Fred Magdoff, Bill Jokela, Evan Stewart, fmagdoff@zoo.uvm.edubill.jokela@uvm.edu
Duration: 1994-1997
A soil test is only as good as the research supporting
its use as an indicator of plant availability and fertilizer need. To this
end, we conducted trials on twelve farm fields with a range of soil types
and P soil test levels in several counties in Vermont. Phosphorus was applied
as a starter band, as a broadcast application, or as a combination of both,
and corn silage yields were measured. Yield increases from the application
of starter and/or broadcast P fertilizer ranged from zero to 50%. Yield
response results from these trials were combined with those from other
VT and NY studies to establish an optimum soil test level of 4 to 7 ppm.
This information has been incorporated into a new revision of the Vermont
nutrient recommendations program, designed to provide the best economic
return to the use of fertilizer while avoiding adverse effects on water
quality.
This site is maintained by Sid.Bosworth@uvm.edu, Plant & Soil Science Department, University of Vermont.
Sponsored by:
and 
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont.University of Vermont Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, or marital or familial status
Last modified May 26 2004 12:55 PM