Transcript Principles to Produce Nutrient Dense Crops

Parameters for Biological Function
Major Cation
Potassium (K)
BENEFITS
Yield potential
Stalk strength
Lodging resistance
Winter Hardiness
Protein production
Carbohydrate production
Sugar translocation
Enzymes
Cell division
BEST SOURCES
Potassium Sulfate (0-0-50-17S)
K-Mag (0-0-22-22S-11Mg)
COMMENTS
Potassium ppm shouldn’t be below 100,
regardless of CEC
An excess can cause problems
Beware of Potassium Chloride (0-0-60) due
to excess chloride
IDEAL BALANCE
3-5% Saturation
(780 x C.E.C. x %saturation)/200 = ppm
The Path
to
High Brix
Parameters for Biological Function
Major Cation
Calcium (Ca)
BENEFITS
BEST SOURCES
Improve soil structure
Limestone Kiln Dust (LKD)
Stimulate soil microbes
High-Calcium Lime (low Mg) (Ca 30-35%)
Stimulate earthworms
Increase Nitrogen utilization
Increase protein content
COMMENTS
Root & leaf growth
Cell division
Trucker of all nutrients
Build cell walls
Primary base for other molecules to react
Increase plant sugars
Key to successful foliar sprays
Overall plant health
Forms main channels to move molecules
High quality grain & fruit
Intra-cell communication key (telephone)
IDEAL BALANCE
70-80% Saturation
(400 x C.E.C. x %saturation)/200 = ppm
The Path
to
High Brix
Parameters for Biological Function
Major Cation
Magnesium (Mg)
BENEFITS
BEST SOURCES
Key element in chlorophyll Magnesium Sulfate (Mg 9%, S 12%)
Protein production
K-Mag (0-0-22-22S-11Mg)
Enzymes
Energy release in cells
Aids Phosphorus uptake
COMMENTS
Oil formation
Starch translocation
An excess can cause problems
• Tightens soil
• Hard to balance soil
• Ties up Potassium
• Reduces Nitrogen uptake
IDEAL BALANCE
12-15% Saturation
(240 x C.E.C. x %saturation)/200 = ppm
The Path
to
High Brix
Parameters for Biological Function
Major Anion
Phosphorus (P)
phosphate
BENEFITS
BEST SOURCES
Fast & vigorous growth
Mono-ammonium Phosphate (MAP)
Good & early root growth
(11-52-0 or 10-50-0)
Hastens maturity
Phosphate Rock
Increase Nitrogen uptake
Grain development & quality
COMMENTS
Increase mineral content
Higher plant sugar
MAP (pH 5) more available, low ammonium
Energy release in cells
DAP (pH 11) less available, hi ammonium
Cell division & enlargement
may harm root development
Photosynthesis
All minerals (except Nitrogen) enter plant
Contained in cell DNA
attached to phosphate (train engine)
Key to ADP/ATP energy to power the cell
IDEAL BALANCE
Shortage is broken energy transmission in
P1 (available): 20 – 50 ppm
plant, preventing growth
P2 (reserve): 50-100 ppm
The Path
to
High Brix
Parameters for Biological Function
Major Anion
Sulfur (S)
sulfate
BENEFITS
Loosen, aerate soil
More useable protein
Hi quality, complete protein
Make soil N more available
Reduce excess soil Mg
Lower soil pH
Energy release in cells
Part of Vitamin B1 & biotin
BEST SOURCES
Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0-24S)
Calcium Sulfate (gypsum) (Ca 23%, S 17%)
Potassium Sulfate (0-0-50-17S)
Sulfate Trace Minerals
COMMENTS
Builds humus
Needs to be present in 10:1 ratio N:S
Helps make deep green plants
IDEAL BALANCE
50 ppm or 100# lbs/acre
The Path
to
High Brix
Parameters for Biological Function
Minor Anion
BENEFITS
Boron (B)
BEST SOURCES
Promote flowering & pollen Calcium Borate(14% B)
Promote silk & tassel in corn
Seed development
Root & leaf development
Cell wall formation
COMMENTS
Protein production
Sugar translocation
“Gatekeeper” to put Calcium into a plant
Energy release in cells
Weak mineral uptake without Boron
Improves quality
Must be addressed yearly
Increase Calcium uptake
IDEAL BALANCE
2+ ppm or 4 lbs/acre
The Path
to
High Brix
Parameters for Biological Function
Minor Cation
Zinc (Zn)
BENEFITS
Contributes to test weight
Increase ear size in corn
Promote silking in corn
Hasten maturity
Chlorophyll formation
Enzymes
Regulate plant growth
Increase plant leaf size
BEST SOURCES
Zinc Sulfate (35%)
COMMENTS
Extremely important in Phosphorus
uptake and use within plants
IDEAL BALANCE
5+ ppm or 10 lbs/acre
The Path
to
High Brix
Parameters for Biological Function
Minor Cation
Manganese (Mn)
BENEFITS
Normal growth
Photosynthesis
Energy release in cells
Enzymes
BEST SOURCES
Manganese Sulfate
COMMENTS
Nitrogen mobility & utilization within plant
IDEAL BALANCE
20 ppm or 40 lbs/acre
Manganese to Iron ratio = 1:1
The Path
to
High Brix
Parameters for Biological Function
Minor Cation
BENEFITS
Iron (Fe)
BEST SOURCES
Chlorophyll production
Energy release in cells
Needed by Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
COMMENTS
High Iron ties up Phosphorus
Watch for Iron in feeds; with high Iron in
soil, expect Phosphorus tie-up
IDEAL BALANCE
20 ppm or 40 lbs/acre
The Path
to
High Brix
Parameters for Biological Function
Minor Cation
Copper (Cu)
BENEFITS
Control mold & fungi
Photosynthesis
Energy release in cells
Enzymes
Normal leaf growth
Increase stalk strength
BEST SOURCES
Copper Sulfate
COMMENTS
Involved with plant immune system
Helps produce high quality crops with
greater storability
IDEAL BALANCE
2+ ppm or 4 lbs/acre
The Path
to
High Brix