Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potassium but what about trace minerals?

Question

We all know the first three items are used to fertilize agricultural fields where food is grown. But we also often hear that the soils get depleted in trace minerals which cause the produce to lose a lot of nutrition that they once provided.

Do farmers have any way to at least attempt to rejuvenate the soils they use with these trace minerals, said to be important for our well being and health?

When soil testing is done are there tests for these trace minerals? What does a total soil test measure?

Answer 1

As you know the essential mineral elements are:

Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and the trace elements, boron, chlorine, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and nickel.

In soil tests they mainly test for Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as the soil pH, which is a test for soil acidity and the levels of calcium, magnesium or sulfur. The trace elements are not generally tested for unless you request it, and that is not generally done until you realize there is a problem.  The trace elements are necessary but only in small or trace amounts.  Generally when we run into problems with trace elements it is because they become unavailable to plants because soil is too acid.  There may be plenty of the element in the soil but acidity changes it into a form that the plants can't use.  By correcting the pH it will usually correct the trace element deficiency.  

In cases where the soil is actually deficient or depleted of a trace element it must be added back to the soil in some form.

They can be added as specially formulated fertilizer , by applications of barnyard manure, or organic composts.

Answer 2

can you trace your last nwem like mine other andy,

are you the fake andy reed

or is this just  another seed

Answer 3

Farmer's do generally consider all of the major and minor minerals when assessing the needs of their fields, and depending on their specific crops needs, the adjust the application of fertilizers accordingly. NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are the big three, they are the heart of all fertilizers because they are the primary things that plants need to grow and flourish, there are also secondary and tertiary minerals as well as 15+ trace minerals that are needed for most plants to properly grow.  The idea of crop rotation as well as organic matter fertilization help farmers put back some of the minerals that are depleted through the mass-growing process as well as the application of direct minerals.  Soil testing is done prior to every planting, usually each time the field is prepped and includes mineral testing as well as pH testing.  In addition, farmers utilize soil structure pyramids to determine how the water will carry these nutrients to their crops.

Answer 4

Farmers have a number of ways to keep track of and amend the minor elements. For specific crops, fertilizers can be purchased that are balanced with all major and minor elements in the concentrations found to be best for that crop. This is especially done in green house production where starter soils are fairly inert or are soiless mixes. In the field, where soils vary from area to area, even from one side of a plot to another, general fertilizer formulas are used with farmers having a preference all dependent on their experience. One needs to monitor the growth and development of their crops for a number of reasons, and watching for nutrient deficiency is important. Those minor elements have a huge impact on how all other elements are utilized by the plant and a problem with one is like dominoes falling, one knocking over the next. This is the difference between a good yield/ acre and a great one. To take the guess work out of it, plant samples are collected, and then they are turned to ash and then analyzed for content. Optimum content of elements is compared to the actual level of a number of samples and if needed the fertilizer can be changed or additions are made. Information like this, along with soil testing done at different times and locations are the best tools to tweak production up a notch. Sometimes, just a soil pH change can be enough to change how available a nutrient is. Plant analysis by ashing and examining samples is probably done more in the greenhouse than in the field, but the tool is there and is used. When one works an area for a long time, one knows what has and has not been done, so there is not a lot of guess work. Also, minor elements are generally not as much of an issue in farm soils unless they have been worked very hard without a break and the amendments are all inexpensive single component chemical fertilizer. Any organics used will almost certainly have most if not all minor elements. The more expensive chemical fertilizers have have the trace elements are used but for many, if not needed, cost control and equipment are the deciding factor, the bottom line and the profit is slim enough in a lot of agricultural concerns.