 Providing an adequate supply of essential plant
nutrients has a major impact on crop yields and is one crop
production factor that can be readily managed.
The purpose of this guide is to provide an overview of soil
fertility practices in Manitoba and general fertilizer use
considerations. Producers are encouraged to use this information
in conjunction with reliable soil tests, their own experience
and, when required, the assistance of a professional agronomist
to develop effective, environmentally sound and economically
viable fertilizer management practices.
Five key practices must be implemented to achieve this goal:
- apply only those nutrients that will result in economic
yield increases
- apply appropriate nutrient rates
- apply appropriate sources of fertilizer nutrients
- apply nutrients at appropriate timing
- apply using the most effective and practical application
techniques
Practices that are economically effective and practical will
serve to minimize potential adverse effects on the quality of
soil and water resources.Nutrient requirements and crop responses on Manitoba soils
At least 16 elements are essential plant nutrients. An
insufficient supply of any one or more of these nutrients can
have a detrimental effect on plant growth and, ultimately, crop
yields. All but three of these nutrients, carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen, are derived mainly from the soil. Only four nutrients -
nitrogen, phosphorus and, to a lesser degree, potassium and
sulphur - are likely to be of any concern for crop production on
mineral soils in most areas of Manitoba.
Table 1 lists the amount of nutrients typically removed with
the harvest portion of several Manitoba crops1. The
soil often supplies the entire crop requirement for most
nutrients.
The difference of uptake and removal is straw or vines left in
the field.
Values are based upon the yield in the first column. Values can
be adjusted for different yields, by scaling according to the base
yield.
|
Introduction |
Nitrogen |
Phosphorus |
Potassium |
Sulphur |
Micronutrients |
The
Fertilizer Act and Quality Standards |
Calculating Fertilizer Rates from Nutrient Recommendations |
Fall/Spring Fertilizer Price Differences |
Common
Fertilizers and Their Characteristics |
Fertilizer Recommendation Guidelines |
Manure
|
Nitrogen Fixation |
Soil
pH and Salinity | Nutrient
Management Plans |
Manitoba Fertilizer Recommendation Guidelines
Based on Soil Tests | Fertilizer Guidelines
for Soil Tests | Developing
Fertilizer Recommendations without a Soil Test |
Developing a Fertilizer Recommendation Rate|
Agronomically, Economically and Environmentally Sensible Target Yields | General
Fertilizer Recommendations Without a Soil Test
|
References
|
Manitoba Soil Fertility Guide Home
|
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