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Why read the Glenside soil survey in order?
The order in which soil features are reported on is unique to Glenside
and enables us, with you, to build a useful “picture”
of the soil even if we are separated by many hours of travel.
 CEC
Cation exchange reveals the soils potential to hold and exchange
nutrients. Knowing the CEC is an essential factor in ensuring that,
should they be needed, the appropriate quantities of restorative
materials are recommended.
Colloidal
Organic Matter (COM)
Ideally should be 4 to 5%. Colloidal Organic Matter is the humic fraction
of organic matter and is the key to soil fertility, facilitating effective
interaction between the physical, chemical and biological components
of the soil. Arable or continuously cropped soils may have depleted
levels of colloidal organic and as it is an important source of trace
elements and food for soil microbes, low organic matters will adversely
affect a soil’s natural productivity.
Boron
Boron is required in a narrow range but is critical to nitrogen utilisation
and correct Boron levels will help avoid using more nitrogen than
is required.
Low Boron levels and poor nitrogen utilisation may explain why nitrogen
application rates are higher than they need to be in order to compensate
for the inhibiting factors in the soil or to compensate for the
factors in the soil that are inhibiting nitrogen utilisation. Adequate
Boron levels are very important for root crops.
Iron
High Iron is an indication of compaction and anerobic conditions which
will severely limit microbial activity and therefore the contribution
that could come from soil microbes fixing nitrogen and helping to
make other important macro and micro nutrients available to the crop
from the soil.
No air No
oxygenNo
life
Lifeless soils increases
the cost of production.
Can you afford the “luxury” of a lifeless soil?
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