People who use lands to grow crops understand that one of the important aspects is soil fertility. A soil test is a very good way of determining the fertility of land. The aim of the test is measuring the levels of micro and macro-nutrients available in the soil. Micro and macro-nutrients are very essential for the healthy growth of all plants. This is what Southern California Soil Testing is all about.
Usually, the level of pH is determined s part of the test performed. CEC (Cation exchange capacity) is also another factor that is measured. Normally, there should be a high level of CEC in soil for it to be able to exchange cations with plants. The ability of the soil to retain and provide the necessary nutrients to plants is also another aspect that the test measures.
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.
The correct fertilizer and lime quantities can only be added when one has established fertility of the land as mentioned above. It may only be one or a few nutrients that are lacking in the ground in some cases, and not necessarily all nutrients. By testing, one can know which nutrients need to be added and the quantities. Most homeowners apply lime on their lawns annually, believing that this improves its fertility.
However, when the same homeowners decide to perform a soil test, it reveals an entirely different situation. In fact, some homeowner later realize that the application of lime only hurts the soils more instead of making them more fertile. Soils usually have a very delicate balance of nutrients that needs to be maintained. When one over-applies amendments, they may upset this balance and stress the plants.
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.
Usually, the level of pH is determined s part of the test performed. CEC (Cation exchange capacity) is also another factor that is measured. Normally, there should be a high level of CEC in soil for it to be able to exchange cations with plants. The ability of the soil to retain and provide the necessary nutrients to plants is also another aspect that the test measures.
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.
The correct fertilizer and lime quantities can only be added when one has established fertility of the land as mentioned above. It may only be one or a few nutrients that are lacking in the ground in some cases, and not necessarily all nutrients. By testing, one can know which nutrients need to be added and the quantities. Most homeowners apply lime on their lawns annually, believing that this improves its fertility.
However, when the same homeowners decide to perform a soil test, it reveals an entirely different situation. In fact, some homeowner later realize that the application of lime only hurts the soils more instead of making them more fertile. Soils usually have a very delicate balance of nutrients that needs to be maintained. When one over-applies amendments, they may upset this balance and stress the plants.
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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