Soil Testing and Fertilizing Recommendations

SOIL TESTING AND FERTILIZER
RECOMMENDATION
Leonard Githinji, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor / Extension Hort. Specialist
Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program
Tuskegee, Alabama
RECOMMENDATION
INTRODUCTION
 The goal of this soil testing and fertilizer recommendation

webinar is to provide Extension agents and other
personnel with the necessary tools for better
understanding and interpretation of soil test reports.
RECOMMENDATION
INTRODUCTION Cont.
 Efficient use of fertilizers is a major factor to consider for

any successful farming.
 Several benefits of efficient fertilizer use have been

outlined.
RECOMMENDATION
INTRODUCTION Cont.
 These benefits include:
 profit maximization for producers
 lower cost for consumers and

RECOMMENDATION
INTRODUCTION Cont.
 Without soil test and fertilizer recommendation, a farmer

may be applying:
 too much of a little needed plant food element or
 too little of another element which is actually the principal

RECOMMENDATION
ESSENTIAL PLANT NUTRIENT ELEMENTS

 There are 16 essential nutrients that are required by plants.
 The essential nutrients are grouped as:
 Primary Nutrients
 Secondary Nutrients
RECOMMENDATION
ESSENTIAL PLANT NUTRIENT ELEMENTS

 There are 16 essential nutrients that are required by plants.
 The essential nutrients are grouped as:
 Primary Nutrients
Macronutrients
 Secondary Nutrients
RECOMMENDATION
ESSENTIAL PLANT NUTRIENT ELEMENTS Cont.

 Primary Nutrients: Utilized in the largest amounts by
crops, and therefore, are applied at higher rates.
 Secondary Nutrients: Required in smaller amounts than

the primary nutrients.
 Micronutrients: Required in even smaller amounts than

RECOMMENDATION
 Plant Nutrients and their Major Sources
Nutrients from Nutrients from Soil, Lime and Commercial Fertilizers
Air and Water Primary Secondary Micronutrients
Nutrients Nutrients
Carbon (C) Nitrogen (N) Calcium (Ca) Boron (B)
Hydrogen (H) Phosphorous (P) Magnesium (Mg) Chlorine (Cl)
Oxygen (O) Potassium (K) Sulfur (S) Copper (Cu)
Manganese (Mn)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Zinc (Zn)
RECOMMENDATION
PLANT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY
 Terminologies used for description of nutrient

deficiency symptoms:
 Chlorosis: insufficient chlorophyll
General Chlorosis
Interveinal Chlorosis
RECOMMENDATION
PLANT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY Cont.
 Terminologies used for description of nutrient

deficiency symptoms: Cont.
 Coloration abnormalities: change from normal color
 Firing: Yellowing, followed by rapid death of leaves
 Necrosis: death of the entire plant


RECOMMENDATION
 Plant Nutrients Role and Deficiency Symptoms

Nutrient Essential Function Deficiency Symptoms
Nitrogen (N) -proteins -stunting
-enzymes -chlorosis (older leaves)
Phosphorous -DNA -purple (older leaves)
(P) -reproduction -stunting
Potassium (K) -enzymes function -marginal necrosis (tip burn)
-transpiration -interveinal chlorosis
Calcium (Ca) -part of cell walls -distortion (new leaves)
-nutrient uptake -blossom-end rot
Magnesium -chlorophyll -interveinal chlorosis (older leaves)
(Mg) molecule -necrosis in chlorotic tissue
Sulfur (S) - protein -chlorosis (new leaves)
-enzymes
RECOMMENDATION

RECOMMENDATION

RECOMMENDATION
 Effect of pH on Plant Nutrients
RECOMMENDATION
SOIL TESTING
 Soil Testing: A process by which elements are chemically

removed from the soil and measured for their "plant
available" content.
 Soil should be tested every two to three years to determine

the amount of nutrients needed.
 Fertilizer application rates are calculated based on the crop

RECOMMENDATION
Soil Testing Process

 Sampling:
 time (~1-2 weeks before)
 depth (6-7 inches)
 number (15-20 samples)
composite samples
 pattern (zigzag)
RECOMMENDATION
 Soil Testing Process
RECOMMENDATION
Soil Testing Process Cont.
 Sampling Equipment:
Shovel
Trowel
Bucket

RECOMMENDATION

 Sampling Equipment:
RECOMMENDATION

 Analyzing the sample
 Chemical extraction and testing is done in the
laboratory.
 Laboratories may use different extraction and analysis

techniques.
 The procedures used must be correlated to plant growth

and nutrient uptake.
RECOMMENDATION

 Soil Test Results
RECOMMENDATION
FERTILIZER AND RECOMMENDATION

 Some Common Terms used in Fertilizer Industry
Complete Fertilizer: A fertilizer containing the three

primary nutrients, N, P2O5, K2O.
Fertilizer Grade: Refers to the minimum guaranteed %

of N, P2O5, K2O e.g. 4-16-8.
 Fertilizer Ratio: Refers to the relative proportion of

N, P2O5, K2O e.g. 1:4:2.
 Fertilizer formula: The quantity and analysis of the

RECOMMENDATION
FERTILIZER AND RECOMMENDATION Cont.

