silsisoil scie ence for master gardeners · soil strsoil str • soil particles are grou • agggg...

S il S iS il S iSoil ScieSoil ScieMaster GaMaster Ga

Presented by:Presented by:Agent, Agriculture &

The University of ArizonaThe University of Arizona

Adapted from: Dr James WaAdapted from: Dr. James WaExtension So

ffence for ence for ardenersardeners

: Jeff Schalau: Jeff Schalau& Natural Resourcesa Cooperative Extensiona Cooperative Extension

alworth Arizona Cooperativealworth, Arizona Cooperative oil Specialist

Soil InformatSoil Informattion Sourcestion Sources

Soil ComSoil ComSoil ComSoil Com

• Mineral Particles– sand

ilt– silt– clay

• Open Spaces (pores)• Open Spaces (pores)– air– water

• Organic Materials– carbon-based

mponentsmponentsmponentsmponents

Composition ofComposition ofComposition of Composition of

AirOrgani

2Air25%

2

Pores can be ffilled with either air or water

Water25%

water

Soil by VolumeSoil by VolumeSoil by VolumeSoil by Volume

c Matter2%

Mineral Particles

2%

Particles48%

Parent MParent M

• Residual– rock weathered in placep– organic deposits at soil s

• TransportedTransported– gravity: colluvial– water: alluvial, marine, la, ,– wind: eolian (loess)– ice: glacialg

MaterialsMaterials

surface

acustrine

Factors of SoFactors of So

• Parent materials (geolog• Climate (especially rainfal• Climate (especially rainfal• Biota (living organisms - ve

i l h banimals, human b• Topography (configuratio• Time parent materials are

processes

oil Formationoil Formation

ical or organic soil precursors)l and temperature)l and temperature)egetation, microbes, soil

b i )beings)n of soil surface)subjected to soil formation

WeathWeath

• Physical weathering (d• Physical weathering (d– heating/cooling

water ice wind abrasio– water, ice, wind abrasio– plants and animals

• Chemical weathering (• Chemical weathering (– hydrolysis (splitting by

hydration (combining w– hydration (combining w– acid weathering– oxidation– oxidation

heringheringgg

disintegration)disintegration)

onon

(chemical alteration)(chemical alteration)water)

with water)with water)

Soil FormatSoil FormatEnvironEnviron

Water transportsclay particlesclay particles,organic matter,salts

ion in Moist ion in Moist nmentsnments

W tWater

W tWater,Salts

Soil FormatSoil FormatEnvironEnviron

Water transportsWater transports salts

tion in Arid tion in Arid nmentsnments

Water

Water,Salts

Soil HoSoil Ho

Soils develop horizontalhorizontal layers, or horizons ashorizons, as materials move through thethrough the soil profile

orizonsorizons

Soil HoSoil Ho• A horizon

dark layer high in orga– dark layer, high in orga• E horizon

– layer of leachinglayer of leaching– depletion of organic m

oxides• B horizon

– zone of accumulationi h t f i– enrichment of organic

oxides• C horizonC horizon

– parent material

orizonsorizons

anic matteranic matter

matter, clays, iron & aluminum

tt l i & l imatter, clays, iron & aluminum

Soil HoSoil HoA

E

BB

C

orizonsorizons

Arid SoilArid SoilArid Soil Arid Soil

Sodichlor

Calcicarbo(Calic

HorizonsHorizonsHorizonsHorizons

ium ride

ium onate che)

Soil PhysicaSoil Physica

• Color• Texture• Structure• Drainage• Depth• Depth• Surface features

al Propertiesal Properties

Soil CSoil CSoil CSoil C• Organic matter:• Organic matter:

– dark brown HighD i diti• Drainage conditions a(weathering):– red-brown Goo– yellow Mod– gray Poo

