November 7, 2012
We learned about soil characteristics because people need to
know the proper aspects of soils for them to grow their fruit crops. Some of
those factors are pH of soil. pH can affect nutrient solubility. If pH is too
high, it limits the macronutrients needed by the plants. Cation Exchange
Capacity is the maximum quantity of total cations, of any class, that a soil is
capable of holding, at a given pH value, available for exchange with the soil
solution. CEC is used as a measure of fertility, nutrient retention capacity,
and the capacity to protect groundwater from cation contamination.
Fertilizer Tests help to determine nutrient levels
Soil tests are the analysis of a soil sample to determine
nutrient and contaminant content, composition and other characteristics, such
as acidity or pH level. Tests are usually performed to measure the expected
growth potential of a soil. They play a great role before growing a certain
fruit crop.
We also talked about plant tests. Soil and herbage analyses
help pastoral farmers and their advisers choose the best fertilizer programmed.
They also highlight mineral imbalances that might be affecting the health of
pasture or animals that feed on it.
Herbage tests of pasture complement soil tests and allow
important trace nutrients like cobalt, selenium, copper and iodine to be
adjusted for improved animal health. Using both herbage and soil testing will
provide a better overall picture of the farm nutrient status for an improved
fertilizer programmed.
Moreover, Fertilization Methods were addressed in class.
They can be broadcast, which is when application is over entire orchard floor.
Banding, it is applied within tree root zone. And fertigation is applied
through irrigation system and delivered in small doses.
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