Highlight: Soil test analysis online class

Soil is organic + inorganic matter. Soil test deals with percentage presence of organic and inorganic matter.

A few important things of note on soil test analysis:

1. pH - this represents the alkalinity or acidity of the soil. This determines the fertility and toxicity of the land. 

2. Cation Exchange Capacity - this describes the negatively charged sites of the soil, this is affected by the clay and organic matter content. The CEC affects ability to retain nutrient with positive charge e.g. K, Ca, Mg etc. CEC affects soil pH, water holding capacity and fertility. CEC affects the frequency of fertilizer application. Note that high CEC = high water holding capacity = high fertility

3. Organic matter - this calculates the amount of decayed plant and animal debris in the soil, though mostly plants. This includes N, P, S, etc

4. Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) - this predicts water infiltration. It calculates the ratio of Na: Mg + Ca. When SAR is more than 10, the soil rises or swells when there is water and it cracks when lacking water. 

5. Electrical Conductivity - this is a measure of salinity of the soil. This plays a huge role In the availability of nutrient for the plant. So there might be nutrient in the soil but the EC determines if the plant can actually access it. It affects yield, fertility, and choice in choosing best suited crop. 

We discussed the Leibig's law of minimum - plant products can be no greater than the level allowed by the growth factor present in the least amount to the optimum amount of the factor. 

We looked at the criteria to look at to know if the soil needs

1. Amendment 

2. Fertilizer

We also looked at the factors that influence most farmers in fertilizer application

1. Tradition

2. Trial and error

3. General recommendation

4. Advice from fertilizer companies

5. Subsidy 

Good and right fertilizer usage should

1. Maximize yield

2. Save cost

3. Enhance soil quality

4. Sustainable

5. Environmental friendly 

We did practical on how to use the soil test kit and analysis of result. 

Most farmers do not know that soil can die. It's our job to protect it. 

Thanks to everyone who joined the class