By James W. Bauder, Soil & Water Specialist, Dept. of Plant, Soil & Environmental Sciences,Montana State University. From: 1998 Montana Hay Growers Conference Proceedings, Mont. Agr. Exp. Sta. Spec. Rep. 102
 

Alfalfa Phosphorus Guidelines

The Olsen test for soil P. We use and recommend the Olsen test, a bicarbonate extraction.

  • The threshold we use is 18 ppm, which converts to about 40 lbs/acre in the 0 - 6" depth
  • If the soil test is 8 ppm or less, apply 6 - 10 pounds of phosphorus (P2O5) per acre for each ton of alfalfa hay
  • If the soil test is > 8 and < 18 ppm, apply 4 - 8 pounds of phosphorus (P2O5) per acre for each ton of alfalfa
  • If the soil test is > 18 ppm, apply 2 - 4 pounds of phosphorus (P2O5) per acre for each ton of alfalfa - especially if the soil test pH is > 8.2, the calcium level is > 400 ppm, and the soil texture is silt loam or silty clay loam
  • If the soil test is > 24 ppm, apply 1 - 2 pounds of phosphorus (P2O5) per acre f or each ton of alfalfa if the soil test pH is > 8.2, the calcium level is > 400 ppm, and the soil texture is silt loam or silty clay loam

Estimating Alfalfa Yield

0.20 to 0.25 tons of alfalfa production for each inch of water use. Estimate the water use based on location, experience, and weather. Assume approximately 1/4" of water use per day under hot/dry conditions. This means 3.5 - 4.0 inches every two weeks in mid-summer. This means that the crop is producing 0.8 to 1.0 tons of dry matter every two weeks in mid-summer.

Applying Nitrogen to Alfalfa

  1. If stand is more than 50% grass
  2. If roots do not have nodules - take a look
  3. If small test plot shows a positive response to N, apply 10 - 15 pounds of Nitrogen per acre for each ton of alfalfa

Apply 20 - 25 pounds of Nitrogen per acre for each ton of grass.

If the pasture is at least 50% alfalfa, do not apply nitrogen; if the pasture is more than 50% grass, apply nitrogen. The total nitrogen application can be split into 3 applications, starting in early spring (or late winter) and completed not later than June 20th. To determine the actual amount of "material" needed, divide the nutrient requirement by the % nutrient in the fertilizer and multiply by 100. For instance, if the % N is 40% and you want to apply 100 lbs. of N/acre, you need to apply (100 lbs./acre divided by 40) x 100% = 250 lbs. of "material".

Potassium/Potash for Alfalfa:

Soil Test K Apply K2O pounds/acre
<100 ppm
80-100 pounds
100-150 ppm
50-80 pounds
150-200 ppm
20-50 pounds
2000-250 ppm
10-20 pounds

>250 ppm

not necessary

 

Threshold rates for micronutrients - Recommended Rates for Correcting Micronutrient Deficiencies
 Nutrient Rate Correction Rate
Boron

1.0 ppm

If < 1.0 ppm, apply 1-2 lbs/acre

Copper 0.2 ppm If < 0.2 ppm, apply 2 lbs/acre Iron 5.0 ppm
Iron 5.0 ppm If < 5.0 ppm, apply 0.25 - 0.5 lbs/acre Manganese 1.0 ppm
Manganese 1.0 ppm If < 1.0 ppm, apply 10 - 20 lbs/acre Zinc 0.5 ppm
Zinc 0.5 ppm If < 0.5 ppm, apply 5 - 10 lbs/acre

 

 Recommended Rates for Correcting Micronutrient Deficiencies

Nutrient Materials Foliar Spray Soil Applications
Zinc

Zinc Sulfate (ZnSO4)

1/4 to 1/2% solutions or 1 to 2 lbs. of zinc sulfate in 50 gallons water, plus 1 cup household detergent

Non-Sandy Soils

10 lbs. zinc per acre.

Plow down or band

Sandy Soils

3 to 5 lbs. zinc per acre. Apply as above.

Iron Iron Sulfate
10 lbs. in 50 gallons at 15-30
gallons per acre (2-1/2%)
(use 1/2% if hand sprayed)
 
  Iron Chelate
4 lbs. in 50 gallons at 15-30
gallons per acre (use 1/4% if
hand sprayed)
Not recommended
Manganese
Manganese
Sulfate
(MnSO4-H2O)
0.2% solution of manganese
sulfate
4.5 to 6.5 lbs. manganese sulfate per acre
Copper
Copper Sulfate
(CuSO4~5H2O)
0.1% solution of copper
sulfate
4 to 6 lbs. copper sulfate per acre
Boron Borax
2 oz. Borax in 50 gallons of water to make 1/4%
solution. Add 1 cup
household detergent per 50 gallons.
20 to 25 lbs. of Borax per acre or 2.5 to 3lbs. of B
oron per acre; reduce rate by
2 for sandy soils.
Critical Test Levels Table

 

If you elect to apply micronutrients, the most efficient source is a chelating agent, EDTA, which is 7-13% copper, 5-14% iron, 5-12% manganese, and 6-14% zinc. HEEDTA is the next best source.

Element or Soil Characteristic Normal Soil Test Range Critical Soil Test Level*
Nitrate - N

0-30 lbs/a

 
Phosphorus (Olsen) 0-40 ppm  18.0 ppm
Potassium 0-500 ppm 250.0 ppm
Calcium 0-1000 ppm 400.0 ppm
Magnesium 0-100 ppm   40.0 ppm
Sulfate-S 0-50 ppm 10.0 ppm
Zinc 0-15 ppm   0.5 ppm
Manganese 0-10 ppm 1.0 ppm
Copper 0-1 ppm 0.2 ppm
Iron 0-10 ppm   2.5 ppm
Boron 0-10 ppm 1.0 ppm
Molybdenum 0-2 ppm   0.1 ppm
Chloride 0-50 ppm    
pH 0-9  
Organic Matter 0-4%  
Electrical Conductivity 0-4 mmhos/cm    
Cation Exchange Capacity 0-20 meq/100 g    
Sodium 0-10  

*The level of a nutrient below which crop yield, quality or performance is unsatisfactory.

 

Normal Concentrations of Essential Elements in Forage plants and Visual Deficiency Symptoms (source: UNOCAL Solution Sheet, vol. 2(12), 1986)


Element Concentration in Dry Tissue Deficiency Symptoms
Nitrogen

2.5-6.0%

Older leaves yellow-green, reduced shoot growth

Potassium 1.0 - 4.0% . Interveinal yellowing, especially on older leaves, leaf tips and margins scorched
Phosphorus 02. - 0.6% Older leaves dark green first, then appear purple or reddish
Calcium 0.2 - 1.0% Deficiency rare, new leaves reddish - brown and stunted
Magnesium 0.2 - 0.5% Interveinal chlorosis, striped appearance, cherry red margins
Sulfur 0.2 - 0.6% Yellowing of older leaves
Iron 50-500 ppm Interveinal yellowing of new leaves
Manganese Very small amounts Rare, similar to iron deficiency
Copper Very small amounts Never a problem
Zinc Very small amounts Rare, growth stunted, thin and shriveled leaves, appears desiccated
Boron Very small amounts Rare, chlorotic, stunted growth
Molybdenum Very small amounts Rare, older leaves, pale green
Chlorine Very small amounts Never a problem