Media and Soils Chapter 6

Learning Targets I can identify various types of growing media? I can explain the PH Scale? I can identify 3 sections of the Soil Triangle?

Growing Medium Material in which the roots plants grow.

Roles of Media Provides nutrients and a anchor for plant.

Nutrients Substance that roots absorb from the medium and water.

Anchor Roots hold plant in place.

Pore Space Air holes between the growing medium particles which allows oxygen to reach the roots of plants.

Soil Amendment Anything added to the soil to improve plant growth. Vermiculite Perlite

Soil Top few inches of earths surface that provide soil growth.

Soilless Medium Contains no soil. Made from: Vermiculite Perlite Peat Moss Bark Can be pre-mixed

Hydroponics Nutrients are provided by nutrient solution.

Nutrient Solution Contains water with dissolved nutrients.

Hydroponic Advantages Nutrients Control Yield is greater Roots do not spread Reduced Weed, Insect, Disease

Mineral Materials Come from inorganic sources. 3 kinds of Mineral Materials

Sand #1 Largest material in soil. Good for soil drainage.

Silt #2 Smaller than sand. Areas near rivers are high in silt.

Clay #3 Smallest size particle in soil. Holds water well. Fills gaps between Sand and Silt

Organic Matter Decayed remains from plants and animals.

Soil Texture % of Sand, Silt, Clay present in the soil.

Soil Triangle Used to classify soil on the basis texture content. Most crops prefer a Loamy soil.

Loam Soil High in Silt lower in Sand and Clay.

Soil Structure Physical arrangement of soil particles.

Soil Aeration Movement of air in the soil. Clay soil least air movement.

Soil Compaction Soil compressed into a dense mass.

Wear Physical deterioration of a plant community.

Soil Profile Vertical section of soil at a location.

Soil Horizon (A) Topsoil: 10” Made of: Humus Roots Organisms

Soil Horizon (B) Subsoil: 30” Made of: Fine Particles Leached materials Some Roots

Soil Horizon (C) Parent Material: 48” Made of: Bedrock Leached materials

Soil Horizon (R) Bedrock: Made of: Solid Rock

Plant Nutrients 17 elements are needed for plants to grow.

Macronutrients Most important nutrients needed in large amount.

Macronutrients (N) – Nitrogen (P) – Phosphorus (K) – Potassium (Ca) – Calcium (Mg) – Magnesium (S) – Sulfur

Primary Nutrients N-P-K Needed in largest amounts.

Secondary Nutrients Ca-Mg-S Needed in moderate amounts

Micronutrients Needed in smaller amounts. AKA-Trace Elements

Micronutrients (Fe) – Iron (Mn) – Maganese (Zn) – Zinc (Cu) – Copper (B) – Boron (Mo) – Molybdenum (Cl) – Chlorine (Ni) - Nickel

Soil Testing Determines what nutrients are present in the soil.

Nitrogen Key element Helps plant recover from damage.

Nitrogen Deficient Example Older leaves turn yellow. (Chlorosis) Death can happen

Phosphorus Helps plant hold and transfer energy for metabolism.

Phosphorus Deficient Reduced growth Dark to reddish leaf colorations.

Potassium Important for plant life process.

Potassium Deficient Reduced growth Increase disease Stress of plant

Soil PH Ph is used to measure the amount of Alkalinity or acidity in soil.

PH Scale 14 Point Scale

PH Scale 7.0 = Neutral

PH Scale Below 7.0 = Acidic Above 7.0 = Alkaline

Modifying PH Adding Lime will raise PH. Adding Sulfur will lower PH.

Modifying PH Most plants prefer PH of 5.5-8.0

Fertilizer Any material used to provide the nutrients plants need.

Fertilizer Can be applied as: Solid Liquid Gas

Elemental Fertilizer Provides only 1 plant nutrient.

Complete Fertilizer Contains all 3 elemental nutrients. Nitrogen Potassium Phosphorus

Active Ingredient Total % of nutrients that is being applied to plants.

Inert Ingredient The carrier or filler ingredient that allows for the spreading of the fertilizer.

Complete Fertilizer Example 16% Nitrogen 4% Phosphate 8% Potash =28% Active Ingredient 72% Inert Ingredient or carrier

Application Equipment Sprayers for liquid fertilizer.

Application Equipment Dry fertilizer for Granular Equipment. Spreader

Granular Fertilizer Applied with Rotary, Gravity Flow Spreader. Most common way of spreading fertilizer.

Fertigation Application of fertilizer with the use of irrigation system. Very fast to use. Water and fertilize at the same time.