BB—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 28,1981 Undergrads (Continued from Page B 7) According to his advisor, soil chemist Dr Donald L Sparks, Jardme’s research provides the first available U S data on the thermodynamics of potassium exchange m a soil system In fact, very little prior work on the sub ject has been done anywhere in the world What they’re finding out is providing some much needed answers Mark Loux, another advisor of Sparks, is trying to answer a different question —what ingredient in the soil is most likely to keep boron from leaching This ingredient is difficult to use a fertilizer because it is applied in such small amounts—2 to 3 pounds per acre—and leaches so quickly from the soil If a heavy rain oc curs soon after application, boron may leach out before it’s of any benefit to plants, especially in sandy soils like those of lower Delaware Basically, Loux is looking at the effect that organic matter, iron oxides, and magnesium in an Evesboro sandy loam have on boron (B) adsorption This calls for some very exacting laboratory procedures In setting up the experiment, he first had to remove all of the native boron from the soil so that this B wouldn’t get confused with the B added when he started testing adsorption rates on test tube samples Loux ran into trouble early in the experiment when he discovered that there was more boron in solution at the end of the procedure than when he started, even using boron-free soil He finally tracked the problem down to minute amounts of B in the distilled water he was using to make the solution Now he removes the boron from the water first It also took him time to deter mine the best technique for measuring B. The first methods he tried proved too inconsistent So he switched to one which is more sensitive to small amounts of B in solution The only problem is that the reagent-azomethine hydrogen—required for this colorometnc technique costs $125 to 25 grams (less than 1/8 pound) Fortunately, only minute amounts are needed and the results are nicely reproducible One of the questions i-.oux is trying to answer is what effect magnesium has on boron availability in the soil A lot of farmers have being using dolomitic limestone (magnesium carbonate; to do their liming and as a result theie are high magnesium levels in many Delaware soils Does this magnesium sometimes tie applied boron in a form not readily available to plants' It so, this could explain why growers don’t always get a yield response when they apply boron How they apply it could also make a dif ference on sandy soils Loux and his advisor are also interested in finding out what role organic matter plays in reducing leaching of B from these soils In the absence of much clay, organic matter could provide important sites for boron adsorption When they have enough data, they plan to publish their findings in a scientific journal Of ail the elements essential tor plant growth, boron is the most difficult to work with, says Sparks, who’s pleased with the way his advisee has stuck with this project in spite of numerous delays and frustrations that would have caused many other students to throw in the sponge ‘That s the mark of a good researcher discipline, patience and the ability to accept failure without giving up Both Mark and Phil have these qualities,” he says They re essential, especially in basic research where you always go in with a lot of questions and seldom come out with immediate an- swers ” Sparks considers the obstacles they’ve encountered to be an important part of the training tor a scientific researcher If degree with distinction students learn nothing else than that you’re going to have problems with research every day, and learn to cope with them, they’ll have gained a lot, he says ‘ It’s a nice maturing ex perience that prepares them toi later graduate research The research process itself is often more important than coming up with any usable results, though it s always nice it you get these, too Both Phil s and Mark’s projects are so important that once they ve run out of available time them selves, a graduate student will be called in to pick up the work Even if they succeed in an swering the questions they ve asked, there will always be more to ask, ’ says Sparks This kind of basic research is very much like solving a murder case—once you ve eliminated one suspect, there are always other clues to follow up on Potato growers to vote HARRISBURG sylvania s potato giowers will vote next month to determine whether to continue the five-year-old Potato