http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/ 2012-03-02T15:22:23-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/ http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/lib/images/favicon.ico text/html 2010-02-23T14:35:43-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/a_guide_to_fertilizing_alfalfa?rev=1266953743&do=diff alfalfa, boron, calcium, chloride, copper, deficiency, fertilization, fertility, fertilizer, functions, iron, magnesium, manganese, micronutrients, molybdenum, nitrogen, pH, phosphorous, plant analysis, potassium, ratios, recommendations, soil pH, soil testing, sulfur, symptoms, top yielding, toxicity, zinc After reading this paper you will have a more complete understanding of alfalfa nutrition. This paper is a summary of several sources of university publications a… text/html 2010-03-16T16:19:54-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/a_guide_to_fertilizing_apples?rev=1268770794&do=diff apple, apple tree, boron, calcium, copper, fertigation, fertilization, foliar fertilization, iron, manganese, magnesium, nitrogen, orchard, phosphorus, plant analysis, potassium, soil analysis, soil pH, soil test, sulfur, zinc After reading this paper you will have a more complete understanding of apple tree nutrition. This paper is a summary of several sources of university publications and books that will give the reader the necessary information on fertilization of apple … text/html 2010-02-23T14:36:53-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/a_guide_to_fertilizing_blueberries?rev=1266953813&do=diff blueberry, blueberries, boron, calcium, fertilizer, fertilization, foliar fertilization, highbush, iron, lowbus, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, plant analysis, potassium, rabbiteye, soil analysis, soil pH, soil test, sulfur, vaccinium corymbosum, vaccinium myrtilloides, vaccinium angustifolium, vaccinium ashei, zinc After reading this paper you will have a more complete understanding of blueberry nutrition. This paper is a summary of several sources of university pub… text/html 2010-02-23T14:37:44-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/a_guide_to_fertilizing_christmas_trees?rev=1266953864&do=diff boron, calcium, Christmas tree, conifer, copper, fertilizer, foliar fertilization, iron, manganese, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, plant analysis, plantation, potassium, soil analysis, soil pH, soil test, sulfur, zinc After reading this paper you will have a more complete understanding of Christmas tree nutrition. This paper is a summary of several sources of university publications, books and personal communications that will give the reader the necessary information on fe… text/html 2010-02-23T14:41:09-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/a_guide_to_fertilizing_grapes?rev=1266954069&do=diff boron, calcium, copper, fertilizer, fertilization, foliar fertilization, grapes, iron, Lambrusca, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, plant analysis, potassium, soil analysis, soil pH, soil test, sulfur, vineyard, Vinifera, zinc After reading this paper you will have a more complete understanding of grape nutrition. This paper is a summary of several sources of university publications, books and personal communications that will give the reader the necessary information on fer… text/html 2010-02-23T14:41:30-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/a_guide_to_fertilizing_raspberries_and_other_brambles?rev=1266954090&do=diff blackberries, boron, brambles, calcium, copper, fertilization, iron, manganese, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, plant analysis, potassium, raspberries, soil analysis, soil pH, soil test, sulfur, zinc After reading this paper you will have a more complete understanding of raspberry and bramble nutrition. This paper is a summary of several sources of university publications that will give the reader the necessary information on fertilization of brambles. In general most growers… text/html 2010-03-16T16:23:26-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/a_guide_to_interpreting_irrigation_water_analysis?rev=1268771006&do=diff analysis, interpretation, irrigation, salt tolerance, SAR, sodium adsorption ratio, water While a few aspects of irrigation water quality have a direct impact on plants, the primary goal of water analysis is to judge the effect of the water on the soil, and ultimately on the plants grown on the soil. As such, much of the interpretation of the water analysis is based on a prediction of the consequences for the soil. The interpretation of the test results is, in many cases, dependent on the… text/html 2010-01-05T14:47:29-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/a_new_article?rev=1262720849&do=diff That's all there is. text/html 2010-01-05T13:09:56-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/alfalfa_and_potassium?rev=1262714996&do=diff alfalfa, cutting dates, feed, high potassium, lowering, luxury consumption Everyone that grows forages knows of the importance of potassium for top alfalfa production. Next to nitrogen, it is the next most highly required element by the growing plant. For every 1 ton of dry matter