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Use of Ammonium Sulfate Nitrate as a Nitrogen and Sulfate Sulfur Source in the Production of Cantaloupes Grown on Black Plastic

IPNI-2009-USA-MD13

Overview Related Article
02 Feb 2010

Methodology


Purpose: To evaluate the performance of ammonium sulfate Nitrate (ASN, 26-0-0-14) in compared to a standard blend of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate applied on the soil surface prior to laying a mulch of black plastic.

Rotation: Cantaloupes will follow no-till corn

Soil Type: Norfolk Loamy Sand

Treatments:
  1. Total N(110 lbs/a) applied from Ammonium Nitrate
  2. Total N(110 lbs/a) applied from a blend of Ammonium Nitrate and Ammonium Sulfate(standard program for growing cantaloupes)
  3. Total N(110 lbs/a) applied from Ammonium Sulfate Nitrate

Treatments 1 through 3 will have other recommended plant nutrients applied, according soil test, with the nitrogen sources as standard normal practices in growing cantaloupes on black plastic.

Observations:
  1. The main objective of this study is to compare the cantaloupe plants using the ammonium sulfate nitrate during the growing season to the cantaloupes plants using the standard nitrogen program of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate.
  2. Plants will be rated for any signs of leaf burn or other abnormalities.
  3. Yield of the cantaloupe melons will be measured (total melon numbers/acre and total melon weight/acre).
  4. Sugar content of the cantaloupe melons will be measured at harvest.

Replications: 4 replications of 1 row 5’ wide by 100’ long