2014 LOGAN COUNTY FARM OUTLOOK MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com November 4, 2014 37
the magnesium unavailable, which is
already low in Illinois soils. Other
elements that combine with magnesium are
phosphorous, iron, copper and manganese.
A soil and plant tissue analysis comparative
can determine what is needed in the soil.
A biological additive has been found to
aid plants in absorbing phosphorous.
Phosphorous is plentiful in Illinois soils,
but the form is as a contact element. Roots
must come in contact with phosphorous for
it to be absorbed.
Mycorrihizal (my-core-rise’-zay) fungi
attach to plant roots and the fungus
extends hyphae out, which then absorb
the phosphorous. These fungi are already
present in Illinois soils, but the addition a
super variety of the fungi increases plant
roots ability in phosphorous uptake.
Becker says, “The phosphorous uptake by
the hyphae is so good, that there is no need
to use phosphorous fertilizers after the soils
are inoculated with the mycorrhizal spores
and good infections occur.”
Using the most current statistics for
Illinois, in 2010 the average use of
phosphorous on corn and soybeans acres
was 21.7 pounds per acre. Phosphorous at
$1.7525 per pound on 21.7 million acres
cost Illinois farmers $825,234,730.
Spores are a bit pricey, Becker said, but
a one-time inoculation of aggressive
mycorrhizal spores at five pounds per acre
typically pays for itself in the first year.
And, even better yet, add dry kelp meal at
10 pounds per acre. The fungi and kelp
work synergistically. The two increase soil
aggregates improving soil structure. With
the use of shallow- or no-till practice, the
fungi increase and soil aggregates increase.
With these practices you will also gain the
benefit of earthworm channeling and casts
which provide even greater soil structure,
more potassium and phosphorous. The
benefits compound by the year.
Plant health is also challenged by soil
nematodes. Becker said that nematodes
in the soil have increased since the use of
Roundup began. He was very excited to share
a breakthrough in his research that came just
this year. The use of Redman’s salt, (salt
mined from Utah salt flats) at 20 pounds per
acre decreases nematodes. But it has now
been proven that up 40 pounds per acre can
be used with greater results of eliminating
nematodes and no harmful build up of salt in
the soil. Soil can go 100 parts per million.
Liquid chitin recently received an EPA
label, has been shown effective in control of
nematodes. In 2008 a field of soybeans near
Jacksonville increased yields by nine bushels.
According to Becker, when analyzing a field,
there are 1200 potential relationships to
examine. The most important factors related
to yield are related to organic matter.
Dr. Becker strongly supports using no-till
or shallow-till (no more than two to three-
inches), cover crops and maintaining surface
residue to enhance soil health and protect it
from erosion.
