At first glance, soil sampling would seem to be a relatively easy task. However, when you consider the variability that likely exists within a field because of inherent soil formation factors and past production practices, the collection of a representative soil sample becomes more of a challenge.

The keys to maximizing the economic returns from phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer applications are a comprehensive soil testing program and maintaining P and K soil test levels above their respective critical levels. The critical level for a given nutrient is the soil test level at which 95% to 97% of the crop’s yield potential will be reached with no additional inputs of the nutrient.

Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers announces the release of Kalibrate, a soil-applied potassium fertilizer that contains 6% sulfur.

Soil test samples can be pulled any time of the year when the ground is not frozen. Various experts advise to try to soil test at the same season of the year to have a more accurate trend line when you compare fertility levels over long periods of time.

In the chemical age of agriculture that began in the 1960s, potassium chloride (KCl), the common salt often referred to as potash, is widely used as a major fertilizer in the Corn Belt without regard to the huge soil reserves that were once recognized for their fundamental importance to soil fertility.

Agronomists from Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences have created a fact sheet designed to provide growers guidance on soil sampling to develop nutrient recommendations.

A lot of careful consideration goes into selecting which fertilizer should be added to a crop, but all the decisions have been made, little thought is then given to what actually happens next.