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Montoursville, PA

Finally, the crop may “see” a different nutrient profile than that shown on a soil test. For example, healthy, well-fed soil life can “buffer” soil nutrient levels so that crops have good nutritional balance despite “low” or “excessive” levels of some nutrients on a soil test. Conversely, a compacted or biologically depleted soil may not release nutrients effectively. At one of our study sites, soil tests showed low P, K, and Ca, but good biological activity, and broccoli was well supplied with all of these nutrients. At another site, the compacted clay soil had over 70% Ca base saturation, yet tomato showed Ca deficiency.

5/8/2004 9:21:42 AM