 Calcium  Magnesium  Sulfur

 Helps translocation of carbohydrates  Essential to healthy cell walls  Aids in development of root structures  Calcium is active element in lime and gypsum which are used to treat saline and/or alkali soils.

 Growing point of plant (terminal bud) dies under severe deficiency  Margins of leaves (usually younger ones) have a scalloped appearance, remaining foliage is abnormally dark green  Plant shedding blossoms and buds prematurely  Stem structure weekend

 Essential ingredient of chlorophyll  Deficiency Symptoms:  Leaves are abnormally thin and brittle  Curve upward  With acute deficiency leaves may dry up and die  On trees twigs are weak, subject to fungus infection, drop leaves prematurely  Leaves loose their color at the tips and between veins  Starts with lower leaves and moves upwards

 Component of cystine, a constituent of protein  Aids in the synthesis of oils  Deficiency symptoms:  Lower leaves yellowish green  Stems are small in diameter and hard and woody  Although roots are well developed, they are also small in diameter

 Breaks compaction from tillage, wheel traffic, or animals  Aids in water penetration of soil profile  Eliminates impermeable layers in soils  Should be done when soil is dry for “shattering” effect  Generally 24”-36” deep

 Breaks large clods from subsoiler  Incorporates residue and eliminates weed growth  Commonly 6” in depth

 Important to incorporate phosphorus and potassium at this stage  Nitrogen assists in breakdown of heavy crop residue  Apply soil amendments based on soil tests so soil can sustain a healthy crop from the start

 Incorporates all organic matter and residue on surface  180 degree inversion of soil  Generally 10-12” in depth  Aerates the soil  Can provide weed and disease control  Incorporates fertilizer and soil amendments deeply  Can be accomplished on moist or dry soil, but not wet!

 Typically with a cultipacker or spiketooth harrow hooked behind the disk  Breaks down large clods from plowing  Begins firming process of seedbed  Kills weeds and vegetative growth  Generally 6” depth

 Cuts off high spots and fills depressions  Smoothes but does not level  Should be done with dry, residue free soil surface

 Borders are installed for flood irrigation to guide/control even flow of water across field  Generally 18-24” in height (factor 1/3 shrinkage)  Length and width of borders depends on:  Equipment width  Soil type  Water supply

 Accomplished via flood or sprinkler irrigation  Addition of water through effective rooting depth of crop  Germination of weeds and volunteer  Testing of leveling operations  Prepares moist firm seedbed  Once weeds have germinated and soil is dry enough to safely enter field with equipment (7 or more days), field is disked again and then planted