SOIL FERTILITY,

CONSERVATION &
MANAGEMENT
 Chapter 2
Basic Soil-Plant Relationship
 Plant Nutrition
• Study of the chemical elements that are
necessary for plant growth,
• Term that takes into account the
interrelationships of mineral elements in the
soil or soiless solution as well as their role
in plant growth.
 Fertility vs. Nutrition
• “Fertility” refers to the inherent capacity of
a soil to supply nutrients to plants in
adequate amounts and in suitable
proportions.
• “Nutrition” refers to the interrelated steps
by which a living organism assimilates food
and uses it for growth and development of
tissues.
 Mineral Nutrition
• Part of the complex interaction between the
plants, soil and the atmosphere.
• Nutrients required for growth of plants can
be obtained from the soil, water or
atmosphere.
• Mineral elements are elements which are
obtained from weathering of rock
 Essential Elements
• Criteria of Essentiality
1). A deficiency of the element makes it
impossible for the plant to complete its life cycle
2). The deficiency symptom of the element in
question can be prevented or corrected by
supplying the element
3). The element is directly involved in the
nutrition of the plant.
These criteria are important guidelines for plant nutrition but exclude beneficial mineral
components
THE ESSENTIAL
ELEMENTS
AVAILABLE FORMS
 Essential vs. Beneficial
• Beneficial elements are those that can compensate
for toxic effects of other elements or may replace
mineral nutrients in some less specific function
• Al, Co, Na, Se and Si are considered beneficial
elements
= they are not required by all plants but can
promote plant growth and may be essential for
particular taxa.
 Beneficial Nutrients
• Cobalt - has proven to be beneficial to
some plants, but is essential in other, such
as legumes (where it is required for N
fixation
 Macronutrients
• Needed by plants in large amounts
• N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, H, O and C
 Micronutrients
• Needed by plants in small amounts\Fe, Cu,
Mn, Ni, Zn, B, Mo, Cl
 Other Category of Nutrients
Primary Nutrients Secondary
Nutrients
Lacking from soil Present in sufficient
as required in large amounts in soil
amount by plants
N, P, K Ca, Mg
 Other Category of Nutrients
Mineral Element Non-Mineral
Elements which are Elements that are derived
obtained from weathering from carbon dioxide and
of rock and are acquired water
in the form of inorganic
ions from the soil
Mo, Ni, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ca C, H and O
Essentiality of Elements in Plant
Nutrition
• Deficient: when an essential element is at
low concentrations that severely limits yield
and produces more or less distinct
deficiency symptoms.
• Extreme deficiencies will lead to death of
the plant
Essentiality of Elements in Plant
Nutrition
• Insufficient : when the level of essential
plant nutrient is below that required for
optimum yields or when there is an
imbalance with another nutrient.
• Symptoms of this condition are seldom
evident
Essentiality of Elements in Plant
Nutrition
• Toxic: when the concentration of either
essential or other elements is sufficiently
high to reduce plant growth severely
• Severe toxicity will result in death of plants.
Essentiality of Elements in Plant
Nutrition
• Excessive: when the concentration of an
essential plant nutrient is sufficiently high
to result in a corresponding shortage of
another nutrient.
 FUNCTIONS OF NUTRIENTS
ELEMENT FUNCTION
Group 1 Nutrients as part of organic carbon compounds
N Structural components of amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids,
nucleotides, coenzymes
Major component of the green pigment chlorophyll
S - Component of amino acid (cysteine, cystine, methionine)
-Helps in chlorophyll formation
-Vital part of ferrodoxin, a Fe S protein found in chloroplasts which
participates in oxidation-reduction processes by transferring electrons

Group 2 Nutrients important for structural/energy storage

P Component of nucleotide, nucleic acid, phospholipids, various sugar
phosphates, ATP
B Complexes with pectin present in the cell wall, required for nucleic acid
metabolism, cell elongation and translocation of sugar
• A substance that enhances the action of
an enzyme.
• An enzyme is a protein that functions as a
catalyst to mediate and speed a chemical
reaction). 
• Coenzymes are small molecules. They cannot
by themselves catalyze a reaction but they can
help enzymes to do so.
•  Examples of coenzymes include the B
vitamins and S-adenosyl methionine.
• Turgor, Pressure exerted by fluid in a cell that presses the cell
membrane against the cell wall. Turgor is what makes living plant
tissue rigid. Loss of turgor, resulting from the loss of water from
plant cells, causes flowers and leaves to wilt.
ELEMENT FUNCTION