production, alfalfa contains 55-70 lbs of K2O. This means that at 6 ton/acre the crop is removing 330-420 lbs K2O/acre (or 600-700 lbs of 0-0-60). If sufficient amounts of fertilizer are not applied, the crop wil… text/html 2010-03-09T11:39:57-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/area_calculations?rev=1268152797&do=diff area, band around, calculate, calculation, circle, door yard, fairway, fertilizer, figure, flower bed, formula, garden, green, hexagon, lawn, octagon, oval, parallelogram, pentagon, rectangle, shape, square, tees, trapezoid, triangle, yard Two basic pieces of information are needed to properly follow the fertilizer recommendation on a soil test. text/html 2010-03-05T11:41:45-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/artificial_soil_media_guidelines?rev=1267807305&do=diff artificial, container, fertilizer, greenhouse, media, recommendations, soil-less General (Non-Specific) Guidelines for Artificial Soil Media CATEGORY Analysis Low Acceptable Optimum High Very High pH (peat based medium) 0-5.3 5.4-5.5 5.6-5.8 5.9-6.5 6.5+ Soluble Salts mhos/cm* 0-0.74 0.75-1.9 2.0-3.4 3.5-5.0 5.1+ Nitrate-N (NO3-N) ppm 0-.39 40-99 100-199 200-299 300+ Ammonium -N (NH4-N) ppm 0-5 5-15 16-20 … text/html 2010-05-19T15:28:53-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/b_basics?rev=1274297333&do=diff B, Boron, Borax, Borate, micronutrient, minor element Boron in the Soil Total soil boron (B) content can range from around 20 lb./acre to over 200 lb./acre (10 to 100+ ppm). However, only a small fraction of this amount is available to the crop. Much of the total soil B is present as a component of Tourmaline, a highly insoluble mineral. Most of the remainder is in secondary, moderately insoluble minerals. The forms of B that are available to plants include inorganic borate complexes of C… text/html 2010-03-05T15:20:12-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/ca_basics?rev=1267820412&do=diff Ca, calcium, gypsum, lime Calcium in the Soil Calcium is present in adequate amounts in most soils. Calcium is a component of several primary and secondary minerals in the soil, which are essentially insoluble for agricultural considerations. These materials are the original sources of the soluble or available forms of Ca. Calcium is also present in relatively soluble forms, as a cation (positively charged Ca++) adsorbed to the soil colloidal complex. The ionic form is considered to be avai… text/html 2010-03-05T15:52:08-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/ca_mg_ratio?rev=1267822328&do=diff calcium, calcium to magnesium ratio, Ca Mg, Ca Mg ratio, magnesium, ratio Competition between Ca and Mg for uptake by crops has become a perennial topic of discussion in agriculture. Generally, the discussion centers on the claim by some that there is (or is not) an “ideal” soil Ca/Mg ratio that should be achieved through fertilization. text/html 2010-03-10T14:45:33-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/cec_bph_and_percent_sat?rev=1268250333&do=diff buffer pH, cation, cation exchange capacity, CEC, pH, saturation CEC, as reported by nearly all soil testing laboratories, is a calculated value that is an estimate of the soils ability to attract, retain, and exchange cation elements. It is reported in millequivalents per 100 grams of soil (meq/100g). text/html 2010-01-04T11:19:39-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/chlorine_in_pool_water_and_nearby_plants?rev=1262621979&do=diff chloride, chlorine, effect, plants, pool, spa, water Today there are many homes that have swimming pools as well as municipal pools in the cities. Many people ask, “Will the chlorine from the pool that gets on the plants around the pool harm them?” text/html 2010-03-10T16:12:14-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/cl_basics?rev=1268255534&do=diff chloride, chlorine, Cl Chloride is the most recent addition to the list of essential elements. Many people make the common mistake of confusing the plant nutrient chloride (Cl-), with the toxic form chlorine (Cl). Chlorine is not the form that plants use. Chlorine exists either as a gas, or dissolved in water, such as bleach, and is not found in fertilizer. Although Chloride is classified as a micronutrient, plants may take-up as much Chloride as secondary elements such as Sulfur. text/html 2010-03-10T16:14:35-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/common_conditions_that_promote_certain_weeds?rev=1268255675&do=diff conditions, growth, high soil pH, lawn, low fertility, low soil pH, poor drainage, promote, weed Webster defines weed as a plant that is out of place. In a corn field grass and clover are weeds; in a hay field volunteer corn or a small grain are weeds, in turf crabgrass and foxtail maybe the weeds. In most cases some type of a plant protection chemical is used to get rid of the weed. Sometimes this is only a temporary cure to improve the situation, after the effects of the treatment wh… text/html 2010-03-10T16:31:59-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/common_liming_terms?rev=1268256719&do=diff acid forming fertilizer, ag lime, aglime, agricultural liming material, burnt lime, calcite, calcitic limestone, calcium, calcium