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1. Expensive fertilizers need to be used
to their greatest efficiency. |
| |
low
pH - N, P, and K are
unavailable. |
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proper pH - the efficiency of P
and K may be more than doubled when pH is increased from
5.0 to 6.1. |
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2. Plants need a proper balance of
micronutrients in the soil. |
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low pH -
increases the toxicity of aluminum, iron and manganese.
|
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proper pH -
reduces toxic effects of these elements and increases
the availability of sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and
molybdenum. |
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3. The decomposition of organic matter
improves soil structure. |
| |
low pH -
reduces the activity of soil organisms that break down
organic matter. |
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proper pH -
increases microorganism activity which produces improved
soil tilth, aeration, and drainage.. This in turn allows
for better use of nutrients, increased root development,
and drought tolerance. |
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4. Some herbicides are pH sensitive.
|
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low
pH - triazines lose
effectiveness. |
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proper pH -
triazines are more effective. This is especially
important in no-till. Lime neutralizes the acidic top
layer of soil produced by surface applied fertilizer
that may reduce the effectiveness of surface applied
herbicides. |
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5. Legumes like clover, soybeans, and
alfalfa depend on nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
|
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low pH - below
6.0, bacteria are not nearly as effective in nodulation.
|
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proper pH -
between 6.5 and 7.0, bacteria effectively help legumes
develop nodules to fix nitrogen. |
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6. Calcium and magnesium are essential
plant nutrients. |
| |
low pH - these
may be absent or deficient. |
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proper pH
-
both are supplied by dolomitic limestone.
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