PRINCIPLES AND

MANAGEMENT OF SOIL
FERTILITY

Prepared by: ROBERT V. SALVADOR

Soil fertility
the capability of the soil to supply the
nutrients in the right amounts and proportions to
meet the nutrient requirement of the crop, as affected
by soil properties and condition only among the many
factors that makes the soil productive
A fertile soil is not necessarily a productive soil.
Soil Productivity
 the ability of the soil to support or produce a desired quantity of plant yield
 A productive soil is necessarily fertile

Plant Nutrition
-the supply and absorption of chemical elements or compounds required by the
plant

Nutrients
-chemical elements or compounds required by plants for normal growth d by
the plant
Metabolic processes
 are mechanisms by which elements are converted t o cellular materials or as
sources of energy, or to drive reactions
Macronutrients : absorbed by plants in large amounts
1. C = CO2
2. H = H20, H2
3. 0 = 02
4. N = NH4+, N03-
5. P= H2P04-, HP042-, P042-
6. K = K+
7. Ca= Ca2 +
8. Mg= Mg2 +
9. S = SO
Micronutrients needed by the plants in
relatively low amounts
1. Fe = Fe2+, Fe3+
2. Mn = Mn2+
3. Cu = Cu2+
4. Zn = Zn2+
5. Mo= Moo
6. B = H3B03, H2B03-
7. Cl = Cl-
8. 8. Ni = Ni 2+, Ni 3+
9. 9. Co= Co2+
 The 17 Essential Elements
1. Carbon (C)
2. Hydrogen (H) major component of plant's organic compounds

3. Oxygen (0)

4. Nitrogen (N)- constituent of amino acids, proteins acids (DNA,

RNA) integral part of chlorophyll molecule
-
5. Phosphorus (P)- energy storage and transfer through ATP and
ADP conversion
- Structural component of nucleic acids, coenzymes, nucleotides,
phosphoproteins, phospholipids and sugar phosphates
6. Potassium (K)
- Enzyme activator
- Regulates osmotic pressure in roots
- Maintains turgor pressure of guard cells and regulates
opening of stomata, thus controlling photosynthesis
and transpiration.
- Strengthens straw of grain crops and prolongs the
life of the flag leaf.
- Increases pest and disease resistance.
Calcium (Ca)
- Enhances N03- N uptake and regulates cation uptake
- Essential for cell elongation and division

Magnesium (Mg)
- Constituent of chlorophyll molecule
- Structural component in ribosome which are
associated with protein synthesis
- Associated with energy transfer
Sulfur (S)
- Needed in synthesis of sulfur-containing
amino acids, such as cystine, cysteine and
methionine
- Needed in synthesis of coenzyme A, biotin, thiamin (or
vitamin B1) and glutathione
- Required for synthesis of chlorophyll
- Occurs in volatile compounds responsible for the
characteristic taste and smell of mustard and onion.
 Micronutrient and their roles in plants
Iron (Fe) - Chlorophyll synthesis and in enzymes for
electron transfer
 Copper (Cu) Catalyst for respiration, enzyme constituent
 Zinc (Zn) In enzyme systems that regulate various
metabolic activities
 Manganese ( Mn) Controls several oxidation-
reduction A formation of 02 in photosynthesis
Boron (B) believed important in sugar translocation
carbohydrate metabolism
 Micronutrient and their roles in plants

Molybdenum (Mo) In nitrogenase needed for

nitrogen fixation
 Chlorine (Cl) Activates system for production of
02 in photosynthesis
 Nickel (Ni) Component of enzymes urease an
involved in the mobilization of compounds
Cobalt (Co) Essential for symbiotic nitrogen
fixation
 Mobile nutrients Immobile nutrients:
the deficiency can be seen • the deficiency can be seen
on older leaves on younger leaves
1. N 1. Cu
2. p 2. Mn
3. K 3. Bo
4. Mg 4. S
5. Zn 5. Ca
6. Fe
Mechanisms of nutrient movement
Mass flow- nutrients are carried by mass movement
of water to the roots through uptake and
transpiration
- believed to be the major avenue by which Ca,
Mg, Zn, Cu, B, and Fe are absorbed
Diffusion- the movement of ions from a zone of high
ion concentration to a zone of low
concentration
- follows Fick's Law most nutrients particularly P and Ka
are supplied to plant by diffusion
passive
- the 1st stage of diffusion is called

