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Evaluation of a Soil Inoculant for Improving Corn and Potato Yield and Quality 1
Author(s) -
Wolkowski R. P.,
Kelling K. A.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1984.00021962007600020005x
Subject(s) - agronomy , microbial inoculant , human fertilization , solanum tuberosum , fertilizer , nutrient , crop , soil fertility , crop yield , mathematics , biology , soil water , horticulture , inoculation , ecology
Corn ( Zea mays L.) and potato ( Solanum tuberosum L., ‘Russet Burbank’) were grown with and without the addition of the soil additive Symbex at different levels of fertilization. Symbex is marketed as a microbial soil inoculant claiming to accelerate decomposition of crop residue and N fixation. The efficacy of Symbex on the yield and quality of the two crops was evaluated at two sites for corn and one site for potato on a Typic Argiudoll, a Typic Hapludalf, and Typic Udipsamment, respectively, each for 3 years. Rates of fertilizer were 0, 20, 104, and 188 kg ha −1 total N applied in the corn studies and 30, 50, and 100% of 756 kg ha −1 5‐10‐30 starter plus 224 kg ha −1 of supplemental N in the potato study. Although both corn and potato yields were increased by fertilization, the use of Symbex did not affect the yield of either crop at any fertilizer rate. Foliar nutrient content of N, P, and K when compared by a paired t test over all fertility levels showed no differences associated with Symbex treatment by either crop. Symbex increased the rate of emergence of potato at all levels of fertility. A trend toward decreased size of grade US1A tubers was observed where Symbex was used.