Bozeman, Mont.-Applications of phosphate can increase pea and lentil yields, two Montana State University studies suggest. An MSU experiment on soils containing 12 parts per million of available phosphorus in central Montana found that phosphorus fertilizer improved grain yields of spring peas and lentils by about 10 percent as long as moisture was adequate. For winter peas and lentils grown in soils with 14 parts per million phosphorus, yield and forage increases from phosphorus fertilization were less common. “Many Montana soils are deficient in phosphorus, and many crops show significant responses to phosphorus fertilization,” said Clain Jones, MSU Extension soil fertility specialist. Jones said the Montana studies showed that adding phosphorus is important to optimize legume yield. Application of 30 pounds of P2O5 per acre increased spring pea and lentil yields by 100-150 pounds per acre compared to Central Montana plots that did not receive phosphorus fertilizer applications, the study said. However, application of phosphorus in very dry conditions did not increase annual legume yields. Jones cautioned that the economic factors of adding phosphorus were not part of the studies. However, Montana fertilizer guidelines have long recommended adding phosphorus based on yield and economics. More information is available at http://landresources.montana.edu/nm.
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