Resinhound
Well-Known Member
Hmm its cut and paste day for me..lol.But I foumd this info on cation uptake that was interesting.
For many years, there have been a few people who claim that there is an "Ideal" ratio of the three principal soil cation nutrients (K, Ca, and Mg). This concept probably originated from New Jersey work by Bear in 1945 that projected an ideal soil as one that had the following saturations of exchangeable cations 65% Ca, 10% Mg, 5% K, and 20% H. The cation ratios resulting from these idealizes concentrations are a Ca:Mg of 6.5:1, Ca:K of 13:1, and Mg:K of 2:1.
It is generally accepted that there are some preferred general relationships and balances between soil nutrients. There is also a significant amount of work indicating that excesses and shortages of some nutrients will affect the uptake of other nutrients (see later sections of this paper). However, no reliable research has indicated that there is any particular soil ratio of nutrients.
Over the years, a significant amount of conversation and salesmanship has revolved aroung the concept of the ideal soil Ca:Mg ratio. Most of the claims for the ideal ratio range between 5:1 and 8:1.
Some of the claims are that the correct soil Ca:Mg ratio will
Wisconsin research found that yields of corn and alfalfa were not significantly affected by Ca:Mg ratios ranging from 2.28:1 to 8.44:1in all cases, when neither nutrient was deficient, the crops internal Ca:Mg ratio was maintained within a relatively narrow range consistent with the needs of the plant. These findings are supported by most other authorities. A soil with the previously listed ratios would most likely be fertile. However, this does not mean that a fertile soil requires these specific values (or any other). Adequate crop nutrition is dependent on many factors other than a specific ratio of nutrients. It will rarely be profitable to adjust the soil Ca:Mg ratio.
In later sections of this paper, you will find references to nutrient ratios. However, in most cases there will not be specific numerical ratios associated with these relationships. The intention is to indicate that as the relative abundance of the nutrients changes significantly, it could affect the availability of the other nutrient. This concept is much less specific than claiming that there is a value to a specific numerical ratio.
High Response Crops
While Ca is an essential element for all plants, the following crops have been found to be especially responsive.
apples, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, citrus, conifers, cotton, curcurbits, melons, grapes, legumes, lettuce, peaches, peanuts, pears, peppers, potatoes, tobacco, and tomatoes.
For many years, there have been a few people who claim that there is an "Ideal" ratio of the three principal soil cation nutrients (K, Ca, and Mg). This concept probably originated from New Jersey work by Bear in 1945 that projected an ideal soil as one that had the following saturations of exchangeable cations 65% Ca, 10% Mg, 5% K, and 20% H. The cation ratios resulting from these idealizes concentrations are a Ca:Mg of 6.5:1, Ca:K of 13:1, and Mg:K of 2:1.
It is generally accepted that there are some preferred general relationships and balances between soil nutrients. There is also a significant amount of work indicating that excesses and shortages of some nutrients will affect the uptake of other nutrients (see later sections of this paper). However, no reliable research has indicated that there is any particular soil ratio of nutrients.
Over the years, a significant amount of conversation and salesmanship has revolved aroung the concept of the ideal soil Ca:Mg ratio. Most of the claims for the ideal ratio range between 5:1 and 8:1.
Some of the claims are that the correct soil Ca:Mg ratio will
- Improve soil structure.
- Reduce weed populations, especially foxtail and quackgrass, plus improve forage quality.
- Reduce leaching of other plant nutrients.
- Generally improve the balance of most soil nutrients.
Wisconsin research found that yields of corn and alfalfa were not significantly affected by Ca:Mg ratios ranging from 2.28:1 to 8.44:1in all cases, when neither nutrient was deficient, the crops internal Ca:Mg ratio was maintained within a relatively narrow range consistent with the needs of the plant. These findings are supported by most other authorities. A soil with the previously listed ratios would most likely be fertile. However, this does not mean that a fertile soil requires these specific values (or any other). Adequate crop nutrition is dependent on many factors other than a specific ratio of nutrients. It will rarely be profitable to adjust the soil Ca:Mg ratio.
In later sections of this paper, you will find references to nutrient ratios. However, in most cases there will not be specific numerical ratios associated with these relationships. The intention is to indicate that as the relative abundance of the nutrients changes significantly, it could affect the availability of the other nutrient. This concept is much less specific than claiming that there is a value to a specific numerical ratio.
High Response Crops
While Ca is an essential element for all plants, the following crops have been found to be especially responsive.
apples, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, citrus, conifers, cotton, curcurbits, melons, grapes, legumes, lettuce, peaches, peanuts, pears, peppers, potatoes, tobacco, and tomatoes.