ColorColorColorColor

h organic matter contentd d f id tind degree of oxidation

od drainagederate drainager drainage

Soil CSoil CColorColor

Soil CSoil C

Organic soil Youn

ColorColor

ng soil Highly weatheredsoil

Mineral PMineral PMineral PMineral P

• Mineral ParticlesMineral Particles– sand– silt– clay

• Pore Spaces 2

• Organic Matter

ParticlesParticlesParticlesParticles

MineralAir25%

Organic Matter2%

Mineral Particles

48%

%

Water25%

Soil TeSoil TeSoil TeSoil Te

• Soil texture is determinsand, silt, and clay– excludes

• organic matterl ti l (l• large particles (large

• Size of mineral particled 2 t 0 05– sand 2 to 0.05 mm

– silt 0.05 to 0.002 mm– clay less than 0 002 m– clay less than 0.002 m

extureextureextureexture

ned by the amount of

th 2 )r than 2 mm)es

mmmmm

Relative Size oRelative Size oRelative Size oRelative Size o

Silt 0.05 to 0.

Sand 2.0 to 0.05 mm

(1 inch = 25 4 mm(1 inch = 25.4 mm

of Soil Particlesof Soil Particlesof Soil Particlesof Soil Particles

Clay less than 0.002 mm

.002 mm

))

Structure of CStructure of CClay ParticlesClay Particlesyy

Structure of CStructure of CStructure of CStructure of C

Montmorillonite

water and charged molecu

Clay ParticlesClay ParticlesClay ParticlesClay Particles

Kaolinite

MiMicaules

Specific SuSpecific Su

Area per weight (squ

• 1 gram sand~ 0.1 sq• 1 gram silt ~ 1 squ1 gram silt 1 squ• 1 gram clay ~ 10 to

urface Areaurface Area

are meters per gram)

quare meterare meterare meter1,000 square meters

Particle SurfaceParticle SurfaceParticle SurfaceParticle Surface

• Coated with water• Electrically chargedy g• Sites for microbial gro• Sites of chemical reacSites of chemical reac

– weathering– adsorption of chemicaadsorption of chemica– retention of nutrients– soil aggregate formatioso agg ega e o a o

es are Importantes are Importantes are Importantes are Important

owthctionsctions

alsals

ono

Clay Particles haveClay Particles haveClay Particles haveClay Particles have

• Most clay particles are n• Ions (charged moleculesIons (charged molecules

– cations are positively cha– anions are negatively chaanions are negatively cha

• Cations are attracted to these cations are loosely– these cations are loosely

– this process is called cati

e Electrical Chargee Electrical Chargee Electrical Chargee Electrical Charge

negatively chargeds)s)arged ionsarged ionsarged ionsnegatively charged claysheld or exchangeableheld or exchangeableon exchange

Cation ExCation ExCation ExCation Ex

Cation

xchangexchangexchangexchange

Clayparticle

C ti EC ti ECation ExCation Ex

• Exchangeable soil cation– calcium magnesium potcalcium, magnesium, pot– hydrogen, aluminum in ac

• Exchangeable cations caExchangeable cations ca• Exchangeable cations a

microbes etcmicrobes, etc.• The amount of exchange

Cation Exchange CapCation Exchange Cap

hhxchangexchange

ns includetassium ammonium sodiumtassium, ammonium, sodiumcid soilsan replace one anotheran replace one anotherre available to plants,

e in a soil is called the pacity (CEC)pacity (CEC)

