Evaluation of Explore on Peppers_Yuma_Fall_2013

Evaluation of Ferticell® Explorer™ 13-0-0 as a Supplement to Reduce
Total Conventional N Fertilizer on Conventional, Furrow Irrigated
Crops – Alberto J. Diaz

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the University of Arizona Research Center in Yuma
Arizona, to explore the feasibility of reducing the total amount of conventional nitrogen
fertilizer used to produce a conventionally fertilized, furrow irrigated, non-organic, bell
pepper, head lettuce and romaine lettuce crops, in desert southwest region of Arizona. The
experiment consisted on substituting 20% of the conventional liquid nitrogen fertilizer, with
a lesser amount of soluble soy protein hydrolysate sourced nitrogen. No statistically
significant differences were detected at Statistical analysis revealed no significant negative
effects on total yield between the treatments, supporting the hypothesis that the proposed
substitution of nitrogen fertilizer can be made with reduced risks of affecting yields.

Background

The issue of elevated levels of nitrates in ground water is a topic of high interest to
California’s Central Valley farming community. In response to the report, Addressing Nitrate
in California’s Drinking Water, by the Center for Watershed Sciences University of California,
Davis, commissioned by the California Water Board, the state regulatory agencies are
implementing new nitrogen management procedures and reports to reduce the total
amount of nitrogen inputs. The agricultural industry needs methods and materials, to
reduce the total amount of nitrogen applied to crops while keeping yields at current levels.
A number of companies are marketing non-traditional N fertilizers under the theory that a
substitution of a significant portion of the total conventional nitrogen inputs can be made
safely, based on 1) the accepted inefficiencies of conventional fertilizer caused by factors
such as leaching, volatilization, nitrification, and fixation, and 2) the reduced conversion
energy required to convert nitrate into proteaceous plant structures. According to Plant
Physiology, 4th ed. 2006, converting 1 cation of NO3- requires 15 ATP + 1 glutamate. The
reasoning merits validation research, as the implementation of reduced nitrogen inputs
hold great promise, but also increased risks.

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Objectives

• Determine the effects on total yields on bell pepper, romaine lettuce and head
lettuce, when 20% of the conventional nitrogen fertilizer is replaced by 2 lbs and 8
lbs of Ferticell® Explorer™ 13-0-0 Plant Protein Nitrogen.

• Calculate a simple equivalency to develop fertilization recommendations
• Determine financial impact

Methods and Materials

The experiment evaluated the effects on yields of replacing 20% of the total conventional
nitrogen fertilizer commonly used in the region (UAN32), with 2 lbs./ac (the recommended
rate) and 8 lbs./ac (4X rate) of Ferticell® Explorer™ 13-0-0 Plant Protein Nitrogen
(Explorer™). The treatments were applied at the time of nitrogen fertilization and in the
same mix with the UAN32.

Statistical Design was a Complete Randomized Block Design, with 4 blocks X 3 Experimental Rates;
1. Chk = 20 gal/ac. UAN32, 3 times during growing season
2. Exp 1X = 16 gal/ac. UAN32 + 2 lbs/ac Explorer™ 13-0-0, 3 times during growing
season
3. Exp 2X = 16 gal/ac. UAN32 + 8 lbs/ac Explorer™ 13-0-0, 3 times during growing
season

The plot size was 2 beds with 42-inch centers (7 ft) X 40 feet in length each.
Irrigation method was furrow. Water source was the Colorado River via canals. Soil samples
were taken on 9/30/13. Soil pH = 8.3, Organic Matter = 2.68%, Soil Type = clay loam, CEC =
33.3 Mohms/cm.
The plant used were;

1. Sweet Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
2. Romaine Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia)
3. Head lettuce (Lactuca sativa cultivar Iceberg)
The seeding date for the peppers was 6/13/2013, and planting occurred on 8/20/2013
between 6:00 am and 10:30 am, at an ambient temperature of 80F to 90F. Significant rain
events occurred on 8/22, 8/29, 9/1 through 9/10, for a total of 2.0”. The excess water
stunted the seedlings’ initial growth.

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The fertilization program consisted of 450/lbs ac of 11-52-0, broadcasted and incorporated
during bed listing and final shaping. Two in-season applications of UAN-32, injected 6” into
the root zone, consisting of 15 gal / ac (53 lbs nitrogen) at 72 days after transplant on
9/20/2013, and 15 gal / ac at 124 days after transplant on 11/1/2013.
Pest and weed control were conventional. A single herbicide application consisting of 3
oz/ac acre mixture of Balan and Prefar herbicides, was applied pre-planting. Three pest
control applications were made during the growing season; 1) Pyrethrin, 2 pts / ac on 8/28
to control flea beetle, 2) Imidacloprid, 4 oz / ac to control whitefly, and 3) Radient, 4 oz / ac
to control worms and aphids. Field was spiked and cultivated on 9/17, 10/8, 11/27, and
12/6.

The plant population was determined by direct count on 11/19.

The peppers were harvested by University of Arizona contracted personnel on 11/19/2012,
12/12/2012 and 1/17/2013.

Total weight and fruit count data were recorded on each harvest and fruit set was
determined by FS = fruit count / plant population, and Plant Yield = total weight / plant
population.

The procedures to produce the Romaine and Iceberg lettuce were similar. Yields were
determined by total weight. Head shapes and size measurements were also taken to detect
other possible effects.

Results

There were no significant differences in total weight yield, fruit count (peppers), head shape
(lettuce) or size (lettuce) between the treatments using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test with α
= 0.05

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Statistical information for the Bell Peppers experiment.

Average of the means of the treatments:

Total Yield by weight

Harvest chk Exp 1X Exp 2X
Date

11/19/2013 1,878.50 3,073.40 3,012.40
12/12/2013 11,134.00 10,971.00 11,680.00
1/17/2014 3,033.50 3,806.00 3,458.70

Box Plots Variable = Yield

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The average of the means of the number of fruits were:

Number of Fruits

Harvest Date chk Exp 1X Exp
2X
11/19/2013 18.00 28.25
26.75
12/12/2013 74.00 69.75 75.50
18.75
1/17/2014 16.50 20.50

Box Plots variable = Fruit Count

Results:

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Conclusions and Recommendations

Treatments had no measurable negative effects on yields when compared to the check.
The data seems to support the experimental theory that there are no significant
differences in yield between treatments when 20% of the conventional UAN32 fertilizer is
substituted by 2 lbs. of Explorer™ 13-0-0.
The standard fertilization plan (Chk) utilized 159 lbs of N. Treatment 2 (Exp 1X) used 128 lbs
of N, a net reduction of 20% of the total nitrogen used.

Acknowledgements

• Kurt Nolte PhD, University of Arizona, Yuma
• Steve Trotter, Texas
• Ferticell, LLC., Tempe
• Field Staff at University of Arizona Agricultural Research Canter, Yuma AZ

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