Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

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Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service pH Factor Alkalinity Increases Alkalinity Decreases Pure Water pH 7.0 Neutral Soap Solution pH 9.3 Sea Water pH 7.9 Alkaline Human Blood pH 7.3 Fresh Milk pH 6.7 Sour Milk pH 4.7 Acid Orange Juice pH 3.7 Lemon Juice pH 2.4

Distinct resistance to pH change of soil solution Equilibrium between active and reserve acidity Stabilizes soil pH Larger the buffering capacity, larger quantity of lime or sulfur needed Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

BACTERIA

Raises soil pH Amount applied needs to be determined by soil test Needs to be applied 3 to 4 months prior to planting Maximum contact with soil is important Moisture is essential for reaction Be aware of neutralizing value of liming material Supplies CA and Mg if dolomitic limestone is used Makes other essential elements more available Prevents Mn and Al from becoming toxic Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Deficiencies of available Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn Decrease in phosphate availability by Ca Restricted uptake of P Uptake and utilization of boron hindered Drastic change in soil pH Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Surface soil: pH, texture and structure, OM Subsurface soil: pH, texture and structure Crops to be grown Kind and fineness of lime used Economic returns in relation to cost of lime used Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Nitrogen - (N) Phosphorous - (P) Potassium - (K) Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Sulfur - (S) Calcium - (Ca) Magnesium - (Mg) Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Iron - (Fe) Copper - (Cu) Manganese - (Mn) Boron - (B) Chlorine - (Cl) Zinc - (Zn) Molybdenum - (Mo) Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Organic nitrogen associated with soil humus Ammonium nitrogen fixed by certain clays Soluble inorganic ammonium and nitrate forms Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

General pale green to yellowing leaf color, followed by tissue death and leaf drop. Overall growth of plant is stunted with reduced yields. Older leaves of the plant will be affected first. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Common Nitrogen sources Material % N Ammonium Nitrate 34 Ammonium Sulfate 21 Calcium Nitrate 16 Sodium Nitrate 16 Potassium Nitrate 13 Urea 45 Organic 9-12

Ammonium - NH 4 Nitrate - NO 3 Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

R-NH 2 + HOH R-OH + NH 3 + energy 2NH 3 + H 2 CO 3 (NH 4 ) 2 CO 3 2NH 4 + CO 3 ORGANICENZYMES Occurs quickest in well-drained, aerated soils with basic cations present. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

2NH 4 + 3O 2 2NO 2 + H 2 O + 4H + energy 2NO 2 + O 2 2NO 3 + energy ENZYMES Affected by soil aeration, temperature, moisture, active lime, fertilizer salts, C/N ratio. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

2NO 3 2NO 2 N 2 O N 2 NitratesNitritesNitrous oxide N gas Occurs most often on alkaline soils under anaerobic conditions after a heavy application of urea or ammonium fertilizer. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Used by microorganisms Used by higher plants Lost in drainage Escape the cycle in gaseous form Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Cell division Crop quality Flowering and fruiting Disease resistance Crop maturation Energy Flow Root development Plant strength Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Leaves develop a blue-green or red-purple discoloration possibly yellowing. You will see poor fruit and seed development. The plant will also show a slow, stunted growth. More prevalent in early spring before soil temperatures rise. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Common Phosphorous sources Material % P (P ) Ordinary superphosphate 20 Concentrated superphosphate 46 Organic 9-12

Soil pH Soluble iron, aluminum and manganese Available calcium and calcium minerals Amount and decomposition of OM Activities of microorganisms Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

H 2 PO 4 H 2 O + HPO 4 H 2 O + PO 4 Very acid solution Very alkaline solution Al Ca P is most available at a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

90 to 98% of K is locked in soils Only a very small portion is available in the plow layer of most soils. This will range from 50 to 500 lbs K per acre. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Absorbed as much as N Disease resistance Encourages strong roots Delays maturity Essential for photosynthesis Energy formation Energy translocation Necessary for tubers Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Slow growth Browning of tips Red or purple tips Reduced disease resistance Sparse foliage Shoot dieback Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Common Potassium sources Material % K (K 2 0) Muriate of Potash Potassium Nitrate 46 Potassium Sulfate 50 Sulfate of Potash Magnesia 22 Organic 1-2%

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Leaf tips will become distorted and dieback (scorched), young leaves will show chlorotic, hard, stiff margins that are distorted. You will also see a premature shedding of blossoms and buds. Evidence of weakend stems and water-soaked, discolored areas on fruit such as blossom-end rot on tomatoes, peppers and melons. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

. Magnesium is the key element in the chlorophyll molecule. Common Mg sources Material% Mg Dolomitic Lime 6-11 Magnesia 55 Mg Sulfate 17

Marginal and interveinal yellowing beginning along the main rib vein progressing to cupped, brittled leaves. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

— Essential in protein formation — Helps develop enzymes and vitamins — Promotes nodule formation on legumes — Aids in seed production — Necessary in chlorophyll production

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service Although sulfur occurs in the soil as the sulfate ion (SO 4 = ), the major source of sulfur is derived from organic matter. Therefore, the amount of organic matter in the soil and the rate of its decomposition is important in sulfur availability.

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service FeFe MnMn CuCu MoMo B ZnZn

Micronutrients can become deficienct through: a) highly leached soils b) muck soils c) soils very high in pH d) soils which have been heavily cropped and fertilized with macronutrients only

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Fertilizer grade refers to how much of an element is contained in a formulation based on weight. Nitrogen (N) Phosphate (P 2 O 5 ) Potassium (K 2 O)

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service The ration describes the relative proportion of N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O in a fertilizer. A fertilizer is considered a 4:1:2 ratio.

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service A fertilizer is considered complete when it contains each of the three major plant nutrients. Examples include , and

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service A fertilizer is considered balanced when it contains an equal amount of the three major nutrients such as , r

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service An incomplete fertilizer lacks on or more of the major nutrients such as , or

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service Materials that dissolve slowly such as granite meal, greensand and rock phosphate. Materials from which nitrogen is released slowly by microbes. Granular material that are contained within a coating. These may be microbe or environmentally released.

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Inorganic: various salts and minerals Synthetic organic: human made organic material used as fertilizers Natural organic: applied to fertilizers derived solely from the remains or by-products from a once living organism