Looking to expand into fertilization...

[John Paul Sanborn]

Phosphorous is relatively immoblile in the soil

Then why the big tooodoo about it getting into waterways? It seems that P is less improtant to stressed trees then K anyways in the way of the macronutrients (elements for the Shigonaughts).

 

[LightningLoader]

Phosphorous is relatively immoblile in the soil so injection applies the element directly to the area of the trees feeding roots. Injection also delivers the product below the level of most of the trees competitors, ie grass plants, etc.

Before anything is injected or 'thrown out under the tree', soil tests/analysis should be performed and the elements added accordingly, if at all.

I realize that phosphorous doesn't leach like nitrogen does, but seems like he was talking about doing a 3-1-1 formula. That's hardly any phosphorous anyway. Is it worth the trouble and cost of injecting for such a low dose formula?

As for the "competition for nutrients" that's how I would sell if to the customers if I were going to do this kind of work. That's something a person can understand the benefit of. Thanks for explaining so clearly woodweasel.

 

[LightningLoader]

Then why the big tooodoo about it getting into waterways?

I've always wondered that myself. That's always a big fight down here with the cane farmers, but in their case the cane basically grows in the swamp, so maybe it's easier for the P to get into the water.

 

[underwor]

I think most of the cause for Minneapolis outlawing P applications was the material, both granular and soluble, being washed into the storm sewer system before it became bonded in the soil. When this entered the lakes, you got the big algae blooms. The other part is if you get a lot of sheet erosion taking off just the top layer following surface application. Once this hits the waterway, it is available even still attached to the particle.

 

[Ed Roland]

Then why the big tooodoo about it getting into waterways? It seems that P is less improtant to stressed trees then K anyways in the way of the macronutrients (elements for the Shigonaughts).

JPS, i found this info:
"Phosphorus is carried in runoff water from agricultural fields into streams, wetlands and lakes. Phosphorus can travel attached to particles of soil or manure eroded by water into a stream (Figure 2). Phosphorous also can dissolve into runoff water as it passes over the surface of the field.

There is little potential for phosphorus to leach through soil into groundwater. Soil particles have a large capacity to fix phosphorus in forms that are immobile in soil. Most soils filter out soluble phosphorus as water passes through the soil profile into groundwater. However, this filtration process can be overloaded or bypassed under certain conditions, allowing higher concentrations of phosphorus into groundwater. Cracking soils or areas with karst topography create channels in the soil that allow surface water to travel directly to groundwater. The capacity of soil to adsorb phosphorus can be overwhelmed on sandy soils or when the water table is close to the soil surface." excerpt from University of Missouri webdoc on subject.