Soil and Plant Testing Programs as a Tool for Optimizing Fertilizer Strategies

Erp, P.J. van; Beusichem, M.L. van

doi:10.1300/j144v01n02_03

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…Climate and cultivar effects could also be factored in. Van Erp and Van Beusichem (1998) suggested that a more scientific approach and a more complex system of tissue testing would be desirable if it is to be used to its full advantage. Hochmuth (1995) recognized the need to standardize sampling procedures because labs often have difficulty providing diagnoses and recommendations due to incorrect sample collection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Well Do Critical Nitrogen Concentrations Work for Cabbage, Carrot, and Onion Crops?

Westerveld¹,

McKeown²,

Scott‐Dupree³

et al. 2003

HortSci

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With the introduction of nutrient management legislation in Ontario, there is a need to improve the efficiency of nitrogen (N) utilization. One possibility is to use critical nutrient concentrations in plant tissue as an indicator of the N nutritional status of the crop. Plant tissue analysis was used to determine the total N and nitrate-N (NO3-N) concentrations of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.), carrots (Daucus carota L.), and onions (Allium cepa L.) grown in Ontario. The tissue samples were collected from plants as part of N fertilization studies from 1999 to 2001 on the organic soils in the Holland/Bradford Marsh area and the mineral soils near Simcoe, Ontario. Yield was assessed at harvest as an indicator of the N requirement of the crop. Testing the usefulness of critical NO3-N concentrations to indicate the N requirement of the crop was problematic because: 1) few published references were available to indicate a critical level of NO3-N in these crops; 2) tissue NO3-N concentrations were highly variable; and 3) field data rarely matched published references. Tissue total N concentrations from the trials corresponded to published critical N concentrations in some cases, however, the use of published critical N concentrations would have resulted in either over or under-application of fertilizer to the crops. Cultivar, soil type, and climate were shown to affect tissue N concentrations. Based on these results it was concluded that local research and field verification is required before tissue N critical nutrient concentrations become useful for determining fertilizer needs of cabbage, carrots, and onions grown in Ontario.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Well Do Critical Nitrogen Concentrations Work for Cabbage, Carrot, and Onion Crops?

Westerveld¹,

McKeown²,

Scott‐Dupree³

et al. 2003

HortSci

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“…The increased mean Cu content in Canadian organic arable soils (17,20) was explained by parent material differences and Cu applications to these soils. The increased mean Cu content in Canadian organic arable soils (17,20) was explained by parent material differences and Cu applications to these soils.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Nutrients and Trace Elements of Arable Soils Rich in Organic Matter

Karyotis¹,

Charoulis²,

Mitsimponas³

et al. 2005

Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis

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The distribution and the status of macronutrients and trace elements in surface soil samples originated mainly from organic deposits of Philippoi (northern Greece) were investigated. These soils are classified as Histosols and belong to the suborder of Saprists (1). The pH of examined samples ranged from 5.1 to 7.8 and the total soil nitrogen (N tot ) varied from 4.0 to 21.8 g kg 21 . The total soil carbon (C tot ) ranged between 116.0 and 336.5 g kg 21 , whereas the organic carbon (C org ) was between 109.4 and 335.5 g kg 21 and the C:N ratio varied between 12.4 and 29.3. Calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) was not detected in all surface horizons, and the exchangeable calcium (Ca þþ ) ranged between 12.95 and 54.65 cmol kg 21 . This suggests the impact of aquatic organisms (which contain CaCO 3 ) on soil enrichment with calcium by means of weathering process. Micronutrients extracted by 4 M HNO 3 were in the following order iron (Fe) . manganese (Mn) . zinc (Zn) . copper (Cu). The distribution of trace elements extracted by DTPA varied considerably among the examined soil samples. The following range was found: Fe 97.5 -579 mg kg 21 , Mn 1.48-53.0 mg kg 21 , Cu 0.24 -10.4 mg kg 21 , and Zn 0.5-23.9 mg kg 21 . Total soil nitrogen was closely related to C org , whereas soil properties showed considerable variability. This may reveal the factors responsible for deposition process, degree of soil development; part of this distribution may be attributed to intensive farming activities. Symptoms of Fe deficiency have been observed, which may be ascribed mainly to the presence of CaCO 3 . Deficiency of Cu was also recorded in maize (Zea mays L.) cultivated in slightly alkaline soils. Geostatistics have been used for a quantitative depiction in maps of nutrient status and variability. A combination of measures, such as water management, tillage practices, application of proper rotation schemes, and recommendation of rational fertilization practices, is expected to maintain soil quality and enhance fertility.

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