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Eugene, OR

Hey all. I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on my current soil test results. Prior to this season, I added 20+ yards of composted horse manure, 50 pounds of crabshell, and 250 pounds of gypsum to a 1600-1700 sq. ft. patch. I also used liquid calcium, seaweed, fish, kelp, and molasses throughout the season.

I'm curious to hear what was responsible for the various changes in my test levels from my previous test so I can kind of get an idea of what to add and what not to add based on this and any future soil tests.

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Current test numbers, in ppm, are listed first and Spring test numbers are in ()

OM: 13.2 (13.6)
Phosphorus-weak bray: 141 (135)
Phosphorus-Olsen: 141 (163)
Potassium: 1672 (2210)
Magnesium: 1182 (1635)
Calcium: 5539 (4052)
Sodium: 163 (244)
pH: 6.9 (7.1)
Hydrogen: 0.6 (0.0)
CEC: 43.0 (40.4)
-----Percent Cation Saturations-----
K: 9.9 (14.0)
Mg: 22.6 (33.3)
Ca: 64.3 (50.1)
H: 1.5 (0.0)
Na: 1.6 (2.6)
-----------------
Nitrogen: 59 (192)
Sulfur: 856 (63)
Zinc: 9.4 (5.4)
Manganese: 12 (7)
Iron: 19 (7)
Copper: 1.3 (1.6)
Boron: 1.2 (2.5)
Soluble salts: 3.6 (3.8)

The lab didn't make a single recommendation but as pumpkin growers, I know we're always looking to keep the goodies coming so your suggestions on what to add right now and what was responsible for the changes from my previous test would be great.

Thanks! :-)

Brian

10/21/2004 5:58:14 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Soils are constantly in flux even if no crop is grown. But stick AGs in a good soil & watch the Calcium & Potash levels drop.

Except yours....Up above it says your spring calcium (4052) was lower than fall 5539.

Within the anticipated changes to the base saturation percentages, we seek to elevate calcium & potassium now so the drop next year doesn't place the crop into a deficit situation.

In other words, put back now what the plant took away this year.

10/21/2004 7:20:01 PM

Eugene, OR

The calcium numbers I posted are correct. I posted my spring test results earlier this year and you recommended 100 pounds of gypsum per 1000 sq. ft. I added 250 pounds of gypsum, tilled it in, and went with it.....that's the reason the calcium and sulfur levels actually increased when compared to the spring test.

I understand that plant uptake is responsible for most of the levels dropping but I don't know or understand what the "optimum" levels or ratios are and have no idea what to add this fall to get a little closer to optimum.

What(and how much) to add this fall to get just a little closer to optimum come planting time next May is what I'm trying to figure out. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Brian

10/21/2004 9:56:00 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Isn't it curious that the OM level dropped ever so slightly even after 20+ yards of manure were added? 20 cubic yards of manure is a virtual mountain! Shouldn't the OM have gone up?

10/22/2004 5:51:24 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Organic matter is mostly unstable & constantly being reduced in volume & weight by bacteria etc. Over many years, organic materials decay into "stable organic matter" which resists any further reduction. At this point the eight will have been reduced to practically nothing. But depsite having little capacity to keep soils light & well aerated, the stable organic matter does more for plant nutrition.

So it is normal to see a reduction.

More on chemical nutrients later.

10/22/2004 6:50:35 PM

Eugene, OR

I guess I'm not being as clear as I could be. The spring soil test numbers included the 20+ yards of cow manure. As previously mentioned, the only thing I added AFTER the spring test was the 250 pounds of gypsum right before planting, which accounts for the increase in the calcium level between the spring and fall numbers.

The manure and all other amendments were added prior to the spring test. The OM dropped 0.3% during the season, I'm guessing because of the worms and those hungry colonies of bacteria Steve mentioned.

I'm still lost on what to add this fall to hopefully get the patch just a little closer to the theoretical "ideal" conditions for AG growth. If this were your soil test, what would you do?

Thanks again for any advice you can offer. Please help the soil test illiterate! :-)

10/22/2004 7:21:59 PM