KNOW YOUR SOIL
PHYSICAL | CHEMICAL | BIOLOGICAL
For the past 50+ years, the focus in modern agriculture has been on the chemical use of fertilizers, herbicides, and fungicides. To optimize land use, and to withstand the effects of changing weather (such as drought or heavy, excess rains), growers must give more attention to the physical and biological properties of their soil.
CHEMICAL
Fertilizer inputs have advanced; however, inputs vs. returns aren’t gaining the yields they once did, and crop protection products are a requirement now more than ever before.
In general fertilizer usage, efficiencies are approximately:
Nitrogen
Phosphorous
Potassium
PHYSICAL
Ideal soil composition should be approximately 45% inorganic mineral, 5% organic matter, 25% water, and 25% air.
Compacted soils lead to a host of issues, such as poor rooting, impaired biology and plant growth, less water infiltration, ponding, low oxygen, disease, poor nutrient uptake, and inhibited fertilizer efficiency.
Soil compaction can cause up to 10-50% yield loss. Poor soil conditions will exacerbate the effects of weather. Improving your soil health can minimize the damage done by unfavourable conditions.
BIOLOGICAL
Soil biological processes are responsible for supplying approximately:
plant-available nitrogen
available phosphorus