Soil Fertility - Texas A&M AgriLife

Essential Elements Found to Limit PlantGrowth inthe FieldPrimary Nutrients:Nitrogeen, Phosphorus, PotassiumSecondary Nutrients: Calciumm, Magnesium, SulfurMicronutrients:Boron,Chlorine, Copper,Iron, Manganese, Zinc

Balanced Nutrition

Grazingvs.HayMost of the nutrientsarerecycled through theand back to the soil.animals

Coastal BerrmudagrassSoil Test vs. Fertilizeier RecommendationSoil Test (ppm)Yield GoalN P3 Cuttings 1 1* Split applications of N and K.Annual Rate (lbs/A)K N * P *2 O 5 K 2 O1 300 100 3005 2275 290 50 15010 44 105 280 25 70

FertilizerSelectionSppring rate (lbs/A)Fertilizer N P 2 O 5 K 2 O CostSource rate (lb/a) 1000 100 100 $/acre18 -18- 18 555 1000 100 100 $6824 - 8 - 16 417 1000 33 67 $51

FertilizerSelectionSppring rate (lbs/A)Fertilizer N P 2 O 5 K 2 O CostSource rate (lb/a) 1000 25 70 $/acre18 -18- 18 555 1000 100 100 $6824 - 8 - 16 417 1000 33 67 $51

Effect of Soil pH onNutrient RecoverypHNitrogen Phosphorus Potash7.0 706.0 635.5 525.0 3845 4.5 2130 6015 6015 4510 308 21Below 5.5 can begin to haave problems with aluminumand manganese toxicity

Liming to Correct Soil Acidity

‣ Neutralizing ValueLimestonee Quality• Calcium carbonate equuivalence (CCE)‣ Particle size (efficiency rating, ER)• Smaller particles reactfaster and more completely.• Fine materials last justas long or longer than amixture.‣ CCExER=ECCEER ECCE(EffectiveCalciumCarbonate Equivalence)

DeficientSufficientNitrogen Deficiency Symptoms• Slow growth/stunted plants• Yellow-green color (chlorosis)

Effect of Nittrogen Rateon Yield and Crude ProteinAnnual N Rate(lbs/A)YieldCrude Protein(tons/A) (%)02. .780 8.01002004. .45. .99.110.5400 8. .6 11.7

Nitrogen Fertilizers*Anhydrous AmmoniaAmmonium NitrateAmmonium SulfateUreaUrea Ammonium Nitrate* Equally effective if propperly applied.Formula GradeNH 3 82-0-00NH 4 NO 3 34-0-0(NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 20-0-00 0(NH 2 ) 2 CO 46-0-032-0-0

Retail Fertilizer Material Prices(January 2003 vs. 2009)$/Toon$/PoundSource 03’ 08’ 09’ 03’ 08’ 09’82-0-0 0( (ammonia) 240 630 375 01 0.15 038 0.38 023 0.2346-0-0 (urea) 250 531 345 0.27 0.58 0.3832-0-0 (UAN) 180 410 390 0.28 0.64 0.6118-46-0 (DAP) 295 995 480 0.23 0.78 0.380-0-60 (potash) 170 550 814 0.14 0.46 0.68

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Soil pH(Lufkin soil, Overton, Tx.)Average Affter 3 YearsNoneAmmonium nitratet5.96.2Ammonium sulfate4.70 12 3 4 5 6 7pH

PhospphorusCharacteristicstis and dFFunctionsFunctions in Plant:Simulaates early growth androot foormation.Promootes optimum forage growthand quuality.Movement ti in Soil: Very immobile, will not leach orvolatiliize.Subjecct to stratification (build-upupin surfface 2 to 3 inches of soil)when surface applied.

Dry SurfaceResponse to Deep PWet SurfaceNo Response to Deep PDepth(inches)0-22-88-1414-2020-2626(ppmP)5720911

Injected – 6 inches Surface Applied

Phosphorus ManagementEstablishment: Soil test !!Apply andincorporate phosphorusfertilizer beefore planting.Last chance to get it in the root zone.

