For people who plant crops on their lands, it is necessary to consider soil fertility as an important factor. One must perform a soil test in order to establish the level of fertility of a piece of land. Normally, the quantity of micro and macro-nutrients available in the soil are what the test measures. The crops need these nutrients in order for them to grow healthily. This is worth knowing about Southern California Soil Testing.
Usually, the level of pH is determined s part of the test performed. CEC (Cation exchange capacity) is also another factor that is measured. Normally, there should be a high level of CEC in soil for it to be able to exchange cations with plants. The ability of the soil to retain and provide the necessary nutrients to plants is also another aspect that the test measures.
The percentage of organic matter in the ground greatly determines the level of CEC of land. The percentage of organic matter is usually abbreviated as OM. This abbreviation also has influence on the saturation percentage base. Base saturation measures the abundance of calcium, potassium and magnesium.
The results of the test are usually useful and can be based upon to determine the kind of changes that need to be done on the soil to make it suitable for crops. The quantity of calcium, magnesium and potassium cations can be improved by adding fertilizers. This is the most commonly used amendment among most people. The availability of these cations in the right amounts and proportions is what makes a piece of land to be defined as fertile.
As stated above, it is only after one knows the level of fertility of their land that they can add the right amount of fertilizer and lime. In some cases, not all nutrients are deficient in the soil, but rather, just one or a few nutrients. Therefore, one can know which nutrient needs to be improved and by how much. Many homeowners usually apply lime on their lawns every year because they believe that it is the right thing to do.
But, when the very homeowners make a decision of performing a soil test, an entirely different situation is revealed. As a matter of fact, some homeowners realize later that adding lime only hurts the soil further as the expense of increasing its fertility. Most soils have a delicate balance of nutrients which must be kept this way. When amendments are over-applied, they could stress the plants by upsetting the balance.
The solubility of a variety of nutrients in the ground is affected by the pH. Plants readily absorb nutrients in soils if they exist in a soluble form. Soil PH must therefore be kept at the correct level for the highest nutrient absorption. Plants cannot absorb nutrients if the pH is set at the wrong level even though the land may be fertile.
A pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is the level that most plants need. This level of pH makes soils slightly acidic or neutral. One should note that some plants grow well in acidic soils however. Therefore, the plant that needs to be grown determines the pH level to be maintained too.
Usually, the level of pH is determined s part of the test performed. CEC (Cation exchange capacity) is also another factor that is measured. Normally, there should be a high level of CEC in soil for it to be able to exchange cations with plants. The ability of the soil to retain and provide the necessary nutrients to plants is also another aspect that the test measures.
The percentage of organic matter in the ground greatly determines the level of CEC of land. The percentage of organic matter is usually abbreviated as OM. This abbreviation also has influence on the saturation percentage base. Base saturation measures the abundance of calcium, potassium and magnesium.
The results of the test are usually useful and can be based upon to determine the kind of changes that need to be done on the soil to make it suitable for crops. The quantity of calcium, magnesium and potassium cations can be improved by adding fertilizers. This is the most commonly used amendment among most people. The availability of these cations in the right amounts and proportions is what makes a piece of land to be defined as fertile.
As stated above, it is only after one knows the level of fertility of their land that they can add the right amount of fertilizer and lime. In some cases, not all nutrients are deficient in the soil, but rather, just one or a few nutrients. Therefore, one can know which nutrient needs to be improved and by how much. Many homeowners usually apply lime on their lawns every year because they believe that it is the right thing to do.
But, when the very homeowners make a decision of performing a soil test, an entirely different situation is revealed. As a matter of fact, some homeowners realize later that adding lime only hurts the soil further as the expense of increasing its fertility. Most soils have a delicate balance of nutrients which must be kept this way. When amendments are over-applied, they could stress the plants by upsetting the balance.
The solubility of a variety of nutrients in the ground is affected by the pH. Plants readily absorb nutrients in soils if they exist in a soluble form. Soil PH must therefore be kept at the correct level for the highest nutrient absorption. Plants cannot absorb nutrients if the pH is set at the wrong level even though the land may be fertile.
A pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is the level that most plants need. This level of pH makes soils slightly acidic or neutral. One should note that some plants grow well in acidic soils however. Therefore, the plant that needs to be grown determines the pH level to be maintained too.
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