Effects of Alfalfa meal and Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Growth of Organic Sora Radish (Raphanus sativus).

Authors: Virginia Squires, Grace Armah-Agyeman, Iain Patterson

SUNY Campus: SUNY Cobleskill

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 29

Timeslot: Session D 3:00-4:00 PM

Abstract: Reversing declining soil fertility, pollution of water resources and the atmosphere require the use of agricultural practices that preserve the natural resources upon which agriculture depends. The goal of this study was to observe the effects of four rates of organic nitrogen fertilizer and alfalfa meal (organic amendment) on the growth of Sora organic radishes (Raphanus sativus). The effects of four rates of organic nitrogen fertilizer: 0g, 1.71g, 3.42g, and 5.14g, which corresponded to 0, 50, 100, and 150 lbs. N/acre and alfalfa meal were evaluated. Pots were filled with a mixture of 600g of organic topsoil and 41g of alfalfa meal, except the control which received no alfalfa meal. Eight radish seeds were sown into each pot at 1/2in depth. Weekly height measurements were recorded after emergence for five weeks. At the end of the experiment, the total number of plants per pot, the root and shoot fresh and dry weights were recorded. Increasing rates of organic nitrogen fertilizer resulted in an almost linear increase in plant heights with the alfalfa meal treatment. The control, which did not have alfalfa meal, did not see a similar linear increase. Adding alfalfa meal resulted in significant increases in both root and shoot dry weights compared to the control. However, the root dry weight for 150lbs N treatment was considerably lower than for the 50 and 100lbs N treatments. These results show that alfalfa meal can improve radish yields when combined with lower rates of organic nitrogen fertilizer.