Phosphorus FertilizerOrdinary superphosphateTriple superphosphateMonoammonium phosphate (MAP) NH 4 H 2 PO 4 11-48-0Diammonium phosphate (DAP)Ammonium polyphosphate p (AAAP) 10-34-0*Liquid and dry forms equally effeectiveFormula GradeCa(H 2 PO 4 ) 2 0-18-0Ca(H 2 PO 4 ) 2 0-4646-0(NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 18-46-0

PotasssiumCharacteristicstis and dFFunctionsAvailable Forms: Potassiumion (K+)Functions in Plant: Controls stomates water use efficiencyIncreasesdisease resistanceImprovescold hardinessMovement in Soil: Does not leach (medium/heavy soils)Will not volatilize.Part of cllay minerals – high h levels l in mostclay soils.

Potassium Deficiency- Stand ddecline- Winter kill- Disease susceptibility- Poor water use efficiencyFertiliizer Management-K is luxury consumed- Splitt/balance applicationsfor each cutting g( (fall?).

Sources ofNutrients• Commercial Fertilizer• Organics- Manures- Composted manures- Biosolids

Sources ofNutrients• Selected Commercial Feertilizers• N- Anhydrous ammonia, 82-0-0- Urea, 46-0-00- Ammonium nitrate, 33-0-0- Ammonium sulfate, 21-00-00- UNA, 32-0-0

Sources ofNutrients• Selected Commercial Feertilizers• P – diammonium phosphhate, 18-46-0monoammonium phhosphate, 11-48-0calcium li phosphates,h0-2020-0 0 to 0-4545-0• K – potassium chloride,KCl, 0-0-60

Elemental Concenttrations in VariousMannuresAnimal N P 2 O 5 K 22O Ca Mg Na--------------------------%------------------------Dairy 1.35 1.24 1.64 3.69 0.60 0.24Beef 1.36 1.21 1.885 1.43 0.49 0.67Poultry 3.15 5.52 3.13 2.98 0.61 0.76Swine 7.6 4.1 3. .1 2.6 0.7 0.5Biosolids 5.00 500 3.50 350 0.6 062 2.87 0.26 0.22

Elemental Concenttrations in VariousAnimal Zn FeMannuresCu Mn S----------------------mg/kg------------------------Dairy 129 4430Beef 92 2582Poultry 602 2668Swine 5000 800Biosolids 1340 227836 195 377818 251 5026465 579 7661400 2000 -473 357 -

Typical Appllication Rates• Should always be determined by soil testing• Biosolids (Class A) – 1tto2T/A• Poultry litter – 2 to 3 T/A• Cattle/Dairy – 10 to 25 T/A

Delivery of Nutrients• Commercial fertilizers -• Biosolids - $38-46/T• Poultry litter -$8-45/T$50 /A• Cattle - $1-2/T up to 5 miles

Disadvantagees of Manures• Unwanted seeds• Nutrient amounts not thesame as plant uptake, soover apply some and undder apply other nutrients• Trash, etc. in manure• Slow release of nutrients

Advantagesof Manures• Maintains or adds organic matter to the soil• Adds all essential plant nutrrients to the soil• Slow release of nutrients, application i timingi• If organic matter is increaseed- Nutrient cycling increased- Soil air and water relationshiips improved- Soil aggregation/stability impproved- Soil cation exchange capacityincreased- Soil drainage improved

Soil Amendment or SNAKE OIL?

Referrence• Compendium of Researcch Reports on Use ofNon-Traditional Materiaals for Crop Production.1984. NCR-103 Commiittee. CooperativeExtension Service, IowaState University

Types of SoilAmendments• Biological inoculants annd activators• Growth stimulants and regulators• Mineral nutrient sourcess (low volume/lowanalysis)• Soil conditioners• Wetting agents• Others

Examples of Eaach Type of SoilAmendment

Biological inoculaants and activators• Agra-Life• Genesis II• Medina• Phosphobacterinh

Growth Stimulantts and Regulators• AgroPlus• Culbac• Dinoseb• Sea Born Plus and Sea Born Plus F

Mineral Nutrrient Sources• Bayfloan• Hybortite• Plen-T-4• Shur-Gro

Soil Connditioners• Fertilaid• Leonardite• Wonderlife• Humate

WettingAgents• Basic H• Saturall• Sol-Ez• Trazco

Othher• Extend• Promesol• SRC-101• Enagizer

Research Comparing Soil Amendmentsto Commercial Fertilizer

Murdock, Rieck and Cuurtsinger, University ofKentucky, mid to late 1970orn Grown on a Tilsit it Silt Loamm, West KYMaterial AppliedAgriserum 1Medina Water 1Super Natent 1RateNaChurs 9gal/A 29.8Fertilizer in row 9-119-9/A9/A 44.4Fertilizer broadcast 120-1No FertilizerAverage Yield(bu/A)pt/bu 37.2gal/A 31.11gal/A 29.530-104/A119.10 36.2

