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David M. Crohn
Department of Environmental Sciences
University of California, Riverside
Marketing
Healthy Soils for
Healthy Plants
Soil Nutrients: macronutrients
Total N
–Organic N
–Available N (nitrate and
ammonia-N)
Total P
Total K
Soil Nutrients : micronutrients
Boron Magnesium
Chlorine Molybdenum
Cobalt Sulfur
Copper Zinc
Iron
Manganese
Soil properties
Organic matter
Water holding
capacity
Bulk density
Structure
Texture
ECe
pH
pH
Low pH =
acid soil
High pH =
alkaline soil
Neutral pH =
7
ECe = salinity
Total N
–Organic N (slow release )
–Available N (variable)
Total P (often rich)
Total K (variable)
Bacteria
80 – 90% of the microbial community is bacteria
Small: 0.5 – 3 m diameter
High surface:volume ratio. Important
for moving nutrients in and waste products out
C:N ratios on the order of 4.3:1 to 6:1
Soil species differ from active
compost species
– 0 - 40C: mesophyllic
– 40-65 C: thermophilic
Fungi
Fungi include molds and yeasts
Larger than bacteria
Grow more slowly
Able to metabolize lignin
C10H17O6N
C:N ratios on the order of 9:1
Fungi on
lignin
N
Nitrogen
Vital nutrient for both microbes and plants
Microbes are better than plants at accumulating
N
C:N ratio
– Compost feedstock initially about 35:1
– About 10:1 to 20:1 in cured product
– About 8:1 in a soil
N
Soil Nutrients : micronutrients
Boron Magnesium
Chlorine Molybdenum
Cobalt Sulfur
Copper Zinc
Iron (Variable,
Manganese depending on
source)
pH
Low pH =
acid soil
High pH =
alkaline soil
Neutral pH =
7
(buffers pH)
ECe = salinity
Phytotoxicity
– Germination test
Use C:N ratio
Mulch 80 % emergence
Soil amendment 80 % emergence
pH
Describes the acidity of the compost
Low pH (acid) composts may not be
mature.
Phytotoxic organic acids produced during
composting must be decomposed as they
are phytotoxic.
High pH (alkaline) composts may be
contaminated.
Use C:N ratio
Mulch 6.0 pH 8.5
Soil amendment 6.0 pH 8.5
Boron toxicity thresholds (Hanson et al., 1993, Maas, 1986).
Toxic B Levels: Concentration
in saturated
Crop extract, mg L-1
Boron Avocado
Lettuce
0.5 – 0.75
0.5 – 0.75
Tomato 4.0 – 6.0
Grape 0.5 – 0.75
Naturally present in some Strawberry 0.75 – 1.0
Use Inerts
Soil amendment 0.75 % dry weight
Mulch 0.75 % dry weight
Particle size distribution
Mulches should have larger particles than
soil amendments.
Large particles in soils can tie up nutrients.
Too many small particles in mulches can
support weed development.