ClayClay

Sandy Sandy clayclay

Clay loClay lo

LoamLoam

SandySandyclay loamclay loam

Sandy Sandy loamloam

SandSandLoamy Loamy

sandsand

PercentPercent

yy

SiltySiltyclayclaySilty claySilty clayoamoam

mmSilt loamSilt loam

Silty clay Silty clay loamloam

Silt loamSilt loam

SiltSilt

t sandt sand

Soil StrSoil StrSoil StrSoil Str

• Soil particles are grou• Aggregatesgg g

– vary in size, shape, an– are promoted by p y

• organic matter• calcium and other ‘floc

– can be destroyed by til– allow movement of air,

ructureructureructureructure

ped in aggregates

d strength

cculating’ cationsllage and traffic water, roots

Soil AggSoil Agg

Single Grain

Indi

gregatesgregates

vidual grains not held togetherg g- common in sands

Soil AggSoil Agg

Granular

P l h ld t tPorous granules held toget- common in A horizo

gregatesgregates

th b i tt d lther by organic matter and clayons

Soil AggSoil Agg

Platy

Flat aggregatesFlat aggregates - found in compac

gregatesgregates

cted layers and E horizons

Soil AggSoil Agg

Blocky

RoughlyRoughly - fo

gregatesgregates

equidimensional aggregatesequidimensional aggregatesound in clayey B horizons

Soil AggSoil AggSoil AggSoil Agg

Columnarandand

Prismatic

VerticaVertica-

gregatesgregatesgregatesgregates

al aggregatesal aggregates- found in some B horizons

Soil PSoil P

• Mineral Particles• Pore Spaces

– water– air

• Organic Matter

PoresPores

AiOrganic Matter

Mineral Particles

48%

Air25%

2%

48%

Water25%

Soil WSoil W

Water is attracted to particle sWater is attracted to particle s

Dry soil

Oven-dry Air-dry F

WaterWater

surfacessurfaces

Wet soil

Field capacity Draining

A il blA il blAvailable Available

Water is held too tightly for

Availablfor pla

plants

Wilting pointDried Wilting point (plants die)

Dried soil

S il W tS il W tSoil WaterSoil Water

WaterWater drains from

soil

le Waterant use soil

Field SaturatedField capacity

Saturatedsoil

Soil WSoil WSoil WSoil Ww

ater

Soil

w

Sand Sandy Loam Sloam lo

WaterWaterWaterWater

Field capacitycapacity

Wiltingpoint

Silt Clay Clayoam loam

OrganicOrganicgg

Mi l P i l• Mineral Particles• Pore Spaces• Organic MatterOrganic Matter

– biological remains – less than1% to over 20%

• most AZ soils have < 2%– energy-rich material– broken down by organism

• humus (improves structure • soluble nutrients• soluble nutrients

c Matterc Matter

Organic Matter

Mineral Particles

Air25%

Organic Matter2%

Particles48%

WaterWater25%

s to formand water-holding capacity)

Organic MOrganic MOrganic MOrganic M

• Soil structure– aggregate formation prom– OM increases water infiltr

• OM increases cation exc• OM can increase microb• Nutrients

– OM provides a nutrient so– OM helps keep some nutr

• OM can retain pesticides

atter (OM)atter (OM)atter (OM)atter (OM)

moted by OMration & water holding capacitychange capacityial activity

ourcerients availables

Organic MatOrganic Mat

slow plant growth

Loworganic

rapid decompositioorganicmatter

soilsrapid decom

well drainso s well-drain

rapid decompositi

tter Contenttter Content

h in arid climate

Highorganic

on in warm soilsorganicmatter

soilsposition ined soilsed soils

ion in tilled soils

Aerobic RAerobic RAerobic RAerobic RSoil micro

Oxygen (gas)

Soil micro

Oxygen (gas)

C6H12O6 + 6 O2 →

Organic material

espirationespirationespirationespirationobes

Carbon dioxide (gas)

obes

Carbon dioxide (gas)

6 H2O + 6 CO2

Water

Organic MateOrganic Mate

• Organic materials are microbes– carbon (C) in organics

energyit i l i– nitrogen is also require• about 1/10 as much N as• C:N ratio of 10:1C:N ratio of 10:1

• Organics with C:N rati10:1 require additiona10:1 require additiona

erials in Soilerials in Soil

decomposed by soil

used for substrate and

deds C is needed

os greater than about l Nl N

C:N of Some OrC:N of Some OrC:N of Some OrC:N of Some Or

MaterialVegetable wastesG li iGrass clippingsCow manureHorse manureHorse manureLeavesStrawBarkPaperW d hi & d tWood chips & sawdust

rganic Materialsrganic Materialsrganic Materialsrganic Materials

C:N ratio12:1 to 20:112 1 2 112:1 to 25:1

20:125:125:1

30:1 to 80:1 40:1 to 100:1

100:1 to 130:1150:1 to 200:1100 1 t 500 1100:1 to 500:1

Managing OrganManaging OrganManaging OrganManaging Organ

• High C:N ratio organicHigh C:N ratio organic– add adequate N during– compostcompost

• to reduce C:N ratio• to eliminate weed seeds

• Low C:N ratio organics– add directly to soil– watch for “burning” by

• High O2 consumption– anaerobic conditions in

nic Amendmentsnic Amendmentsnic Amendmentsnic Amendments

cscsg soil application

s

s

high N organics

n poorly aerated soils

Plant NuPlant Nu

What’s in a plant?

