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LESSON FIVE: SOIL MANAGEMENT AND FERTILITY High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

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High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production. Lesson Five: Soil Management and Fertility. Objectives. Recall soil’s physical and chemical properties and how they affect nutrient management. Calculate the fertilizer needs in a high tunnel based on soil test recommendations. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

LESSON FIVE: SOIL MANAGEMENT

AND FERTILITY

High TunnelFruit and Vegetable Production

Page 2: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Objectives Recall soil’s physical and chemical properties

and how they affect nutrient management. Calculate the fertilizer needs in a high tunnel

based on soil test recommendations. Identify characteristics of compost and what

affects the decomposition rate. Recognize salinity issues associated with

high tunnel production.

Page 3: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Soil Management Considerations

Site location is key to high tunnel production Sunlight Drainage Wind protection

Soil type is of less importance Can grow in modified raised beds and soilless

media

In this lesson, assuming that structure is moveable and soil management is key consideration

Page 4: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Importance of Soil

Anchor plant in placeProvide water and some needed nutrientsOxygen for root growth Major Components of Soil

Physical Properties Chemical Properties Air Water

Page 5: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Physical Properties

Sand, Silt and Clay

Characteristics of A High Clay Content Soil: High water-holding ability High cation exchange capacity Low infiltration rate Warms up slowly in the Spring Resists change to pH

Soil Particle SizesSand = 2 mm to 0.05 mmSilt = 0.05 to 0.002 mmClay = less than 0.002 mm

Page 6: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Physical Properties

Characteristics of a High Sand Content Soil: Low water-holding capacity Some nutrients are prone to leaching Warms up quickly in the Spring Shows a rapid change in pH

Good location for high tunnel (soil standpoint) Well-drained loam soil with high organic matter

Less than 28% clay ideal pH of 6.5 on upper part of landscape Northwest windbreak

Page 7: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Chemical Properties

17 elements are needed by plants Three are never limiting 14 may or may not be in adequate amounts

Depend upon soil type and pH

Ideal pH for most vegetables: 6.2 to 6.8Soil tests and plant analyses can

determine if essential nutrient levels are adequate

Page 8: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

pH and Liming Recommendations

Adequate pH is single most important soil amendment factor

Low pH can be improved through amendmentsLiming Sources

Ground Limestone Calcite (CaCO3) Dolomitic [CaMg(CO3)2]

Calcium Oxide (CaO) Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)

Page 9: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

pH and Liming Recommendations

Use agricultural limestone Requires certification

Be careful, do not over apply: Change in pH, detrimental to plant growth Decrease in availability of P Deficiencies in Fe, Mn, Zn and sometimes

Cu Reduced root uptake of B

Page 10: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

pH and Liming Recommendations

In most soil tests, N is not reported May request report of N content for high

tunnels

Be careful not to purchase more than needed Calculate fertilizer needs

Page 11: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Calculating Application Rates

Always determine need based on soil test recommendations

Most recommendations give in lbs/acre 43, 560 square feet in an acre

If applying compost 1 cubic yard = 182 gallons 1 inch of surface compost over 1,000 ft2 =

3.1 yd3

Must have an analysis of compost doneMust know dimensions of high tunnel

Page 12: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Calculating Application Rates

Practice Problem 1Recommendation from soil test: 1 lb. N/1000 ft2 Utilizing 24-4-12 pre-mix fertilizer High tunnel dimensions: 24x48

1) Divide amount recommended by percentage in mix - 1 lb/1,000 ft2 / .24 = 4.16 lb/1000 ft2

2) Determine square feet of high tunnel- 24 x 48 = 1,152 ft2 / 1000 = 1.152

3) Multiply recommended application by adjusted size of high tunnel

- 4.16 lbs x 1.152 = 4.79 lbs of 24-4-12 mix

Page 13: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Calculating Application Rates

Practice Problem 2Recommendation from soil test: 1.5 lbs K/1000 ft2

Utilizing 0-0-60 premix fertilizer High Tunnel dimensions: 20 x 36

1) Divide amount recommended by percentage in mix- 1.5 lbs K/1000 ft2 /.60 = 2.5 lbs/1000 ft2

2) Determine square feet of high tunnel- 20 x 36 = 720 ft2 720/1000 = .72

3) Multiply recommended application by adjusted size of high tunnel

- 2.5 lbs/.72 = 1.8 lbs of 0-0-60 mix

Page 14: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Calculating Application Rates

Problem 3 – Utilizing Compost ManureCompost Application Problem HandoutGiven:

Nitrogen recommendation is 60 lbs per acre High tunnel dimensions are 21 ft x 96 ft 1 cubic yard = 182 gallons 1 inch of surface compost over 1,000 ft2 =

3.1 yd3

Compost analysis

Page 15: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Organic Matter

Soil organic matter is derived from: Decomposition of organic residues

+excretions from microorganisms

and microbial cells

End product called humus

Page 16: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Organic Matter

Decomposition Rate Depends On: Environmental conditions Particle size of organic material Cultivation frequency Depth of tillage Irrigation Type of organic matter Crop rotation

Page 17: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Organic Matter

Benefits of Adding Organic Matter to Soil: Provides a nutrient reservoir of N, P, and S Retains nutrients in an available form Increases aggregate formation Increases soil porosity

Page 18: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Organic Matter

Considerations when adding organic amendments to the soil They are highly variable in composition &

quality No standards for labeling exist Make sure you analyze each load or

shipment They are more expensive to transport,

store, purchase and apply Some may contain sewage sludge

Page 19: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Compost Chemical Analysis

pH – 6.0 to 7.5Ec (electric conductivity or salinity) – 5.0 or lessC:N Ratio – recommend an initial of 30:1Bulk Density – Soilds/moisture content

Expressed as lbs/yd3

Useful in determining rate of applicationHeavy Metals – Zn, Cd, Ni, Pb, Hg, Mo, As, Cr, CoOverall Nutrient Profile – essential plant nutrients

Page 20: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Salinity

Salt buildup in high tunnel soils is prevalent issue Particularly when cover is left

on year roundLeave sides rolled up in winter

Snows and late winter rains leach salt from root zone

Symptoms of High Soil Salinity Root dieback, root tips burn off Plant stunting Leaf burn Wilting

Page 21: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Salinity

High Salinity in Root Zone May Result From: Poor placement of fertilizer Fertilizer salts mainly due to K and nitrate Evapotranspiration greater than irrigation Too much fertilizer applied High water table

Page 22: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Salinity

To Reduce High Salt Levels: Monitor salt levels with the Ec test Place tunnel on well-drained site, add tile line Be careful with nutrient applications,

Do not over fertilize Limit use of organic sources containing manures Keep sides rolled up in winter Leach salt downward in soil profile via irrigation Constant watering with trickle irrigation

techniques

Page 23: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Soil Management & Fertility: In Review

Why is soil management and fertility important to growing produce in a high tunnel?

What are the physical properties of soils? From the standpoint of soil physical properties,

what is ideal for the placement of a high tunnel?

How do soil chemical properties influence nutrient management?

Why is soil pH important to plant health? What is the ideal soil pH for most vegetables?

How can soil pH or nutrient value be altered?

Page 24: High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production

Soil Management and Fertility: In Review

Why is it important to calculate fertilizer applications? What are some characteristics of compost? What influences the decomposition rate of compost? What are benefits of adding organic matter to soil? What should be considered before applying compost? Why is salinity an issue for high tunnel production? What happens when soil salinity gets too high? What can be done to reduce salt levels in soils?