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 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.
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 wide range of nutrients in the soils is usually affected by its pH. Plants easily absorb the available nutrients when they are soluble. This means that the pH must be retained at the correct level in order to allow maximum absorption. Failure to observe this would mean that plants cannot the nutrients due to unsuitable pH level despite the land being suitably 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.
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 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.
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 wide range of nutrients in the soils is usually affected by its pH. Plants easily absorb the available nutrients when they are soluble. This means that the pH must be retained at the correct level in order to allow maximum absorption. Failure to observe this would mean that plants cannot the nutrients due to unsuitable pH level despite the land being suitably 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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