Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 4.6
Determining Your Soil's Calcium Rating
Soil calcium ratings as determined by soil calcium concentrations and
cation exchange capacity (CEC). To determine your soil's calcium rating
(low, medium, or high), first locate the soil CEC value in the top row, as
shown in your soil test. Then drop down that column to find your soil
calcium concentration, also shown on your soil test. Read off your cal-
ciumratingfromtheleftsideofthechart.Forexample,asoilwithaCEC
value of 15 meq and a calcium concentration of 4,500 ppm would have
a calcium rating of “medium.”
Adapted from
Soil Test Interpretations and Recommendation Guide:
Commercial Fruits, Vegetables and Turf
, 1999, University of Missouri.
Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency is occasionally a problem in orchards and is known to
cause leaf chlorosis in cherries and peaches. Deficiency problems are most
likely to occur when soil pH is too low or soil calcium concentrations are
too high. If your soil test shows less than 100 ppm magnesium, you should
amend the soil with magnesium before planting your trees.