carbonate, calcium carbonate equivalent, calcium oxide, calcium oxide equivalent, caustic lime, CCE, dolomite, dolmitic limestone, ECCE, effective calcium carbonate equivalent, effective neutralizing power, ENM, ENP, ENV, fineness index, fluid-bed ash, fluid lime, gypsum, hydrated lime, lime, lime requirement, lime sludges, liming terms, … text/html 2010-03-10T16:47:54-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/continous_corn_it_can_yield?rev=1268257674&do=diff continuous corn, rotation, yield, Kentucky One of the first questions many farmers ask about continuous corn is: Can I get the same corn yields with continuous corn that I can get in a rotation? The answer is yes, but only once in a great while. Research compared continuous corn to a corn/soybean rotation for 14 years at Lexington, Kentucky (see Table 1). During the 14 years of comparison, continuous corn yields beat corn/soybean only twice. Continuous corn did not do any better when compare… text/html 2010-01-04T11:19:39-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/copper_and_manganese_soil_test_results?rev=1262621979&do=diff copper, index, manganese, result, soil, soil test results, test Soil analysis is used to express the approximate availability of nutrient to plants. There is no soil extractant used that will indicate the exact amount of that nutrient which will be available during the growing season. Soil chemistry is too dynamic and complex to interpret such results. That is why universities, consultants and laboratories have done research on the addition of fertilizer based on soil analysis results. … text/html 2010-03-12T12:04:38-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/copper_sulfate_hoof_baths_and_copper_toxicity_in_soil?rev=1268413478&do=diff concentration, copper, copper sulfate, dairy, hoof bath, manure, soil, treatment The copper sulfate foot bath is an excellent tool in the dairyman's toolbox as far as hoof health for their dairy cows. Over the past years the used foot bath material has been recycled with the manure. Copper is one of the sixteen essential nutrients for crop growth, however copper is a micronutrient which means it is only required in small amounts for crop growth. 200 bushel of corn will remove 0.15 lbs Cu… text/html 2010-03-29T15:40:57-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/corn_row_width_and_population_in_michigan?rev=1269891657&do=diff corn, population, row width, yield Michigan researchers re-evaluated the effects of higher populations and narrow rows on the yield of some newer corn varieties developed for the Northern Belt. Their findings were published in the report “Row Width and Plant Density Effects on Corn Grain Production in the Northern Corn Belt”, William C. Widdicombe and Kurt D. Thelen, Michigan State Univ., Agronomy Journal 94:1020-1023 (2002). text/html 2010-03-12T13:35:04-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/cornstalk_n_test?rev=1268418904&do=diff corn stalk, corn stalk N test, corn stalk nitrogen test, end of season, Iowa State University, ISU Studies at Iowa State University (ISU) have shown that the nitrogen (N) status of a corn crop can be evaluated by measuring nitrate concentrations in the lower portion of cornstalks at the end of the growing season. This finding led to the development of a new tissue test that can be used to evaluate N management practices. Information in this paper relating to plant sampling and the interpre… text/html 2010-02-22T13:09:01-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/cu_basics?rev=1266862141&do=diff copper, Cu, micronutrient, minor element Function Copper is essential for many plant functions. Some of them are * It functions as a catalyst in photosynthesis and respiration. * It is a constituent of several enzyme systems involved in building and converting amino acids to proteins. * Copper is important in carbohydrate and protein metabolism. * It is important to the formation of lignin in plant cell walls which contributes to the structural strength of the cells, and the p… text/html 2010-05-25T11:25:08-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/effect_of_soil_probe_lubricants_on_analytical_results?rev=1274801108&do=diff analytical results, dishwashing liquid, Dove, lubricants, motor oil, Pam, silicone, soil probe, vegetable oil, WD-40 A study by the University of Wyoming helps to answer the question of how lubricants affect soil test results. The study included five commonly used lubricants, two (motor oil and dish washing liquid) wiped on and three (WD-40, vegetable oil spray, and silicone) sprayed on the soil probe. Chemical composition of the lubricants is shown in Table 1. text/html 2010-01-05T12:55:51-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/excess_nitrates_in_drought_stressed_corn?rev=1262714151&do=diff corn, corn silage, corn stalk, drought, dry weather, feed, nitrate, sample, silage, test With mother nature's constantly changing weather patterns in different areas of the country there comes concern during dry years of the build up of nitrate levels in plants (particularly in corn silage) and the effects that it can have on livestock when used as feed. This paper was written to help the reader