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Full-Text Articles in Soil Science
Does No-Till Change Soil Management Practices?, Robert L. Blevins
Does No-Till Change Soil Management Practices?, Robert L. Blevins
Soil Science News and Views
Successful no-tilling requires a different approach to soil management practices. Since continuous no-tillage systems leave residues on the soil surface without mechanically mixing them into the plow layer and since lime and fertilizer are surface-applied, no-tilled soils have biological, chemical and physical properties contrasting with those of a plowed soil. For any crop production system to be widely accepted and used it must provide and maintain desirable physical properties of the soil, control erosion and replace nutrients removed by crops and other losses. This can be accomplished in a no-till system if proper management is used.
Soil Ph: What It Is, How It Is Measured, Why It Is Important, John H. Grove
Soil Ph: What It Is, How It Is Measured, Why It Is Important, John H. Grove
Soil Science News and Views
Soil pH is related to the hydrogen ion (H+) activity of the soil-water system. The chemical definition of pH is as follows: pH=-log (H+). In other words, for a pH drop of 1 unit (e. g. from pH 6 to pH 5) there will be a ten~fold increase in H+ activity in the soil solution. If pH 1 rises by 1 unit, only one-tenth as much acidity will be present in solution. As such, pH is only a measure of the active acidity in the soil water solution bathing plant roots. This fraction of total …
Liming Tobacco Soils, J. L. Sims
Liming Tobacco Soils, J. L. Sims
Soil Science News and Views
Control of soil acidity by liming is very important in successful tobacco culture. Adding lime to an acid soil increases the availability of nearly all plant nutrient elements, increases the efficiency of added fertilizers, and prevents the toxic effects of high concentrations of soluble aluminum, manganese, and iron. It is a natural tendency for most Kentucky soils to become acid with time due to losses of bases (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium) from soil by rainfall, However, tobacco soils possess certain unique problems that warrant careful monitoring of soil pH every two to three years.
Fertilization Of Double-Crop Soybeans, Grant W. Thomas
Fertilization Of Double-Crop Soybeans, Grant W. Thomas
Soil Science News and Views
The improvement of minimum-and no-tillage methods has helped increase the double-cropped acreage of soybeans in Kentucky to about 700,000 acres. Similar increases have been observed in our neighboring states. Most double-cropped soybeans in Kentucky follow winter wheat harvested for grain. Thus, they are at a disadvantage if the wheat leaves the soybean crop with a nutrient-deficient soil.
Band Vs. Broadcast Application Of Fertilizer, Kenneth L. Wells
Band Vs. Broadcast Application Of Fertilizer, Kenneth L. Wells
Soil Science News and Views
Current fertilizer prices coupled with other increased production costs have renewed interest in band applications of fertilizer as a means of lowering fertilizer costs while maintaining crop yields. Fortunately, much basic soil fertilizer research has been conducted over the years which provides an understanding of the relative merits of band and broadcast placement. The following discussion outlines the basic considerations involved in deciding which of these two placement methods may be more economically useful for specific crop production systems. To better understand these considerations, certain principles related to adding fertilizer to the soil should be kept in mind. These are …
Liming Needs Of Kentucky Soils, William O. Thom
Liming Needs Of Kentucky Soils, William O. Thom
Soil Science News and Views
A sound liming program is the first step in building and maintaining soil fertility. Lime lowers the acidity (raises pH) of soil and prevents the adverse effects of high concentrations of soluble aluminum, iron, and manganese on crop growth--effects often associated with acid soils. Maintaining a suitable pH assures adequate levels of calcium and magnesium. Liming an acid soil increases the availability of most essential plant nutrients, increases the efficiency of fertilizers, improves the effectiveness of some herbicides, and makes beneficial soil organisms more active.