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Eugene, OR

Hi guys. I just got my spring soil test back from A&L and I was hoping someone could help me make some sense of it. The solble salts are obviously a bit high which is most likely due to the horse manure I added and the calcium is low. I believe gypsum will take care of both problems but I'm looking for some guidance on anything else that looks out of whack and how to correct the problem. Considering this is a new patch, I don't think it's too bad. Here's the numbers:

OM-13.6
pH-7.1
Phosphorus-135(Weak bray),163(Olsen Method)
Potassium-2210
Magnesium-1635
Calcium-4052
Sodium-244
CEC-40.4

Percent Cation Saturation:
K-14%
Mg-33.3%
Ca-50.1%
H-0%
Na-2.6%

Nitrogen-192
Sulfur-63
Zinc-5.4
Manganese-7
Iron-7
Copper-1.6
Boron-2.5
Excess lime rate-low
Soluble salts-3.8

A&L's only recommendation is 140 pounds of gypsum per thousand square feet, or approximately 240-250 pounds of gypsum for my patch. That seems like a whole lot of gypsum but I'm no soil expert. The plants will be heading out this weekend so I'm hoping there's still time to make a few corrections.

Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Brian

5/5/2004 5:27:55 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Man! Check out your CEC, that's killer!
Mag % high, calcium could be better but you know that.
OM looks very good but again I see a problem with P and K balance. I'll mention the letters "DAP" and leave it at that...if you read a few posts down you'll know how certain folks, myself included, feel about that topic :0)
Steve? Doc? Chime in?

5/5/2004 8:50:38 PM

Eugene, OR

Thanks for the reply Kyle. Most of the numbers make no sense to me so I'll have to look around and see what sort of ratios are acceptable and go from there. Does 250 pounds of gypsum sound reasonable? That seems like a lot to add all at once.

If anyone else has some suggestions or interpretations please email me or post. Thank you!

5/6/2004 11:57:17 AM

Eugene, OR

Ok, After consulting the HTGWCGP III I'm confused. He is recommending a 10:1 Ca to Mg ratio and a 15:1 Ca to K ratio. Clearly adding calcium will help get those two ratios in line. The part that worries me is that he recommends a 2:1 or greater Mg to K ratio. I'm close to that ratio....but in the wrong direction!

Is the percent K cation saturation being effected by the overabundance of available Magnesium? Considering the Mg cation percent saturation is already high, would it be wise to raise the Mg level to get it to an acceptable ratio or would this make the cation saturation percentage worse?

I didn't see a P recommendation in the book so I don't know where the phosphorus should be in relation to the others. Any ratios out there?

I'm going to be adding at least 200 pounds of gypsum this weekend but need to know if there's anything else I should do. With all this information, I'm even more confused than I was before.

Thanks again,

Brian

5/6/2004 9:59:57 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Brian you sure have a lot of Mg. Wait for Steve to comment. I have a similiar situation my k/mg ratio is the same as yours. I don't think it's the end of the world lets see what Steve thinks.

Russ L.

5/6/2004 10:16:58 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Brian,

Stick to the labs recommendation for Gypsum. It is the proper quantity to use given the situation. Don't worry. Gypsum is cheap. Try to get pelletized Gypsum as this will make for a cleaner application. Water it a bit, then till it in.

I'd trade my soil for yours if it makes you feel any better.

Grow well!

Steve

5/7/2004 12:04:32 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I wouldn't add any more magnesium and do as they recommend...lots-o-gypsum.
I added almost 700# gypsum to my 2400 sq ft. in the fall and my Ca% numbers are 88% and 86% in those 2 patches.

5/7/2004 6:45:26 AM

Eugene, OR

Thank you very much guys. Will do on the gypsum. I appreciate the info!

Brian

5/7/2004 11:48:29 AM