Soil Analysis

1
Soil Analysis Nutrient Management Planning
2
Nutrient Management Planning

1. What is it?
2. Why is it important?
3. How is it done?

3
A. What is Nutrient Management Planning?
Nutrients Nutrients
In
Out
4
Nutrient Management Planning

• Getting the balance right!

Nutrients In
Nutrients Out
5
Nutrients needed by crops for growth

• N Nitrogen
• P Phosphorus
• K Potassium
• S Sulphur

NO3 Nitrate P2O5 Phosphate
K2O Potash S04 Sulphate
6
Yield
Soil Structure
pH
7
Soil Sampling HOW?
8
Soil Analysis Laboratory Report
Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009
pH Texture Lime Requirement Lime Requirement Phosphorus Potassium Magnesium
Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index)
400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1 SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2) 102 (3)
9
Soil Analysis Laboratory Report
Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009
pH Texture Lime Requirement Lime Requirement Phosphorus Potassium Magnesium
Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index)
400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1 SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2) 102 (3)
Farm Survey Field Number
10
Soil Analysis Laboratory Report
Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009
pH Texture Lime Requirement Lime Requirement Phosphorus Potassium Magnesium
Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index)
400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1 SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2) 102 (3)
Farm Survey Field Number Texture
11
(No Transcript)
12
Soil Analysis Laboratory Report
Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009
pH Texture Lime Requirement Lime Requirement Phosphorus Potassium Magnesium
Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index)
400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1 SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2) 102 (3)
Farm Survey Field Number pH Texture Lime requirement for arable Grass Lime requirement for arable Grass
13
Soil pH, nutrient availability and plant growth
14
Cereals
Lime is used to improve acidic soils (i.e. raise
low soil pHs)
15
Lime Requirement

• Total lime area of field x lime per ha
• 2.69 x 4
• 10.76t
• Recommendation is for year 1only

16
Soil pH and Nutrient availability
17
Soil Analysis Laboratory Report
Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009
pH Texture Lime Requirement Lime Requirement Phosphorus Potassium Magnesium
Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index)
400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1 SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2) 102 (3)
Farm Survey Field Number pH Texture Lime requirement for arable Grass Lime requirement for arable Grass Available amounts of nutrients (Index) Available amounts of nutrients (Index) Available amounts of nutrients (Index)
18
Phosphate What does it do?

• Energy Transfer (ATP)
• Root Shoot Growth
• Sugar Manufacture Transport
• Component of Proteins (incl DNA)

19
Soil P Index what does it mean?
Soil P Index Soil P Index What the P Index means
0 Deficient Production will be limited. Requires slurry/manure and/or P fertiliser.
1 Optimum Extensive Extensive grazing. Continue with usual slurry fertiliser policy.
2 Optimum Intensive Intensive grazing silage fields arable. Continue with usual slurry fertiliser policy.
3 High No yield response to added P. Redistribute slurry to more suitable fields. Use a zero- P fertiliser. Apply P to arable crop needs only.
4 Excessive No yield response to added P. Redistribute slurry to more suitable fields. Use a zero- P fertiliser. Apply P to arable crop needs only.
Increasing Soil P
20
Potassium What does it do?

• Speeds up reactions (catalyst)
• Controls water movement (translocation)
• Controls water loss
• Involved in nutrient and sugar transport.

21
Soil K Index what does it mean?
Soil K Index Soil K Index What the K Index means
0 Deficient Production will be limited. Requires slurry and/or high K fertiliser.
1 Low Inadequate for production, especially silage. Use slurry and/or high K fertiliser.
2- 2 Optimum High Grazing, silage arable fields. Continue with usual slurry and fertiliser policy.
3 High No yield response to added potash. Avoid slurry applications unless low P levels. Redistribute slurry to more suitable fields.
4 above Excessive No yield response to added potash. Avoid slurry applications unless low P levels. Redistribute slurry to more suitable fields.
Increasing Soil K
22
Yields K index
23
N / K relationship

• During rapid vegetative growth, the rapid uptake
  of nitrogen as negatively charged nitrate ions
  (NO3-) is normally balanced by a similar uptake
  of positively charged potash ions (K) which
  maintains the electrical neutrality of the plant
• Water mobility
• Tugor pressure

24
Soil - summary

• Valuable source of nutrients
• Sample every 4 years
• Use analysis to determine the amount of nutrients
  in the soil
• The higher the soil nutrient reserves (Index),
  the lower the need for additional nutrients

