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.
In most cases, the most commonly performed test is meant to determine the level of acidity, or simply the pH level. Another aspect that is measured includes cation exchange capacity (CEC). Good soils usually have a high CEC level so as to be able to exchange cations with plants. Also, the test measures the ability of the soil to retain and provide essential nutrients to plants.
The percentage of organic matter in the ground determines the level of CEC of the soil. The percentage organic matter is usually referred to using the abbreviation OM. The OM also has an impact on the percentage base saturation. The three most plentiful cations in the ground are potassium, magnesium and calcium and they are measured by base saturation.
After the tests have been done, one can use the findings in determining what alterations or changes they have to make to the land to increase its fertility. The mostly done amendment by most people is addition of fertilizer to the ground to increase the quantity of potassium, magnesium and calcium elements in the soil. Fertility of land is greatly determined by availability and balance of these elements.
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.
However, when homeowners test the soils in their lawns, the results are usually contradictory. To the realization of the homeowner, the lime actually destroys soils rather than improving their fertility. The balance of nutrients in the ground needs to be carefully maintained as it is delicate. The plants may be stressed if one applies more than the required amendments.
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.
Most plants require a pH value of between 6.5 and 7.0. That level of pH means that the soil is neutral or slightly acidic. However, it is also important to know that some plant varieties usually require acidic soils in order to grow well. Thus, one should set the level of pH of their soils depending on the plant they need to grow too
In most cases, the most commonly performed test is meant to determine the level of acidity, or simply the pH level. Another aspect that is measured includes cation exchange capacity (CEC). Good soils usually have a high CEC level so as to be able to exchange cations with plants. Also, the test measures the ability of the soil to retain and provide essential nutrients to plants.
The percentage of organic matter in the ground determines the level of CEC of the soil. The percentage organic matter is usually referred to using the abbreviation OM. The OM also has an impact on the percentage base saturation. The three most plentiful cations in the ground are potassium, magnesium and calcium and they are measured by base saturation.
After the tests have been done, one can use the findings in determining what alterations or changes they have to make to the land to increase its fertility. The mostly done amendment by most people is addition of fertilizer to the ground to increase the quantity of potassium, magnesium and calcium elements in the soil. Fertility of land is greatly determined by availability and balance of these elements.
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.
However, when homeowners test the soils in their lawns, the results are usually contradictory. To the realization of the homeowner, the lime actually destroys soils rather than improving their fertility. The balance of nutrients in the ground needs to be carefully maintained as it is delicate. The plants may be stressed if one applies more than the required amendments.
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.
Most plants require a pH value of between 6.5 and 7.0. That level of pH means that the soil is neutral or slightly acidic. However, it is also important to know that some plant varieties usually require acidic soils in order to grow well. Thus, one should set the level of pH of their soils depending on the plant they need to grow too
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