Soil Fertility Why It Matters Peugh

Soil with little organic matter A lot of organic matter

Think about this? Does low organic matter always mean that a soil is not fertile?

Without proper nutrients vs With

Why Soil Nutrients Matter

The Worlds Population was 7.3 Billion People 7,300,000,000,000 As of July 1, 2015 The Worlds Population was 7.3 Billion People 7,300,000,000,000 The Population is growing by 83 million people every year. In 2050, there will be 9,700,000,000,000 Hungry Mouths to Feed

What is our responsibility? Millions go hungry now! What is our responsibility?

About two billion people have been freed from a likely state of hunger over the past 25 years.

American Agriculture Feeds the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd-48Zw0Tr4

Conflicting Science Ha use per person % of land used for growing crops How to Interoperate Data Ha use per person http://ourworldindata.org/data/food-agriculture/land-use-in-agriculture/ % of land used for growing crops

Spaulding Ranch N. Cole Rd. Boise 2005 Spaulding Ranch N. Cole Rd. Boise 1953 Statistics can be manipulated, but a picture is worth… Urban Sprawl has been taking place all over the world.

Terms  Essential nutrient--Element necessary for plant growth and reproduction, for example: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium   Deficiency--Plant condition where an essential nutrient is not sufficiently available Symptom--A visual sign or condition that results from a deficiency; symptoms aid in diagnosing a deficiency

Terms continued… Fertilizer--Natural, manufactured or processed material or mixture of materials that contains one or more of the essential nutrients; available in dry, liquid or gaseous form   Analysis--Percentage water soluble content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) expressed as P2O5, and potassium (K) expressed as K2O in the fertilizer Brand--Trademark of the company which produced the fertilizer Complete fertilizer--Fertilizer which supplies all three of the primary nutrients (N, P, K)

Required for plant to complete its life cycle II. Essential nutrients for plant growth (Transparencies 1, 2, 3)   (Note: Plants require 17 nutrients for healthy growth. These nutrients are obtained from either air, water or soil. From these basic nutrients, plants can put together all of the necessary substances needed for growth and storage of food.) Essential Required for plant to complete its life cycle Can not be replaced by another element Is directly involved in the plants metabolism Is required by many different plants

1. Hydrogen (H)--from water 2. Oxygen (O)--from water and air     A. Non-mineral--From air and water 1. Hydrogen (H)--from water 2. Oxygen (O)--from water and air 3. Carbon (C)--from air

Ni - Nickle

B. Mineral--From the soil   1. Primary nutrients--Needed in large amounts a. Nitrogen (N) b. Phosphorus (P) c. Potassium (K) 2. Secondary nutrients--Needed in moderate amounts a. Sulphur (S) b. Calcium (Ca) c. Magnesium (Mg)

  Nickle Ni Soil

With making sure plants get the right nutrients? Why are we concerned With making sure plants get the right nutrients? How many more people can we feed with the first plant?

III. Functions of nutrients for crop growth   A. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are needed in the plant processes of photosynthesis and respiration (Note: The net gain in weight due to photosynthesis is of key importance. Approximately 95% of weight of crop plants comes from products of photosynthesis.)

Primary Nutrient Function

a. Gives green color to plant B. Primary nutrient functions   1. Nitrogen (N) a. Gives green color to plant b. Induces vigorous, rapid growth in plants c. Increases protein and yield d. Aids and promotes seed and fruit development (Note: Excess nitrogen causes vegetative growth and poor seed and fruit production. Nitrogen constitutes 80% of the atmosphere, yet it is one of the most critical elements for plant growth. The reason is that plants cannot utilize nitrogen as a gas; it must be combined with other elements into a plant available form NO3 nitrate.)

2. Phosphorus (P) a. Important to germinating seedlings b. Contributes to early maturing crops   c. Necessary for seed and fruit formation d. Stimulates root growth

a. Necessary for production and translocation of carbohydrates   3. Potassium (K) a. Necessary for production and translocation of carbohydrates b. Produces plumper seeds c. Controls water intake and respiration d. Stiffens straw and stalks

Secondary Nutrient Functions

C. Secondary nutrient functions   1. Sulphur (S) a. Necessary for nodule formation on legumes b. Associated with plant enzyme systems c. Stimulates seed production d. Affects protein and crop quality

2. Calcium (Ca)   a. Speeds decay of organic matter b. Stimulates formation of nitrates c. Promotes root and leaf growth d. Necessary for nodulation of legumes

3. Magnesium (Mg)   a. Necessary for chlorophyll or green plant color b. Increases absorption of phosphorus c. Aids in formation of fats and oils d. Important in plant enzyme system

Micro Nutrients Nutrient Function Deficiency Symptoms Iron (Fe) Needed in chlorophyll formation, is a component in enzymes associated with energy transfer. pale green leaf color (chlorosis), with sharp distinction between green veins and yellow interveinal tissues. Magnesium (Mn) Boron (B) Important for cell membrane strength Fruiting and flower production Terminal flower buds die decreasing fruit and seed production, thick brittle upper leaves curl and die. Molybdenum (Mo) Copper (Cu) Zinc (Zn) Chlorine (Cl) Nickle (Ni)

Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiency

IV. Symptoms of nutrient deficiencies   A. Primary nutrient deficiency symptoms 1. Nitrogen (N) (Transparency 4) a. Stunted and spindly b. Yellow, yellowish-green or light green color in foliage (chlorosis) c. Older leaves affected first (Note: Yellowing or browning starts at the tip and moves along the middle of the leaf. This occurs first on the lowest leaves of the plant.)

