Choosing Soil for Plants (II)
6. Good ability to retain mineral nutrients
Like with the water, sandy soils low in nutrients retained. Nitrogen, potassium, sulfur, iron, etc. are dragged away from the roots through the action of irrigation water and rain, losing these nutrients.
Clay soils in this area are better, because they store many mineral nutrients, have “deep pockets.” But yes nitrates that are washed in two soil types.
»Upgrade: adds organic matter. For example, manure, compost, compost or peat between 1 and 3 kg per m2 and mixed with soil.
In sandy soils using slow release fertilizers instead of traditional soluble minerals, so that it will gradually dissolve and lose less.
7. Rich in organic matter (humus)
When we speak of soil organic matter we refer to humus. Humus is a substance that is beneficial to the soil and plant:
1. Sponge the ground.
2. Retains water and minerals.
3. Provides mineral nutrients slowly to plants as it decomposes (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, etc.).
Improvement: To increase the level of soil organic matter takes time. From overnight you can not pass a 1% to 2% humus; is achieved over the years.
The best thing is to take organic matter year after year. For example, manure, compost, homemade compost, peat, manure, humus, etc. ..
8. Nutrient-rich minerals
All plants need soil to take these 13 mineral elements.
Macronutrients:
- Nitrogen (N)
- Phosphorus (P)
- Potassium (K)
- Calcium (Ca)
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Sulfur (S)
Micronutrients:
- Iron (Fe)
- Zinc (Zn)
- Manganese (Mn)
- Boron (B)
- Copper (Cu)
- Molybdenum (Mo)
- Chlorine (Cl)
Clay soils are usually rich in nutrients and sandy soils, poor. Extreme example of the beach is sandy soil.
To determine whether a soil is nutrient-rich or are testing their land in a specialized laboratory.
Improvement: Using organic fertilizers (manure, compost, peat, etc..) And mineral fertilizers to the soil nutrients. If we did would run out sooner or later.