Research Program, according to State Agriculture Secretary Penrose Hallowed Hallowed said ad Pennsylvania growers with 25 or more acres of potatoes will be eligible to vote during the referendum period from March 6 to March 19 The Potato Research Program was initiated by growers in 197 b in an effort to develop improved potato varieties Pennsylvania potato growers now assess themselves as one cent per hundredweight on ad potatoes sold The assessment is used to support research for development lapted to Keystone Nu-Pulse is pleased to announce a new addition to their line of equipment. This line of stalls is of highest quality and has features and benefits not offered by competition. SOME OF THE OENEFUS AND FEATURES OF THE STALLS ARE: 1. All stalls are 44” on center. 7. Splash shield welded individually to 2. Stalls available with or without curved back rail. electric feeding. 8. Entrance gate includes own splash 3. All stalls feature a hot dipped gal- shield. vanized manger. 9. Total installation time cut in half 4 All stalls feature stainless steel feed due to front-end features men bowls. Feed bowls are extra large tioned in No. 6 and splash-shield diameter of 20". features mentioned in No. 7. 5. Totally hog dipped galvanized 10. Parlor plans giving elevation, etc. material throughout. available free of charge upon 6 Unique front end design allowing request, fast installation. No bolts to struggle with PLEASE CHECK OUR PRICES WITH YOUR CLOSEST DEALER We Are Very Competitive And We Have The Products For Prompt Shipment. WATCH US GROW Only Authorized Nu-Pulse Distributor For Cochranville, PA 19330 PA, MD & NJ 215-932-4700 SO LANCASTER CO LAPPS HARDWARE & DAIRY SUPPLIES RD 4 Box 96 (Loop Rd ) Quarryville PA 17566 717 786 3970 NO LANCASTER CO T.S. BURKHOLDER FARM REFRIGERATION RD 2 Box 618 Ephrata PA 17522 717 859 1145 MONTGOMERY CO PENN VALLEY CROPSTORE INC. Schwenksville PA 19473 215 287 9650 I Want To Know More About Bodmin Nu Pulse Name I Address City ■ State I Phone County _ _ ■ Interested in Bodmin Milker _ Interested in Dealership spud checkoff on Pennsylvania growing conditions, and is administered by a board composed of affected growers Hallowed said, The Potato Research Program has made tremendous progress in the past five years The research farmland now approaches 100 acres, with irrigation facilities particulary valuable tor the thousands of hand transplated seedlings With the strides that have been made, it is still important to find better potato varieties to fit Pennsylvania’s varying soil and weather conditions, and to combat production problems Penn sylvania ranks m the top ten states in the nation in potato production, and the Potato Research Program is helping growe rc maintain that Penn- •ANOTHER FIRST FOR KEYSTONE NU-PULSE HERRINGBONE STALLS SEE THEM ON DISPLAY AT THE FARM MACHINERY EXPO MARCH 5,6 & 7 BOOTH 538 HUNTINGDON CO CLAPPER FARM WILLIAM HUNSINGER EQUIPMENT, INC. Alexandria PA 16611 814 669 4465 MONTOUR, COLI COS JAKE’S MILKER SERVICE RD 2 Watsontown PA 17777 717 649 5947 BRADFORD CO STINER’S REFRIGERATION 25 Crooks Terrace Canton PA 17724 717 673 8351 KEYSTONE DEALERS SULLIVAN CO RD 1 Box 48 Dushore PA 18614 717 928 8714 JAMES LUCKENBILL RD2 Montgomery PA RNE 17752 717 547 1516 SUSQUEHANNA CO JIMS EQUIPMENT Rl Box 96 Sprmgville PA 18844 717 942 6928 WAYNE CO DONALD SCHMIDT RD 1 Box 258 A Hawley PA 18428 717 253 2409 HILL & SON DAIRY EQUIPMENT Sales & Service 630 Sullivan Trail, Windgap PA 18091 Bus 215 863 4557 Home 215 258 7924 LF I position,” he said Ballots for the referendum will be mailed March 5 They will go to all Pennsylvania producers with 25 or more acres of potatoes The deadline for receipt of ballots at the Agriculture Department is 4 p m March 19. Ballots will be counted by a teller committee of potato growers It passed by a two-thirds vote, the program will be continued for another five years Any potato grower who wishes more information should contact the Bureau of Markets, Penn sylvania Department ol Agriculture, 2301 North Cameion Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110, telephone, 717/787-4210 CURT CASSADY MANAGER PH 717-526-1065 Before 7AM After 6PM WESTERN MD LAUREL RUN FARM SUPPLY R D 2 Box 117 Grantsville MD 21535 301 895 5567 MARYLAND DON’S SALES & SERVICE RD 4 Box 42 Hagerstown MD 21740 301 733 7281 SOUTH JERSEY WOODSTOWN ICE & COAL COMPANY 50 E Grant St Box 184 Woodstown N J 08098 609 769 0070 ABE’S SERVICE CENTER R D 2 Box 82 Mifflmburg PA 17844 717 966 1707 iN&M'
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers