Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources

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In This Section

• Introduction
• PO 25 Plant nutrient sources
• PO 26 Form and analysis of nitrogen sources
• PO 27 Form and analysis of phosphorous sources
• PO 28 Form and analysis of potassium sources
• PO 29 Form and analysis of calcium or magnesium sources
• PO 30 Commercial fertlizer terms
• PO 31 Nutrient terms
• PO 32 Calculating fertilizer application rates
• PO 33 Calculating manure application rates
• PO 34 Fertlizer placement methods
• PO 35 Certifiable organic nutrient sources
• Summary

Competency Area 4: Nutrient Sources, Analyses, Application Methods

PO 25. Describe the role of the following in providing plant nutrients.

1. Soil organic matter
2. Commercial fertilizer
3. Soil minerals
4. Animal manures
5. Composts
6. Sludges
7. Plant residue

Soil organic matter (OM) decomposes to release nutrients (primarily N, P, and S), which are mineralized.  In addition, OM can retain cations in available forms, depending on the CEC. Commercial fertilizer is recommended only when other nutrient sources insufficiently supply nutrients to the crops.  It provides nutrients in available forms (soluble, exchangeable cations or adsorbed anions), which provide for current and subsequent crops.

Compost application (image source)

Soil minerals dissolve over time, and along with OM help to increase (CEC, cation exchange capacity), allowing for the retention of plant-available nutrients.

Animal manures, composts, and sludges provide readily-plant available nutrients (P and K) and also release nutrients as they decompose (N and S).  In addition, some animal wastes may contain high metal levels (for instance, Cu).  Sludges, which may include urban or industrial waste, contain variable nutrient levels (C:N ratio) and may have high metal content.

Plant residues release nutrients back to the soil through decomposition and through leaching of soluble nutrients.  Residue coverage of the soil can furthermore result in moisture conservation, indirectly influencing plant nutrients available.