Lilly, North Carolina, 1978orn Yield for the Soil Additives and SpecialtyProducts Field TestsTreatmentCheck, no NAgra-Life70 lb/A N (30 + 40)110 lb/A N (30 + 80)150 lb/A (30 + 120)Agra-Life + 70 lb/A N (30 + 40)Genesis II, No NAgriblend + 150 lb/A N (30 + 120)Extend + 110 lb/A N (30 + 80)LSD .05Extend + 150 lb/A N (30+120)9.2Corn Yield (bu/A)43.240.585.399.095.089.551.294.187.897.0

Effects of Huumic Acid onTifton 85 Bermmudagrass YieldYield (bu/A)Treatment 20003 2004 2005Fertilizer only 4.164.50 4.78+ 0.5 gal/a HA 4.184.26 4.95+ 1.0 gal/a HA 3983.984.18 4.73+ 2.0 gal/a HA 4.21 4.39 4.95+ 3.0 gal/a HA 4134.134.22 4.89P > F 0.3447 0.837 0.629LSD NSNS NS

Effects of Huumic Acid onTifton 85 Bermmudagrass YieldYield (bu/A)Treatment 20003 2004 2005Fertilizer only 4.164.50 4.78+ 0.5 gal/a HA Not Dif+ 1.0 gal/a HA Not Dif+ 2.0 gal/a HA Not Dif+ 3.0 gal/a HA Not DifP > F 0.3447 0.837 0.629LSD NSNS NSfferent Not Different Not Differentfferent Not Different Not Differentfferent Not Different Not Differentfferent Not Different Not Different

Fertilizer Products

FertilizerProductsGrasshopper 30-10-10- $20/acre- Rate: 3.5 bags/7 acres= 0.5 bags/acre= 7.5 lbs N / acre= 25lbsPO2.5 2 5= 2.5 lbs K 2 O12.5 lbs/acre ($20/112.5 = $1.60)

Advantages and Dissadvantages of SoilAmenddments

Advanntages• No advantages were fouund with any of the non-traditional soil amendmeents in this 13 state studyin the 1970’s at recommmended rates of the soilamendments• Many of these productsare still available, someare available with different names

Disadvaantages• No yield increases with the non-traditional soilamendments• Some decreased yields at recommended rates• Texas has no soil amenddment regulations as moststates do

Traditional Soiil Amendments• Manures and biosolids• Gypsum- Good source of calcium and sulfur- Does not change the pH of the soil• Agricultural Limestone- Good source of calcium liand sometimes magnesium- Increases the pH of the sooil

Soil Testing: It’sWorth the EffortRoutine Soil Testing:* 1-3 year interval* Micro’s every other timeSampling Methods:*Composite samples* 12-15 15 cores per field* Mix and ship immediately.

Proceddure forTaking Sooil SamplesField1X

Proceddure forTaking Sooil Samples• Take 10-20 cores for each maanagement area.FeedingareaXXXXXField1XXXXXXXLow area, drainageSandPocket

Proceddure forTaking Sooil SamplesClayField 1SandXXXXXXXXXXXX

Recommeendations1. Soil test every 1 to 3 years onirrigated and 3 to 5 years ondryland2. Apply nutrients as close to whhen the crop needs it as possible3. Split apply N and K with all of P at first application4. Choose source of nutrients thaat is most economical for you5. Sources of organic nutrients shhould be applied 1 to 3 monthsprior to planting and should be inncorporated to reduce potential forrunoff and N volatilization6. If P is stratified, use tillage to mix soil at least 6 inches

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Effects ofN Rate onYield of Tifton 85BBermudagrassN rate(lbs./A/cutting) Tons/Acre2001 2002 200350 474.71d315c3.15 3.07 307c75 6.14 c 5.18 b 4.03 b100 6.78 b 6.32 a 4.15 ab125 7.43a 6.47 a 4.49 a150 - - -- 4.53 a

Effect of P Rate onYield of Improveed dBBermudagrassP rateYield (T/A)(lbs. P 2 O 5 /A)Tif 85Coastal0 7..29 c 3713.7160 7.93 b 4.0090 8..77 a 3.97120 8..16 b 4.01Rec. 90 80* Rec = Mehlich h 3 soil test recommendation