NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota
State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
May 14, 1998
When fields are wet and weather uncertain, farmers should consider planting first and applying fertilizer and herbicides later, according to Duane Berglund, agronomist for the North Dakota State University Extension Service.
"When fields are wet, traveling across them too many times to apply fertilizer and herbicide can result in compaction, excessive soil clods, wheel-track problems and reduced yields," says Berglund. "Don't use limited planting time to apply herbicides. It may rain again and then nothing is planted."
Nitrogen, he says, can be applied after planting or after plants have emerged. Weeds can be controlled with pre-emergence burndown herbicides and with post-applied herbicides in the growing crop.
The only way to supply corn, sunflower, potatoes and dry beans with adequate nitrogen, he says, may be to side-dress it between the rows. Seed of legumes such as soybeans, dry beans and alfalfa should be inoculated if these crops are planted on fields that were flooded last year or on new ground not previously planted to those crops. Under such conditions, sufficient nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia)—essential to a flourishing crop—may be lacking.
"Use common sense when planting row crops this spring," says Berglund. "Limit tillage, have patience and don't rush into fields where soil is too wet. Most crops have an adequate assortment of labeled post-applied herbicides to apply to weeds emerging and competing in the growing crop. Just be sure to read and follow the label when applying them."
###
Source: Duane Berglund (701) 231-8135
Editor: Barry Brissman (701) 231-7866