Soil fertility is a very important aspect for those who use their lands to grow crops. To determine how fertile a piece of land is, it is important to carry out a soil test. The test is meant to measure the amount or level of macro and micro-nutrients in the ground. These nutrients are important for the healthy growth of plants. Here are facts regarding Southern California Soil Testing.
Mostly, the commonly performed test is for the purposes of determining the level of pH or acidity. Another measured aspect is the cation exchange capacity, CEC. A high CEC level means that the soils are good as it shows higher cation exchange between the ground and plants. Furthermore, the test confirms the ability of the soil to provide as well as retain essential nutrients required by plants.
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.
As stated above, it is only after one knows the level of fertility of their land that they can add the right amount of fertilizer and lime. In some cases, not all nutrients are deficient in the soil, but rather, just one or a few nutrients. Therefore, one can know which nutrient needs to be improved and by how much. Many homeowners usually apply lime on their lawns every year because they believe that it is the right thing to do.
However, when homeowners test the soils in their lawns, the results are usually contradictory. To the realization of the homeowner, the lime actually destroys soils rather than improving their fertility. The balance of nutrients in the ground needs to be carefully maintained as it is delicate. The plants may be stressed if one applies more than the required amendments.
The pH of the land usually has a lot of effect on the solubility of various nutrients in the soil. When nutrients are soluble, they are readily available for absorption by plants. As such, the pH must be maintained at the right level for maximum absorption of nutrients. Otherwise, the land could be suitably fertile, but because of the pH level, the nutrients cannot be absorbed by plants.
The suitable pH range of most plants is 6.5 and 7.0. This pH range implies that the soils are either slightly acidic or neutral. But, it is crucial to understand that some varieties of plants need soils that are acidic in order to do well. As such, a person must set the pH level of the soils depending on the variety of plant they intend to grow.
Mostly, the commonly performed test is for the purposes of determining the level of pH or acidity. Another measured aspect is the cation exchange capacity, CEC. A high CEC level means that the soils are good as it shows higher cation exchange between the ground and plants. Furthermore, the test confirms the ability of the soil to provide as well as retain essential nutrients required by plants.
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.
As stated above, it is only after one knows the level of fertility of their land that they can add the right amount of fertilizer and lime. In some cases, not all nutrients are deficient in the soil, but rather, just one or a few nutrients. Therefore, one can know which nutrient needs to be improved and by how much. Many homeowners usually apply lime on their lawns every year because they believe that it is the right thing to do.
However, when homeowners test the soils in their lawns, the results are usually contradictory. To the realization of the homeowner, the lime actually destroys soils rather than improving their fertility. The balance of nutrients in the ground needs to be carefully maintained as it is delicate. The plants may be stressed if one applies more than the required amendments.
The pH of the land usually has a lot of effect on the solubility of various nutrients in the soil. When nutrients are soluble, they are readily available for absorption by plants. As such, the pH must be maintained at the right level for maximum absorption of nutrients. Otherwise, the land could be suitably fertile, but because of the pH level, the nutrients cannot be absorbed by plants.
The suitable pH range of most plants is 6.5 and 7.0. This pH range implies that the soils are either slightly acidic or neutral. But, it is crucial to understand that some varieties of plants need soils that are acidic in order to do well. As such, a person must set the pH level of the soils depending on the variety of plant they intend to grow.
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