Group 3 Regulation of osmotic potential of cells,

serves as enzyme activators/inhibitors
K - 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.
Ca - Component of the middle lamella of cell
walls (calcium pectate)
- required for cell division and as co factor
in many enzymes
 The middle lamella is a layer which cements
the cell walls of two adjoining plant cells together.
ELEMENT FUNCTION
Group 3 Regulation of osmotic potential of cells,
serves as enzyme activators/inhibitors
Mg -Constituent of chlorophyll molecule
- Structural component in ribosome which are
associated with protein synthesis
- Associated with energy transfer reactions from AP
in metabolic processes like photosynthesis,
glycolysis, TCA cycle (or citric acid or krebs cycle),
and respiration
Cl Required in the oxygen evolving complex involved
in the process of photosynthesis
Mn - Controls several oxidation-reduction systems,
formation of O2 in photosynthesis
ELEMENT FUNCTION
Group 4 Role in electron transfer/redox reactions
Fe Involved in the processes pf PS, respiration and N2
fixation
Zn -Components of enzymes such as alcohol
dehydrogenase, glutamic dehydrogenase
-Aids in root metabolism and helps in the utilization
of proteins.
Cu - Catalyst for respiration
- Enzyme constituent (ascorbic acid oxidase)
Mo Constituent of nitrate reductase, nitrogenase
Ni Constituent of urease and has a role in nitrogen
fixation
• Alcohol dehydrogenases catalyze the
opposite reaction as part of fermentation to
ensure a constant supply of NAD+.
•  Nicotinamide  adenine dinucleotide
(NAD+) is a key role is in converting
nutrients into cellular energy (ATP), which
is essential for cell health and functioning.
It also supports DNA health and repair.
 Mobility of Nutrients
• Mobile or Immobile
• N,P,K are mobile nutrient, while the others
have varying degrees of mobility
• Mobile elements are more likely to exhibit
visual deficiencies in the older leaves,
because during demand these elements will
be exported to the new growth,
• Immobile elements wills how their first
symptoms on younger leaves and progress
to the whole plant.
 Summary of Mobility
Nutrient Mobility
N Mobile
P Mobile
K Mobile
Ca Immobile
Mg Mobile
S Moderate (mainly upward)
Fe Immobile
Mn Immobile
Zn Very low mobility
Cu Moderately mobile
Mo Moderately mobile
B Immobile
Cl Moderately mobile
 Other Category of Nutrients
• Beneficial Elements
- others that are not included as essential
elements
- Promotes the growth of plants, and are
required at low concentrations
- include Na, Si, Co and Se
SOURCES
INORGANIC FERTILIZER
SOURCES
 Grades and compounds in common N-P-K
fertilizers and experimental fertilizers
Fertilizer Compound Grade Solubility, %
N Sources
Anhydrous NH3 NH3 82-0-0 100

Ammonium NH4Cl 26-0-0 100

chloride
Am. Nitrate NH4NO3 35.5-0-0 100
Am. Sulfate (NH4)2SO4 21-0-0 100
Ca-cyanamide CaCN2 22-0-0 100
Ca-nitrate Ca(NO3)2 15-0-0 100
Urea CO(NH2)2 46-0-0 100
 P Sources
Ord. Superphosphate Ca(H2PO4)2·CaSO4 0-20-0 85
T. Superphosphate Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O 0-45-0 87
Ca-Metaphosphate Ca-Polyphosp. 0-62-0 5
Florida Phosphate Ore Carbonato Apatite 0-32-0 <1
K, NK, PK Sources
Muriate of Potash KCl 0-0-60 100
Sulfate of Potash K2SO4 0-0-48 100
K, Mg Sulfate K2SO4·2MgSO4 0-0-23 100
Nitrate of Potash KNO3 13-0-44 100
K-Polyphosphate K-Polyphosph. 0-59-39 5
Common Inorganic Fertilizer
in the market

Complete Ammophos

UREA AMMOSUL
SOLOPHOS Muriate of Potash
 General characteristics of
Inorganic fertilizers
• Highly Soluble
• Highly Concentrated
• Nutrient elements are immediately
available to plants

• However, being water soluble, inorganic

fertilizers are easily washed out from
the soil
ORGANIC FERTILIZER
SOURCES
 Average chemical composition of manures
Manure Chemical composition, %
  Water N P K Ca Mg
Cattle (Fresh) 79.0 2.06 0.66 0.77 0.70 0.16
Old 71.4 2.41 0.75 0.88 0.81 0.12
Carabao (Fresh) 71.0 1.22 0.85 0.79 0.15 0.09
Old 67.8 1.09 0.82 0.70 0.19 -------
Swine (Fresh) 73.8 2.76 2.64 1.47 1.26 0.09
Old 70.5 2.11 2.41 0.91 0.35 0.04
Broilers (Fresh) 82.1 3.17 3.25 2.35 0.52 0.25
Old 44.6 3.17 3.29 2.41 0.65 0.37
Pullet (Fresh) 79.6 2.60 4.42 3.06 3.38 0.09
Old 53.8 3.61 3.33 2.38 1.39 0.41
Layers (Fresh) 73.5 4.02 3.71 1.55 4.09 0.14
Old 52.2 4.22 3.22 2.00 4.12 0.48
 Substitution of inorganic fertilizers with
organic materials
Organic Materials (tons/ha)
 Percent  Kg Azolla Sesbania Compost Ipil- Poultry Swine
Substitution N/ha Ipil Dung Manure

