4 Alaskan Science Conference 



soils science department of the experiment station. In 1948 

 there were 49,920 acres mapped and classified in the Matanuska 

 Valley, 29,440 acres in 1949 and 27,520 acres in 1950. In the 

 Tanana Valley 7,860 acres were classified in 1949 and 21,120 

 acres in 1950. The information obtained is of use both to old 

 and new settlers alike. 



A cooperative arrangement has been worked out between the 

 soils science department of the experiment station and the U. S. 

 Soil Conservation Service for an exchange of soils information 

 on the various areas in which their respective field parties are 

 working. By this means preliminary information on soil erosion 

 problems, soil classification, soil horizons and soil fertility levels 

 is more quickly made available to the technicians of both 

 organizations. 



Late in September of this year installation of cabinets, 

 benches and other fixed equipment was completed in the 

 various rooms in the new research laboratory building at 

 Palmer. Soil science technicians have only recently begun 

 analytical work in their new laboratory quarters on a tre- 

 mendous backlog of soil samples collected from the three sea- 

 sons of field operations. 



Rapid soil tests by the soils science department have shown 

 varying deficiencies of nitrates, phosphoric acid and potash in 

 soils of all of the agricultural areas in Alaska. Commercial 

 fertilizers, both singly and in complete form have been applied 

 experimentally on cereals, forage crops and on vegetable crops. 

 These tests are in cooperation with technicians working in the 

 departments of agronomy, horticulture, and animal industry. 

 Striking increased yield responses on crops have been obtained. 

 Circular Number 10, General Recommendations, Fertilizers 

 for Alaska, 1950, was prepared for distribution by the soils sci- 

 ence department last February. 



Apparently there is a deficiency of manganese in some Alaska 

 soils. This is particularly true of soils in the Matanuska Valley 

 having high calcium or magnesium content. The deficiency is 

 more apparent on growing oat plants. Leaf Speck, or spot on 

 the growing plant frequently defoliates the plants and in some 



