It has been a few years, but the results of this particular study have been realized again and again on other onion stands. A few years back, we conducted a study to see if improvement in marketable yield could be achieved through the application of our humic acid and fertilizer combinations on test plots of “Georgia Boy” onions. The test was conducted on unequal size plots Southwest of Statesboro, GA.
What we found was not noticeable to us at first. Sure, we enjoy onions and love those sweet Vidalias, and we had to learn what a marketable yield meant and how onion size plays a big part in that.
Treatment
Material Applied
Application (lbs/acre N-P-K-S)
Ultimate Tea + Fertilizer
150N-80P-80K-96S
Ultimate Tea
4 gal/acre
December 15th
10-10-10 (12% S)
40N-40P-40K-48S
January 17th
10-10-10 (12% S)
40N-40P-40K-48S
February 8th
Ultimate Tea
2 gal/acre
February 23rd
CaNO3
70 lbs N
Ultimate Tea
Negligible
December 15th
Ultimate Tea
4 gal/acre
February 8th
Ultimate Tea
2 gal/acre
Green Mine + Fertilizer
150N-80P-80K-96S
December 15th
Green Mine - Dry
174 lbs/acre
December 15th
10-10-10 (12% S)
40N-40P-40K-48S
February 8th
Green Mine - Dry
87 lbs/acre
January 17th
10-10-10 (12% S)
40N-40P-40K-48S
February 23rd
CaNO3
70 lbs N
Standard
150N-80P-80K-96S
December 15th
10-10-10 (12% S)
40N-40P-40K-48S
January 17th
10-10-10 (12% S)
40N-40P-40K-48S
February 23rd
CaNO3
70 lbs N
Results
Treatment
Total Yield
Jumbos
Mediums
Marketable (%)
Ultimate Tea + Fertilizer
1115
895
7
81%
Ultimate Tea
153
85
26
73%
Green Mine + Fertilizer
1119
939
14
85%
Standard
1103
676
30
64%
Conclusion & Recommendations
The results of the study prove the anecdotal results that have been provided by customers. The combination of liquid Ultimate Tea and a fertilizer program show great improvement in regards to marketable yield and increased bulb size. Keeping in mind that this was a few years ago before our development of Liquid Fish Hydrolysate and our involvement with the FertALive program.
Based on this study and our current developments, our recommended application for Onion Fertilizer:
-
Apply GreenMine in late fall at a rate of 200 lbs per acre
-
Apply Jump Start Soil Conditioner at a rate of 2 gallons per acre 1 month prior to planting
-
Apply Liquid Fish Hydrolysate twice times during the grow-out
-
Space fertilization applications 30 days apart
-
Apply at a rate of 3 gallons per acre diluted 1:25 ratio
-
Apply Ultimate Tea at a rate of 1 gallon per acre every 45 days post-planting
We feel that this application rate will continue to provide a great improvement in onion size and marketable product.
Written by
Founder & CEO
20+ years in organic agriculture • Humate & soil biology specialist
With years of experience in humate deposits and soil biology, Mike brings practical knowledge from the field to every conversation. He founded Southland Organics to create sustainable solutions that work with nature, not against it.
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