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Ing. Flavio H. Gutiérrez Boem |
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Identifying Fertilization Needs for Soybean in
Argentina |
Autores: Flavio H. Gutiérrez Boem, Javier D. Scheiner y Raúl S. Lavado
Soybean is a relatively new crop in Argentina. In 1970, only 37,000
ha were produced in the country. Since then, the area planted has grown steadily, reaching 7.8 million ha in 1998. The main production region is
the Pampas, where the predominant soils are Typic Argiudolls and Hapludolls.
Traditionally, fertilizer use has been very low due to high
fertilizer:grain price ratios (two to three times higher than in U.S.) and the popular belief that soils of the Pampas have unlimited fertility. During the
last two decades, increasing cropland at the expense of pastures and low levels of fertilization has led to nutrient depletion of Argentine soils.
Farmers have shown an increasing concern about soil fertility and the potential for economic crop response to balanced fertilization.
Consequently, fertilizer use has increased five-fold since 1991, greatest increases being in wheat and corn.
Biblioteca
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