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By Michael Martin Meléndrez Humic acid is a group of molecules that bind to, and help plant roots receive, water and nutrients. High humic acid levels can dramatically increase yields. Humic acid deficiency can prevent farmers and gardeners from growing crops with optimum nutrition. Conventional wisdom today ignores humic acids, though, holding that it is impossible […]
By Erhard Hennig Humus forms as a result of the complicated interplay between inorganic conversions and organic creatures such as microbes, nematodes, and earthworms. Humus formation is carried out in two steps. First, the organic substances and minerals in the soil disintegrate. Next, totally new combinations of these broken-down products develop. This leads to the […]
There is a problem with how soil health indicators are being developed. We start with farmers using soil health practices, for instance, no-till, crop rotation, cover crops, and application of manure or compost. Then we look for indicators that are sensitive to the use of these soil health practices. Then we use the most sensitive indicators to measure “the effects” of soil health practices. Do you see the problem?
Does the added cost payback in added yield? Agronomists are often asked if supplemental nitrogen and sulfur applications can enhance soybean yield. To answer these questions, a team of researchers conducted a multi-state project powered by the Science for Success initiative. They mined through two decades of datapoints, then tested findings with replicated research in […]
Alfalfa yields can be greatly enhanced by in-season soil and/or foliar nutrient applications. Foliar applied nutrients can give an established field a much needed push following a cutting. Please contact me for suggestions.
Written by Bernardita Sallato, Lee Kalcsits, Tory Schmidt and Matthew Whiting, February 2023. What happens in a normal fall? Leaf senescence occurs naturally and gradually in response to key environmental cues (chiefly daylength and temperature). During the process, trees remobilize carbohydrates and nutrients from leaves to the perennial parts of the tree where they are […]
Corn, soybean usage cuts overshadow smaller Argentine crops Ben Potter February 8, 2023 Getty Images USDA made sweeping cuts to 2022/23 Argentine corn and soybean production that caused global ending stocks for both crops to tighten in today’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report. USDA’s downward revisions were higher than the market had been […]
Allen Fulton, University of California Cooperative Extension irrigation advisor, discusses options for determining irrigation needs in tree nuts.