Brandon Sears
Register Columnist
RICHMOND —
Soil testing is a very important part of most any agriculture and/or horticultural operation. It allows the producer to apply soil amendments that are needed (fertilizer, lime, micronutrients, etc.) in amounts needed for maximum crop production potential.
Free soil testing will be available during the months of September, October and November at the Madison County Extension Office. The normal $6 per sample charge will be waived. Agricultural and horticultural samples from Madison County residents will both be accepted. There is a 10 sample-per-person limit.
Fall is a great time to soil sample! Turnaround time at the UK soil testing lab is less because of lower demand during this period of the year, so results come back quicker. Fertilizer prices are typically lower in the fall. If needed, a fall application of phosphorus, potassium or lime will allow any low testing soils to equilibrate prior to the spring planting season. This is especially important if an application of lime is called for. Also, assessing soil fertility needs in the fall gives you time to plan, price inputs and prepare for spring planting.
For more information on this service that is available to Madison County residents, call us at 623-4072.
Below are links to soil testing publications, or call 859-623-4072 to receive a copy in the mail:
• “Soil Testing: What It Is and What It Does” — http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr57/agr57.htm
• “Taking Soil Test Samples” — http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr16/agr16.pdf
Disease risks in late
summer alfalfa seeding
Later-summer plantings of alfalfa offer several agronomic advantages over spring seedings, particularly when soil moisture is adequate. However, these seedings also are much more susceptible to the fungus that causes Sclerotinia crown and stem rot. This fungus is distinct from the Sclerotinia white mold disease that attacks many crops including tobacco. The Sclerotinia fungus that attacks alfalfa becomes active in mid- to late-autumn, and young alfalfa seedlings are often highly susceptible to the disease. The stand losses it can cause vary from minor to very severe
There are a few alfalfa varieties that show partial resistance to this disease. Complete resistance is not available in commercial varieties, but partial resistance can reduce stand loss caused by this disease. If considering a late-summer seeding, it is important to use a variety that has been shown to exhibit partial resistance under field conditions in Kentucky. This is important because some of the worst disease pressure from Sclerotinia crown and stem rot in the nation is in Kentucky. Variety evaluations conducted in other states are useful, but if a variety hasn’t been tested for resistance under Kentucky conditions, it hasn’t been adequately tested for use in Kentucky.
The variety Phoenix has been shown to have a significant level of Sclerotinia resistance under Kentucky conditions, so that is certainly one to consider for late-summer plantings. Cimarron SR is also a good choice from the standpoint of Sclerotinia. Beyond that, I am unaware of other varieties that have held up against the severe disease pressure we sometimes get in Kentucky. Be aware that these varieties can still suffer stand loss from the disease, but they will suffer considerably less stand loss than the many susceptible varieties on the market.
Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
