What’s In Your Soil’s Nutrient Savings Account?

By Cotton Grower Staff|October 24, 2022

Fertilization programs have historically been simplistic, focusing primarily on N-P-K, with calcium for acidic soils. It’s all applied before or at the beginning of the season with most of them running out just when the crop starts to really need them. Then later-on during the season, typically nitrogen is applied to boost crop growth and yields.

With research on soil testing having begun in the early 1800s, the concept is hardly new. Yet many still consider the costs and trouble to be unnecessary.

Now, with the gyrating costs of fertilizers and consciousness of pollution of waterways and other environmental factors, you may be compelled to achieve maximum efficiency from fertilizer and to minimize waste, especially into the environment. Soil tests are the obvious way to start growing smart.

In this special report – part of Meister Media Worldwide’s Global Insight Series on Soil Health – author Carol Miller explores the value of good, timely soil testing and outlines some of the multiple test options available to give growers a complete view of their soil’s current nutrient status, regardless of crop.