Got my soil test done, need your input.

johndeeregreen · May 1, 2013

It was corn last year, its going to be soybeans this year. This is the first soil test for me, so not exactly sure how to read it, here is what is says,
Organic matter 2.9 Rate M
P1 107 Rate VH
P2 135 Rate VH
Olsen Bicarbonate 48 Rate VH
K 255 Rate VH
MG 262 Rate VH
CA 1839 Rate H
Percent base saturation,
K 5.4%
MG 18.2%
CA 76.4%
Sulfur 17 Rate M
Zinc 4 Rate H
Manganese 2 Rate VL
Iron 34 VH
Copper 0.7 Rate L
Boron 0.8 Rate M

CEC 12.0
PH 7.7

What's everyone's thoughts on my numbers? I'm shooting for 65 bushel soybeans, what would you recommend for my fertilizer analyses?

sd pete · May 1, 2013

Take the results into your co op. They have the
products you will need.

paul · May 1, 2013

Just a maitenence rate, it would look like to me.

Ph is high, cant do much about that, your organic matter is low
for my area, and your CEC says its a little sandy, or lighter
ground.

If you get water, and plant a bean that can deal with the high
ph, should be there what the beans need, just add enough to
maintain your soils.

Paul

randallinMo · May 2, 2013

Everything in your analysis is either high or very high. I don't think you'll see any response to any additional fertilizer. Based upon your cation exchange capacity, your soil colloids are already "fully loaded".

johndeeregreen · May 2, 2013

The manganese is high lighted on the paper, 2PPm he said that was low. Is that right or is he full of it?

Randysouthmississippi · May 5, 2013

Your ph is way to high. You need to apply lime or slag but that is not a quick fix it will take the lime a few months to do its job, unless you use cheleated lime. My understanding is that if the ph is too high the plants cannot make good use of the nutrients in the soil.
Someone correct me if im wrong.
Your county agent should be able to guide you in the right direction if he is worth his salt.

kyhayman · May 5, 2013

I'd let it ride. Maybe a little starter if your
planter can do it. I realize that a lot of people
on here that I greatly respect advocate
maintaining levels. I take a different approach,
particularly on soils in this state of cation
exchange. By letting it ride a year or two and
pulling some of that base saturation down a bit it
will do a couple of things. Most importantly, it
will keep you from losing as much out the bottom.
No use maintaining levels above the CEC capacity
as this is potential leaching loss. Secondly, we
are in a declining corn price situation which
should drive down fertilizer prices. I'd rather
put on P and K when its cheaper than this year.
With those levels, if it was mine, I'd harvest the
excess fertility down to the mid medium range for
P and K and then fertilize to crop removal. I dont
like to see the pH that high, and the sulfur level
is in the response range so you might get a
response to elemental sulfur on both fronts.

johndeeregreen · May 5, 2013

Thanks for your input, its greatly appreciated!

randallinMo · May 6, 2013

He is correct in that is low. However, manganese is considered a "trace element" and as such, you only need "trace" amounts. I've never seen manganese cause any appreciable yield loss on any major farm crop...perhaps vegetables. BAsed upon your soil test, you are fine without any additional fertilizer. I"d use what you have and save the money for when you need it.

Got my soil test done, need your input.

johndeeregreen

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sd pete

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paul

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randallinMo

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johndeeregreen

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Randysouthmississippi

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kyhayman

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johndeeregreen

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randallinMo

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