Developed by: Hudson Minshew Oregon State University Extension Service Susan Donaldson University of Nevada Cooperative Extension NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.

 What do my soil test results mean?  What nutrients do plants need?  How can I supply those nutrients?

 Indicates relative acidity or alkalinity  = pH 7 => neutral;  acid;  > pH 7 => alkaline or basic Adapted from library.thinkquest.org by A. Miller CO Soils generally Western CO Valley Soils generally

Adapted from by A. Miller Widest part of the bar indicates maximum availability

 Acid soils: pH is below 7  Soils become acid due to heavy rainfall that weathers soils quickly  Basic cations such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are leached from the soil profile  This natural weathering process makes soils acid

 Add lime to raise the pH (making soil less acid)  Lime most often consists of calcium carbonate  Plant response will be relatively slow, taking weeks or months

 Alkaline soils: pH is above 7  Soils that have not been greatly weathered or leached  Soils high in calcium  Reduces solubility of all micronutrients Adapted from library.thinkquest.org by A. Miller

Example of crop grown in alkaline soil

Adapted from ag.arizona.edu by A. Miller

 A measure of inorganic chemicals that are more soluble than gypsum, such as: ◦ sodium, ◦ calcium, ◦ magnesium, ◦ chloride, ◦ sulfate, ◦ bicarbonate.  Salty soils are a problem in arid regions or in poorly drained soils USDA NRCS

 Electrical conductivity measurements (EC)  Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP)  Salt-affected soils are commonly classified for management purposes into three groups based on EC and ESP : ◦ saline, ◦ sodic, and ◦ saline-sodic Grand Valley, CO

 Select plants that can tolerate salinity  Avoid excess or salty forms of fertilizers  Incorporate organic matter  If appropriate, add sulfur to lower the pH

 In soils with good drainage, periodically leach the salts below root zone with high quality irrigation water (avoid if high water table present)

 Substances necessary for plant growth  Some, such as hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, come from the air and water  Others, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, may need to be added  Excess or improper use of fertilizers may result in water pollution

N = nitrogen P = phosphorus K = potassium BIG 3

H = hydrogen O = oxygen C = carbon Ca = calcium Mg = magnesium S = sulfur Fe = iron Mn = manganese Zn = zinc B = boron Mb = molybdenum Ni = nickel Cu = copper Co = cobalt Cl = chlorine

1. Which elements do I need? (N, P, K, S, Ca) 2. How much do I apply? 3. What type of material do I use? 4. Which application method is best? 5. When is the best time to apply it? 6. Will I get a return on my investment?

 Chemical fertilizers  Organic fertilizers (bone meal, compost, manure, etc.)

WAY TO GROW FERTILIZER 28 – GUARANTEED ANALYSIS Total nitrogen 28% 6% Ammonium nitrogen 14% Urea nitrogen Available phosphoric acid 14% Soluble potash 5% Derived from sulfur-coated urea, etc. Product name NPK formula Nitrogen content Phosphorus content Potassium content Specific sources

 Estimate the amount of fertilizer needed based on soil test results, crop needs and area to receive fertilizer  Most fertilizer recommendations are in pounds per 1,000 square feet, or pounds per acre

X 100 Pounds of nutrient recommended Percentage of nutrient in fertilizer material To convert a recommendation to pounds/acre of an actual fertilizer material, use the following formula :

 Length x Width = Area  If the area is oddly shaped or oval, calculate using a regular shape that closely fits the shape of the land to be fertilized 100 ft 200 ft 150 ft

 Good source of nutrients and organic matter  Protects soil from raindrop impact and erosion  Local supply often available at no cost OSU Extension Service

 Poultry manure is high in nitrogen  Beef and horse manure tends to be lower in nitrogen  Sheep manure is high in potassium UNCE, Reno, Nev.

 Watch out for weeds and pathogens  Know the manure nutrient content  Consider the salt content Univ. of Oregon

 Incorporate or apply evenly to avoid smothering plants  Don’t apply on frozen slopes  Avoid leaching nutrients into waterways UNCE, Reno, Nev.

USDA NRCS Nutrient deficiencies Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Calcium Zinc Manganese

 Use soil test results to guide you in amending your soil  Test results are only as good as the sample you collect  Fertilize to meet plant needs, and avoid costly overuse that may pollute water

 How to use a soil survey  How to find a map unit  Map unit descriptions  Soil ratings and capabilities

 A map unit describes a soil “type” in the soil survey  “Map-unit descriptions” are found at the beginning of the survey

Soil map unit example 630 Fleischmann gravelly clay loam Soil textural class is part of map unit name Number designation Name given by soil scientists conducting survey

NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.

 Suitability ratings  Freeze dates and growing season  Productivity (tons/acre)  Building site development  Suitability for irrigation  Physical and chemical properties ◦ (percent OM, pH, available water capacity) Soil surveys can differ in the information they provide.

 Cemented pan  Droughty  Erodes easily  Flooding  Low strength  Restrictive layer  Shrink-swell potential UNCE, Reno, Nev.

 I and II - good farmland with few to moderate limitations  III and IV - severe to very severe limitations for growing crops  V and VI - limitations that are impractical to remove.  VII and VIII - very severe, unsuited for cultivation. Classes

USDA NRCS

 Soil surveys are generated by NRCS scientists  Available in printed form or on the Web  Soil surveys are useful for determining capabilities and limitations of your soils at the large scale.