Itopp-Clrats

Itopp-Clrats

By \V. H. Lyne

The Virginia Department of Agriculture, etc. has stopped testing individual samples of feed and forage this year. This due to heavy load imposed by regular work in pesticide residues. Your county agent has a list of commercial laboratories sufficiently capable of handling this work. Corn studies made last week by your county agent on nineteen farms revealed: (1) Average fertilization per acre to be 80 lbs. nitrogen, 48 lbs. phosphoric acid and 48 pounds potash. Heaviest fertilization was learned to be 200 pounds Nitrogen, 100 lbs. phosphoric acid and 100 lbs. potash; the lightest 6 lbs. N., 36 lbs. p2 05 and 36 lbs. k2ol. There is no one Recommended Fertilization Rate for Corn. The best guides for fertilization rates, assuming average rainfall conditions, are soil type and soil test. According to George W. Hawkins, Fertilization Specialist V. P. I. Agronomy Department, our best Rappahannock corn soils: Chester, Chewacla, Congaree, Hiwassee, Meadowville, Tusquittee and Wickham testing “Low” in both phosphate and potash should have 100 - 150 pounds of nitrogen, 50-70 pounds of phosphate. 50-70 pounds of potash. These same soils testing “Very High“ would demand but 10-20 lbs. phosporic acid and 5-10 lbs. of potash. The above represent fertilization rates when corn is grown for grain to be picked and all residue to go back to the soil. Hawkins adds that when corn to be used for ensilage increase nitrogen by 1/4, phosphorus by 1/3 and potassium by 1/2. In addition to average weather conditions Hawkins assumes: good weed control and cultural practices, corn not following a legume, no major carry-over from the previous crop, com will not be followed by soybeans, the stand level to be 14,000 to 16,000 stalks per acre, and of an adapted variety. Planting Rates Nine of the farmers visited reported corn planting rates which would result in an average of 18,800 kernels per acre. Assuming a 90% germination on com, and making allowance for crows and blackbirds these seeding rates are “on the button*^ for our better corn soils. In going down the corn suitability scale of Rappahannock soils (Albemarle, Brandywine, Masada, Thurmont cobbly) recommended fertilization rates for Nitrogen are 70-90 &nd when testing "Loir”, 40-50 lbs. each of phosphoric acid and potassium;