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Proper Plant Analysis Timing Helps Improve Fertility Plans
Soil tests, tissue samples and in-field nutrient sensors can provide valuable information for a no-tiller’s fertility program, but only if the results and recommendations are accurate.
Pictured Above: LOOKING FOR SYMPTOMS. Plant tissue analysis can tell a grower if a nutrient is limiting but can’t explain why. John Grove says it can be used to diagnose “hidden hunger,” which is a deficiency that isn’t presenting visible symptoms. Such deficiencies in a crop can result in a 10-20% decrease in dry matter yield
When relying on nutrient recommendations from your soil and plant test results to plan your fertility program, do you know how accurate those recommendations are?
At the 2018 National No-Tillage Conference, John Grove explained that soil test results may not be as accurate as they could be if they aren’t correlated and calibrated for a no-tiller’s specific situation.
The University of Kentucky plant and soil scientist, as well as director of the university’s Research and Education Center in Princeton, Ky., discussed what no-tillers need to know about soil testing to get accurate recommendations. He also shared how tissue sampling can provide more information on their fertility program and how to utilize crop-sensing technologies to learn more about crop nutrition.
Start with Soil
The first thing no-tillers need to keep in mind when taking a soil test is that because they’re in a no-till environment, there will be vertical differences due to nutrient stratification within the topsoil. Stratification takes place over time and this needs to be taken into account.
Go to: www.no-tillfarmer.com/0718 to read more about why soil test recommendations should have you asking additional questions about your specific farming conditions.
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