 Fertilizer Grade
Available Nitrogen (N)

Available potash (K2O)
Available phosphate
(P2O5)
RECOMMENDATION

 Calculation of Nutrient Content in a Fertilizer
N = 10/100 X 50 lbs = 5 lbs

K2O = 10/100 X 50 lbs = 5 lbs
P2O5 = 10/100 X 50 lbs = 5 lbs
Total Nutrients = 15 lbs
Filler material = 35 lbs

RECOMMENDATION

 Calculation of Nutrient Content in a Fertilizer
N = 10/100 X 50 lbs = 5 lbs

K2O = 10/100 X 50 lbs = 5 lbs
P2O5 = 10/100 X 50 lbs = 5 lbs
Total Nutrients = 15 lbs
Filler material = 35 lbs

RECOMMENDATION

 Calculation of Fertilizer From Soil Test Results
RECOMMENDATION

Cont.
 Using Fertilizer
Needed Fertilizer Mixes Calculation Amount
(lbs/Acre) lbs bags
K2O (120) Potash 120/0.60 200 4

(0:0:60)
P2O5 (60) DAP 60/0.46 130 3
(18:46:0)
N (120) Urea (120/0.46)-(60/0.46 x 0.18) 237 5
(46:0:0) = (260)-(23)
RECOMMENDATION

Cont.

Needed Ratio Blended
Using Custom BlendFertilizers
Calculation Amount
(lbs/Acre) lbs
bags
K2O (120) 2 20
P2O5 (60) 1 10 60/0.1 600 12

N (120) 1 10
RECOMMENDATION

Cont.
 Price Comparison
Type Fertilizer price Total
Common Potash DAP Urea
Fertilizer 4 bags x 3 bags x 5 bags x $275
Mixes $15 $30 $25
Custom
Blended 12 bags X $25 $240
Fertilizer
THANK YOU
Please feel free to contact me for any questions or

further discussions
Leonard Githinji, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor / Extension Hort. Specialist
204 Vocational Building, Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL 36088
Tel: 334-724-4955
Fax: 334-727-8268
Email: Leonard.Githinji@Tuskegee.Edu

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SOIL TESTING AND FERTILIZER

Leonard Githinji, Ph.D.

 The goal of this soil testing and fertilizer recommendation

 Efficient use of fertilizers is a major factor to consider for

 Several benefits of efficient fertilizer use have been

 These benefits include:

 profit maximization for producers

 lower cost for consumers and

 Without soil test and fertilizer recommendation, a farmer

 too much of a little needed plant food element or

 too little of another element which is actually the principal

ESSENTIAL PLANT NUTRIENT ELEMENTS

 The essential nutrients are grouped as:

ESSENTIAL PLANT NUTRIENT ELEMENTS

 The essential nutrients are grouped as:

ESSENTIAL PLANT NUTRIENT ELEMENTS Cont.

 Secondary Nutrients: Required in smaller amounts than

 Micronutrients: Required in even smaller amounts than

Hydrogen (H) Phosphorous (P) Magnesium (Mg) Chlorine (Cl)

Oxygen (O) Potassium (K) Sulfur (S) Copper (Cu)

PLANT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY

 Terminologies used for description of nutrient

 Chlorosis: insufficient chlorophyll

PLANT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY Cont.

 Terminologies used for description of nutrient

 Coloration abnormalities: change from normal color

 Firing: Yellowing, followed by rapid death of leaves

 Necrosis: death of the entire plant

 Plant Nutrients Role and Deficiency Symptoms

 Plant Nutrients Role and Deficiency Symptoms

 Plant Nutrients Role and Deficiency Symptoms

 Soil Testing: A process by which elements are chemically

 Soil should be tested every two to three years to determine

 Fertilizer application rates are calculated based on the crop

Soil Testing Process

 time (~1-2 weeks before)

 depth (6-7 inches)

 number (15-20 samples)

Soil Testing Process Cont.

Soil Testing Process Cont.

Soil Testing Process Cont.

 Laboratories may use different extraction and analysis

 The procedures used must be correlated to plant growth

Soil Testing Process Cont.

FERTILIZER AND RECOMMENDATION

Complete Fertilizer: A fertilizer containing the three

Fertilizer Grade: Refers to the minimum guaranteed %

 Fertilizer Ratio: Refers to the relative proportion of

 Fertilizer formula: The quantity and analysis of the

FERTILIZER AND RECOMMENDATION Cont.

Available Nitrogen (N)

FERTILIZER AND RECOMMENDATION Cont.

N = 10/100 X 50 lbs = 5 lbs

P2O5 = 10/100 X 50 lbs = 5 lbs

Total Nutrients = 15 lbs

Filler material = 35 lbs

FERTILIZER AND RECOMMENDATION Cont.

N = 10/100 X 50 lbs = 5 lbs

P2O5 = 10/100 X 50 lbs = 5 lbs

Total Nutrients = 15 lbs

Filler material = 35 lbs

FERTILIZER AND RECOMMENDATION Cont.

 Calculation of Fertilizer From Soil Test Results

K2O (120) Potash 120/0.60 200 4