uptake the 2nd stage is called active uptake

which requires
Contact exchange {interception}
Contact exchange {interception} the direct
exchange of ions between the roots and soil
colloids as roots come in contact with the colloid
Passive Uptake is by diffusion and ion exchange,
hence controlled by concentration and electrical
gradient non-selective process and not requiring
energy from metabolic reactions in the cell occurs
outside the casparian strip and plasmalemma as a
barrier to diffusion and ion exchange
Active Uptake - transport of ions into the inner cells
requiring energy due to the higher concentration of
ions beyond the plasmalemma and into the cytopzas
which is against an electrochemical gradient
Nitrogen uptake taken up as NO3- and /or NH/ but the
nitrate is often the predominant form
NH4 + is easily oxidized by bacteria in aerobic soil ta
NO3- as soon as NH4 appears
NO3- uptake occurs against an electrochemical gradient or
actively absorbed ( energy requiring).
NO3- and NH4 uptake differ with pH of medium.
NH4 + uptake is optimum at neutral pH and decreases as pH
decreases.
 NO3- uptake increases with decreasing pH and decreases with
increasing pH probably due to competition with OH.
NH3 is toxic to plant roots; it can penetrate cell membranes.
 The fertilizer Urea which is converted to NH4 by urease in
soil can be taken directly by plants, though at slower rate than
NO3
Phosphorus uptake
The active uptake is pH-dependent i.e. higher P uptake
at low pH (4.0) than at high pH (8.7).
 P is readily translocated up and down plant and
quickly assimilated into organic compounds
Potassium uptake
actively taken up in high rate by plant tissues even t o
the point of luxury consumption K is the only one
essential nutrient cation which can be transported against
an electrochemical gradient into plant cell.
 K in plant is very mobile with main transport direction
towards the meristematic tissues.
 K uptake is high when plant is sufficiently supplied with
N, with bulk of K uptake during the vegetative stage (in
cereals, from tillering to ear emergence)
 K uptake and retention in plants are competitively
affected by H+, ca++, Mg++ and Na+.
Calcium uptake
 absorption is passive
Ca is largely immobile in the plant.
Once deposited, it is not moved from older to younger
leaves, but with the preferential direction is the shoot
apex (actively growing parts).
Ca content of legumes is higher in dicotyledons than in
monocotyledons and also higher in legumes than in
other species
Magnesium uptake
Taken up in lower amount than Calcium
Competitive relationships: NH4, K, Ca, Mn
Mg moves similarly as Ca in plant, except that Mg
(unlike Ca) is mobile in the phloem; passive uptake in
the transpiration stream.
Sulfur uptake
Active uptake; absorbed as so
Translocation is mainly upward (acropetal).
 Plant use atmospheric S as S2 (sulfide)through the
stomata.
S is also an important component of mustard oil.
Liebig's Law of Minimum
Plant growth is limited by that nutrient present below
the minimum requirements
"By the deficiency or absence of one necessary
constituent all others being present, the soil is rendered
barren for all those crops to the life of which that one
constituent is indispensable."
Mitscherlich's equation
The equation: DY /DX = (A-Y)c
where: DY = increase in yield
DX = increase in input
A = maximum possible yield
Y = actual yield
c = constant depending on the nature of x
If plants were supplied with adequate amounts of all nutrients
except one, the growth is proportional to the amount of this
limiting element which was added to the soil. Plant growth
increases as more of the element was added but not in direct
proportion to the amount of the growth factor added. The total
increase in growth becomes less as increments of the growth
factor increases.
Soil Fertility Evaluation
Quantitative methods
Soil analysis
Plant tissue analysis
Fertilizer Field Trials
Pot experiments
Qualitative methods
Nutrient deficiency symptoms
Soil Analysis
Quick and precise methods of evaluating soil fertility
status Principle
 the amount of nutrient extracted by chemical reagents
at any one time is the amount available throughout the
growth period of the crop
consist of taking soil samples properly, subjecting soil
samples to chemical analysis, and interpretation of
results
Soil sampling
Main objective is to collect a small amount of soil
sample weighing about 0.5 kg that will represent the
soil in a large area Accuracy of soil testing and the
fertilizer recommendation depends largely on proper
soil sampling Rooting habit of plants must be
considered o Shallow rooted crops: samples should be
collected from the surface layer (20-30cm)
 Sampling Area

1 sample

x x x x

x x x x x

x x x x x
 Soil Sampling Techniques
2. Dig a V-cut hole of approximately plow depth (for rice ) or
8-12 inches (for corn). For trees or deep-rooted crops, get sample
from topsoil (0-12 in.) and subsoil (12-24 in) separately.

SOIL SLICE
SPADE OR 1” THICK
SHOVEL

PLOW DEPTH
6 - 7 INCHES
 SOIL SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

TRIM LONGITUDINALY BOTH SIDES

SHOVEL OF THE SLICE & SAVE THE 1-INCH
WIDE CENTER PORTION OF THE SOIL
AS ONE SUB-SAMPLE

1” x 1” x 6” SOIL SLICE
 SOIL SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

PLACE THE 1” x 1” x 6”
SUB-SAMPLE SLICE IN A
CLEAN PLASTIC BAG.

PROCEED TO THE NEXT

SUB-SAMPLING
POINTS.

