CHAPTER 5.

FERTILIZATION

CHAPTER 5. FERTILIZATION

OVERVIEW:

This chapter discusses fertilization, and tackles specific topic such as nutrient status, liming
and fertilizers. Assessment questions and activities were given to facilitate learnings to students.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the chapter, students are able to:

 Discuss fertilization in forage and pasture
 Discuss the importance of nutrient status, liming.
 Identify nutrients needed in pasture

LESSON 1.NUTRIENT STATUS, LIMING AND FERTILIZERS

FERTILIZATION AND SOIL FERTILITY

Wise farmers and ranchers care for the soil because they know that man is dependent on the top 6
inches (15.2 centimeters) of soil. In the plant-animal-soil continuum, soil is often neglected because it does not
indicate stress in an obvious way. Animals and plants show physical symptoms but the soil must be looked at
more carefully to monitor good health.

SOIL AS A RESOURCE

Soil is an essential and dynamic resource that supports plant growth and, therefore, livestock
production. Soils have unique biological, chemical, and physical properties that change in response to
management. As a pasture manager it is your job to keep these properties in balance in order to optimize forage
productivity and quality.

It is recommended to review the local soil survey, which describes your farm’s soils and their
characteristics. Soil surveys include maps, photos, descriptions, and tables. The tables contain detailed
information about soil properties and suitability for uses such as crops, pasture, recreation, and engineering.
They also include information about depth to rock or restrictive layers, soil texture, permeability, water-holding
capacity, native soil reaction (pH), and erosion. Climate information includes the average frost-free period and
annual precipitation.

Importance of Soil Fertility

Soil that is rich in nutrients is fertile. The expectation of growing plants as food for livestock must
include the reality that plants will take nutrients out of the soil. Replacing nutrients is the basic goal of
fertilization.

Soils feed the plants which in turn feed the animals that feed us. Soil provides the support or foundation
for plants and most of the nutrients. Soil is accumulated decomposing plant and animal matter with aging parent
material. As the soil components break down, elements are released and become available to plants as nutrients.
However, this process takes a long time and the soil will only be a result of the parent material, climate, those
living organisms once living there, topography, and time. So what is made available to a plant at a certain time
may not be exactly what a growing plant needs. Fertilization is supplementing the existing soil with additional,
needed nutrients. Fertilizing wisely increases yield, quality, and profit.

MAJOR ELEMENTS FOR GOOD SOIL FERTILITY AND PLANT GROWTH

Plant growth requires a compatible relationship between the plant, the atmosphere, and the soil. The
soil provides support and nutrients for plant growth. The air provides CO2 for photosynthesis and N2 for
nitrogen fixing plants. Over 50 different factors enter into the relationship of plants,

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atmosphere, and soil. Some cannot be easily modified, like relative humidity, but many, like soil texture, can be
adjusted by the land manager. Profitable production is the result of careful management. One of the key factors
that can be manipulated is nutrition supplied by elements.

Sixteen elements are considered essential for plant growth because they are involved in metabolic
functions required in the life cycle of the plant. Some, like carbon (C), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H), come
from the air. Nitrogen (N) is made available to the plant from the air and soil. But most of the needed elements
that are nutrients for plants come from the soil. They are not all equally important but all play a role in plant
growth. Most needed are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S). Others are calcium (Ca),
iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), chlorine
(Cl), sodium (Na), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and silicon (Si).

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is the most critical element for grass plants because it is often deficient and yields obvious
benefits. N fertilization on forages generally increases yield and crude protein content of cool and warm-season
grasses. Stored carbohydrates are reduced, which produces a more succulent plant. Plants normally contain
between 1 and 5% N, absorbed as nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+) ions and urea. Nitrate is most often
available but must be reduced to NH4+ or NH3 for plant utilization. Too much nitrogen may result in animal
disorders related to high nitrate, alkaloid content, or hypomagnesemia. Some plants also are more susceptible to
lodging, disease, or insect invasion.

Legumes can fix their own nitrogen from the atmosphere. Nitrogen application is not typically
recommended for legumes. Adding nitrogen decreases the nodulation on legume roots and the amount of N
fixed by the plants. There is no yield increase of tissue nitrogen percentage when legumes are properly
inoculated. Legumes usually require more K, S, Mo, and B than grasses. Since the nutrient needs of grasses and
legumes differ, use fertilizers to manage a grass/legume mixture. Adding K, S, Mo, and B will favor legume
growth. Grasses crowding out legumes or the invasion of weedy species may indicate decreasing levels of K. K
has shown to increase stand longevity in addition to yield and quality. When managing a mixed sward,
fertilization can do more than just increase yield. Remember the differences between grasses and legumes.
Determine which species are desired as dominant in a mixture. What kind of mixture best meets the animal
requirements? Do other limitations determined by geophysical factors (soil, weather, elevation) favor grasses or
legumes?

