When a plant absorbs nutrients from the soil, it leaves behind a depleted planting ground. Consequently, the soil must be replenished to provide the optimum nutrition for succeeding plantings.
Through the years, Filipino farmers have applied various fertilization technologies to return essential nutrients to the soil. Unfortunately, traditional "organic" and macro-nutrient (NPK) fertilizers provide an inadequate solution to nutrient depletion.
Through the years, Filipino farmers have applied various fertilization technologies to return essential nutrients to the soil. Unfortunately, traditional "organic" and macro-nutrient (NPK) fertilizers provide an inadequate solution to nutrient depletion.
Bureau of Soils and Water Management findings
Studies conducted by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) have exposed the micro-nutrient deficiency* of soils in the Philippines due to the continuous removal of soil nutrients, through non-stop mono-cropping, without micro-nutrient replenishment.
Lately, the planting of two or more crops a year in irrigated areas or multiple cropping patterns in regions with limited land areas has resulted to the continuous removal of macro- and micro-nutrients without replenishment of the latter. This resulted to what is felt now as micro-nutrient deficiencies in almost all parts of the country. (Soils and Water Technical Bulletin: Foreword)
Planting high-yielding varieties of rice and corn continuously and fertilizing with only NPK fertilizer has caused the depletion of the essential micro-nutrients present in the soil.
Interpretation of the micro-nutrient status
The micro-nutrient deficiency limits for several crops on diethelenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable micro-nutrients are as follows:
Zinc: 0.5 ppm
Copper: 0.2 ppm
Iron: 4.5 ppm
Manganese: 1.0 ppm
Nutrient readings below or near these figures will cause nutrient imbalance (due to deficiency) and may result in possible crop failure. On the other hand, values above these numbers, but significantly below the average, will cause a "hidden hunger" that will translate into a less-than-optimum crop yield.
*As reported by the BSWM in their :Soils and Water Technical Bulletin: Special Issue"
Studies conducted by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) have exposed the micro-nutrient deficiency* of soils in the Philippines due to the continuous removal of soil nutrients, through non-stop mono-cropping, without micro-nutrient replenishment.
Lately, the planting of two or more crops a year in irrigated areas or multiple cropping patterns in regions with limited land areas has resulted to the continuous removal of macro- and micro-nutrients without replenishment of the latter. This resulted to what is felt now as micro-nutrient deficiencies in almost all parts of the country. (Soils and Water Technical Bulletin: Foreword)
Planting high-yielding varieties of rice and corn continuously and fertilizing with only NPK fertilizer has caused the depletion of the essential micro-nutrients present in the soil.
Interpretation of the micro-nutrient status
The micro-nutrient deficiency limits for several crops on diethelenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable micro-nutrients are as follows:
Zinc: 0.5 ppm
Copper: 0.2 ppm
Iron: 4.5 ppm
Manganese: 1.0 ppm
Nutrient readings below or near these figures will cause nutrient imbalance (due to deficiency) and may result in possible crop failure. On the other hand, values above these numbers, but significantly below the average, will cause a "hidden hunger" that will translate into a less-than-optimum crop yield.
*As reported by the BSWM in their :Soils and Water Technical Bulletin: Special Issue"