2. Phosphorus (P) (Transparency 5)   a. Stunted growth b. Very dark green color c. Purple leaves or portions of leaves in advanced stages d. Older leaves affected first

3. Potassium (K) (Transparency 6)   a. Shorter plants b. Bronzing or browning of leaf color c. Lodging (bending of the stem) occurs (Note: Leaves show yellow to brown coloring along leaf margins followed by complete browning.)

Secondary Deficiency Symptoms

B. Secondary nutrient deficiency symptoms   1. Sulphur (S) a. Young plants have stunted appearance b. Leaves have a light-green to yellow coloring c. Stems are thin and spindly (Note: Sulphur deficiency symptoms are similar in appearance to nitrogen deficiency symptoms.)

2. Magnesium (Mg)   a. Leaf parts between veins show a whitish color b. Leaf tissue becomes yellow, veins remain green (interveinal chlorosis) c. Leaves curl upward along the margins (Note: It is important to note that other conditions besides nutrient shortages may cause abnormal plant growth. Cold, wet weather, lack of sunlight, disease, insect damage and improperly applied chemicals are examples.)

V. Factors that influence fertilizer use   V. Factors that influence fertilizer use   A. Fertility of the soil (Note: The fertility of the soil is dependent on the availability of total nutrients in the soil, soil organic matter and can be determined by soil test.) B. Physical condition of the soil (Note: Moisture content, soil texture, soil structure and the ability to prevent leaching are important physical conditions to consider in fertilizer use.) C. Crop to be grown (Note: Nutrient needs vary between crop plants. The cost of the type of fertilizer compared to the value of the crop is an important consideration.) D. Climatic conditions, such as temperature and moisture E. Time of application--fall, spring or during season

Fertilizer Types D. Commercial Fertilizers- Animal Manure (organic Matter is natures store house for N) Crop Residue Green Manure- Crops that are plowed under. D. Commercial Fertilizers-

What is in a bag of fertilizer? A. Net Weight of Bag B. Name and address of manufacturer c. The Guaranteed analysis of the material D. Name Brand

XI. Fertilizer analysis (Transparency 17) (Note: A fertilizer analysis consists of three numbers. These three figures indicate the water soluble plant nutrient content of the material. The first figure represents the actual pounds of nitrogen in 100 pounds of fertilizer. The second figure represents the actual pounds of phosphorus expressed as P2O5. The third figure represents the actual pounds of water soluble potassium expressed as K2O. The fourth number, if present, represents the actual pounds of sulfur.) A. Ordinary analysis--Less than 20% plant nutrients Example: 5-5-5 B. High analysis--20% to 30% plant nutrients Example: 5-10-5 C. Concentrated analysis--Over 30% plant nutrients Example: 20-20-20 or 83-0-0

XII. Types of fertilizers Liquid--Fertilizer made by dissolving the correct proportion of the solid plant nutrient carriers into water; may be in solution or suspension B. Dry mixed--Granulated fertilizer made by combining selected plant nutrient materials to obtain certain ratios and quantities of plant nutrients C. Gas--Liquid fertilizer containing solid fertilizer materials which is dispensed under pressure and usually contains a higher analysis than clear liquid

How much fertilizer do I need? Soil analysis

XIII. Comparing costs of fertilizer materials (Transparencies 18, 19) (Note: Compare fertilizer prices on the basis of cost per pound of nutrient, not on the cost per pound of fertilizer material.) A. Calculating cost per pound of nutrients: Price of Fertilizer Per Pound of Material Guaranteed Percentage Example: Fertilizer analysis -- 20 - 10 - 10 Fertilizer cost -- $150.00/ton or 7.5¢/lb 7.5¢/.40 (40%) = 18.75¢/lb of nutrient B. Calculating cost of materials that contain only one nutrient (Note: The same formula is used.) Example: Fertilizer analysis -- 45 - 0 - 0 (Urea) Fertilizer cost -- $240.00/ton or 12¢/lb 12¢/.45 = 26.6¢/lb of N

XIV. Formulate a fertilizer blend (Transparency 20) A. Needed information 1. Amount of nutrients to be applied (Note: This refers to amount of nutrients and not to amount of fertilizer. Usually determined from a soil test report, past experience or field man recommendation.) 2. Available fertilizers 3. Method of application EXAMPLE: a. Want to apply 40 lbs of nitrogen/acre, 40 lbs P2O5/acre and 20 lbs of K2O/acre b. Available fertilizers (1) 34 - 0 - 0 (ammonium nitrate) (2) 18 - 46 - 0 (diammonium phosphate) (3) 0 - 0 - 60 (potassium chloride) c. Formula for calculating fertilizer amount Amount of Nutrient to Apply/Acre = Amount of Fertilizer % Nutrient in Fertilizer Used To Apply Per Acre

d. Steps to follow: (1) Potash requirements from potassium chloride 20 lbs per acre/.60 = 33 lbs/acre of 0-0-60 (2) Phosphate requirements from diammonium phosphate 40 lbs per acre/.46 = 87 lbs/acre of 18-46-0 (3) How much nitrogen would 87 lbs of 18-46-0 supply? 87 lbs per acre x .18 = 16 lbs N/acre (4) How much additional nitrogen is needed? 40 lbs N per acre - 16 = 24 lbs N needed (5) Additional nitrogen requirements from ammonium nitrate 24 lbs per acre/.34 = 71 lbs per acre of 34-0-0 (6) Results: 87 lbs/acre of 18-46-0 71 lbs/acre of 34-0-0 33 lbs/acre of 0-0-60 191 lbs/acre total