Connection Winter 2013 | Page 25

PRECISION AG AGRONOMY Soil pH should be addressed before any other issue. Adjusting the soil pH to the 6.2 to 7.2 range will improve nutrient availability in the soil. potassium deficiency. When addressing any fertility issue in a field, soil pH should be addressed before any other issue. Adjusting the soil pH to the 6.2 to 7.2 range will improve nutrient availability in the soil. Acidic soils can be adjusted by lime applications, while alkaline soils can be treated with sulfur banding and other techniques. Both of these inputs can be applied using variable rate technology. Salt issues have appeared in soil test results for rice and irrigated farms. Gypsum can be applied in some situations to address this issue; however, rainfall can make a large impact by leaching salt buildup. Potassium is non-mobile in the soil, so applications of dry product can b