A Fertility Program for Growing Vegetables - With Information on Soil, Manures and Use of Chemicals
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A Fertility Program for Growing Vegetables - With Information on Soil, Manures and Use of Chemicals - Ralph L. Watts
A Fertility Program
for Growing
Vegetables
With Information on Soil, Manures
and Use of Chemicals
By
Ralph L. Watts
Copyright © 2011 Read Books Ltd.
This book is copyright and may not be
reproduced or copied in any way without
the express permission of the publisher in writing
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from
the British Library
Contents
Soil Organic Matter
Animal Manures
Green Manures
Use of Lime
Functions of Fertilizers
Fertilizer Materials
Complete Fertilizers
Applying Fertilizers
Typical Fertility Programs
FERTILITY PROGRAM
CONSIDERING the vegetable farm as a factory the soil is the machine most likely to limit or expand the output. The cost of producing a bushel or ton may be doubled or halved with ordinary—not extreme—decreases or increases in yields. Fortunately the soil is exceedingly responsive. The grower who keeps it working at a high level of efficiency is practically assured of larger, more economical yields than the average, often with little or no increase in expenditure of money or labor to the acre. No other factor is so effective as large yields in securing a profit under the competitive market conditions that usually prevail.
The dependence of low unit costs on good crops, the naturally intricate relationships of soil management, and the particular problems involved in the intensive cropping and lavish fertilization common to the vegetable growing business justify rather detailed consideration of the fertility program.
The three main phases of soil management are systematic replenishment of organic matter, suitable liming, and balanced fertilization. Good drainage and proper tillage are assumed.
SOIL ORGANIC MATTER
From ancient times observing farmers have recognized the important benefits of an abundance of organic matter in the soil. Regular and frequent addition of organic matter to the soil is the foundation of the fertility program. This is especially true in vegetable growing because intensive tillage accelerates the decomposition and depletion of organic matter; and most vegetable crops are very sensitive to the unfavorable soil conditions usually associated with its deficiency. Failure to supply adequate amounts of organic matter is certain to result in reduced yields and invites crop failures.
Effects of soil organic matter.—In simple language, soil organic matter may be said to have four general effects: (1) to increase the absorptive capacity; (2) to improve the physical condition; (3) to stimulate biochemical activity; (4) to supply nutrients.
Important increases in the absorptive capacity of mineral soils may be accomplished by incorporating liberal quantities of organic matter. Great reserves of moisture are required for uninterrupted growth and large yields of high quality vegetables. Well decomposed organic matter has a very high absorptive capacity, will hold approximately seven or eight times as much water as an equal weight of sand and four times as much as a typical clay. The important benefits of high absorptive capacity include also the ability to retain relatively large quantities of nutrient materials and to decrease thereby the losses that occur by leaching.
The effect of organic matter in improving the physical condition of the soil is particularly notable on heavy loam or clay types. With plenty of organic matter these soils are less plastic; they more readily assume and maintain a granulated structure, tillage operations require less power and labor, the soil remains friable under greater extremes of moisture, and there is less packing, baking, or crusting when dashing or prolonged rains occur or crops must be harvested during wet seasons. Greater permeability of such soils is conducive to rapid absorption of rainfall with consequent reduction in run-off and erosion.
In sandy soils organic matter serves as a binder and supplies more body. Erosion from wind or water is reduced by the presence of fibrous material. Through its combined influences on absorptive capacity and physical condition, organic matter in abundance ameliorates the effects of excessive rainfall as well as drought on all types of soils. Organic matter darkens the color of soil and enables it to warm quickly and absorb more heat.
Readily decomposable organic matter stimulates favorable activities of bacteria, other soil organisms, and chemical processes. Vast amounts of organic matter are required to furnish energy and food for the work of the various soil organisms; it also promotes their activity by improving the aeration of the soil and providing conditions favorable for rapid percolation or distribution of water. In consequence decay rapidly breaks down animal manures or plant residues in the soil and from these releases essential food elements that become available to the growing crops. In addition, the unavailable reserves of minerals in the soil are attacked and progressively converted into available forms, by the action of organic acids that are most abundant in the soil solution when decomposition processes are active. At the same time carbon dioxide escapes to the atmosphere where some of it is used by the new generation of plants. In short, active organic matter in the soil feeds
the growing crops by decomposing old plant and animal substances and