Secondary Plant Food Elements

Secondary Plant Food Elements

Calcium Magnesium Sulfur

Calcium

Helps translocation of carbohydrates Essential to healthy cell walls Aids in development of root structures Calcium is active element in lime and

gypsum which are used to treat saline and/or alkali soils.

Lime & Gypsum

Calcium Deficiency Symptoms

Growing point of plant (terminal bud) dies under severe deficiency

Margins of leaves (usually younger ones) have a scalloped appearance, remaining foliage is abnormally dark green

Plant shedding blossoms and buds prematurely

Stem structure weekend

Calcium Deficiency

Magnesium

Essential ingredient of chlorophyll Deficiency Symptoms:

Leaves are abnormally thin and brittle Curve upward

With acute deficiency leaves may dry up and die

On trees twigs are weak, subject to fungus infection, drop leaves prematurely

Leaves loose their color at the tips and between veins Starts with lower leaves and moves upwards

Magnesium Deficiencies

Sulfur

Component of cystine, a constituent of protein

Aids in the synthesis of oils Deficiency symptoms:

Lower leaves yellowish green Stems are small in diameter and hard and

woody Although roots are well developed, they are

also small in diameter

Sulfur Deficiencies

Conventional Tillage System

Subsoil

Breaks compaction from tillage, wheel traffic, or animals

Aids in water penetration of soil profile Eliminates impermeable layers in soils Should be done when soil is dry for

“shattering” effect Generally 24”-36” deep

Subsoilers/Rippers

Disk Harrow

Breaks large clods from subsoiler Incorporates residue and eliminates weed

growth Commonly 6” in depth

Disking

Disking

Fertilization

Important to incorporate phosphorus and potassium at this stage

Nitrogen assists in breakdown of heavy crop residue

Apply soil amendments based on soil tests so soil can sustain a healthy crop from the start

Fertilizing

Moldboard Plow

Incorporates all organic matter and residue on surface

180 degree inversion of soil Generally 10-12” in depth Aerates the soil Can provide weed and disease control Incorporates fertilizer and soil

amendments deeply Can be accomplished on moist or dry soil,

but not wet!

Moldboard Plow

Moldboard Plow

Plowed Ground

Disk Harrow

Typically with a cultipacker or spiketooth harrow hooked behind the disk

Breaks down large clods from plowing Begins firming process of seedbed Kills weeds and vegetative growth Generally 6” depth

Cultipacker & Spiketooth Harrow

Landplane

Cuts off high spots and fills depressions Smoothes but does not level Should be done with dry, residue free soil

surface

Landplane

Install Borders

Borders are installed for flood irrigation to guide/control even flow of water across field

Generally 18-24” in height (factor 1/3 shrinkage)

Length and width of borders depends on: Equipment width Soil type Water supply

Pre-Irrigation

Accomplished via flood or sprinkler irrigation Addition of water through effective rooting

depth of crop Germination of weeds and volunteer Testing of leveling operations Prepares moist firm seedbed Once weeds have germinated and soil is dry

enough to safely enter field with equipment (7 or more days) , field is disked again and then planted