Soil Fertility

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Soil Fertility

• Carolina Medina
• Soil Water Science Dept.
• University of Florida

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Nitrogen Cycle
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Nitrogen Cycle
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Nitrogen Cycle
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Nitrogen Cycle
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Nitrogen Cycle
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The Haber-Bosch process
N2
H2
N2(g) 3H2(g) ? 2NH3(g) ?Ho
NH3
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Phosphorus Leaching in FL soils
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Eutrophication
Polluted Water
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Readily available
Less available
Very less available
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Where Potash comes from?
Mining Equipment
Sylvinite
Potash Pile
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Carbon Cycle
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Importance of Soil Organic Matter

• Soil Chemical Properties
• Cation-exchange capacity
• Soil Physical Properties
• Soil aggregation
• Water holding capacity
• Energy source for microbes

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Factors determining SOM levels

• Microbial Activity
• pH
• Soil Moisture
• Soil Aeration
• Soil Temperature
• C/N Ratio
• Physical Factors
• Surface placement
• Particle Size
• Environmental Factors
• Climate
• Vegetation