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North Smithfield, RI USA

PH = 6.8
buffer PH = 7.1
N: NO3-N = 37 ppm
NH4-N = 2 ppm
Organic matter: 17.7 %
P = 258
K = 262
Ca =5844
Mg = 396
cation exch cap
46.1 meg/100g
percent base saturation
K = 2.1 Mg= 9.8 Ca=88.2
Miconutrient levels all normal
Extractable Al: = 1 ppm ( soil range: 10 -250 ppm )
lead level is normal

Any input would be appreciatted !!! Thanks ---- George Duval

4/12/2006 6:07:19 PM

SF Bay Area, California

Wow - first time I've seen Ca this high relative to K and Mg. High Ca can cause problems with availability of trace minerals. My literature indicates the optimum ranges for cationic elements(base saturation) is 5-7% K, 10-15% Mg and 70-80% Ca. To bring your soil into better balance I would increase K some. Use 1 pound of Mined Sulphate of Potash per 100 square feet to bump it up a little. Lay off the lime and gypsum for a few years....

Your N is also low, should be more like 60 PPM. I would probably opt to use a mild shot of urea prior to planting. After the soil warms up plenty of N should become available because of the high OM reading.

4/12/2006 8:52:01 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Ditto....leave well enough alone this year. This report looks pretty good as it is.

4/13/2006 10:11:52 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Cation Exchange 46.1!!! Yikes!! I'm still trying to get to 20! LOL GrowEmBig!

4/13/2006 6:47:06 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

CIC of >20 in RI is very unusual.

4/13/2006 7:14:27 PM

berkshire M.A.

IS there a max or to high CEC ? Tremor

4/13/2006 9:10:35 PM

Ohio

How do you bring up cec?

4/14/2006 12:36:09 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Very high CEC usually indicates a clay soil while a low CEC indicates sand. Since it is easier to add nutrients than oxygen, I'll take a sandier soil over clay all day.

Raising CEC.....add organic matter since adding clay is counter productive. Our roots benefit from oxygen & drainage more than fertilizer which we can always add safely in season if we use good sense when selecting source materials & rates.

4/14/2006 7:11:46 AM

North Smithfield, RI USA

thanks for the info everyone !

4/20/2006 6:19:56 PM