Soil Nutrients

Soil =

f

(Climate, Parent material, Living organisms, Topography, Time )

Deciduous Coniferous Prairie

Optimum pH for turf and gardens

 depends on species **  kentucky bluegrass  creeping red fescue     sweet corn potato green bean tomato pH range 6.0 - 7.6

5.3 - 7.5

6.0

5.4 – 6.0

6.8

6.0

What nutrients do plants get from the air and water?

 Carbon  Hydrogen  Oxygen

What are the Primary Nutrients?

 Nitrogen  Phosphorous  Potassium

What are the Secondary Nutrients?

 Sulfer  Calcium  Magnesium

What are the Micronutrients?

 Iron  Boron  Zinc  Manganese  Copper  Molybdenum  Chlorine

What are the 16 essential nutrients?

 C HOPKNS CaFe Mg B Mn CuZn ClMo

Functions of Primary Nutrients and the deficiency symptoms?

 Nitrogen: other than water, most important, determines rate of growth  deficiency: yellowing of leaves  Phosphorous: needed most during germination and during fruit/seed formation  deficiency: stunted growth, purple color in leaves  Potassium: mostly regulatory  deficiency: stunted growth, mottled leaves

Are there non-essential plant nutrients that need to be considered?

 Yes, iodine and cobalt are essential in animals but found in plants

Why is a knowledge of soil nutrients necessary?

 maximize yield  maximize profit  maintain soil fertility

How do you determine soil fertility?

 soil testing  manage organic matter  fertilize

Soil test report

 potential for deficiency  which nutrient needed  how much to apply  fertilizer for nutrient need  lime, sulfur amendments for pH change  when to apply  when to STOP!

What is Fertilizer Analysis?

 it is the amount of the different nutrients found in a fertilizer  the amount is listed as a percent  it is ALWAYS listed Nitrogen-Phosphorous Potassium (N-P-K)  a fertilizer labeled 10-15-10 is 10% Nitrogen, 15% Phosphorous, and 10% Potassium  if there is a fourth letter it is for Sulfer

How many pounds of Nitrogen are in a 50# bag of 10-15-10?

 10% of 50# = 5# Nitrogen

Pounds of Actual Nutrients in a 50# bag of 10-15-10?

 add up 10+15+10 = 35% nutrients or 17.5#

What is the other 65% of this bag?

 inert matterials (filler)

Compost

What is Compost ?

 Material left after the aerobic decomposition of organic material(s)

Organic Material + “bugs” + O 2



Compost + CO 2 + H 2 O

General Characteristics

  N availability much lower than fresh materials like manures, biosolids, food processing wastes (<10% of TN) Diverse array of “feedstocks” used to make compost   Variability in quality of finished compost Comes with lots of “things” besides macro nutrients

Fresh Vs. Composted Organic Matter • • • • • Fresh Wastes High biological activity Some have high nutrient availability Can immobilize nutrients during early stages of decomposition Highly variable in physical traits Instability can increase Pythium damping off of certain crops • • • • Compost Already gone through decomposition, stable Mature compost should provide some nutrients Improves drainage and other physical properties Provides for biological control of Phytophthora root rot

Making Your Own Compost

    Build a “bin” 5 x 5 x 5 ft.

Add organic materials and adjust to 40-60 % water content  Use bulking agent for wet materials, add water to dry materials  High C:N materials take longer Maintain aeration by frequent turning Compost is finished when pile doesn’t re-heat and it is difficult to distinguish initial materials