Root rots, below ground insect feeding, compaction, rooting depth and poor nodulation of legumes are all problems that can be screened by a little digging. Digging and looking at the root can help separate underground problems from fertility, chemical phytotoxicity and other man-made and environmental effects, speeding problem diagnosis and perhaps saving needless expenses. Small grain root rot and tan spot has been reported in many fields this spring despite an increase in chloride use generally across the state. Presence of diseases may cause concern regarding the value of chloride in suppression of pathogens. Most studies, including those in North Dakota show that disease is present with chloride application, but the severity is reduced compared to untreated plots.
Chloride is much like nitrogen.
The total amount available to plants is more important than placement. Unlike phosphate, efficiency is not normally increased by banding at planting. If total chloride available to small grains is less than recommended, contribution toward yield increase and disease suppression is reduced. With the poor seeding and early growth conditions for many small grains, disease problems are present. Based on past research, fields treated with chloride would be expected to have less disease infection than untreated areas, although disease in treated areas may appear more serious than normal.