This document discusses plant nutrient deficiencies and soil testing. It provides information on the symptoms of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium deficiencies. It also discusses how these nutrients move through the soil, with nitrogen and sulfur moving rapidly while phosphorus moves slowly. Graphs show testing results for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients over time. The document stresses the importance of thorough random soil sampling to get accurate results and notes soil properties and history can impact levels. It recommends soil testing and sampling the root zone to assess plant nutrient needs.

1. Warren Roberts
George Kuepper

2. • Plants
• Soil

3. • Nitrogen (N)
• Light Green Leaves, Older Leaves
• Phosphorus (P)
• Purple Leaves, Stunted Plants
• Potassium (K)
• Yellow Margins on Older Leaves

4. • Micro Nutrients
• Stripes
• Mottling
• Chlorosis
• Bleached

5. • Nitrogen (N)
• Dark Green Foliage, Poor Fruit Set
• Phosphorus (P)
• Iron, Zinc Deficiencies
• Potassium (K)
• Magnesium, Calcium Deficiencies

9. •Nutrient Movement
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Potassium

10. •Soil Particles are Negatively Charged

11. • Nitrogen
• Exists as NO3 Anion
• (Negative Charge)
• Does Not Bond with Soil Particles
• Moves Rapidly in Water
• Leaches Readily in Sandy Soils
• Leaches More Slowly in Clay
• Can be Lost in One Heavy Rain
• Sulfur Behaves Similarly to Nitrogen

13. 20
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
Before
20
02
Av
er
ag
e
20
07
N (lbs / acre)
20
07
20
07
20
07
20
After
07
20
07
Av
er
ag
e

14. 20
10
15
20
25
0
5
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
Before
20
02
Av
er
ag
e
20
07
S (lbs / acre)
20
Desired Range
07
20
07
20
07
20
After
07
20
0
Av 7
er
ag
e

15. • Phosphorus
• Bonds with Soil Iron, Aluminum
• Movement is Very Limited
• Movement is Very Slow
• Takes Months or Years to Move

16. 20
20
40
60
80
100
120
0
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
Before
20
0
Av 2
er
ag
e
20
P Index
07
20
Desired Range
07
20
07
20
07
20
After
07
20
07
Av
er
ag
e

17. • Potassium
• Has a Positive Charge
• Bonds to Negatively Charged Soil
• Moves Slightly Due to Water

18. 20
50
100
150
200
250
0
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
Before
20
0
Av 2
er
ag
e
20
K Index
07
20
Desired Range
07
20
07
20
07
20
After
07
20
07
Av
er
ag
e

19. 20
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.2
0
1
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
Before
20
02
Av
er
ag
e
20
07
Zn (ppm)
20
Desired Range
07
20
07
20
07
20
After
07
20
07
Av
er
ag
e

20. 20
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
Before
20
0
Av 2
er
ag
e
20
B (ppm)
07
20
Desired Range
07
20
07
20
07
20
After
07
20
07
Av
er
ag
e

21. 20
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.2
0
1
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
20
02
Before
20
02
Av
er
ag
e
20
07
Copper (ppm)
20
Desired Range
07
20
07
20
07
20
After
07
20
07
Av
er
ag
e

22. N (pounds per acre)
450
400
350 raw1
raw2
300 raw3
raw4
syn1
250 syn2
Poly. (raw1)
200 Poly. (raw2)
Poly. (raw3)
150 Poly. (raw4)
Poly. (syn1)
Linear (syn2)
100
50
0
0 5 10 15
Sample Date 20 25 30

23. P (lbs per acre)
1400
1200
raw1
1000 raw2
raw3
raw4
800 syn1
syn2
Poly. (raw1)
600 Poly. (raw2)
Poly. (raw3)
Poly. (raw4)
400 Poly. (syn1)
Poly. (syn2)
200
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Samples Date

24. K (lbs per acre)
900
800
700
raw1
raw2
600 raw3
raw4
syn1
500
syn2
Poly. (raw1)
400 Poly. (raw2)
Poly. (raw3)
300 Poly. (raw4)
Poly. (syn1)
Poly. (syn2)
200
100
0
0 5 10 15
Sample Date 20 25 30

25. • Results are Only as Good as the Sample

30. • Random Variability

33. • Depends on Soil
• Depends on Soil History
• Depends on Soil Treatments
• Usually 20 or more samples per field

34. • Root Zone
• Plow Layer

37. • Acid pH in Soil
• Add Lime

38. Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium ph Organic
matter
3 45 174 5.5 1.14
2 27 147 5.4 0.76
2 13 176 5.2 1.01
3 20 130 5.5 0.98
4 17 171 5.7 1.48
9 15 417 4.8 1.34

42. • Don’t Guess – Soil Test
• Sample thoroughly – 20 or more
samples per field
• Sample root zone – normally 6 – 7
inches

44. Warren Roberts