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Tag Archives crop nutrients

Shown in this photo is leaf tip twisting and curling, also known as pig-tailing, on the leaves of copper-deficient wheat.
Crops, Features

Balance micronutrients and macronutrients in your fields for best possible outcomes

Macronutrients are essential but only one part of the nutrient equation

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When discussing the nutrient needs of a farming operation, most producers tend to think first about the macronutrients that are applied in large quantities to fields. These macronutrients, which include elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur, are essential but only one part of a well-balanced field. There is a second category of nutrients […] Read more
In both wheat and barley, boron deficiency causes the unfertilized cereal grain flowers to open up just like open pollinated rye. The consequences of deficiencies are failure to set seed, as in canola and wheat, and, in barley, the open, exposed cereal flowers can have very high levels of ergot.
Columns, Crops

Bring on the boron

Boron deficiency can cause failure to set seed and ergot infection

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Over the last few years in the Prairies, there has been something of a resurgence of interest in boron. This micronutrient is critical for normal plant growth, particularly crop maturity, and water balance — and is a key factor in seed set and crop yield. In man and animals, this micronutrient is essential for weight […] Read more
St(RAW) deal
Columns, Crops

St(RAW) deal

Don’t rob our Prairie croplands — help rejuvenate them by working in all crop residues

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Here we go again. “Alberta May Get Straw Plant” was a headline that appeared last summer in an agricultural publication. Why the concern? How many of you remember those massive piles of straw on the Trans-Canada Highway near Elie, Man., just east of Winnipeg? There were stacks and stacks of big, round straw bales — […] Read more
The affected canola plants had parts of their stems pinched off and were kinked over about six inches from the top. Symptomatic plants and others around them also had purpling leaves.
Canola, Crops, Features

Crop advisor casebook: Why the deformed canola and purpling leaves?

A Crop Advisor's Solution from the March 9, 2021 issue of Grainews

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In mid-July, I received a call from Carl, a grain farmer located near Onoway, Alta., who was concerned about disfigured canola plants in one of his fields. “It’s not a disaster yet and it seems to be happening in just one field, but I’d like to solve the issue before it gets any worse,” he […] Read more
When we have years with lots of ergots, we have higher levels of wheat midge.
Cereals, Crops

Don’t blame ergot on the weather

Copper deficiency leads to the development of many diseases in cereal crops

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If you’re a pedigreed seed grower and you’ve discovered that one of your seed fields, either wheat or barley, is infested with ergot, you have a problem but it’s not what most, if not all of you think. Don’t blame it on a common diagnosis of cold, wet growing conditions. It’s more likely caused by […] Read more
Rape field, canola crops
Crops, Features

How’s your moly doing out there?

Molybdenum was once known as ‘poor man’s lime’ for a good reason

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Under the category “if it ain’t one thing it’s another” when it comes to crop nutrient requirements, the question is now being asked, “have you thought about the molybdenum levels in your canola and pulse crops?” Cereals need it too, but canola, peas, beans, lentils, faba beans, soybeans and others all have higher molybdenum requirements. Molybdenum, also often […] Read more
Wayne’s canola plants were purpling and dying. There was uneven and stunted growth throughout the crop.
Crops

Crop Advisor’s Casebook: A canola conundrum confounds

A Crop Advisor’s Solution from the September 2, 2014 issue of Grainews

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In early June I received a call from Wayne, a canola grower in Westlock, Alta. He told me a field of his canola was suffering from very poor plant establishment and vigour. The plants were purpling and dying. “Only a few plants have come up,” Wayne said. “The ones that did are stunted and have […] Read more
extracting a soil sample from a field
Canola, Features

Fertilizer needs in canola

Without enough nutrients, canola yields suffer. Try these tips for nutrition

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Canola production relies heavily on access to adequate plant nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and potassium. Since the nutritional level of an individual plant will affect its response to stress factors (including adverse weather and disease pressure), poor nutrition could mean the difference between profit and loss. It’s not just about profit, though. A good […] Read more

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