Maintaining fertile soil can be frustrating during a nitrogen fertilizer shortage. Many growers have been encountering empty shelves, back logged suppliers, and higher prices. Thankfully, understanding how the nitrogen cycle works can shift our focus to supporting the natural nitrogen factories already living in our soil...bacteria!
Earth’s atmosphere is around 78% nitrogen. This nitrogen is bound up in triple bonded N2 molecules that plants are not able to metabolize on their own. Plants rely on soil-based microorganisms to break down these N2 molecules into nitrogen compounds that are biologically and chemically available to them.
There are a couple of natural and man-made processes that drive nitrogen into your soil:
Once the nitrogen is in the soil, a vast network of nitrogen fixing and ammonifying bacteria get to work converting it into compounds that are beneficial to plants and the rest of the soil ecosystem.
Nitrogen is in a continuously rotating cycle and does not just live in the soil forever. Knowing how it leaves your soil can help you mitigate some of this loss:
Now, we can’t (and shouldn’t) interfere with the denitrification and immobilization of nitrogen in our soil. However, there are several growing strategies that can reduce nitrogen loss from runoff and leaching, and help your plants better use the nitrogen in your soil…even during a fertilizer shortage.
Running a quick soil test can tell you how much nitrogen you are currently working with. Once you know your nitrogen levels, you can amend accordingly and avoid misapplication. Your soil may be in better shape than you think!
Maintaining healthy soil bacteria is one of the most important steps you can take to get the most out of your nitrogen. These nitrogen fixing and ammonifying colonies need to be actively metabolizing and reproducing to keep the nitrogen cycle moving. Increasing your soil’s electrical conductivity (EC) with sea minerals will stimulate bacteria colony growth and keep those nitrogen factories going.
Poor soil texture increases nitrogen loss as it is stripped by runoff or leached away. Applying soil amendments like humates, volcanic ash conditioners, mulch, compost, and manure can improve soil texture and help hold nutrients (like nitrogen) where plants can reach them.
Watering responsibly can reduce runoff and prevent nitrogen and other nutrient loss. Use water timers, smart irrigators, and drip systems to make sure you don’t over saturate your soil. Avoiding overwatering will also reduce nutrient pollution in your local waterways, caused by fertilizer runoff.
Legumes hold a special place in the nitrogen cycle. These plants have unique nodules in their roots that house nitrogen fixing bacteria. Planting cover crops is also an effective way to reduce weed growth and nutrient runoff from bare soil.
Since 1958, Redmond Minerals has been proud to support farmers and growers with our rich deposit in central Utah. Through lean and lush times, our soil program has helped growers increase plant yields, grow more nutrient dense crops, and provide sustainable soil health.
Our soil products can help put the nitrogen cycle to work for you and your plants.
Redmond’s soil products provide the best Mother Nature has to offer. Redmond's Mineralyte soil amendment offer all 3 of these amazing resources in a single package!
Give Redmond a call today at
© 2024 Redmond Minerals Inc.