25
Slurry
10 million m3 Produced in NI each year
26
Total Nutrient Content of Slurry Manure
(kg/m3)
K20
P205
N
Livestock Type
3.2 4.0
1.2 1.8
6 dry matter
10 dry matter
2.6 3.6
2.8
1.8
3.6
4 dry matter
2.6
4.4
6 dry matter
2.8
18
25
30
Broiler litter (60 Dry Matter)
1kg/m3 9 units/1000 gal
27
Determining DM content of cattle slurry
28
Fertiliser value of slurry/manure
3000 gallons/acre (33m3/ha) Cattle slurry

• Spring
• 2014 31/acre (76/ha)

• Autumn
• 2014 28/acre (69/ha)

29
Slurry and Fertiliser summary

• Organic manures are a valuable source of
  nutrients
• Use at the right time, rate, place and with the
  right equipment
• Chemical fertiliser is expensive and should only
  be used as a top up.

30
Why manage nutrients?

• Potential to reduce fertiliser costs
• Protect the environment
• Meet Nitrates Directive requirements

31
1. Potential to reduce fertiliser costs
The value of slurry
3000 gal/acre Cattle slurry 31/acre 100 cow
dairy herd 4,200/yr 50 suckler herd
1,300/yr Total slurry in NI 23m
32
2. Protect the environment

• Nutrient loss phosphates and nitrates
• Slurry fertiliser runoff
• Leaching through the soil
• Soil particle loss
• Causes nutrient enrichment (eutrophication)

33
3. Meet Nitrates Directive requirements

• If sowing chemical P fertiliser
• Soil Analysis
• P recommendation for the crop
• Type and quantity of all fertiliser containing P
  applied
• If sowing chemical N fertiliser on crops other
  than grass
• Soil N supply index

34
C. How is it done?

• Step 1 - Soil analysis
• Step 2 - What does the soil analysis mean?
• Step 3 - Estimate Nitrogen requirements
• Step 4 - What nutrients does the crop require?
• Step 5 - How many nutrients can be supplied by
  organic manures?
• Step 6 - Which chemical fertiliser can supply the
  remaining nutrients required

35
Step 1 - Soil Analysis Laboratory Report
Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009 Report generated on 07 March 2008 Date Received 29 February 2009
pH Texture Lime Requirement Lime Requirement Phosphorus Potassium Magnesium
Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index)
400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1 SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2) 102 (3)
Farm Survey Field Number pH Texture Lime requirement for arable Grass Lime requirement for arable Grass Available amounts of nutrients (Index) Available amounts of nutrients (Index) Available amounts of nutrients (Index)
36
Step 3 Estimate Nitrogen requirements

• Not included in soil analysis
• Estimated after considering, rainfall, soil type
  and previous cropping
• Soil Nitrogen Supply Index the higher the
  index, the lower the requirement

37
See pages 68 69 of the NAP Booklet
38
Step 4 - What does the Crop Need?

• Crop requirement depends on
• Crop type
• Whats already in the soil

The higher the soil nutrient reserves (Soil
Index), the lower the need for additional
nutrients
RB 209
39
Crop requirement for phosphate
See page 72 Nitrates Guidance Booklet
40
N limits for crops other than grassland

• Establish the Soil Nitrogen Supply Index (SNS)and
  N requirement for the crop
• Follow RB209 recommendation

41
Step 6
Chemical Fertiliser
25 5 5
1 50kg bag/acre 125kg/ha
42
Getting the balance right Spring Barley
(1) N Kg/ha (2) P2O5 (2) K20
Crop requirement (Based on crop type soil analysis) 140 50 40
Available nutrients in 33m3 dairy cow slurry 35 40 104
Chemical fertiliser requirement 105 10 0
43
Crop Nutrient Recommendation Calculator
(www.ruralni.gov.uk)

• Determine N, P2O5 and K2O required by crops
• Calculate the amount of nutrients supplied by
  organic manures
• Select the correct chemical fertiliser and
  application rate
• Retain information required for record keeping

44
Summary

• N, P, K In N, P, K Out
• Nutrient sources soil, slurry/ manure and
  fertiliser
• Make best use of nutrient sources
• Save money
• Protect the environment
• Meet Nitrates Directive Requirements
• How?
• Soil sampling and analysis is the starting point
• Estimate crop needs
• Use slurry/manure effectively
• Only use fertiliser to top-up any outstanding
  crop needs
• Help
• Crop Nutrient Recommendation Calculator
• Nitrates Guidance
• RB209
• Codes of Good Agricultural Practice