become more aware of the different guidelines and university recommendations as well as uni… text/html 2010-02-22T13:15:48-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/factors_affecting_specific_gravity_for_potatoes?rev=1266862548&do=diff affect, calcium, chloride, factors, harvest, nitrogen, planting date, potato, specific gravity, water !lock Nitrogen * Excess N or high tissue N, in relation to other nutrients (out of balance) can lower specific gravity. * High available soil N at, or just prior to tuber set, can lower specific gravity text/html 2010-03-17T15:40:39-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/fe_basics?rev=1268854839&do=diff iron, Fe, micronutrient, micro nutrient Functions Iron is essential for many plant functions. Some of them are: * Chlorophyll development and function. * It plays a role in energy transfer within the plant. * It is a constituent of certain enzymes and proteins. * Iron functions in plant respiration, and plant metabolism. * It is involved in nitrogen fixation text/html 2010-03-12T16:23:45-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/fertilizer_lime_calculations?rev=1268429025&do=diff analysis, area, bed, fertilizer, garden, grade, how, much, yard How Much Fertilizer Do I Need? The first thing that needs to be done is to calculate how much area is in the place to be fertilized. The reader can do these simple calculations by going to our paper on how to calculate areas area_calculations.htm. This paper contains a variety of sizes and shapes that the average person will encounter when calculating how large of area to be fertilized . text/html 2010-03-15T14:03:33-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/fertilizing_landscape_plants?rev=1268676213&do=diff fertilize, landscape plants, ornamentals, trees Fertilization is a very important component of plant health care in the landscape. Fertilization is necessary to supplement naturally occurring essential mineral elements in the soil and to maintain an optimum supply for plant growth. Soil analysis (testing), combined with observations of plant growth, are the keys for the home gardener to develop the most effective nutrition program for the landscape. The mineral elements critical for optimum … text/html 2010-03-16T16:16:15-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/gypsum?rev=1268770575&do=diff aluminum, ammonia, ammonia volatilization, benefits, boron, CaCO3, calcium, calcium sulfate, cation balance, compaction, copper, crusting, detoxify, gypsum, iron, lime, magnesium, manganese, misconceptions, pH. ratio, sodium, soil, structure, sulfur, sulfate, UAN, urea, volatilization, zinc Benefits and Misconceptions Each year, usually in the winter and early spring, we receive calls asking about the benefits of applying gypsum to Midwestern or Eastern farm fields.… text/html 2010-03-17T11:56:18-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/how_to_read_soil_report?rev=1268841378&do=diff interpretation, reading, report, soil test, understanding Standard Agricultural Report This report lists up to 20 results on a single page with no graph. The analytical results are reported in parts per million (or pounds per acre (lbs/acre upon request) for the major nutrients while sulfur (S) and the micronutrients are expressed in parts per million (ppm). This report includes a status assignment for each of the nutrient (Low, Medium, Good, High, Very High). This status assignment is uni… text/html 2010-08-06T12:06:48-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/interpretation_of_water_analysis_for_livestock_suitability?rev=1281110808&do=diff analysis, livestock, livestock water suitability, water, water analysis, suitability Water is important nutrient to all livestock and poultry. As with feed ingredients, livestock water should meet the nutritional needs of the animal. Most minerals and dissolved solids found in water provide nutritional benefits when present within limited concentrations. This paper can be used as a guide to the recommended limits of certain substances commonly found in water used for livestock and poultry. text/html 2010-03-17T15:20:17-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/interpreting_lawn_and_garden_soil_results?rev=1268853617&do=diff garden, interpret, lawn, ornamental, result, soil, soil report, soil result, soil test, turf, yard The soil test report for your lawn or garden soil sample will mean little to you unless you understand the terms and numbers used. This guide provides definitions of terms and the acceptable ranges for the figures listed. The Spectrum Analytic soil test report, see figure to the right, includes the analytical results, a graphic representation of those results which includes the status … text/html 2010-03-17T15:49:34-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/is_magnesium_a_hidden_problem_in_your_area?rev=1268855374&do=diff Ca, Mg, calcium, K, Mg, magnesium, Mg, potassium, ratio, ratios, saturation Magnesium (Mg) does not receive much attention in the popular press. However, an excellent article by Dr. Paul Tracy (MFA, Inc., Columbia, MO) in the November, 2001 issue of Today's Farmer reviewed Mg fertility and a potentially increasing problem