Balanced crop nutrition is the most critical factor when it comes to yield. It all comes down to two primary elements: managing soil fertility and understanding the nutrients needed for the plant to grow. Developing a crop nutrition plan is essential to creating a high-yielding, sustainable crop.
Nutrients
There are 17 necessary nutrients needed for optimal plant growth. Lacking just one of these nutrients will result in delayed development and negatively impact the yield. These nutrients can be separated into two primary groups: macronutrients and micronutrients.
Macronutrients can further be separated into three primary nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and three secondary nutrients, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. The three primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are needed more than the secondary nutrients. Micronutrients such as boron and zinc are required in much lower quantities but are still essential to the plant’s overall health.
Soil Test
Understanding which nutrients the soil is and isn’t getting is vital in knowing what next steps to take. A soil test will provide an in-depth analysis of the soil’s nutrient intake. The ideal pH for soil should be at a 7.0 neutral state. A balanced pH allows for the plant to receive more nutrients and grow efficiently.
Because of the nature of organic matter and minerals, the soil is broken down over time and turns acidic. Other reasons for acidic soil include excessive rainfall or irrigation. If soil is acidic, it causes natural deficiencies to the soil, literally blocking the nutrients from entering the plant. Getting a soil test done regularly will show what the overall soil pH is and its nutrient intake.
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
Cation Exchange Capacity is the number of nutrients the soil can hold. The key cations that make up a majority of the soil are:
- Calcium, which should make up 70%.
- Magnesium, which should make up 15%.
- Potassium, which should make up 5%.
- Hydrogen, which should make up 10 to 15%.
- Sodium, which should be at 2% or less.
Hydrogen is the ion that causes soil acidity, so the more hydrogen in the soil, the lower the pH. To solve this, cations need to be added to displace the hydrogen. In contrast, sulfur will remove cations. So, for high pH soil, added sulfur will lower pH.
Fertilizer
After you have a basic understanding of your soil test results, it’s time to decide which fertilizer to use. AgriTec offers an array of fertilizers to solve your soil’s pH problems quickly, efficiently, and affordably.
Frequently asked questions
What goes into an AgriTec crop nutrition plan?
A current soil test (zone or grid preferred), yield history, recent crop rotation, application equipment, and any yield maps or management zones. AgriTec returns a recommendation with rate, placement, total gallons, and a verification plan you can run on your farm.
How often should I soil test?
At minimum once a year, by zone or field average. AgriTec recommends a re-test 9 to 12 months after any correction program, then on a consistent 1 to 2 year cycle to track long-term trend. Soil chemistry changes with rainfall, crop removal, fertilizer, and biology.
What soil test values does AgriTec use to size a plan?
CEC, pH, calcium base saturation, magnesium base saturation, potassium base saturation, and hydrogen/aluminum percentage. The target balance is approximately 75 percent Ca, 15 to 20 percent Mg, 2 to 4 percent K, with H/Al minimized. Those ratios typically land pH in the productive 6.3 to 7.0 range.
How does AgriTec identify “responsive acres”?
Responsive acres are zones where pH and Ca chemistry are limiting and where a measurable response is likely. We find them by reading the soil test against the target base saturation, then prioritizing rates and placement (VRT) where the gap is largest.
What if I don’t have soil tests yet?
AgriTec offers affordable soil testing as part of every consultation. Send acres, location, crop, and current program — we can either pull a sample or recommend a lab partner. The plan is built from data; no soil test, no honest recommendation.