Inherent soil properties are a soil’s natural features; they fall outside the control of any land manager’s actions. Inherent properties have a great impact on the suitability of a soil to produce certain crops, as well as its overall productivity. In Ontario, inherent soil properties are a byproduct of glacial activity and retreat. Understanding inherent […]
Soil management refers to how a farmer works with their soil to produce crops. It includes all management aspects that impact soil, including the types and sequence of crops grown, residue management, tillage intensity and frequency, nutrient and pH management, and soil amendment application. Soil management has a strong influence on the productivity of any […]
Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) are fertilizer sources or additives designed to delay or slow the release of plant-available forms of nitrogen in order to minimize losses to the environment. EEFs fall into two main categories: slow- or controlled release fertilizers, or nitrogen stabilizers (also called inhibitors). A 2020 fertilizer use survey conducted by Stratus Ag […]
Granular – primary nutrients – common sources Ingredient Grade1 (%) Other nutrients2 Salt index3 CaCO3 equivalent4 (lb/lb) Bulk density5 (lb/ft3) Bulk density5 (kg/L) Nitrogen (N) Urea 46-0-0 — 74 1.8 50 0.80 Ammonium nitrate 34-0-0 — 104 1.8 56 0.90 Calcium ammonium nitrate 27-0-0 4-6% Ca 0-2% Mg 93 0.9 68 1.10 Ammonium sulphate 21-0-0 […]
Excess fertilizer can harm seedlings due to injury from ammonia and salt. Fertilizer toxicity causes tissue damage to seedling roots and may result in delayed emergence and reduced plant stands. These effects are most often related to fertilizer nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and sulphur (S) content. Fertilizer toxicity varies widely, depending on soil texture and […]
Nutrient uptake and removal Nutrient uptake refers to the quantity of plant essential nutrient required for the crop to reach maturity – what is taken up in the aboveground portion of the plant. Nutrient removal is the nutrient content of the harvested portion of the crop that is removed from the field. In crops like […]
Soil management recommendations, including crop nutrient recommendations, must undergo a certain level of scrutiny before they are published in OMAFA crop production guides and other resource material. It’s important that Ontario producers using OMAFA published recommendations can be confident that these guidelines follow the latest proven science, and that they are removed from any potential […]
Soil pH To correct soil acidity, broadcast ground limestone and work it into the soil at rates determined by a soil test. Table 1, Guidelines for lime application to Ontario crops, shows the pH values below which liming is recommended, and the target soil pH to which soils should be limed for different crops. In […]
Plant analysis measures the nutrient content of plant tissue. Comparing the results against the “normal” and “critical” values for the crop can indicate whether nutrient supply is adequate for optimum growth. Plant analysis is the basis of fertilizer recommendations for some horticultural crops and is a useful supplement to soil testing for evaluation of the […]
The OMAFA-accredited soil testing program provides assurance of laboratory performance and appropriate analyses to support guidelines for nitrogen, phosphate, potash, magnesium, zinc and manganese fertilizer, along with parameters for the amount and type of lime to apply. The analytical methods used were chosen to provide accurate results on the range of soils found in Ontario. […]
Taking a soil sample is the first step to understanding your soil’s nutrient status in order to make decisions for your crop’s fertility. The next step in the process is to use the results coming back from the soil laboratory to develop a plan for fertilizer and organic amendment application. However, it can sometimes be […]
Soil sampling is a critical step to making effective crop nutrient decisions, and is one of the most profitable operations you can perform on your farm in a given year. A proper soil sample is the only way to determine whether your soils contain adequate levels of plant essential nutrients such, and how soil parameters […]
Dry green soybean seeds at harvest are the result of an extremely dry growing season, especially during July and August and is more common on soils with poor water holding capacity. Green soybeans can occur even if the seed moisture has fallen below 13%. These green seeds are not the large unripe green beans that […]
Heavy rains soon after planting causing ponding will reduce plant stands due to crusting, seed decay, and diseases, see figure 1. If the water subsides in a few days, soybean stands are often still acceptable, although final yield may be impacted. Once plants have emerged the length of time soybeans survive under water depends on […]
Lightning damage is confined to relatively small circular or oval regions with a diameter of 5-10 m (13-30 ft). Damaged areas may take on the shape of the standing or running water that accumulated during a thunderstorm. Plants are usually killed but can survive on the edges of the affected area. Diagnosis is straightforward since […]