Cooperative Extension Service
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The University of Georgia

Volume 6/Number 9
September, 2002

George Boyhan, Extension Horticulturist-Vegetables
East Georgia Extension Center
Rosenwald Building, Third Floor
PO Box 8112
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA 30460
912-681-5639 | 912-681-0376, Fax | 912-682-3481, mobile

New Organic Rules to Go into Effect

October 21, 2002, is the date that the new federal rules governing organic production go into effect. To use the term "Certified Organic," you must have your farm operation certified by a certifying entity. Both non-profit and for-profit organizations are available to certify growers' farms.

Two examples of organizations that can certify a farm operation are:

Quality Certification Services, Inc. (QCS)
P.O. Box 12311
Gainesville, FL 32604
(352) 377-0133
(352) 377-8363 (Fax)

Georgia Crop Improvement Association
2425 South Milledge Avenue
Athens, GA 30605
(706) 542-2351
(706) 542-9397 (Fax)

Many organizations are available to handle certification. The Georgia Department of Agriculture oversees these organizations in Georgia but does not get involved directly in the certification process.

For more information on the National Organic Program, visit the USDA site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/ The Georgia Department of Agriculture can be contacted at:

Georgia Department of Agriculture
19 M.L. King Jr. Drive
Atlanta, GA 30334
Van Harris
vharris@agr.state.ga.us
(404) 656-3632

Bob Sherrer
bsherrer@agr.state.ga.us
(404) 656-3621
(404) 463-6428 (Fax)

Sulfur Fertilizer Source Does Not Have Effect on Cantaloupe Production

On the sandy-loam soils of south Georgia, it is routinely recommended that 10 pounds per acre of sulfur be applied preplant. Some premium grade complete fertilizers have sulfur as part of the formulation. Many fertilizers do not have sulfur, and it is incumbent on the grower to add sulfur. If has been a practice among some growers to apply a foliar feed to cantaloupes of MgSO₄ (Epsom salts) at 5 pounds per acre sulfur.

This study looked at two sources of sulfur, one applied preplant as CaSO₄ (gypsum) at a rate of 10 pounds per acre, and the second applied as MgSO₄ post-plant approximately one month after transplanting. In addition, an untreated check was included.

Cantaloupe transplants were planted in a randomized complete block design of three replications on 4/25/02. Cantaloupes were fertilized with 750 pounds per acre of 10-10-10 without sulfur, which was applied preplant. A second application of 750 pounds of 10-10-10 was applied just prior to vining. The MgSO₄ treatment was applied on 5/28/02. Cantaloupe were harvested on 6/26/02, 7/1/02 and 7/3/02.

There were no differences between treatments for yield, count or filiar nutrient content (Table 1). The soil at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center, where this experiment was conducted, is particularly heavy for a Tifton series soil, so finding no differences among the treatments is not that unusual.

We continue to recommend preplant applications of 10 pounds of actual sulfur per acre for Coastal Plain soils. Post-plant foliar feeding is not, however, recommended unless a specific nutrient deficiency is noted. Primary and secondary nutrient deficiencies are rarely effectively corrected with foliar feeding. Proper application of nutrients to the soil is the most effective method of preventing deficiencies. In many cases, even when nutrients are applied to the foliage, much of it ends up in the soil, therefore masking the true effect of foliar feeding.

In conclusion, take soil samples, have them analyzed and follow soil test recommendations for the best results.

From My Desk

It looks like we are getting some much-needed rain. We have planted our plantbed onions for another season of research.

Talk to you next month.