• Carbon (C) 45% • Nit

What s in a plant?

• Hydrogen (H) 6%• Oxygen (O) 43%

• Ph• Po• Ca• Ma• Su

Th ll d MThese are called Macronuneed relatively large amo

utrientsutrients

trogen (N) 1 to 6%hosphorus (P) 0.1 to 1%otassium (K) 1 to 6%alcium (Ca) 0.1 to 4%agnesium (Mg) 0.1 to 2%ulfur (S) 0.1 to 1.5%

t i t b l tutrients because plants unts of them

Plant NuPlant Nu

Micronutrients (measured in

• Iron (Fe)

Micronutrients (measured in

• Manganese (Mn) • Molybdenum (Mo) • Chlorine (Cl)• Copper (Cu)• Boron (B)• Zinc (Zn)( )• Nickel (Ni)

utrientsutrients

parts per million or ppm)

10 to 1000

parts per million or ppm)

10 to 10000.1 to 10100 to 30,000

2 to 50 2 to 75

10 to 1000.1 to 1

Sources of PSources of P

HH O

N SN

CMgMn K

CaP BZn Mo

lant Nutrientslant Nutrients

NOC

SFe

CuNi Cl

Primary NPrimary N

• The three nutrients thagrowthgrowth– nitrogen (N)

phosphorus (P)– phosphorus (P)– potassium (K)

NutrientsNutrients

at most often limit plant

NitrogenNitrogengg

• Nitrogen deficiencyNitrogen deficiency symptoms

– yelloleaf– leaf sta

stun– stun

ow or reddish leavesf tips & margins yellow and dief tips & margins yellow and die arting with oldest leavesnted plantsnted plants

PhospPhosp

• Phosphorus deficiency sPhosphorus deficiency s– purplish foliage - oldest le– slow growth, stunted planslow growth, stunted plan– dark green coloration– delayed maturityy y

phorusphorus

symptomssymptomseaves firstntsnts

PotassiumPotassium

• Potassium deficiencyPotassium deficiency symptoms

l f t– leaf tleaveplant– plant

– small– slow

ti d i ‘b ’ ld ttips and margins ‘burn’ - oldest es firstts have weak stalksts have weak stalksl fruit or shriveled seeds

thgrowth

AcidAcidAcidAcid

OH

OH

ditydityditydity

H+ (Acid)H+ (Acid)

OH- (Base)OH (Base)

The pHThe pHEach pH unit is 10 times

than the

Range of Acidity

Neut

0 2 4 6

Plant G

H scaleH scales more acid or alkaline next unit

Range of Alkalinity

tral

8 10 12 14

Growth

SoilSoilSoilSoil

Optimum for mo

0 2 4 60 2 4 6

Most A

l pHl pHl pHl pH

ost plants

8 10 12 148 10 12 14

rizona soils

SoilSoil

• Alters nutrient avai• Affects microbial ac

Can affect disease– Can affect disease

l pHl pH

labilityyctivitysusceptibilitysusceptibility

Alkalinity inAlkalinity inAlkalinity inAlkalinity in

calci mcalcium magnesium sodium

carbonbicarbo

Ca++

sodium

Mg++

Ca

HCO

CO3

Na+

H O

HCO

H2OH2O

n Arid Soilsn Arid Soilsn Arid Soilsn Arid Soils

natesonates

move up with water and accumulateaccumulate

H OH2O

O3

=

H2OO3-

H2O H2O

Alkalinity inAlkalinity inyy

HCO

Ca++

HCO3-

Ca

HCO3- + H2O

Calcium bicarbonate

n Arid Soilsn Arid Soils

CO22

H2OCO2

OH-Ca++ OH

( d t l OH-(moderatelystrong base)

OH

High pH (High pH (##8.3)8.3)

Alkalinity inAlkalinity inyy

Na+

HCO3- + H2O

Sodium bicarbonateSodium bicarbonate

n Sodic Soilsn Sodic Soils

COCO2H2O

OH-Na+OH

(very strong base)

