1. Plant Nutrition
Mrs. Gill

2. Pee-Cycling
7/31/ /should-we-return-the- nutrients-in-our-pee-back-to-the-farm

3. Major Nutrition 3 Major Elements oxygen (O) hydrogen (H) carbon (C)
Considered to be non-fertilizer nutrients and make up 96% of plant’s tissue
Acquired through natural processes from air and water

4. Macro Elements Divided into two groups, macro and micro Macro
Nitrogen – N
Phosphorus – P
Potassium – K
Calcium - Ca
Magnesium - Mg
Sulfur - S

5. Micro Elements
Chlorine – Cl
Iron - FE
Manganese – Mn
Boron – B

6. Micro Elements Cont.. Zinc – Zn Copper – Cu Nickel – Ni
Molybdenum - Mo

7. Soil tests
Determines which nutrients are present and which are deficient for growing a variety of crops

8. Soil Sampling (Simplified)
Take random samples from the area to represent the area you want to test
Mix all of the samples together
Complete the soil test info sheet
Mail the sample and info sheet to a reputable lab
Usually a University Extension Program
Analyze results and make production decisions

10. Plant Requirements large amounts of major elements
relatively small amounts of minor elements

11. Fertilizer
Any material added to a growing medium that provides nutrients for plants
Vary in what they contain, how they are applied, and the function they serve

12. Commercial fertilizers
The fertilizer analysis shows % or pounds per cwt. (100#) of the three major elements in large numbers on the container or bag
Nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), and potassium (K) or Potash

13. Commercial fertilizers
5-10-5
5% N, 10% P, 5% K
remaining 80% is filler
NP&K are always listed in that order.

16. Fertilizer Forms Liquids Granules Salty so they dissolve in water
Sprayed on root zone or as a foliar application
Have high tendency to ‘burn’ plants
Are usually short-lived
Granules
Most common form
Heavy pellets don’t drift too far
Can be slow-release

17. Fertilizer Forms Tablets and Spikes
Large compressed items that are pushed into the soil or placed in a hole
Expensive for the amount of nutrient they contain
Release nutrients very slowly over time
Several months to more than a year

18. Nutrient Solutions
Nutrients in solution are measured in parts per million or PPM.
Fertilizer rates can be taken from tables in reference books or to instructions with their injector system, or growers can calculate the amount of fertilizer needed to reach a desired PPM.

19. The chosen fertilizer is calcium nitrate with an analysis of 15-0-0.
An example problem might call for 200 PPM nitrogen.
The chosen fertilizer is calcium nitrate with an analysis of
A rule of thumb in calculating PPM is that 1 ounce of anything in 100 gallons H2O equals 75 PPM.

20. Problem: Wanted, 200 PPM N 15-0-0 Calcium Nitrate
Multiply the percent of the nutrient in the given fertilizer by 75.
.15 N × 75 = PPM N (if 1 oz added to 100 gallons) 200 divided by = oz of fertilizer needed in 100 gallons to get 200 PPM.

21. If the injector system delivers 1:100 (one gallon concentrate mixed with 99 gallons water for a total of 100 gallons), 17.2 ounces of fertilizer is needed for each gallon of concentrate.
If the tank holds 30 gallons of concentrate, 516 ounces (32.25 pounds) of fertilizer is needed to deliver 200 PPM

22. Choosing a Fertilizer Things to consider Nutritional need
Application method
Price
Availability
Personal Preference
Safety/Environmental Concerns
Placement is critical—GPS systems

24. Nitrogen has most noticeable effect on plants
encourages above ground vegetative growth
regulates use of other elements
Leaches easily

25. Too much Nitrogen lowers disease resistance
weakens stem because it promotes long, soft growth
lowers fruit quality
delays maturity
increased susceptibility to cold

26. Symptoms of Nitrogen Deficiency
yellow or light green color
stunted root and top growth

27. Nitrogen Deficiency in Corn

28. Phosphorous
held tightly by soil particles
not easily leached

29. Phosphorous encourages cell division
flowers and seeds don’t form without it
hastens maturity, offsetting quick growth caused by nitrogen

30. Phosphorous encourages root growth makes K more available
increases disease resistance
improves quality of grain, root and fruit crops

31. Insufficient Phosphorus
susceptibility to cold
susceptibility to plant diseases
poor quality fruit and seeds

32. Symptoms of Phosphorus Deficiency
purple color on underside of leaves
reduced flower fruit and seed production

34. Potassium Works with Nitrogen and Phosphorus to improve plant growth
development of chlorophyll
efficient use of CO2

35. Potassium increases disease resistance encourages healthy root systems
essential for starch formation

36. Insufficient Potassium
leaves appear dry and scorched with irregular yellow areas on the surface

38. Lime CaCO3- Calcium Carbonate acts as a plant food
affects soil acidity
soil acidity affects availability of plant food elements

39. Is Soil Alive? ¼ teaspoon of fertile soil contains approximately:
- 1 Earthworm
- 50 Nematodes
- 52,000 Algae
- 111,000 Fungi
- 2,920,000 Actinomycetes
- 25,280,000 Bacteria

40. Earthworms Decompose organic matter Mix plant litter with soil
Tunneling helps with aeration of the soil

41. Nematodes Examples are: Roundworms, threadworms, hair worms
Consume other microbial organisms which help regulate the microbial population
Also found in the roots of the plants

42. Algae Contain chlorophyll (photosynthetic)
Soil algae are too small to be seen with the naked eye, but in large numbers can give the surface a green color
They favor damp soil that is exposed to the sun
Help with the formation of soil structure

43. Fungi Examples: Grow on dead and decaying tissue
Mushrooms, mold, mildew, rusts, yeasts
Grow on dead and decaying tissue
Primary agent of organic matter decay
Make nutrients available by decomposing organic matter.

44. Actinomycetes Rod-shaped form of bacteria
Can live under drier conditions than bacteria, very abundant in sod
One of the most important agents in the soil for decomposing and breaking down cellulose
Its what gives freshly tilled soil its smell

45. Bacteria Most numerous and MOST IMPORTANT!
Diverse metabolism aides in breaking down organic chemicals like pesticides
Can also degrade inorganic materials
Fix Nitrogen so it can be used by plants

46. Why do we need microorganisms in Agriculture?
Decay plant residue
Fix nitrogen
Break down nutrients needed by plants
Break down cellulose
Finally, much of the soil is not available to the plants until the microbes break it down