Fertilization Flashcards
What is decomposed leaves/branches on the ground called
Litter, Plant Litter, Organic Litter
What is atmospheric depostion
rainfall and dust
What do landscape trees usually have to use and why
Fertilizers
Altered, compacted, broken up and overwatered soils, do not have sufficient amounts of essential elements and nutrients. Organic matter is often missing because of raking and removing leaves
Benefits of fertilizing trees
increase growth and improve flowering, fruit and in some cases, help slow down decline because of nutrient deficiencies
Negatives of fertilizing wrong
Fertilizing trees that don’t need it or applying it wrong, may hurt the trees and hurt the environment by going to waste by leaching into deeper soils.
invited pests who are looking for tender foliage. Fertilizing can speed up growth and cell walls become thinner, making plants easy pickings
fertilizing can cause plants to focus more on growth than to defense
Applying fertilizers can suppress fruiting or flowering on some trees if done during the wrong time of season
What is internal cycling
the contributions from various sources change, and more of the annual demand is met through reusing elements taken up from the soil during the previous year(s)
What are the 3 Macronurtients that are required in trees
nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)
What are the 3 micronutrients
sulfur (S), Magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca)
What is the primary source of nitrogen in trees
the primary source of nitrogen is the decomposition of organic matter in the soil, a process driven by microorganisms ( including fungi and bacteria). Other natural sources of nitrogen include atmospheric deposition and nitrogen fixation (conversion to a plant-usable form of atmospheric nitrogen ).
Problems with nutrient deficiencies in trees
adversely affect a tree’s ability to function properly. If left unchecked, deficiencies stress the tree, making it susceptible to other harmful agents, and can even lead to premature death
symptoms: reduced growth, small size, and chlorosis ( yellowing or whitening of leaves )
negatives of removing organic layer of top soil in forests
soil nitrogen comes largely from decomposition organic matter, removing leaf litter and other natural sources of nitrogen can affect the quantity of nitrogen and other essential elements available to plants.
How can nitrogen also be lost in trees
leaching or volatilization ( loss in gaseous form into the atmosphere).
Leaching occurs more frequently with well-drained, sandy soils with low organic matter content.
Nitrogen deficiencies are most common in sandy soils low in organic matter, especially if irrigation is heavy.
How to determine soil content and what methods can you use
take a soil sample ( soil analysis ) and a Leaf sample ( foliar analysis ),
what will a soil analysis provide
provide you with information on plant-available nutrients, soil organic matter content, and pH. Soil pH affects the availability of nutrients for plant uptake. A soil analysis test can tell you the organic matter levels and long-term nitrogen supplying power of the soil
**Plant- available nitrogen may limit annual growth in soils having less than 2 percent organic matter content.
What can foliar analysis provide
help you see what’s the nutrient content in the leaves to show you the ability to acquire and use nutrients from the soil under current conditions. Results of samples can have different readings depending on growing location, rooting area, soil depth, and changes in soil grade
**they do not provide you with the information about why the elements are deficient.
What is a fertilizer
complete fertilizer is defined as one that contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)
What is the fertilizer analysis
listed on the container, expresses the composition of the fertilizer as a percentage by weight of total nitrogen (N), available phosphoric acid ( P2O5 ), and soluble potash ( K2O ), always listed in the same order.
What is fertilizer ratio
is calculated by dividing each of the analysis numbers by the lowest number in the group.
What is a organic fertilizer
come from plants or animals and provide the benefit of a carbon ( food ) source for soil organisms
what is an inorganic fertilizer
are made of mineral based and typically release their elements relatively quickly when dissolved in water.
What are ions and what are they responsible for
Available nutrients
responsible for plants “fertilizer burn” by drawing out of the roots
What is an advantage of inorganic fertilizers
solubility in water is less affected by temperature.
what is an advantage of organic fertilizers
they are not leached as readily from the soil
What is the most preferred way of fertilizing trees
Slow release and controlled release nitrogen fertilizers
these types of fertilizers provide a long period of time for uptake by roots, reducing the amount of nutrients that may be leached and reducing salts or fertilizer burn.
What happens when there is excess potassium
can limit utilization of calcium, magnesium, and nitrogen
What happens when there is over application of phosphorus
excessive nutrient enrichment of fresh water and reduction of some mycorrhizal fungi populations.
Excess phosphorus can also affect the ability of roots to take up zinc, manganese, and iron even if it is present in the soil
Why its important to have a correct amount of fertilizer
should be determined based on the objectives, such as promoting growth, flowering, fruit flowering or if a deficiency exits, improving the health and vigor of the tree
use soil and foliar analysis to provide info
What is leaching and why is it bad
washing of chemicals through the soil from rainfall or irrigation
Not only does it make nutrients unavailable to the tree, but the leached nutrients can also pollute groundwater, lakes, and streams
How to reduce and prevent leaching
apply the minimum amount of fertilizer to achieve management goals using organic or slow release forms, and avoid over irrigating sandy soils.
Fertilizers not recommended
Quick release fertilizers are typically not recommended because they readily are leached from the root zone and have a higher potential to cause fertilizer burn
Better fertilizers
Slow release fertilizers breakdown slower over months and makes them available to trees longer in the soil.
Why is timing important when applying fertilizers
may not be readily absorbed or utilized until root growth begins. Uptake and metabolic demand are low in the dormant season, and some of the more soluble form of nitrogen may leach from the soil before being utilized. Nitrogen uptake peaks during the growing season when metabolic need is greatest.
What is surface application
Applied by hand or spreader, applied on surface of soil. Must be watered in to break it down in the soil pass turf grass roots, easy to apply and is cheap. Disadvantages are contact with non-target organisms, runoff into waterways.
What is subsurface application
Designed to place fertilizer below the majority of turfgrass roots. Tree’s absorbing roots are located in this same area.
What is Liquid Application
a common application, mixed in water and watered in area of roots or dripline for quicker absorption by tree roots,
What is Foliar application
easily applied to foliage if tree roots are mostly inaccessible, rapid nutrient application, short term quick treatment. Can stain hardscapes if drips off leaves.
What are Injections and Implants
techniques that introduce nutrients directly into the xylem of the trees
used successfully to introduce essential elements into trees to treat micronutrients deficiencies, but they are not practical for supplementing macronutrients because of the volume of materials required
Uptake of injections and implants require a healthier tree for transpiring and moving water upward into the crown. For this reason do not not use these techniques on drought stressed trees
INJECTION DO HARM TREES
How much nitrogen should you have in what seasons
In spring, have a higher number for nitrogen, in summer less. More of the middle number ( phosphorus ) in summer for blossoms, fruits and for favors and robustness
In summer you need more Calcium (made from the boney material from fish) along with phosphorus which are usually mixed in most fertilizers.