in Missouri and other areas. text/html 2010-04-01T14:31:21-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/lead_levels?rev=1270146681&do=diff lead, lead levels, Pb, soil sample, soil test Lead occurs naturally in soils, typically at concentrations that range from 10 to 50 ppm (parts of lead per million parts of soil which is equivalent to mg/kg milligrams of lead per kilogram of soil). Lead is not a nutrient that is essential for plant growth. Because of the widespread use of leaded paint before the mid-1970’s and leaded gasoline before the mid-1980’s, as well as contamination from various industrial sources, urban soils often h… text/html 2010-01-04T11:19:39-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/manure_and_soil_organic_matter?rev=1262621979&do=diff build, manure, organic matter, soil Many people ask if manure can be applied to economically build soil organic matter. The following article was taken from the Penn State Field Crop News, Vol 01:11, 9/28/2001 and does a good job of explaining the amount and type of manure that can be used to help increase organic matter in the soil. text/html 2010-04-29T16:24:01-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/metal_concentrations_in_natural_soils?rev=1272572641&do=diff aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, boron, bromine, cadmium, cesium, chlorine, chromium, cobalt, common range, concentrations, copper, fluorine, gallium, gold, heavy metals, iodine, lanthanum, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, , mercury, molybdenum, nickel, radium, rubidium, selenium, silver, strontium, thallium, tin, tungsten, uranium, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, zirconium There are beginning to be more requests for the testing of “heavy me… text/html 2010-08-13T08:44:52-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/mg_basics?rev=1281703492&do=diff Mg, magnesium, Ca/Mg, Mg, tetany, dolomitic, dolomite Magnesium in the Soil Magnesium is a component of several primary and secondary minerals in the soil, which are essentially insoluble, for agricultural considerations. These materials are the original sources of the soluble or available forms of Mg. Magnesium is also present in relatively soluble forms, and is found in ionic form (Mg++) adhered to the soil colloidal complex. The ionic form is considered to be available to crops. text/html 2010-03-22T15:20:19-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/mn_basics?rev=1269285619&do=diff Mn, manganese, micronutrient, minor element Functions Manganese is essential for many plant functions. Some of them are: * The assimilation of carbon dioxide in photosynthesis. * It aids in the synthesis of chlorophyll and in nitrate assimilation. * Manganese activates fat forming enzymes. * It functions in the formation of riboflavin, ascorbic acid, and carotene. * It functions in electron transport during photosynthesis. * It is involved in the Hill Reaction where wate… text/html 2010-03-22T15:31:16-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/mo_basics?rev=1269286276&do=diff Mo, molybdenum, moly, molybdate, micronutrient, minor element Functions Molybdenum is essential for many plant functions. Some of them are * It functions in converting nitrates (NO3 ) into amino acids within the plant. * It is essential to the symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria in legumes. * It is essential to the conversion of inorganic P into organic forms in the plant. text/html 2010-03-22T16:04:03-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/n_basics?rev=1269288243&do=diff ammonia, anhydrous ammonia, animal waste, fertility, fertilizer, manure, N, nitrogen, plant nutrient, plant nutrition, preplant, row, sidedress, UAN, urea The purpose of this paper is to give the reader a brief overview of some of the major points related to using nitrogen fertilizer materials. Most people working in agriculture and other plant management industries should search out more detailed information on the subject. Such information is readily available from Spectrum Anal… text/html 2010-05-25T10:14:55-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/nitrogen_losses_and_saturated_soils_tools_in_making_sidedress_nitrogen_application_decisions_for_corn?rev=1274796895&do=diff corn, flooding, loss, N, Nitrogen, saturated, saturated soil, sidedress, soil Nitrogen in the Soil When looking at nitrogen and nitrogen loss, it is important to first have a good understanding of the nitrogen cycle. See our library article Nitrogen Basics before reading any further in this article. This way the reader will have a basic understanding of how nitrogen acts in the soil and can better determine what form the nitrogen may be in to make a better estimation on possible nitro… text/html 2010-02-23T15:20:42-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/nitrogen_stratification_in_liquid_manure_storage?rev=1266956442&do=diff layering, manure, nitrogen, nutrient, statification, variability Managing manure for optimum economic crop production with minimum environmental impact requires a knowledge of the manure's nutrient content. While standardized or “book” values listing average nutrient contents of manure are