FERTILIZERS AG-GH/PS-7

What is the importance of proper fertilization of plants?

How are plants fertilized? Soil Air Leaching Chemical Reactions

How are fertilizers broken down in the soil?

How do plants take up nutrients after they have been broken down in the soil? Absorbed by the root system with moisture

How can some nutrients be leached out of the soil? Leaching – downward pull of materials through the soil by percolating water

How can soil hold nutrients in the soil for long periods of time? Chemical reactions – chemicals are “tied up” and are readily available

Fertilizer

A fertilizer must contain all three of the primary elements Can also contain some of the micronutrients An incomplete fertilizer will be lacking in one or more of these elements

Types of Fertilizers Liquid Granular Gaseous **Liquid and granular are the most commonly used**

Organic Fertilizers Animal manure Plant residue Decaying plants, leaves, bark, fruit, etc. Combination of all composted materials

Animal Manure Manure Type Dry Matter Total N P2O5 K2O lbs./ton Feedlot Manure Broiler Litter lbs./1000gal Lagoon Effluent Lagoon Sludge Dairy Slurry

Compost

Inorganic fertilizers Synthetic nutrient compounds that are derived from mineral salts

Soil Test There are three steps involved in obtaining a soil test: 1) obtain sample bags and instructions, 2) collect composite samples, 3) select the proper test, and complete the information sheet and mail to the Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory

Soil Test Tools used to collect samples Trowel Spade Auger or Tube

Soil Test Sample needs to be at least 6 inches deep For a field up to 40 acres, collect at least 10 to 15 cores or slices of soil In small gardens, 5-6 cores should be collected Samples should be taken to the county extension office

Soil Test

Lime requirement Determines the amount of lime needed to raise the soil pH to a desired level Mainly required when pH is less than 5.2 (very acidic) or less than 6 (acidic) where alfalfa and other legumes are grown.

1. What are three devices that can be used to take a soil sample? a. b. c. 2. What does ph indicate in a soil? 3. For a 50 pound bag of fertilizer, what is the number of pounds of the following? Phosphorous— Potassium--- Nitrogen What is considered as the neutral ph on the ph scale? 5. Above the neutral ph (on the ph scale) is referred to as ____________________ and below the neutral ph is referred to as _________________________. 6. To raise the ph of soil we would add _____________________. 7. What is the ph range that most plants grow best? 8. How many spots should soil be collected from and put into a container to make one soil sample? 9. Where should the soil that we collect as a soil sample be taken so it can be sent to the state soil lab for testing? 10. What does N-P-K written on a bag of fertilizer mean?

Activity Design a fertilizer bag Design must include: Name of fertilizer Application instructions Warning Micro/Macro nutrient composition Organic/Inorganic composition What plants should it be applied to? There should be no “white space” left on the page!