Articles
THE USE OF CONTROLLED AVAILABILITY FERTILIZER IN COMBINATION WITH DIRECT SEEDING OF CABBAGE
Article number
571_5
Pages
59 – 64
Language
English
Abstract
The broadcasting method of fertilizer application is widely used in vegetable production in Japan.
The amount of fertilizer applied is more than main crops; therefore, the utilization efficiency of fertilizer is low.
Direct seeding of cabbage using a seeding machine is effective for labor saving.
But, a problem occurs by use of this method.
In the northern part of Japan, transplanted cabbage needs a 50-70 days growth period from transplant until harvest whereas directly seeded cabbage needs 20 days more than transplanted cabbage.
During the first 20 days of growth the cabbage is very small and fertilizer needs are limited.
The applied fertilizer, especially nitrogen, may not be utilized by the cabbages and may consequently leach to the groundwater and decrease groundwater quality.
To solve the problem, we applied Controlled Availability Fertilizer by use of localized dressing methods for direct seeding cabbage.
These field experiments were conducted at the Hokkaido National Agricultural Experiment Station farm, Memuro, Hokkaido, Japan from 1997-1999 on a Brown Andosol.
Coated seeds of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) were used.
The localized dressing methods were side dressing and zonal fertilizing.
We use a Controlled Availability Fertilizer, a type of slow-release fertilizer with the commercial name NUTRICOTE, as well as a quickly acting starter fertilizer.
Cabbage growth was poor when Controlled Availability Fertilizer was applied alone.
It seems that there was an insufficient amount of fertilizer at the early growth stage The combination of Controlled Availability Fertilizer, localized dressing method and starter fertilizer applications gave us a good result, which indicated that the use of nitrogen fertilizer can be reduced about 50% compared to the ordinary method, while yield levels can be maintained.
This method is therefore recommended not only for yields but also from the viewpoint of environmental protection.
The amount of fertilizer applied is more than main crops; therefore, the utilization efficiency of fertilizer is low.
Direct seeding of cabbage using a seeding machine is effective for labor saving.
But, a problem occurs by use of this method.
In the northern part of Japan, transplanted cabbage needs a 50-70 days growth period from transplant until harvest whereas directly seeded cabbage needs 20 days more than transplanted cabbage.
During the first 20 days of growth the cabbage is very small and fertilizer needs are limited.
The applied fertilizer, especially nitrogen, may not be utilized by the cabbages and may consequently leach to the groundwater and decrease groundwater quality.
To solve the problem, we applied Controlled Availability Fertilizer by use of localized dressing methods for direct seeding cabbage.
These field experiments were conducted at the Hokkaido National Agricultural Experiment Station farm, Memuro, Hokkaido, Japan from 1997-1999 on a Brown Andosol.
Coated seeds of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) were used.
The localized dressing methods were side dressing and zonal fertilizing.
We use a Controlled Availability Fertilizer, a type of slow-release fertilizer with the commercial name NUTRICOTE, as well as a quickly acting starter fertilizer.
Cabbage growth was poor when Controlled Availability Fertilizer was applied alone.
It seems that there was an insufficient amount of fertilizer at the early growth stage The combination of Controlled Availability Fertilizer, localized dressing method and starter fertilizer applications gave us a good result, which indicated that the use of nitrogen fertilizer can be reduced about 50% compared to the ordinary method, while yield levels can be maintained.
This method is therefore recommended not only for yields but also from the viewpoint of environmental protection.
Authors
K. Masuda, M. Toyoda, S. Ishida, M. Hachiya, M. Kojima, T. Kobayashi
Keywords
localized fertilizing method, Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.), machinery direct seeding method, controlled availability fertilizer, starter fertilizer, zonal fertilizing, side dressing, slow release fertilizer
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