available, they are of little value to an individual farmer because of large variation among different manure storage and handling systems. Thus, regular manure analysis is recommended for the accurate d… text/html 2010-03-24T15:09:20-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/p_basics?rev=1269457760&do=diff DAP, diammonium phosphate, fertilizer, MAP, manure, monoammonium phosphate, orthophosphate, P, P2O5, pH, phosphorous, phosphorus, placement, polyphosphate, sources, TSP, triple super phosphate Functions of Phosphorous Phosphorous is essential to many plant functions and structures. It plays a role in text/html 2010-02-23T15:39:00-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/phosphites_and_phosphates?rev=1266957540&do=diff fertilizer, foliar, foliar fertilizer, fungicide, H3PO3, H2PO4, phosphate, phosphite, phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid With the cost of fertilizers and other crop inputs continuing to rise, there are some additional forms of fertilizer coming to the market place. One of the problems with the products coming on the market is there confusion with the traditionally used fertilizer materials. One of the products that is coming to light is the phosphite fertilizers manufactured using phosp… text/html 2010-03-24T15:29:53-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/plant_nutrients_in_municipal_leaves?rev=1269458993&do=diff leaves, municipal leaves, plant nutrients, recycling Application of collected municipal leaves to agricultural land improves soil quality and provides a solution to a disposal problem. Farmers are permitted (New Jersey Register, NJAC 7:26, 1.12. Nov. 7, 1988) to apply up to a 6-inch layer of leaves annually. Application at this rate, which is equivalent to approximately 800 cubic yards/acre or 20 tons/acre of dry matter. This will increase soil organic matter content, and improve soil tilth… text/html 2010-03-24T15:56:27-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/potassium_basics?rev=1269460587&do=diff fertilizer, K, KCl, K2O, potash, potassium Introduction Potassium is represented by the letter K, which is the first letter of Kalium, the Latin word for potassium. The term “potash” is often used to refer to potassium chloride (KCl), a common potassium fertilizer. The word potash is derived from “pot ashes” which refers to the practice of using the leachate of wood ashes as a source of potassium. The potassium in fertilizer is typically listed as K2O, an oxide form of K. While K2O actual… text/html 2010-03-29T14:33:57-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/presidedress_nitrate_nitrogen_test_university_summary?rev=1269887637&do=diff Alabama, comparison, corn, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, nitrate, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, presidedress, psnt, PSNT, sidedress, soil test, summary, Tennessee, university, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin The PSNT is a soil test for nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) developed for use at the 4 to 6 leaf stage of corn to help in making more accurate N fertilizer recommendations at sidedressing time. The test, designed by D… text/html 2010-03-29T15:34:07-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/presidedress_soil_nitrate_test_corn?rev=1269891247&do=diff bell peppers, corn, nitrate, onions, presidedress, psnt, pumpkins, sidedress, soil test, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes The PSNT is a soil nitrate test that has been developed to help make an accurate nitrogen fertilizer recommendation for a corn crop that has had an application of manure, a cover crop that contributes nitrogen to the soil, or has had a previous application of nitrogen such as a row starter, weed and feed, or broadcast treatment. This test was originally developed by D… text/html 2010-03-16T16:24:43-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/row_fertilizer_placement_limits?rev=1268771083&do=diff corn, fertilizer, nitrogen, placement, potassium, row starter, starter, sulfur, urea The principle danger to crops from excess fertilizer placed too close to the seed corn comes from excess salts. In fertilizer, the nutrients that are of primary concern are N, K2O, and S. The combined amount of these three elements is used to evaluate the potential risks of a fertilizer rate and placement. To evaluate a particular situation, add the rate per acre of these three elements in the fertilize… text/html 2010-03-29T15:53:48-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/s_basics?rev=1269892428&do=diff S, SO4, sulfur, sulfate Sulfur in the Soil Most soil sources of S are in the organic matter and are therefore concentrated in the topsoil or plow layer. Elemental S and other forms as found in soil organic matter and some fertilizers, are not available to crops. They must be converted to the sulfate (SO4- -) form to become available to the crop. This conversion is performed by soil microbes and therefore requires soil conditions that are warm, moist, and well drained to proceed rapidly. The… text/html 2010-03-15T14:53:32-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/salt_index_calculation?rev=1268679212&do=diff