Evening star., 1952-06-08
Minor Elements theGurden|
Research on Trace Elements May Point
The Way to Healthier Garden Vegetables
By W. H. Younemon

By W. n.
In q comparatively new field oi
research, scientists are discover
ing that some Of the plant diseases
are caused by the absence Of GER
tain minerals.
It has been known for several
years that grass from land def
cient in copper has a low nutritive
value. It has been proved that lima
bean yields are Influenced by the
boron content Of the soil.
Research workers have only
scratched the surface, but the new
facts that come to light each year
are of more than passing interest
to the home gardener. These dis
coverieS influence the selection OF
plant foods containing the trace
"rare" or minor" elements. And,
according to McMurtrey and Rob-
inson. writing in the 1888 Year
book of Agriculture, these are mis-
leading terms.
Most of the elements are In
no sense rare, they do not occur
in traces in all plants or soils.
nor are the effects they produce
on plant or animal development
of a minor nature"
Sugar Content Increased.
Recently the University Of
Maryland reported that the addi-
ton of a small quantity Of mag
nesium and boron to the canta-
loupe fields increased the sugar
content Of the fruits Is per cent.
Neither one of these minerals are
difficult to obtain-both are COM
monty used in the household. but
not in the garden. Cantaloupe
growers should visit the kitchen
and borrow a tablespoonful Of
EPSON salts and two tablespoons
full Of Borax. Mix these with a
sprinkler full Of water for enough
to take care Of a 100-foot row.
In using trace elements, OBJ
serve the recommended rates Of
application. Don't try to put on
plenty-too much magnesium or
boron Is just as injurious as not
enough. The name trace elements
comes from the old soil analysis,
reports listing those minerals
present as traces. Modern soil
chemistry has developed methods
whereby the amounts of these ele-
ments in the soil can be accu-
rately determined. But the
amounts are so small they are
now listed, not as traces. but as
parts per million In other words,
If a pound of boron were applied
to an acre Of soil, it would be
one-fourth part per million. In
solution it would show up as one
and one-quarter parts per million
In the soil liquids.
Boron Deficient.
Boron in this area has been
definitely shown to be deficient in
soils that have been under culti-
vation for some time. A one
pound per acre application is may
be neither adequate nor feasible
on most soils. In Virginia, several
times this rate is used on alfalfa
land. BeetS and celery will toll
crate much more boron than to-
bacco. This points to the varia-
ton in plant requirements and
tolerance.
Obviously not all gardens need
to go to the expense Of q soil
analysis that will show the exact
quantity Of trace elements pres
ent. Some of the manufacturers
of grade fertilizers are now in
cluding many of the minor ele-
ments in their mixtures. Other
speciality manufacturers are put
ting out solutions or packages
containing these limited plant
food elements. But in using them
in the absence of careful tests,
try them on a portion Of the gar
demand note the results.
While scientists continue work
on trace elements, the gardner, in
the absence of animal manures
which formerly supplied most of
the elements, must turn to other
sources. The chemists are trying
to help, but they. too, are work.
ing in new field. So, a bit of ex-
perimenting Is in order in the
backyard. But do 1t on limited
scale. Not like one gardener who
gave his tomatoes a big dose of
boron. It helped the fruiting al
right, but the foliage was ad-
versely affected and required
strong measures to correct.
Plants Need Copper.
Copper seems to be needed by
many plants, but in most cases the
use Of copper fungicides supplies
all that is needed. Where copper
spray materials are not used some
testing might be worthwhile, par
ticularly on the chrysanthemumS
It may help to overcome loss OF
foliage. Sulphur is another ele-
ment frequently missing, but i'm
portant to plant growth. Like
copper 1t is usually supplied in
adequate amounts through sprays
and dustS.
Magnesium, mentioned above. Is