Very high pH (>8.5)Very high pH (>8.5)

Effects of pH on NEffects of pH on NThe thicker the bar, the m9 09.0

8 08.58.0

7.07.5

pH

6.06.5

pH

5.05.5

4 54.04.5

utrient Availabilityutrient Availabilitymore available the nutrient

9 09.0

8 08.58.0

7.07.5

pH

6.06.5

pH

5.05.5

4 54.04.5

Iron ChIron ChIron deficiency appears on yogrowing in alkaline soils

hlorosishlorosisoungest leaves of plants

Treating SoTreating SoTreating SoTreating So

• Acidify the soil• Acidify the soil1) sulfuric acid 2)

H2SO4

3) aluminum sulfate:Al2(SO4)3 + 6H2O ⌫ 22 4 3 2

• NOTE: gypsum (CaSO• NOTE: gypsum (CaSOcompound and will no

oil Alkalinityoil Alkalinityoil Alkalinityoil Alkalinity

) sulfur (biological reaction)2S + 3O2 + 2H2O ⌫ 2H2SO4

2Al(OH)3 + 3H2SO43 2 4

O ) is NOT an acidifyingO4) is NOT an acidifying ot lower pH of most soils!

Fertilizing AFertilizing AFertilizing AFertilizing A

• Apply nutrients to high• Metal nutrients are insMetal nutrients are ins

– iron, manganese, zinc• Use chelated forms• Use chelated forms

– more soluble than uncht i l ti l– stay in solution longer

– more available to plant

lkaline Soilslkaline Soilslkaline Soilslkaline Soils

h pH soilssoluble in alkaline soilssoluble in alkaline soils

helated forms

ts

ChelChelChelChel

CO

CO CO

COCH2

NO CH

CO CH2

FeNO CH2

CH2

CO CH2

CHOCO

CH2

atesatesatesates

Chelated IronFe -EDTA

Treating Plants iTreating Plants iTreating Plants iTreating Plants i

• Apply nutrients directly• Apply nutrients directly– Iron, Copper, Zinc

• use sulfate salts• use sulfate salts– iron sulfate– copper sulfatepp– zinc sulfate

• use chelated forms– EDTA– DTPA

others– others

in Alkaline Soilsin Alkaline Soilsin Alkaline Soilsin Alkaline Soils

y to plant foliagey to plant foliage

Salts anSalts anSalts anSalts annd Soilnd Soilnd Soilnd Soil

SaltSalt--AffecAffecSaltSalt AffecAffec

• Salt-affected soils– Occur naturally in aridOccur naturally in arid – Can be formed by add

cted Soilscted Soilscted Soilscted Soils

climatesclimatesition of salts in irrigation water

Water TransWater TransWater TransWater Transsports Saltssports Saltssports Saltssports Salts

SaltSalt--AffecAffecSaltSalt--AffecAffec

Saline - excess saltsgood structuremoderate pH

Salineexcessexces

good sthigh

cted Soilscted Soilscted Soilscted Soils

Sodic - excess Napoor structurehigh pH (>8.5)

e-sodics saltsss Natructureh pH

Salts Affect SSalts Affect SA little sodium makes par

- - ---- -- -Na+

A lot of sodiumNa+

- - --- Na+ Na+ -Na+

A lot of sodium

- -- - - - --- -- -Na+Na+

Na+Na+

make particles attr

Soil StructureSoil Structurerticles repel one another.

Na+- - ---- -- -- -

or a little calcium

Ca++Ca++

or a little calcium

- - ---- -- -- - ---- -- -

ract one another.

Salts Affect SSalts Affect SSalts Affect SSalts Affect S50)

40

50

Unstab(SA

R)

20

30Unstabsoil

leve

l (

10

20

dium

l

00.5 1.0

Sod

Electrical c

Soil StructureSoil StructureSoil StructureSoil Structure

bleble

St blStablesoil

0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0conductivity (dS/m)

Tests for STests for STests for STests for S

• Measuring total soil saltsEC electrical conductivityEC - electrical conductivity