fertilizer, placement, pop-up, row starter, salt, salt index, seed Dr. John J. Mortvedt Salt content is one of the most critical characteristics of fertilizers that should be considered when fertilizers are applied, especially with seed-row or “in furrow” placement. text/html 2010-03-30T13:01:02-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/soil_aluminum_and_test_interpretation?rev=1269968462&do=diff Al, Al+++, aluminum, aluminum toxicity, available, available aluminum, gypsum, interpretation, Mehlich 3, Mehlich 3 Al, pH, plant, roots, soil, soil pH, soil test, soluble, soluble aluminum, test, testing, toxicity Aluminum is not an essential element for either plants or animals. Most plant producers have heard that too much aluminum (Al) can be harmful to plants. However, many may not be aware that there are multiple forms of Al in the soil and most of them are not directl… text/html 2010-09-23T14:34:06-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/soil_buffer_ph?rev=1285266846&do=diff ph, soil ph, buffer ph, lime, clay, sand, 7.0, 14, nutrient availability chart Soil pH This is a measure of the soil acidity or alkalinity and is sometimes called the soil “water” pH. This is because it is a measure of the pH of the soil solution, which is considered the active pH that affects plant growth. Soil pH is the foundation of essentially all soil chemistry and nutrient reaction and should be the first consideration when evaluating a soil test. The total range of the soil pH s… text/html 2010-09-23T13:48:02-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/soil_ph_and_availability_of_elements_to_plants?rev=1285264082&do=diff soil pH, nutrient availability chart text/html 2010-03-30T13:40:43-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/soil_ph_management?rev=1269970843&do=diff acidify, buffer pH, CaCO3, lime, lower, nitrogen, pH. recommendations, soil pH, sulfur Soil pH This is a measure of the soil acidity or alkalinity and is sometimes called the soil “water” pH. This is because it is a measure of the pH of the soil solution, which is considered the active pH that affects plant growth. Soil pH is the foundation of essentially all soil chemistry and nutrient reaction and should be the first consideration when evaluating a soil test. The total range of the … text/html 2010-03-04T15:35:48-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/soil_sampling_instructions?rev=1267734948&do=diff soil sample, soil sampling, soil test The Benefits Soil testing is the single most important guide to the profitable use of fertilizer and lime. It is in the best interest of farmers, lawn care professionals, landscapers, gardeners, fertilizer suppliers, and consultants to promote the use of soil testing for several reasons. text/html 2011-11-21T16:17:02-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/soil_test_p_and_k_buildup_and_drawdown?rev=1321910222&do=diff build, buildup, K, K20, P, P2O5, phosphorous, potassium, raise, ratio, rates, soil, soil test, soil test levels It is common to hear people discuss fertilizer recommendations in terms of crop removal, plus or minus soil test buildup as if they were somehow disconnected from each other. In fact, they are two aspects of the same subject. Most of us fall into the habit of thinking that we are fertilizing plants. Except for foliar fertilizer or tree trunk injection, we do not fertil… text/html 2010-03-30T16:00:11-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/solubility_of_micronutrients?rev=1269979211&do=diff effectiveness, manganese, micronutrients, oxide, oxy sulfate, solubility, sulfate, water solubility, zinc Most people involved in crop production understand the importance of micronutrients in achieving higher and more profitable yields. However, simply applying a needed micronutrient to the soil does not mean that the crop yield will increase. The true benefit of any fertilizer nutrient is in the amount that is actually taken up by the crop. Yield gains come from the nutrients being in… text/html 2010-03-30T15:15:52-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/soybean_cyst_nematodes?rev=1269976552&do=diff SCN, Cyst, Nematode Soybean cyst nematodes (Heterodera glycines) have been an increasing problem for soybean producers over the past decade or more. H. glycines is the only cyst nematode known to attack soybeans in the U.S. Most of the major soybean producing areas of the U.S. now recognize that SCN is present in at least part of the area. SCN is and obligate parasite of higher plants, more than 1100 species of plants have been found to serve as hosts. Fortunately, most are weed and crop plan… text/html 2010-03-30T15:29:40-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/soybean_growth?rev=1269977380&do=diff boron, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, nutrient concentration, nutrient content, nutrient level, nutrient removal, nutrient uptake, nutrients, phosphorous, potassium, soybean, soybean growth, stage of growth, sulfur, zinc Soybean plants (as well as the symbiotic bacteria) require some of each of the essential nutrients. Of the three primary nutrients - N, P, and K - nitrogen is supplied by the symbiotic bacteria in the nodules. The other