2013 Annual Report for FNC12-891
Nutrition Enhancement of Produce Grown with a Micronutrient Mineral and Trace Element Supplement
Summary
WORK ACTIVITIES
Due to a very demanding family business requirement in the state of Illinois in 2013, I was required to take many extended trips to Illinois. I was not able to continue the research I will continue the research in 2014.
RESULTS
Please see Progress Report 2012 with one correction.
Correction:
The application rate of the mineral and trace element supplement was 1 LB. per 10 square feet, not 1 LB. per 1 square foot.
WORK PLAN FOR 2014
To do the research on soil not previously used to grow organic crops.
The growing area needs to be a greater distance from the road. Rangeline Rd. is about 100+ feet west of the previous test filed and was gravel until just a few years ago. With predominant winds out of the west the gravel dust over the previous century or more increased the pH of the soil.
Also I need to correct the high pH added to the soil due to:
- Irrigation well water being on the basic side.
- Soil testing lab report being 0.5 pH points too low per Extension.
- The pH of the Azomite supplement being on the basic side.
Therefore I will need to acidify the soil in order to counteract the many issues that cause it to go basic on the pH scale.
OUTREACH
When this project is finalized I plan to write articles for publication in the Growing for Market newsletter and the Acres U.S.A. magazine.