Introduction:
Pacer Technology, Inc is a manufacturing company in Murtaugh, ID that specializes in proprietary fermentation products. MultiGro™ is a fermentation product formulated with 11-8-5 NPK plus essential micronutrients. In the past, the effect of MultiGro™ in potato production showed higher yields, less culls, and increased plant health overall.
Objective:
The objective of this study with NDSU is to compare two MultiGro™ application methods to a control consisting of the grower standard potato fertility program provided by NDSU.
Treatments:
On a per-acre basis, the grower standard consisted of 88 lbs. of N, 98 lbs. of ESN, 82 lbs. of
MAP, and 58 lbs. of AMS. All treatments use the grower standard as a base. (Figure
1)
· Control: Grower standard
· MG111: Grower standard plus three, 1-gallon applications of MultiGro™
o 1 gallon at hooking stage
o 1 gallon at rosette stage
o 1 gallon at row-closure
· MG1.5.5: Grower standard plus three various applications of MultiGro™
o 1 gallon at hooking stage
o ½ gallon at rosette stage
o ½ gallon at row-closure
Results:
MG1.5.5 vs. Control (per acre basis)
Less spuds <3 oz (5 less than control) (Figure 4)
More spuds in 10-14 oz range (12 more than control) (Figure 3)
More spuds in >14 oz range (11 more than control) (Figure 3)
300lbs/ac more than control in total yield; 900lbs/ac more in total marketable yield (Figure 1)
Specific Gravity scores averaged .003 higher than control (Figure 2)
Summary:
This idea behind the trial was to show a ROI of MultiGro™ as a tool to improve crop quality and yield in potatoes. MG1.5.5 gave us the best results of the study. It showed higher yield, more potatoes 10 ounces and above, less culled potatoes, and higher quality through specific gravity testing. Cool weather conditions during certain growth phases may have affected yield and growth throughout the summer months (Figure 6). Nonetheless, MG1.5.5 produced 24.7 tons of marketable potatoes per acre, a 2:1 ROI, which far surpasses the North Dakota average yield.
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