|
||||||||||
| Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Yves Martineau1 and Jacques Lavoie2
Abstract: A study was conducted in New Denmark, Victoria County in 1996, to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of two soil amendments, wood fiber waste from paper mills and ramial wood, on the yield and quality of potato tubers, c.v. Shepody and Russet Burbank, during the production year. The study was also to determine the magnitude of the nitrogen immobilization, following the incorporation of woody material. Approximately, 25 T/Ha of wood fiber and 18 T/Ha of ramial wood, to provide 4.5 T/Ha of carbon, were applied with additional N-fertilizer 0, 75 and 150 Kg N/Ha. The control plots, with no soil amendment, received an application of 150 Kg N/Ha at planting. No noticeable nitrogen immobilization was observed following the incorporation of the two soil amendments. The plots receiving the woody material, produced a similar yield and quality of potato tubers for the two varieties when compared with the control plots for the same nitrogen rate of application. At the same nitrogen rate of application both soil amendments produced a similar yield and quality of tubers, for both varieties. No further increase in the yields was observed for a nitrogen rate of application above 150 Kg N/Ha. More works need to be done to determine under various soils and climatic conditions, soil amendment rate of application, the magnitudes of the nitrogen immobilization and the benefit for the potato crop.
1 Land Resources Branch, NBDARD, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
2 Regional Office, NBDARD, Grand Falls, NB E3Z 1G1
1 Land Resources Branch, NBDARD, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
2 Regional Office, NBDARD, Grand Falls, NB E3Z 1G1