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Crop
Nutrient Management Facts
What is it?
It's matching nutrient availability with the plant's needs. Crop
producers do this by increasing the efficiency of nutrient use. Thus
producers fine-tune application rates, timing and placement to match
plant growth. Increased use efficiency results in reduced nutrient
losses.
Efficient crop nutrient
management:
Addresses all nutrients:
manure, fertilizer, natural mineralization, etc.
Provides plants the right
combination of nutrients near the roots when the plant requires
the nutrients for growth.
Assures nutrients are in a form that
the plant can use.
Relies on research to improve our
understanding of the plant's needs.
Utilizes new technologies that will
enable producers to use nutrients more efficiently than ever
before.
How does it help create
better soil?
Nutrient balance is
critical to optimizing pH. For instance, a soil high in nitrogen will
likely require an application of lime to neutralize soil pH.
The nutrient level also plays an important role in microbial activity.
This activity converts nutrients from a form that's unavailable for
plant uptake to a form that is available. Just as with any other
living organism, too much or not enough nutrients will negatively
affect microbial activity.
Cleaner water
Reduces risk of nutrients making
their way to streams and groundwater.
Some nutrients dissolve and
are carried by water.
Other nutrients bond to and
are carried with eroding soil.
The reduction of nutrients
reaching surface waters reduces algae growth which can result in:
Increased oxygen supplies and
improved habitat for fish.
Increased recreational activities
including boating and swimming.
Better aesthetics.
Reduced water treatment costs.
Greater Profits
Increasing the efficiency
of crop inputs and resulting yields, increases profit per acre, and
ultimately, can increase family farm income.
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