nutrients come from the s… text/html 2010-08-13T12:40:57-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/spectrum_conversions?rev=1281717657&do=diff mehlich-3, ppm, lbs, lbs/a, bray p1, p, k, ca, mg As of July 1, 2005, Spectrum Analytic began reporting P, K, Ca, and Mg results as unadjusted Mehlich 3 (M3) values in parts per million (ppm). Prior to this date, samples were extracted with the Mehlich 3 solution, and the results mathematically converted to their equivalents in the older tests of Bray P1 for soil P, and 1Normal ammonium acetate (1NAoAc) for K, Ca, and Mg. text/html 2010-04-01T13:29:56-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/state_lime_specifications?rev=1270142996&do=diff calcitic, Connecticut, course, dolomite, fine, fineness, grind, Kentucky, lime, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, medium, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, pelletized, Pennsylvania, size, specifications. standard, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin Connecticut Fine-sized: 95% passes 20-mesh screen text/html 2010-03-22T16:07:14-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/the_nutrient_uptake_process?rev=1269288434&do=diff calcium, diffusion, magnesium, mass flow, nitrogen, nutrient uptake, nutrients, per cent possible uptake, phosphorous, potassium, root interception, root uptake, sulfur Movement of nutrients to roots Roots do not intentionally grow towards a nutrient source. For nutrient uptake to occur, the individual nutrient ion must be in position adjacent to the root. Positioning of the nutrient ion can occur by one or more of three processes. text/html 2010-02-23T14:29:58-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/the_relationship_between_nutrients_and_other_elements_to_plant_diseases?rev=1266953398&do=diff bacteria, bacterial, disease, fungal, nutrients, pathogen, relationship, resistance, viral, virus Interactions between plants, nutrients, and disease pathogens are very complex and not completely understood. Nutrition, although frequently unrecognized, has always been a primary component of disease control. Most soils and environments where plants are cultivated contain an abundance of disease pathogens. On the most basic level, plants suffering a nutrient stress will be less vigorous … text/html 2010-03-30T16:03:43-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/weather_effects_on_corn_silage?rev=1269979423&do=diff corn silage, delayed harvest, delayed planting, digestibility, drought, dry matter, fiber, high light intensity, high population, high temperature, quality, weather conditions The following article was originally written by Greg Roth with Penn State University. text/html 2010-02-23T14:22:32-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/what_do_ag_professionals_charge_for_their_services?rev=1266952952&do=diff ag, compensation, consultant, dealer, farm, farmers, fees, growers, rates, service, service fees, service rates As consultants and people that do work for growers, you need to be compensated for your time and expenses. In the early days of the fertilizer business soil sampling, field scouting, delivery of seed and fertilizer were considered services and much of the time dealers did not charge extra. In today's business world, these services need to be charged for. How many times have… text/html 2010-02-23T14:22:58-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/wheat_stages_of_growth?rev=1266952978&do=diff Feekes, growth stage, stage, Triticum aestivum, wheat Wheat production is an important crop in many areas. In the early years of agriculture it was used as a livestock feed, in the production of flour, but the straw was also used as a bedding material. As the need for bedding materials started to decline, the advent of more concentrated livestock operations as well as the limited research to increase yields and declining prices many growers began to drop wheat from the rotation. text/html 2010-03-30T16:40:22-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/why_labs_have_different_soil_test_results?rev=1269981622&do=diff Bray P1, Bray P2, different, lab, Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, Modified Morgan, Morgan, Olsen, recommendations, results, soil test With the advent of grid sampling, many people are taking more soil samples, and paying more attention to them. Because of this, there are more questions about why soil labs get different results for the same field, and even the same sample, and why fertilizer recommendations can be significantly different between laboratories. There is a long, but reasonably sim… text/html 2010-03-31T11:38:34-05:00 http://spectrumanalytic.com/doc/library/articles/zn_basics?rev=1270049914&do=diff micronutrient, minor element, zinc, Zn Functions Zinc is essential for many plant functions. Some of them are * Production of Auxins, an essential growth hormone. * It activates enzymes in protein synthesis, plus is involved in the regulation and consumption of sugars * It is necessary for starch formation and proper root development. * Zinc influences the rate of seed and stalk maturation. * It is necessary for the formation of chlorophyll and carbohydrates. * The presen…