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Soil Nutrients

Soil Nutrients. Soil = f (Climate, Parent material, Living organisms, Topography, Time ). Deciduous. Coniferous. Prairie. Optimum pH for turf and gardens. depends on species ** pH range kentucky bluegrass 6.0 - 7.6 creeping red fescue 5.3 - 7.5 sweet corn 6.0

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Soil Nutrients

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  1. Soil Nutrients

  2. Soil = f (Climate, Parent material, Living organisms, Topography, Time ) Deciduous Coniferous Prairie

  3. Optimum pH for turf and gardens • depends on species** pH range • kentucky bluegrass 6.0 - 7.6 • creeping red fescue 5.3 - 7.5 • sweet corn 6.0 • potato 5.4 – 6.0 • green bean 6.8 • tomato 6.0

  4. What nutrients do plants get from the air and water? • Carbon • Hydrogen • Oxygen

  5. What are the Primary Nutrients? • Nitrogen • Phosphorous • Potassium

  6. What are the Secondary Nutrients? • Sulfer • Calcium • Magnesium

  7. What are the Micronutrients? • Iron • Boron • Zinc • Manganese • Copper • Molybdenum • Chlorine

  8. What are the 16 essential nutrients? • C HOPKNS CaFe Mg B Mn CuZn ClMo

  9. 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

  10. Are there non-essential plant nutrients that need to be considered? • Yes, iodine and cobalt are essential in animals but found in plants

  11. Why is a knowledge of soil nutrients necessary? • maximize yield • maximize profit • maintain soil fertility

  12. How do you determine soil fertility? • soil testing • manage organic matter • fertilize

  13. 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!

  14. 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

  15. How many pounds of Nitrogen are in a 50# bag of 10-15-10? • 10% of 50# = 5# Nitrogen

  16. Pounds of Actual Nutrients in a 50# bag of 10-15-10? • add up 10+15+10 = 35% nutrients or 17.5#

  17. What is the other 65% of this bag? • inert matterials (filler)

  18. Compost

  19. What is Compost ? • Material left after the aerobic decomposition of organic material(s) Organic Material + “bugs” + O2  Compost + CO2 + H2O

  20. 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

  21. 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

  22. 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

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