SEGMENT: SOIL

Dr. Edward Runge>LPL Interviews N-Z>LPL Interviews K-Z, Segment 5

SEGMENT: SOIL,

duration 08:49
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SOIL
Nitrogen is not held in the soil & have to put it on as ammonia. Nitrate moves with the water. Explains process of application. Ideal to put it on when plant needs it. Phosphorus can become more fixed, not as time-critical. Expensive. Phosphates transfer energy to leaves. Potassium critical for strong stalks, vascular system. Alkaline soil have PH of 8 - saturated with limestone. Will fix phosphorus. Less soluble. Acidic soils with PH 5, hydrogen high, aluminum soluble and strips plant growth. Pat Johnson, regional agronomist, ran test fields. Darker soils of Illinois are better. Fayette County soils are much better today. Morgan County in 2004 had over two hundred bushels yield. Organic matter makes soil dark.