10 6 3.8 1.2 2.0 1.2 0.6 2.0

20 12 7.5 2.4 4.0 2.4 1.2 4.0

30 18 11.2 3.6 6.0 3.6 1.8 6.0

40 24 15.0 4.8 8.0 4.8 2.4 8.0

50 30 18.8 6.0 10.0 6.0 3.0 10.0

The general characteristics of organic
fertilizers are as follows:

• Low nutrient analysis

• Slow availability
• Contain all the essential elements
• Improve soil structure
Microbial Fertilizer(Biotech Products)

1. Mycogroe
2. Bio-organic fertilizer
3. NitroPlus
4. Bio-N
5. Mykovam
Some microbial inoculants available in the market
OTHER SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS:
• Calcium & Magnesium : Dolomitic limestone
• Sulfur : K-sulfate, Mg-sulfate, Ca-sulfate
(gypsum), elemental sulfur
• Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu: Iron-, Manganese-, Zinc-,Copper-
sulfates, oxides, oxysulfates
and chelates
• Boron: Boric acid, Borax (technical grade)
• Molybdenum: Ammonium molybdate
 Fertilizer Placement
for SOLID FERTILIZER

• Broadcast – fertilizer is applied uniformly

over the surface of the land. It may be
plowed
 Fertilizer Placement
for SOLID FERTILIZER

• Band – fertilizer is laid in as narrow band or

strip alongside the row, 2.5 cm to the side
and 5 cm below the seed or transplant.
• Used for corn and other wide row crops.
 Fertilizer Placement
for SOLID FERTILIZER

• Topdressed or sidedressed –
fertilizer is applied after emergence.
• Broadcast application on crops such
as small grains and forage crops.
• Sidedressed is placement beside the
row of the crops such as corn or
cotton.
 Fertilizer Placement
for SOLID FERTILIZER

• In-the-row ---- the fertilizer is applied with the seed

during seedling. This us applicable for small grains
and at low rates of application.
 Fertilizer Placement
for SOLID FERTILIZER

• Spot application --
• The fertilizer is applied is around the hill as with
crops like melon and squash
 Fertilizer Placement
for LIQUID FERTILIZER

• Foliar Application - farm crops can not be

supplied with the quantity of macronutrients
required for economic crop production by foliar
application alone.
 Fertilizer Placement
for LIQUID FERTILIZER

• Soil Injection - direct soil application of a liquid

fertilizer particularly the anhydrous ammonia
• Fertigation - applied with the irrigation water.
PLANT GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT
 Criteria of Essentiality
• Arnon & Stout (1939) proposed
criteria which was refined by Arnon
(1954) as:
1. The plant will not complete its life cycle with the
absence of one or more of the nutrients.
2. The deficiency symptom can only be corrected
by the application of the nutrient in question.
3. The element will become an integral component
of the plant and plays a direct role in the
metabolism.
 Growth
• Progressive development of an
organism; changes can be structural
parts which may increase in
number, increase in size, spaces
between the parts may enlarge
Growth Expressions
 Growth Expressions
• G = f (x1, x2, x3, …..xn)
where: G is any growth expression and x
is a growth factor
 Yield Limiting Factors
• Crop growth and yield are limited
through poor plant nutrition and
uncertain water availability during the
growing cycle
• In least developed or in developing
countries, inappropriate management
driven by poverty may worsen the
condition of the old weathered and
“exhausted soils” of these countries,
further reducing their fertility.
 Factors Affecting Crop Yield Potential
Climate Factors Crop Factor Soil (Edaphic)
Factor
Precipitation Crop species/variety Organic matter
Planting date Texture
Seeding rate, row Structure
spacing
Air temperature Seed quality CEC
Light Water Availability Slope and topography
Quantity Soil temperature
Intensity
Altitude/latitude Nutrition Soil management
factors
Tillage
Drainage, etc.
CO2 concentration Pests Depth (root zone)
Insects
Weeds
 Yield Limiting Factors
• Liebig’s Law of Minimum
- “Even if all but one of the
essential elements be present, the
absence of that one constituent will
render the crop barren.”
 Yield Limiting Factors
• Mitscherlich’s Law
- Mitscherlich was among the first quantify the relationship
between plant growth response and the addition of a
growth factor
• Mitscherlich’s Law of Physiological Relationships:
- “Yield can be increased by each single factor even when
it is not present in the minimum as long as it is not present
in the optimum.”
•  Mitscherlich’s Growth Law and Equation:
- Growth Law: “Increase in yield of a crop as a result of
increasing a single growth factor is proportional to the
decrement from the maximum yield obtainable by
increasing the particular growth factor.”
Other Nutrient Deficiency
Symptoms

Zinc deficiency

Potassium deficiency

Magnesium deficiency