Basic Plant Nutrient Cycle:
The basic plant nutrient cycle highlights the central role of soil organic matter. Cycling of many plant nutrients, esYally N, P, S, and B, closely follows parts of the Carbon Cycle. Plant residues and manure from animals fed forage, grain, and other plant-derived foods are returned to the soil. This organic matter pool of carbon compounds becomes food for bacteria, fungi, and other decomposers. As organic matter is broken down to simpler compounds, plant nutrients are released in available forms for root uptake and the cycle begins again. Plant-available K, Ca, Mg, P, S, and some micronutrients are also released when soil minerals and precipitates dissolve.
Efficient use of all nutrient sources and the primary challenges in sustaining soil fertility are to:
Reduce nutrient losses
Maintain or increase nutrient storage capacity
Promote recycling of plant nutrients
Apply additional nutrients in appropriate amounts
Cultural practices that support the development of healthy, vigorous root systems result in efficient uptake and use of available nutrients. Crop rotations, reducing tillage, managing and maintaining crop residue, growing cover crops, handling manure as a valuable nutrient source, composting and using all available wastes or byproducts, maintain soil pH, applying supplemental fertilizers, and routine soil testing. There are many good ways to farm, so different solutions or combinations of practices are appropriate for different systems to reach similar goals.
The basic plant nutrient cycle highlights the central role of soil organic matter. Cycling of many plant nutrients, esYally N, P, S, and B, closely follows parts of the Carbon Cycle. Plant residues and manure from animals fed forage, grain, and other plant-derived foods are returned to the soil. This organic matter pool of carbon compounds becomes food for bacteria, fungi, and other decomposers. As organic matter is broken down to simpler compounds, plant nutrients are released in available forms for root uptake and the cycle begins again. Plant-available K, Ca, Mg, P, S, and some micronutrients are also released when soil minerals and precipitates dissolve.
Efficient use of all nutrient sources and the primary challenges in sustaining soil fertility are to:
Reduce nutrient losses
Maintain or increase nutrient storage capacity
Promote recycling of plant nutrients
Apply additional nutrients in appropriate amounts
Cultural practices that support the development of healthy, vigorous root systems result in efficient uptake and use of available nutrients. Crop rotations, reducing tillage, managing and maintaining crop residue, growing cover crops, handling manure as a valuable nutrient source, composting and using all available wastes or byproducts, maintain soil pH, applying supplemental fertilizers, and routine soil testing. There are many good ways to farm, so different solutions or combinations of practices are appropriate for different systems to reach similar goals.
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