Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the time you apply the sulfur. The acidification process can be hard on plants
when making dramatic changes, and major adjustments to the soil pH are
best done before planting your orchard crops.
For new orchards, apply the sulfur uniformly across your planting block
at least a year before planting your trees and mix it thoroughly into the top
6 to 8 inches of soil. Remember that the soil must be moist, but not saturated,
in order for the microorganisms to metabolize the sulfur. Six months after
application, measure the soil pH from several locations across your planting
block. Follow up with additional pH tests 12 months after applying the sulfur
to see how the process is progressing. It is best to wait for 2 years from the
first application before applying more sulfur.
For established orchards, broadcast the sulfur throughout the orchard
and cultivate it into the soil no more than 2 inches deep to avoid damaging
the tree roots. If the pH is 7.5 to 8.0, apply half of the needed sulfur one year
and half the next year. If the pH is above 8.0, apply one-third of the needed
sulfur one year and one-third during each of the two following years. Test
the soil pH each year, and if more sulfur is needed, adjust the amount ac-
cordingly.
Soil Salinity
trolytes, such as sodium chloride, that dissolve in the soil water. When soil
salinity levels become excessive, plants take up less water and grow roots
more slowly. The tips of leaves often die and become brown, sometimes re-
ferred to as “burning” or “scorching.” Shoots grow more slowly, and plants
produce fewer and poorer-quality fruits. At still higher salt concentrations,
most plants die. Tree fruits tolerate somewhat higher salinity than do most
berry crops and should perform reasonably well with salinity levels of 2 to
4 millisiemens per centimeter (mS•cm ), although lower levels are generally
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orchard includes blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries, keep your soil sa-
linity levels at 2 mS•cm or less.
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