Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
SOHSN MONTANA
NEEDS PHOSPHATE
CONSIDERABLE PORTION OF LAND
RESPONDS IN PROFITABLE WAY
TO FERTILIZER
NfONTANA STATE COLLEGES

/ (h1ONTANA STATE COLEECEj
Although IL has been generally un-
derstoOd that the new lands Of Mon
tana are weii supplied with plant
fo0ds this Is not the case in many
l0cAEiszes, according 90 Jesse Green,
assistant chemist Of the experiment
station at Montana State college.
An Investigation conducted for Che
past seven years by the chemistry
department Of the station has sh0wn
that considerable portion of dhe
lands Of the state respond in q prof
table way 90 the addition Of = phos-
phafe fertilizer, indicating soma soil
deficiency, MIR. Green says.
The first large use OF phosphate was
on sugar beets and a considerable por-
Etton Of the beet lands are now treated
with this fertilizer. In 1880 trials with
phosphate were made on 10 fields sell
ected IN the principal beet growing
districts and an average increase Of
BIZ tons per acre was produced by the
fertilizer. In some special cases IN
creases as great as II 10 IS tons Of beets
per acre are recorded. With such crops
as sugar beetS, that produce q gross re-
turn Of $50 to 500 per acre, It requires
only g small increase In yields TO show
q profit above the cost Of the fertilizer,
the chemist points out.
The alfalfa crop stands second to-
sugar beets in the need Of phosphate
IL is good test crop as wherever there
is even slight deficiency 1t will re-
spond TO the fertilizer An increased
growth of the crop is usually ac-
companied by darker green color, |
according TO MIR. Green. 1t Is not un-
usual on some irrigated lands TO get 4
1000 pounds increase Of hay per acre |
per cutting when phosphate is APP |
Piled. especially where the crop has
been poor and unthrifty. An applica-
ton OF l25 pounds OF treble super
phosphate per acre every third year win |,
give good results. At this rate and al
lowing q small charge for the applica-
ton OF the fertilizer, the cost per acre
win be about $1.25.
In regions where the feeds are low
IN phosphorus applications OF fer
tilizer TO the land materially increase
the percentage and total amount Of this
valuable mineral in the crops" said
the chemist. The fertilizer thus serves .
q tWo1old purpose OF increasing the
y1eld and also the quality of alfalfa
Sweet clover has Given outstanding ,
increases from phosphate and a mark I
go increase IN nodule development has (
been observed BY increasing nodule I
growth, q greater quantity OF nitrogen,
much needed In many Montana soils,
S made available to the plants. Sweet
clover Is delayed In maturing when
treated with phosphate, which phobably
results from the larger amounts Of
nitrogen furnished through the great
pr activity of the nodule bacteria.
The pea crop is a leQune which has
not responded as well to phosphate as
have alfalfa and sweet clover. How
sver, the exact degree Of response is
hard 10 determine because OF difficult
les IN measuring differences in the
Yields OF peas. The maturity is re-
.arded as with other ieglImes due to
he nitrogen furnished BY the greater
development Of the nodule bacteria.
a canning peas, this Is Of considerable
importance because the small immature
,eas are graded 50 as TO bring about
Ak times the price paid for peas that
re ready TO rtpen. In the dry, hot
lays OF the harvest season. phosphated
leaS seem TO be more sueculent and
10 not r1pen so rapidly, thus giving
nore time to handle the crop before the
eas become too large and mature
The acre value OF a pea crop makes
ven small increases In yield and quail
OF considerable Importance. AS with
ugar beets, 50 to IS for fertilizer is Of
Amor consequence when it viii Inn
rove crop that produces return Of
rs per acre.
Potatoes have shown the most con-
stent increases from using phosphate
q 1888 and 1884, several experiments
ERE conducted with potatoes and all
ave a satisfactory response. Here
gain, the quality is emphasized as
hosphate proved very effective in pro-
uc1ng potatoes Of good market grade.
While phosphate retards the ma
ntty OF the legllmes, it advances the
laturity OF potatoes, making possible h
srlier marketing by handling the
Ein and forming better netting on
cited Gems. These advantages must
E considered with increased yields
nen estimating the advantages from
e use OF the fertilizer on the potato
the experiments with phosphate on
aims have produced quite varied re-
ITS on both irrigated and non-irrigat-
iands, some fields giving a poor re-
'onSe while others made good in
eases. Two principal factors may have
ter1efed with increased returns First,
ck oE moisture, and second. lack Of Il
When the supply Of nitrogen is low
ougn 70 limit production Of a good
Up hg5ae good comes from adding
'oaphats o. azay other plant food. IN
event a period Of greater rainfall
Turns the growing o. green manure
OPS may be practaced as a means Of
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