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Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I just read a Wallace's Farmer article about a farmer who foliar feeds his soybeans and adds sugar to the mix. He claims it helps the plant take up other nutrients. Has anyone done this? Is this the response you would get from using molasses? Is it worth a try, or could it hurt the plants?

1/20/2006 1:55:40 PM

Norton, MA

Mollasses feeds the soil bacteria/microbe life with it's sugars. These little soil soil organisms produce waste that the roots feed on. The waste contains good soil stuff that the little guys ate. I would say pure sugar would be a more expensive way to do the same thing. AleX Noel.

1/20/2006 3:00:39 PM

Montoursville, PA

...............right on Alex and in additon not get the goodies contained within the black strap molasses.

1/20/2006 6:18:13 PM

Lloydminster/AB

http://www.plantcell.org/cgi/content/full/14/suppl_1/S185

1/20/2006 7:48:31 PM

Norton, MA

I've been wondering doc, what are the other "goodies" in it that aren't as obvious? AleX Noel.

1/20/2006 8:32:58 PM

Montoursville, PA

Alex.........This has been itemized several times on this site. Search the word, on this site. You will find enough data, to write a small book, on molasses as well as the answer, to your question.

1/20/2006 10:05:55 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Don, that is quite an article. Some of the scientific stuff is a little out of my league, but I was able to make some sense out of it. I did get the impression that more sugar induces the plant to put more into the fruit production. I also could relate to the effects of daylight and dark in fruit growth. It expalined why my long gourds did all of their growth at night. I probably will add a little sugar to some of my foliar feedings as a test this year.

1/31/2006 2:17:30 PM