Nutrition

Sap Analysis

Sap Analysis is a quick and accurate tool for the monitoring and management of crop nutrition.  It allows early detection and correction of nutritional problems with results showing nutrient uptake and balance at the time of sampling.

This season IK Caldwell will be working in conjunction with Serve-Ag Analytical Services (SAS) who will be analysing sap samples taken.  SAS have secured AusIndustry funding with the following objectives in mind;

• To relate nutrient levels in plant and soil to marketable yield and quality or other crop performance measures.
• To improve or develop optimum sampling times by growth stage, desirable level ranges, and nutrient budgets for selected crops.

The secured AusIndustry funding will subsidise the cost of sap testing to encourage greater participation to meet the above objectives.

IK Caldwell have put together a program for this season that will allow growers to participate in this SAS AusIndustry which includes;

- Sampling
- Analysis
- Interpretation & recommendations

The AusIndustry project does have certain selection criteria in regard to crop type and timings. 

Soil Nutrient Mapping

Site Specific Technology involves the use of GPS equipment, soil sampling, analysis and map generation using a Geographical Information Software (GIS) package.

After completing a paddock/block boundary, soil sampling is then done on a grid basis (ranging from .04ha to 6ha) and the results from each grid sample are used to generate nutrient maps. See below examples

Resource nutrient layers can be created in existing paddocks or blocks to ensure accurate fertiliser recommendations. Elements tested for include pH, EC, OC, Nitrate N, Chloride, Sulfate S, Colwell P, Ex Cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Al), CEC, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, B.

These soil maps are ideal for identifying and rectifying nutrient problems in a particular zone or area whilst optimising fertiliser and associated application costs. Site specific soil testing is particularly effective when developing new land.

Sampling can be done on 6, 4, 2, 1 and 0.5 hectare grids. It is recommended that smaller grids be used when testing a small amount of area that is used for intensive cropping ie horticulture.

Example of NO3-N (nitrogen)	Example of pH (CaCI2)

Contact
David Morey - IKC Shepparton
davidm@ikc.com.au

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