• Measures of the amount SAR - sodium adsorption r

ESP - exchangeable sodiuESP exchangeable sodiu

Soil SaltsSoil SaltsSoil SaltsSoil Salts

yy

of sodiumratio

um percentageum percentage

Cl if i S ltCl if i S ltClassifying SaltClassifying Salt

Measurement Normal SaMeasurement Normal Sa

EC (dS/m) <4

ESP <15 <

SAR <13 <SAR <13 <

tt Aff t d S ilAff t d S iltt--Affected SoilsAffected Soils

aline Sodic Saline-Sodicaline Sodic Saline-Sodic

>4 <4 >4

<15 >15 >15

<13 >13 >13<13 >13 >13

Electrical ConElectrical ConElectrical ConElectrical Con

EC (dS/m) Plant respo0 to 2 mostly neg0 to 2 mostly neg2 to 4 growth of s

restrictedrestricted4 to 8 growth of m8 to 16 only toleranabove 16 only a fewabove 16 only a few,

satisfactoril

nductivity (EC)nductivity (EC)nductivity (EC)nductivity (EC)

onseligibleligibleensitive plants may be

many plants is restrictednt plants grow satisfactorilyvery tolerant plants growvery tolerant plants growly

SaltSalt--AffecAffecSaltSalt AffecAffec

• Plant age affects toler– Seedlings are most seSeedlings are most se– Mature plants are leas

• Different plant parts m• Different plant parts m– Seeds

Vegetation– Vegetation• Plant species vary in

cted Soilscted Soilscted Soilscted Soils

rance to saltsensitiveensitivest sensitivemay be variably affectedmay be variably affected

salt tolerance

Managing NonManaging Non--SSManaging NonManaging Non SSH

SO4=

HK+

K+4

Cl-H

Sodic Saline SoilsSodic Saline SoilsSodic Saline SoilsSodic Saline SoilsH2O

H OCl-Na+

H2ONa+ SO4

=

AvoidinAvoidinAvoidinAvoidinng Saltsng Saltsng Saltsng Salts

SodiumSodiumSodiumSodium--Affected SoilsAffected Soils

P t t•Poor structure•Poor drainage•May have surface

cracking when dryg y• Very high pH (>8.5)

Managing SManaging S

1. Stabilize structure byt l N + ithto replace Na+ with

2. Reduce salt level by f2. Reduce salt level by fwash out Na+ and

*may be very difficult in

Sodic SoilsSodic Soils

adding gypsum (CaSO4) h C 2+h Ca2+

flushing with water toflushing with water to excess gypsum*

n soils with poor structure!

Managing SManaging SManaging SManaging S

Ca++ SO4=

- - --- - -- -

Na+Na+Na+

Na+Na+

Na+Na+ Na+

Na+

Sodic SoilsSodic SoilsSodic SoilsSodic Soils

- - --- - -- -

Ca++ Ca++

Ca++

Ca++Ca++

Na+

Na+ Na+

Na+

K+

Na+

FertilFertilFertilFertil• Label must contain perceLabel must contain perce

– total nitrogen (N) available phosphate (as P– available phosphate (as P• P2O5 times 0.43 = P

soluble potash (as K O )– soluble potash (as K2O )• K2O times 0.83 = K

Oth t i t b• Other nutrients may be s

izersizersizersizersent (by weight) ofent (by weight) of

P O )P2O5 )

ifi dspecified

Types ofTypes ofTypes of Types of • CompleteComplete

– contains all three primanutrients (N P and K)nutrients (N, P and K)

• Incomplete is missing at least one o– is missing at least one oprimary nutrients

FertilizerFertilizerFertilizerFertilizer

ary 8-32-16

of theof the

0-45-0

Common incomCommon incomCommon incomCommon incom

F tiliFertilizerAmmonium nitrateA i lf tAmmonium sulfateAmmonium phosphate suMono ammoni m phosphMono-ammonium phosphSingle superphosphateTriple superphosphateTriple superphosphateUreaUrea formaldehydeUrea formaldehydeMuriate of potash

