106 fertilizer intro 2 hrs

Slide 1 LHAP 106 T.E.S.M. Fertilizer - what is in it? Ppt. developed by E.Wheale, adapted from school of horticulture staff. Slide 2 Fertilizer Plants photosynthesize and respire to support life They are primarily made of C, H, & O What is the value of the other minerals? QUESTIONS TO ASK The answer is nearly never “add more fertilizer” to start are the plants USING the nutrients? What environmental factors affect nutrient uptake? What plant cues can we use to make decisions about nutrient use? What do plants NEED in order to take up fertilizer? Slide 3 Fertilizer Uptake and Use Fertilizer uptake and use is variable depending on: Plant growth stage (emergence, vegetative or reproductive) if you’re not working out, do you need supplements? Health of root system, Availability and quality of water Fertilizer formulation (affects availability… more info soon) Soil chemistry (CEC) & health (microbial life) Slide 4 Mineral Groupings: Minerals are divided into 2 general groups: Macronutrients (3 Primary) (3 Secondary) Micronutrients (7 Trace Elements) Slide 5 Primary Elements Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) N-P-K is always the order that fertilizers are listed in. Slide 6 Secondary Elements Calcium (Ca) Magnesium (Mg) Sulfur (S) Slide 7 Micro-Elements (Trace) Iron (Fe) Boron (B) Manganese (Mn) Copper (Cu) Zinc (Zn) Molybdenum (Mo) Chlorine (Cl) Slide 8 Note that this topic area applies to Turf in that it is likely the most misapplied fertilizer in the Industry, but also to plant/fertilizer relationships in general. Fertilizer is one of the most misunderstood products amongst the General Public and its important that we do not perpetuate poor practices as Horticulturists. Slide 9 Primary Elements Slide 10 Nitrogen Vital Component Think ‘New Growth’ – needed more in early stages - vegetative growth / tissue development Active within plant – moves to the new growth. Plants reduce it differently, to understand how its used, you need to study specific plants. Not reliable on soil tests due to leaching (NO3- or NH4+) Can Volatilize if the formulation is not correct N2 released by O2 loving bacteria. Ammonia released from Urea Click here to read more about the nitrogen cycle… (and many other fascinating horticulture related topics!) Slide 11 Nitrogen - Luxury Consumption (Nitrate) Beware of Luxury Consumption! Delayed maturity Rank Growth: succulent, soft growth Low tolerance to temperature/moisture variability. Prone to insect and disease attacks Deficiencies manifest as: Chlorosis (old/basal leaves) Slide 12 Nitrogen - Toxicity This is an issue with INDOOR plants During the Winter (cool temp, low light) Plants generally use more nitrates… if the microorganisms are inactive due to cold, they will not convert it into useable nitrate. Beware of Ammonium Toxicity Plants cannot safely store Ammonium like they can Nitrates. If it’s too cold, wet, or compacted, Ammonium builds up in the media b/c the bacteria are not active, and then the plant luxuriously consumes it and it causes harm in the storage tissues. Slide 13 Nitrogen deficiency: Yellowing of basal (older leaves) with dark green upper growth Slide 14 Phosphorus - P Rapid development of roots, plus: Respiration, Photosynthesis, Cell division & Differentiation Used within the plant for energy transfer. (ATP) Backbone of DNA (phosphate and sugar) Hastens maturity, forms flowers and seed Poor establishment is an indicator of low P Also Mobile read more here Slide 15 Phosphorus - P Toxicity – Maybe a dark green leaf. Iron ties up Phosphorus at low pH Calcium will also tie up Phosphorus Release mechanism in soil is microbial activity *pH is often the reason for poor P availability* Cold Temperatures also create signs of P deficiency Slide 16 Phosphorus deficiency Slide 17 Potassium (K) Controls Water movement between cells, and thickening of cell walls. Soluble salt in a plant. Highly Mobile Regulates stomatal opening Slide 18 Potassium (K) Deficiency visible as marginal necrosis Luxury Consumption may happen may lead to soil nutrient depletion may hinder magnesium uptake Slide 19 Think you got it? Grab a friend and play this game!! Slide 20 Secondary Elements Slide 21 Calcium - Ca Immobile Transported in the Xylem (water stream) Structural Nutrient - Found in cell walls - no new cells without it. Influences growth of apical meristem Prevents leaching of salts Slide 22 Calcium - Ca Deficiency terminal bud, root tip failure. Weak stems and leaf spotting leaves with reduced transpiration show damage first, new growth curls.. Poor fruit development (blossom end rot, spotting, or bitter pit). Soil Toxicity = Too much can raise pH, High pH does not mean calcium is available. Excess of Ammonium can inhibit uptake. Slide 23 Magnesium - Mg Mobile - like Nitrogen. The centre mineral element in Chlorophyll – plant enzyme activator Slide 24 Magnesium - Mg Deficiency: interveinal chlorosis in older leaves Leaves curl upwards on margins Marginal yellowing. Toxicity Rare – interferes with Trace Element Absorption Slide 25 Sulfur - S Immobile Deficiency holds back growth (used in the photosystems / photosynthesis) Chlorosis similar to Nitrogen, but in NEW growth first. Slide 26 Trace Elements Slide 27 Trace Elements Iron – Fe Respiration & Chlorophyll formation (needs Mn, Zn, Cu to be in balance) Interveinal Chlorosis (pH) Boron - B Not fully understood witches broom Manganese – Mn Absorbed in leaves looks like I.V. Chlorosis Zinc – Z Roots and Foliar Sprays/fungicides Stunted growth, poor seed formation Slide 28 Trace Elements Molybdenum (MO) Used in Nitrogen Cycle N deficiency Chlorine (Cl) Deficiency = wilt, chlorosis, bronzing Toxicity = scorching, firing leaf tips, yellowing, leaf drop Copper (Cu) Stabilizes chlorophyll – lengthens leaf life Looks like B deficiency Slide 29