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Maximum Yield
on Marginal Ground |
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This document is available as a
PDF (portable document file) -
Click Here |
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Changing market opportunities here at home and rising market
expectations around the world are forcing U.S. farmers to
consider all possible avenues toward being more productive.
In
that vein, outside of all the latest seed, equipment and other
technologies designed and proven to maximize yield, growers are
pushing onto ground that is, at best, marginally suitable for
row crop production.
Understandably, trying to leverage these fields for all they can
offer, farmers are inclined to use an intensive application of
fertilizers, herbicides and other such crop inputs.
Those who are more successful are those who farm with respect
for the most fundamental building block of any soil fertility
program. |
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It All Starts
With Proper Soil pH |
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Seed
companies continue to develop corn hybrids, bean varieties and
other crops specially bred to maintain agronomic characteristics
that perform remarkably well on marginal ground.
However, proper management of these crops is as critical as ever
to optimize their value. In the case of soil fertility, long
before determining the brands and application rates of
fertilizers and other chemicals, farmers must first look at
their field pH levels.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, optimizing the
effectiveness of these inputs requires a soil pH in the midrange
of around 6.0.
What
many farmers don't know is that, over time, soils tend to move
into acidity as a result of crop removal of nutrients, leaching,
natural decomposition of organic residues and the application of
fertilizers.
When
soils drop below 6.0, the acidity sabotages the efficacy of
plant nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorous and molybdenum.
Furthermore, acidic soils often impede the effectiveness of
herbicides, as most herbicides are formulated to work in a
specific pH range.
On
paper, this is all a dramatic investment waste. |
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A
Proven Solution |
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Knowing the impact soil acidity can have on fertility and yield,
growers are encouraged to collect and submit soil samples for pH
testing at least every three years and, perhaps, more
frequently, depending on fertilizer usage. |
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Soil Testing |
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If
testing shows ph levels have dropped too low, the solution is to
neutralize the acidity with aglime. Proper ph values can:
• Increase
the efficiency of applied fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorous
and potassium.
• Reduce the
availability of potentially toxic soil components, such as
aluminum and manganese.
• Increase
the activity of soil microbes that break down organic
matter.
• Improve the
nitrogen fixation in legume crops like soybeans, alfalfa and
peanuts.
• Provide
calcium and magnesium for crop growth.
• Improve the
physical condition of the soil.
It's
also important to apply the right grade and amount of aglime,
especially on the types of marginal ground discussed here, as
they are likely to be characterized by a soil type in the
extreme.
One
factor in particular that brings to bare on the amount of aglime
needed is soil texture. For example, a lighter sandy soil at the
same pH as a denser clay soil will require less aglime.
Other factors
relate to the aglime itself, as its characteristics can vary
from source to source. Aglime materials are rated in
effectiveness as a liming agent by its neutralizing value, or
calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE). The CCE can vary
dramatically from a sufficient 50 percent to a much higher and
more useful grade of 90 or 95 percent.
Lastly, another important factor in aglime quality is fineness
of grind. Smaller particles dissolve and neutralize soil acidity
more quickly. This combines with the calcium carbonate
equivalent to determine the purity of the aglime. Effective
calcium carbonate equivalent—the overall quality ranking of an
aglime product.
Many states have aglime councils and/or associations that can
also provide additional information. These state councils are
typically not-for-profit organizations comprised of
participating aglime producers dedicated to providing growers
with the highest quality aglime products. Most aglime councils
publish application guidelines, research findings and other
facts to help growers achieve and maintain proper soil pH. |
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