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Belleville, Ontario | We've done some soil test with 0-1", 1-2", 2-4", 4-6" 6-12", 12-24" and found that P & K are being stratified in the top 2". Good K uptake (tissue test) helps to improve water use efficiency. On a dry year, there are not as many roots near the soil surface, so K uptake is reduced in the years you need better water use efficiency. What can we do about this.
(1) Band deeper.
(2) Plow and invert the soil. This is not a yearly event!!!
(3) Make the plant more efficient with water (improve K availability, genetics, reduce root feeding insects)
(4) Make the soil a more effective growing medium and better at conserving water. Reduce compaction, improve aeration, cover crops, improved OM, all that good stuff.
I would say that there is a reduction of soluble nutrients in a dry year because there is not as much water available to dissolve the nutrients and be taken up by the plant.
Ramblings of a poor beef farmer.
The Farmer's Edge Agri-Coaching | |
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Banding fertilizer