Phosphorus

Phosphorus (P) makes up about 0.1 and 0.4% of a plant and is involved in energy storage and transfer,
root growth, early maturation, quality, and disease resistance. Plants absorb H2PO4- or HPO42- orthophosphate
ions. Adequate P is especially important to germinating seedling root growth.

Potassium

Potassium (K) concentration in vegetative tissue usually ranges from 1 to 4% of dry matter. Plants
absorb N and P in compounds but the K+ ion is absorbed as K+. K influences enzyme activity, water and energy
relations, transpiration and translocation, and N uptake and protein synthesis.

Sulfur

Sulfur (S) is absorbed by plant roots as a sulfate ion SO 2-. Elemental

4 S can also be used as a
fertilizer. Normally, S concentrations range between 0.1 and 0.4%. Deficiencies in S result in retarded growth:
stunted, thin-stemmed, and spindly plants. Some confuse a S deficiency with a shortage of N because of growth
problems and pale green color. Sulfur problems show up first in younger leaves while N deficiencies show up
first in older leaves. S is essential for plant amino acid synthesis.

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TESTING FOR NUTRIENTS

There are a few ways to determine what nutrients are needed: soil testing, plant tissue analysis, yield
response, and crop removal. Yield response and crop removal take careful observation and a long time period.
Plant tissue analysis is a good way to determine how much of a nutrient is being absorbed by the plants and
therefore depleted from the soil. Determining what has been removed by analyzing the crop yield is a way of
determining what should be replaced. Plant tissue analysis can provide valuable information but replacement of
nutrients should also consider leaching and other losses. Calculating the pounds of nutrients removed from dry
matter yield involves a simple equation. Multiply the average tissue concentration (determined by tissue
analysis) for the specific element (usually N, P, K, and S) by the dry matter yield in pounds per acre. If the
average tissue concentration for K is 1.85% and the dry matter yield of a hay crop is 8 tons, put the percentage
in decimal form and the 8 tons into pounds, each ton is 2000 pounds (907 kilograms): .0185 X 16000 pounds
(7257.5 kilograms) = 296 pounds (134.3 kilograms) of K removed.

Soil Testing

A soil test is the best way to know if the soil can provide these elements to plants. A soil test is a
chemical method of estimating the capacity of the soil to supply nutrients. Taken every 2-3 years to monitor soil
acidity and fertility, a soil test can be a very helpful tool before forages are planted. Soil tests determine what
nutrients are in the soil; not the plant uptake, which can be measured by plant analysis. Technology is
developing more accurate ways of soil sampling resulting in efficient, environmental-minded, and scientifically
sound fertilizer application. But the basic guidelines include several highlights. Soil test samples should be taken
every 2.5 - 5 acres (1-2 hectares) and in areas of different geophysical features (hillsides, soil types, areas
managed differently) to represent the entire field, but should avoid small unusual spots. Dig out a sample of soil
from plow depth unless a shallower height is needed as in cases of renovation or established pastures. Avoid
contaminating sampling tools with fertilizer or soils from other spots. Do not use galvanized, brass, or bronze
tools when planning to request information on micronutrients such as zinc. Place the collection of samples into a
clean container and mix thoroughly. Fill a sample bag with soil and fill out needed information. Do not use
paper bags for the composite sample. Each sample should be about 1 pint of soil consisting of subsamples taken
from 15-20 locations. Record information about the samples and locations. Keep a map of soil sampling over
the years to develop a real sense of the soil history and potential fertilizer application. Label them before
sending them to a soil testing service. Request what tests you want performed since each test costs money.

Soil Testing Results: If results show a pH too low for optimal production of the intended forage, lime
may be a wise investment.

LIMING

Lime is a soil amendment that contains calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and other materials.
It is used to neutralize soil acidity and furnish calcium and magnesium for plant growth.

