Fact Sheets - Soil Health & Nutrition
Control of Iron Chlorosis
Iron deficiency (iron chlorosis) affects many desirable landscape and crop plants grown in Utah. The primary symptom of iron deficiency is interveinal chlorosis, the development of a bright yellow leaf with a network of dark green veins.
Diagnostic Testing for Nitrogen Soil Fertility
Environmental concerns over nitrate contamination of ground water, and the desire of land managers to increase the efficiency of their fertilizer investment, can both be satisfied more completely through diagnostic testing for nitrogen (N) soil fertility.
Managing Soil pH in Utah
Soil pH is considered the single most important chemical property of soil because it affects the availability of essential plant nutrients. The availability of iron, for example, is severely reduced in high pH soils.
Selecting and Using Inorganic Fertilizers
Homeowners recognize the need for timely fertilizer applications to enhance plant growth in landscapes and gardens. However, the number of different products on the market can be overwhelming.
Selecting and Using Organic Fertilizers
Homeowners recognize the need for timely fertilizer applications to enhance plant growth in landscapes and gardens. However, the number of different products on the market can be overwhelming.
Solutions to Soil Problems: High Salinity (Soluble Salts)
Salinity is a measure of the total amount of soluble salts in soil. As soluble salt levels increase, it becomes more difficult for plants to extract water from soil.
Solutions to Soil Problems: High pH
The majority of soils in Utah are alkaline with an average pH of 8.0. Alkaline soils in Utah are the product of the alkaline parent materials that formed them and thousands of years of development in an arid (low rainfall) environment.
Solutions to Soil Problems: Drainage
Drainage is a common problem throughout Utah. Complex patterns of soil development, transport and deposition have resulted in excessively drained soils that are coarse-textured (sandy or rocky), and poorly drained soils that are fine-textured (silt and clay-dominated).
Solutions to Soil Problems: Soil Structure
Soil structure refers to the combination of primary soil particles – sand, silt and clay – into larger units called aggregates or clods. Aggregates are commonly seen when a soil is tilled or disturbed.
Solutions to Soil Problems: Low Organic Matter
Utah soils are inherently low in organic matter due to the desert climate and historically low plant growth rates. In Utah, soil organic matter levels are typically 0.25 to 1%, while regions with high rainfall such as the Midwest and Eastern United States have soils with as much as 7 to 10% organic matter.
Topsoil Quality Guidelines for Landscaping
Quality topsoil is the foundation of quality landscapes. The growth rate, health and visual appearance of landscape plants are all directly related to soil quality.
Urea: Low Cost Fertilizer
Urea (46-0-0) usually has the lowest cost per pound of nitrogen compared to other single-element nitrogen fertilizers. However, urea undergoes unique chemical transformations when field applied and severe losses in efficiency may result if special management practices are not followed.
Utah Fertilizer Guide
Homeowners recognize the need for timely fertilizer applications to enhance plant growth in landscapes and gardens. However, the number of different products on the market can be overwhelming.