Oregon State Sauvie Island Wildlife Management Area grows corn and other crops as feed for migrating wildfowl. The need is to increase and maintain productivity without increasing hazards of pollution of the environment. Trials were set up to analyze the effects of a biological soil treatment, EnzAct (VHC), and a specialfoliar fertilizer blend on yield. The products used in the tests were manufactured or marketed by Phoenix Agricultural Group, Inc. of Lawrence, Kansas.
A composite soil sample was taken from the central portion of the Mudhen unit on the Northeast end of Sauvie Island Wildlife Management Area and submitted to A & L Midwest Laboratories, Inc. for a complete soil analysis of the available and total nutrient reserves of major and minor nutrients to determine soil fertility and needs.
Soil analysis revealed problems of low pH, low availability of phosphorus, calcium and boron and excessive levels of a available iron, magnesium and total and probably available aluminum. Total reserves of all elements were good except for the low ratio of calcium to magnesium.
Recommendations for soil correction were for one ton of high calcium lime and 12.8 ounces of EnzAct, a soil biological stimulant. The EnzAct was spray applied about a month before planting in strips in an East-West direction across the rows for test purposes. The standard fertilizer, applied at planting in a band, was 300 pounds 28-19-0-5s.
A single foliar application of 6 pounds of Phoenix 32-4-4-4s and 0.75 pounds of B-Mag was recommended to be applied 2 weeks pretassel. This was applied in North-South strips for test purposes on July 19 when the corn was waist high.
Yield samples were harvested from two areas, South-central and Southwest fields, on October 7 and 10 respectively. Triple replicated 12 foot sections of rows were harvested from strips treated with EnzAct alone, foliar alone, EnzAct and foliar combined and untreated controls counting and weighing the ears from each. No tests or corrections were made for moisture. The corn is left in the fields for incoming wildfowl to harvest.
Composite soil samples were taken from the EnzAct treated areas and untreated control areas in the Southwest field to check for any soil changes that may have resulted from treatment.
Soil analysis results of the Southwest field area did show some characteristic changes in the EnzAct treated compared to the untreated control areas. Soil pH increased from 5.7 to 6.2, P-2 phosphate increased 55.2 pounds per acre, K2O potassium increased 74.4 pounds per acre, calcium increased 430 pounds (equivalent to 1200 lbs lime) raising the percent base saturation of calcium from 57.4% to an acceptable 65.2% while the excessive level of available iron decreased 120 pounds per acre and aluminum toxicity would be reduced by the increased pH.
Yield effects of the EnzAct varied in the field areas resulting probably from variable soil and moisture conditions. Foliar treatment showed consistent effects in all areas since it was not affected directly by soil conditions.
Yields were calculated from the 12 foot 36 inch wide row sections taking total shucked ear weights times a factor of 1210 divided by 70 for bushels per acre of ear corn.
In the Southwest field area, the EnzAct treatment alone yielded 124.5 bushels/acre for an increase of 9.6% (10.9 bu/ac) over the control. The foliar alone yielded 137.1 bushels, an increase of 20.8% (23.5 bu/ac). The Combined EnzAct and foliar treatment yielded 141.2 bushels, a 24.4% (27.7 bu/ac) increase. The control yielded 113.6 bushels.
The South central field area was less uniform with more wet spots and green corn. Green areas were avoided in harvesting. The EnzAct treatment alone yielded 111.8 bushels, a 16.6% (22.2 bu) decrease. The Foliar alone yielded 142.6 bushels, a 6.5% (8.6 bu) increase. The combination EnzAct and foliar yielded 122.2 bushels, an 8.8% (11.8 bu) decrease compared to 134 bushel for the control. The negative effects of the biological treatment, EnzAct, appears to be due to the early wetness, low soil pH and excessive iron and aluminum as indicated on the original soil analysis taken from this area in the Spring, which could have been corrected had the recommended lime been applied before treatment. The foliar treatment had positive effect in all areas.
Tests of the biological soil treatment and foliar fertilization demonstrated the positive benefits of the soil treatment on soil fertility and balance, and of both on crop yield on the Southwest field.
The negative effect of the biological soil treatment on yield on the South central field area indicates the need for additional high calcium lime treatment to correct the low pH and excessive iron, aluminum and magnesium problems. An in-row placement with the seed of about 10 pounds of 10-40-10 complete with a vitamin, hormone and trace mineral package starter would be beneficial to give the crop an early boost and increase the yield potential in the cool wet Spring weather conditions common in the Northwest.
Copyright©: 1991 - Allen Stout & AgroTech Research Group, Inc.; 2007 AgroTech Research Group, Inc. & Serf Publishing, Inc.