Yuma County Office
2200 W. 28^th Street, Ste. 102
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 726-3904
(928) 726-8472 FAX

Production Update:

Phosphorus fertilizer: In a 3-year study conducted at Maricopa, surface-applied 11-52-0 and water-run 10-34-0 were equally effective in increasing alfalfa yield. The fertilizer was applied annually in December. These results demonstrate that the alfalfa plant is capable of utilizing P from surface-applied fertilizer that is not mechanically incorporated. Most of the P fertilizer remained in the surface 3 inches of soil whether or not it was surface-applied or water-run.

Insect Management: Sowbugs and pillbugs ( picture) are crustaceans, more closely related to crayfish than insects. Commonly encountered in fields with an abundance of decomposing plant residue from a previous crop. They are oval in shape, appear to be many segmented, and are up to 0.5 inch long. Sowbugs are pests of seedling stands and rarely, if ever, cause problems in established stands. In newly planted fields, sowbugs can destroy seedlings by clipping them off. Control sowbugs using an insecticide bait spread evenly over the field or by using a broad spectrum insecticide spray.

Weed Control: Roundup ready alfalfa seed is expected to be available in the next few years. Glyphosate is the same herbicide that has been used for 30 years and the rates, timing and weeds controlled are well known. Using it in alfalfa will be complicated by the frequent cuttings and rapid regrowth. Weeds should not be cut before the herbicide has translocated through them and applications should not be made when weeds are covered by the crop.

10 Year Summary (Sept. 24 - Oct. 7, 1993-2002):

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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.

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