An ongoing northeastern Saskatchewan trial looks at micronutrient applications, specifically boron, copper and zinc, to see whether those applications boost yield in canola crops.
Tag Archives micronutrients
Micronutrient applications compared in canola
Saskatchewan study aims to shed light on claims and concepts surrounding lesser-known crop nutrients
Soil sampling for Prairie farmers: How to test for nutrients and avoid common mistakes
Agronomy Management: Take representative soil samples, choose the right depths, analyze key nutrients
Taking representative soil samples, choosing the right depths, and analyzing key nutrients can improve fertilizer planning and crop performance on western Canadian farms.
‘Sustainable’ versus ‘regenerative’ agriculture
Practical Research: Defining these terms in a farming context can be confusing to each and all of us
It seems there is confusion between the terms “sustainable” and “regenerative” as applied to agriculture. Both are even perceived, in some instances, as forms of organic farming.
FEED ME: Can well-fed plants fend off diseases and insects?
We examine an Idaho farmer’s program for crop self-defence
Blake Matthews works with agronomist Jared Cook on an intensive cropping program that improves plant health and soil health, reduces pesticide use and somewhat increases profits. We check in with Prairie experts to see how that program’s principles could work in this region.
Hand-held device detects nutrient deficiencies in leaf tissue
The Nutriscan device won Manitoba Ag Days’ Innovation Award earlier this year
ATP Nutrition’s Nutriscan uses a near-infrared sensor to measure a range of macro- and micronutrients in plant tissue and delivers the results to an app on a user’s smartphone.
Taking the mystery out of soil and tissue tests
Agronomists and soil scientists describe the differences between various tests
Soil tests assess the potential availability of nutrients under optimal conditions. In contrast, tissue tests indicate actual uptake under variable field conditions.
A compendium on molybdenum
Practical Research: Let’s look at a key micronutrient we may all be taking for granted
This micronutrient is needed by crop plants in such small quantities that we may take for granted it is unlikely to ever be deficient.
Adding wood ash to soil both practical and cost-effective
Practical Research: Too often headed for the landfill, ash can reduce soils’ acidity and enhance cropland fertility
Here’s a perfectly good organic source of lime, with plant macro- and micronutrients, being taken from the woodlands and virtually thrown away. Wood ash is an excellent source of magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphate and micronutrients, which can very effectively raise up acid soil pH levels.
Soil fertility, revisited
Practical Research: The history of crop production on the Prairies was one of nutrient extraction at an alarming pace
Soil fertility: a simple concept that requires long and well thought out answers. There are lots of articles on soil nutrient testing, along with many procedures, methods and interpretations. Early on in the 1970s with Alberta Agriculture, my colleagues and I were very surprised with the answers to the soil testing questions we asked. A […] Read more
Perceptions and misconceptions versus realities in agriculture
Practical Research: In the court of public opinion, the drama can fog the facts
Since my retirement from Alberta Agriculture in 2002 I’ve acted as a legal expert in a number of lawsuits. Often, when a farmer is sued by a lawyer on behalf of a client, the farmer will immediately seek his own lawyer or lawyers for advice. While the lawyer may be well apprised of provincial and […] Read more
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