Uses

Plant growth can be greatly hampered by soil being too acidic. This is especially important when N
fertilizers form acids. As N fertilizers are used to grow more food, soils are continually becoming more acidic.
Soils with too much acid can cause several problems. Many forage plants, like alfalfa, have specific soil acidity
tolerances (measured as pH) for productive growth, but as acids increase soil pH drops and growth is hampered.
Nitrogen fixation is also hampered in very acidic soils. Acid soils have poor tilth and are poorly aggregated.
Other nutrients are not as available to plants. The concentration of soluble metals in the soil may become toxic.
There may be a calcium deficiency. Lime is used to reduce acids and make the soil more alkaline.

Rates

Lime application rate is determined using the lime requirement test (SMP buffer method). The SMP
buffer test is named after Shoemaker, McLean, and Pratt, the soil scientists who published the method in 1961.
For established perennial or no-till crops, a top-dress lime application (1 to 2 t/a) may

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be beneficial. When very different soils are present within a field, variable-rate lime application is usually
advantageous.

Methods

Limestone reacts only with the nearby soil, so mixing the limestone into the soil rather than leaving the
limestone on the surface is necessary. Disking alone is not enough and may result in green stripes in plant
growth. Disking followed by plowing, and further working in of the limestone is best.

Depth

Lime is beneficial when mixed well into the soil where seeds are germinating and plant roots
growing. Lime should be placed deep enough to serve these purposes.

Alternatives

Lime applications can be expensive. Some alternatives may provide an inexpensive solution. Since
lime encourages nodulation, using more inoculum may be helpful. Apply Mo at 4-5 oz/A, and P. Use species
tolerant of acidic soils such as white clover or subterranean clover
\

Inoculant is a seed or soil additive (especially for legumes) that contains nitrogen fixing
bacteria that facilitate nitrogen fixation in subsequent crop

FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT FOR MIXED STANDS

Permanent pastures often mix a grass and legume to improve nutrition, utilization, and yield. Grasses
are generally easier to grow than legumes because legumes have more narrow parameters like adaptation range
and pH. Obviously, fertilizing for a single species would be much more simple. But legumes are generally
higher in protein and mineral content, increasing the feed value. When a pasture is made up of grass, nitrogen is
often the cause of limited growth. Having a legume to fix nitrogen and make it available in the soil for the grass
is advantageous. If a pasture is more than 50% legumes, then N fertilization does not provide significant gains.
Pastures containing more than 50% grass would benefit from N applications. But fertilization is a complex issue
because the different nutrients have various relationships with each other. In order to make the best use of
nitrogen the P, K, pH, must be kept in balance. The general rule is to fertilize for the legume.

Grasses are more tolerant of soil acidity than alfalfa and some other legumes. Liming should be considered
for the legume requirements.

SUMMARY:
 Replacing nutrients is the basic goal of fertilization.
 Fertilizing wisely increases yield, quality, and profit.
 Plant tissue analysis is a good way to determine how much of a nutrient is being absorbed by the plants and
therefore depleted from the soil
 A soil test is the best way to know if the soil can provide these elements to plants.
 Lime application rate is determined using the lime requirement test (SMP buffer method).

ASSESSMENT 5. FERTILIZATION
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Read and answer the questions carefully.

1. Too much of this nutrient may result in animal disorder called hypomagnesemia.
a. Nitrogen
b. Manganese
c. Magnesium

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d. Phosphorus
2. Legumes can fix their own nitrogen from the:
a. Soil
b. Air
c. Atmosphere
d. Roots
3. Sulfur is absorbed by plant roots as:
a. S
b. SO
c. SO 42-
d. All of the above
4. The following are ways to determine nutrients needed:
a. soil testing
b. plant tissue analysis
c. yield response
d. all of the above
5. It is the best way to know if the soil can provide the elements to plants.
a. soil testing
b. plant tissue analysis
c. yield response
d. all of the above
6. The following are nutrients found in atmosphere, except
a. Carbon
b. Hydrogen
c. Oxygen
d. Phosphorus
7. The following nutrients are usually required by legumes, except
a. Potassium
b. Sulphur
c. Boron
d. Nitrogen
8. This nutrient is important especially in germinating seedling growth.
a. Carbon
b. Hydrogen
c. Oxygen
d. Phosphorus
9. It is a good way to determine how much of a nutrient is being absorbed by the plants and
therefore depleted from the soil.
a. soil testing
b. plant tissue analysis
c. yield response
d. all of the above
10. In order to make use of this nutrient P, K, and pH must be kept in balance.
a. Nitrogen
b. Manganese
c. Magnesium
d. Phosphorus