mplete fertilizersmplete fertilizersmplete fertilizersmplete fertilizers

N P O K ON P2O5 K2O34 0 021 0 021 0 0

lfate 16 20 0ate 11 48 0ate 11 48 0

0 20 00 45 00 45 046 0 038 0 038 0 00 0 60

SlowSlow--releasreleasSlowSlow releasreleas

• Release nutrients (usuperiod of time– slowly soluble material

• urea formaldehyde– granules coated with re

• sulfur-coated ureaO t ®• Osmocote®

– materials that must dec• organic fertilizers• organic fertilizers

se fertilizersse fertilizersse fertilizersse fertilizers

ually nitrogen) over a long

ls

esins or sulfur

compose to release nutrients

Organic fOrganic f• Remains or by-produc

– cottonseed meal– blood meal

fi h l– fish meal– manures

R l ti l l t i t• Relatively low nutrient• Contain micronutrients• Slow release• Low burn potential• Condition soil by addin

fertilizersfertilizerscts of plants or animals

t t contentss

ng organic matter

Typical composTypical composfertilifertili

% Mo

Chicken 3Chicken 3Cattle 8Hog 7Hog 7Horse 6Sheep 6Sheep 6Municipal solidwaste compost 4waste compost 4Sewage sludge 8

sition of organic sition of organic izersizers

N P KN P Koisture (% of dry weight)

5 4 4 2 1 2 65 4.4 2.1 2.60 1.9 0.7 2.02 2 1 0 8 1 22 2.1 0.8 1.23 1.4 0.4 1.08 3 5 0 6 1 08 3.5 0.6 1.0

0 1.2 0.3 0.40 1.2 0.3 0.40 4.5 2.0 0.3

Fertilizer foFertilizer fo

• Fertilizers can be com– common in turf formulacommon in turf formula

• Fertilizersgranular solids– granular solids

– slow-release granulesliquids/water soluble po– liquids/water soluble po

– slow-release spikes/tab

ormulationsormulations

mbined with herbicidesationsations

owdersowdersblets

FertilizersFertilizers

Material N

Ammonium nitrateAmmonium sulfateAmmonium sulfatePotassium nitrateUrea formaldehydeyUreaSingle superphosphate 20Potassium chloride 6Potassium sulfate 5E lt 1Epsom salts 1

s are saltss are saltsNutrient

levelRelativesaltinesslevel saltiness

33% N 1.4921% N 1 6321% N 1.6314% N 2.6738% N 0.4145% N 0.800% P2O5 0.21

60% K2O 0.8750% K2O 0.4316% M 1 3816% Mg 1.38

Avoiding feAvoiding feAvoiding feAvoiding fe

• Do not over-apply ferti– particularly nitrogen fer

• Make sure adequate mapplying fertilizer

• Periodically flush solub– make sure adequate dq– irrigate 2 to 3 times as

8 weeks to flush salts f

rtilizer burnrtilizer burnrtilizer burnrtilizer burn

ilizersrtilizersmoisture is present after

ble salts from soilrainage is availableglong as normal every 6 to

from soil

Soil TeSoil TeSoil TeSoil Te

Available nutrients– Phosphorus

Soil p– Te

– Potassium– Calcium

– pH– Ca

– Magnesium– Nitrogen

– Ele– So

– Sulfur– Micronutrients

Ex(ES

estingestingestingesting

propertiesextureHation Exchange Capacity (CEC)ectrical Conductivity (EC)odium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) orxchangeable Sodium Percentage SP)

Soil SaSoil SaSoil SaSoil Sa

• Obtaining a representacritical step in soil anap– A 1 cup sample from a

1/100,000 of the field!• A good soil sample

– made up of 15 to 25 comade up of 15 to 25 co– never take less than 5

mplingmplingmplingmpling

ative sample is the alysisya 1,000 square foot field is

ores or subsamplesores or subsamplessubsamples

Soil SaSoil SaSoil SaSoil Sa

• Divide fields into uniform areas for sampling– soil typesoil type– slope– degree of erosiondegree of erosion– cropping/use

historyhistory– growth differences

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Upper end

Middle

Lower endLower end

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• Sample to the proper dep– usually eight inchesusually eight inches

• Make sure soil cores repmix individual cores thoro– mix individual cores thoro

• Time of samplingd d l fi l– depends on analyses, fiel

• Sampling tools– soil probe or sampling tub

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resent sampled areaoughly to make sampleoughly to make sample

d ti td operations, etc.

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