clemson soil test rating system（克莱姆森土壤测试评价系统）.docVIP

VIII. Soil Test Rating System 1. Introduction The Clemson University Agricultural Service Laboratory Soil Test Rating System describes the essential plant nutrient element concentration range, defining the fertility status of the tested soil. In turn, the expected crop response to an addition of the determined plant nutrient element is correlated to the soil test-determined concentration level. With this rating system, expected crop response to an applied essential plant nutrient element as fertilizer will depend on whether: adequate soil moisture is available other environmental conditions are equally favorable cultural factors (planting date, seed quality, plant spacing, seed bed preparation, etc.) are at their optimum It is also assumed that the soil pH is within the recommended range, and that weeds, insects and disease organisms are not present, therefore not factors that would interfere with the normal growth of the crop. 2. Rating System Plant nutrient element soil test levels are divided into 5 categories that define the soil nutrient element status and expected crop response to applied fertilizer amendments. a. Low: soil plant nutrient element level is deficient and an application of this element will result in a significant yield increase. A high application rate is needed to: meet the crop requirement compensate for soil interaction build the soil reserves If the soil temperature is low (60oF), part of the fertilizer, especially P, should be banded beside the row for row crops when planted in the spring. b. Medium: soil plant nutrient element level is adequate for moderate agronomic crop yields, but a yield response can be expected about 50% of the time from an application of this element. For Soil Groups 1 and 2, it may not be either possible or economical to build K, Ca, and/or Mg higher than this level. For moderate yield goals, there is probably a sufficient amount of this plant nutrient element without the need to add more than that