potassium
occurred with the sugar beet plant.

Sodium and potassium were antagonistic to each other,
as evidenced in plant uptake, and either or both suppressed
the uptake of magnesium and calcium in the plant.

The level of residual potassium in the soil was not
maintained even at a 600-pound annual application of potash

per acre.

75

76
EXPERIMENT II: MAGNESIUM AND UTAH lOB CELERY

Field experiments were conducted to determine the
residual effect of hydrated magnesium sulphate (9.87% Mg)
applied as high as 10,000 pounds per acre to the soil on the
control of magnesium deficiency symptoms on the leaves of
Utah 10B celery. A second field experiment was carried out
to study the interaction of levels of potash and magnesium
on the yield and chemical composition of celery.

Controlling the symptoms of magnesium deficiency on
the leaves of Utah 108 celery did not significantly affect the
yield of the crop. Magnesium sulphate applied at 10,000
pounds per acre to the soil was less effective in the control
of the symptoms than 80 pounds of magnesium sulphate per acre
applied in eight applications of ten pounds each as a foliar
spray.

The magnesium composition of the above-ground portion
of celery did reflect the magnesium treatment to the soil.
However, the magnesium content of the plant was not considered
as a reliable index to the incidence of magnesium deficiency
symptoms occurring on the leaves of the plant.

Potash applied at 1,200 pounds per acre suppressed
the yield of celery and the uptake of magnesium by the plant.

This was not true, however, with calcium.

77

EXPERIMENT III: THE EFFECT OF MOLYBDENUM ON THE
YIELD AND MOLYBDENUM CONTENT OF CROPS

Field and greenhouse experiments were initiated to
determine crop response from molybdenum and to formulate
tentative recommendations for crop production on Michigan
organic soils. Molybdenum analyses of plant tissue were made
to determine availability of the element to plants from
various methods of application.

Significant increases in the yields of cauliflower,
onions, lettuce and spinach were obtained from molybdenum
applied to several Michigan organic soils in field and green-
house studies.

This is the first known report indicating the onion
plant to beaimolybdenum—responsive crop.

In a field experiment, sodium molybdate was applied
to the soil at two pounds per acre and was ineffective in
increasing the yield of spinach, whereas six grams of molybdenum
per acre (Moly—Gro 38% Mo) applied as a seed treatment signif—
icantly increased the yield.

The molybdenum content of cauliflower was 9.5 parts
per million when the molybdenum seed treatment was coupled
with one-half pound of sodium molybdate per acre, mixed with
the basic fertilizer and banded two inches below the seed.

The molybdenum seed treatment at one-half ounce per

78

acre of Moly—Gro increased the molybdenum content of the tissue
by .2 to .4 of a part per million in the ovenmdry tissue.

The seed treatment is recommended for molybdenum
responsive crops on soils where the pH is below 5.4. On
the more acid soils, or soils containing visible concretions

of iron, molybdenum in addition to the seed treatment may be

advisable.

EXPERIMENT IV: THE EFFECTS OF PLACEMENT OF PHOSPHATE
AND MANGANESE FERTILIZERS ON THE YIELD AND CHEMICAL
COMPOSITION OF SOYBEANS

Banding phosphate fertilizer two inches to the side
and two inches below the seed of soybeans increased the yield
to about the same extent as a broadcast application of 20
pounds of manganese per acre.

The data indicated that the increased yields from the
band application of the phosphorus were the result of enhanced
availability of manganese rather than the phosphate uptake
by the crop.

The highest yield of soybeans resulted where both
manganese and phosphate were banded two inches to the side

and two inches below the seed.

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v.1. ll... iii.

 

 

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