BE CAREFUL TO COLLECT SUB-SAMPLES

WITH THE UNIFORM DIMENSIONS (1” x 1” x 6”)
TO WELL REPRESENT THE COMPOSITE
SAMPLE
 SOIL SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

AVOID THESE
FOLLOWING
AREAS

HARD WEEDS / SHRUBS

ANIMAL DROPPINGS

WITH STANDING CROP

 SOIL SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
AVOID THE FOLLOWING HABITS / ACTIVITIES WHILE SAMPLING
TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF THE SOIL SAMPLES

SMOKING SPITTING

DRINKING INTOXICATING SCRAPPING INSTEAD OF

BEVERAGES HAND WEEDING
Plant Analysis
 the nutrient content in the plant tissue is related to the
available nutrient supply of the soil. chemical
laboratory analysis of the plant tissue is related to the
available nutrient status of the soil on which the plant
is grown
 fertilizer recommendations using this method become
more reliable when correlated with the results of
fertilizer field trials
Fertilizer Field Trials
assesses the effect interactions with all existing factors
of crop growth and development in any given location
usually in a farmer's field .
 The resulting fertilizer recommendations are generally
more realistic
Pot Experiment
comparison of several fertilizer treatments including a
control using small amount of soil in pots to have a
better control of environmental factors short duration
under an artificial condition preliminary in nature
Methods of fertilizer application
Broadcast when the fertilizer is spread evenly on the
soil surface
Band placement may be applied on the row below
the seed level or slightly on the side of the seeds along
the row; usually done for crops like corn, sorghum,
tobacco, and fruit trees
 Foliar application made when quick action of
nutrients is desired or when certain micronutrients are
needed to be supplied with the crop
Methods of fertilizer application
In-the-row fertilizer is applied along the bottom of
furrow

 Ring fertilizer is applied around the base of the

plant or tree

 Hole fertilizer is dropped in holes around the tree

 Spot fertilizer is dropped in small amount on the

side of each hill or plant
Methods of fertilizer application

 Basal first of fertilizer applied at planting time

Topdress. application sometime after plants have

emerged

Fertigation: application irrigation water

Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms
Requires skillful observation because the occurrence
maybe due to insufficient amount and supply of soil
nutrients or unavailability of forms of the nutrients
present or no proper balance among different nutrient
levels
Fertilizer
any substance that is applied to the soil or to the
plantin solid, liquid, or gaseous form to supply one or
more of the essential nutrient elements required for the
nutrition and growth of plants classified broadly into
two organic and inorganic/chemical fertilizers
Organic fertilizers
any fertilizer product of plant and/or animal origin e.g.
animal manures, green manures, compost that has undergone
decomposition through biological, chemical and or any other
process as long as the original materials are no longer
recognizable, soil-like in texture and free from plant or
animal pathogens
Pure organic fertilizer. no chemical has been added to the
finished product to increase nutrient content.
 Fortified or enriched. has been enriched with microbial
inoculants, hormones or chemical additives to increase
nutrient content.
Organic fertilizers
Examples of plant residues:
Rice straw
Corn stover
Ipil-Ipil
Kakawate (4% N)
Inorganic fertilizers
synthesized or are processed from mineral deposits
any fertilizer product whose properties are determined
primarily by its content of mineral matter or synthetic
chemical compounds
contain one or more combination of the three primary
elements, N, P, or K
Inorganic fertilizers
Single nutrient fertilizers : fertilizers that supply one
primary nutrient; also called straight fertilizers;
Examples: urea ammonium sulfate
Multinutrient fertilizers : fertilizers containing two or
three primary nutrient s; also known as: complex,
compound and mixed fertilizers; Example:
Ammonium phosphate (16-20-0)
Complete fertilizer : contains the 3 primary nutrients
which are historically known to be deficient in most
soils
Conventional units of expressing fertilizer nutrients
Stated in either pure form or oxide form Nitrogen is
expressed as pure element N P and K are in oxides,
P2O5 and K2O
The nutrient content in fertilizers is written in %N,
%P2O5 and %K2O in that order.
Common Nitrogen fertilizers
Urea (45-0-0) : highest N content among the solid N-
fertilizers (NH2)2CO; Hygroscopic and 100% soluble
Anhydrous ammonia: with 82% N has the highest
amount of N among all fertilizers; contained in pressure
tanks and is usually custom-applied by injecting into
the soil; Ammonia gas is basic, pungent and colorless
Ammonium sulfate (20-0-0): hygroscopic and nearly
100% soluble; contains sulfur (~24%), recommended
for S-deficient soils
Common P fertilizers
Ordinary superphosphate (OSP): contains 20% P20
5 ; Pelleted as grayish granules and has a faint acid
odor ; About 85% of the P is water soluble and it
contains traces of other nutrient elements
Triple superphosphate (TSP) : monocalcium
phosphate monohydrate
Common K fertilizers
Muriate of potash or potassium chloride {KC!) :
highly soluble and contains traces of other elements
Fertilizer computations and recommendations
 Fertilizer grade
weight percentage of the nutrients contained in a
fertilizer
Fertilizer ratio
relative proportion of each of the primary nutrients N,
P20 5 and K20 in a fertilizer material
General formula:
Weight of fertilizer =
Methods of fertilizer application
Broadcast when the fertilizer is spread evenly on the
soil surface; suitable for rice crop since they are
closely planted