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Sydney, Australia

Agronomist told me that the soil is good in most ways. Much better than last year anyway. I still have toxic levels of boron and salt, plus an electrical conductivity that is through the roof! Salt levels are half what they were last year. All I can do to improve it is try to water heavily to leach out some of the salt. No amendments required, should be great soil to work with.

Stats are:

pH (1:5 Water) 7.5
pH (1:5 CaCI2) 7.3
Nitrate Nitrogen mg/kg 160.0
Sulfate Sulfur (MCP) mg/kg 250.0
Phosphorus (Colwell) mg/kg 1300
Phosphorus Buffer Index (PBI) 300.0
Potassium (Amm-acet.) meq/100g 9.2
Calcium (Amm-acet.) meq/100g 18.0
Magnesium (Amm-acet.) meq/100g 8.2
Sodium (Amm-acet.) meq/100g 6.5
Chloride mg/kg 560.0 Excess or toxic
Elect. Conductivity dS/m 2.42
Copper (DTPA) mg/kg 1.0
Zinc (DTPA) mg/kg 7.4
Manganese (DTPA) mg/kg 20.0
Iron (DTPA) mg/kg 220.0 High
Boron (HotCaCI2) mg/kg 5.1 Excess or Toxic
Molybdenum
Amm. Nitogren (KCI) mg/kg 93.0
Cation Exch. Cap. meq/100g 41.9
Calcium/Magnesium ratio 2.2
Sodium % of cations (ESP) 16.6 High
Elect. Cond. (Sat. Ect.) dS/m 28.3 Excess or Toxic
Disp.Index, Loveday/Pyle 6.0 High

Anyone have any comments or suggestions for the soil problems? I know the PH is a little high, but don't think it will matter too much, as I had 7.4 PH last year and did OK. Thanks.....Ben

9/29/2003 12:01:48 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

I'd add a little of sulphur directly to the soil, in order to low down a little the pH, but as you said it is not really necessary. And definitely potassium is low, so I'd add potassium sulphate as well.

Carlos

9/29/2003 1:03:39 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

Potassium is low comparing with Magnesium, because they act like antaghonists (I think this is the word), but Calcium is also low comparing with the other two, so gypsum is advisable to add as well.

9/29/2003 1:06:05 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Ben no expert here but I bet the elec conductivity of the soil is directly tied into the salinity...If ya can leach it out that would be great...Tell the next door neighbor fresh water pools are better!!! LOL... Saline is used to wet the electrodes on "OLd Sparky" in florida! Not a nice place to sit...don't know if I've ever seen a higher CEC posted...Grow em Bigger!!!! Chuck

9/29/2003 7:19:09 AM

Montoursville, PA

Since all those organics you placed are headed to a finished PH of about 7.0 gypsum is the only additive I would suggest. I think with your heat of the season the conversion from compost elements to humus will be more rapid than commonly experienced in our Northeast.

Howard Garrett, author of Dear Dirt Doctor, suggests twenty pounds of corn meal spring and fall as an additive offering modest nitrogen and plant support that helps resist fungi attack above ground. I know it makes good earthworm food if nothing else.

9/29/2003 8:38:49 AM

Key West, FL

I agree with the gypsum, more calcium could also make your pumpkin have thicker walls.

9/29/2003 3:58:53 PM

[email protected]

I'm with Carlos on this one. Sulfur at 3 Lbs./M, Gypsum 150-200 Lbs/M & Sulfate of Potash 3-4 Lbs/M. And all the aged organic matter you can find of course. I didn't see %OM on the results. (?)

Steve

9/30/2003 8:17:48 AM