Transcript Correlations of Soil and Hay Micronutrients

Correlations of Soil and Hay
Micronutrients
• Purpose: Is there a correlation between soil
micronutrients and those in the hay crop?
Rationale for Study
• Producer’s perspective
– Protein
– Lower Costs
– Enhance soil quality
Rationale for Study
• Agribusiness Marketing Perspective
– Lower feed costs
– Can sell micronutrients to producers who are
using compost
– Commission for salesmen
Hay Sampling Procedure
• Collected samples
from fields after hay
was cut
• 7 samples collected
• Hay was then dried
and sent to the Ag.
Analytical Lab at
Penn State
Soil Sampling Procedure
• Soil samples collected in
June before hay harvest
• Soil samples analyzed by
A & L Laboratories for:
• B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn,
P, Na, S, Zn
• Fields with and without
compost did not differ
significantly
Soil Tests
• B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, Na, S, Zn
• Fields with and without compost did not
differ significantly
• Soil pH 6.0-6.5
Soil and Hay Copper
Copper
2.8
2.6
2.4
HCu
2.2
2
1.8
Cu
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
6
7
8
9
Cu
All Measurements in ppm.
10
11
Soil and Hay Zinc
Zinc
5.5
5
4.5
HZn
4
3.5
Zn
3
2.5
2
1.5
14
16
18
20
Zn
22
24
Soil and Hay Calcium
Hca
Hca
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Hca
0.6
0.8
1
Ca
1.2
Limitations of the Research
• Small sample size & small micronutrient
differences among fields
• Few samples from fields without compost
• Maturity?