October 18, 2021 crop, headlines comment

Author: James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Service

Soil health is closely related to plant health. Most pest problems are due to insufficient plant nutrition and poor plant health. Most weeds thrive in the absence of at least one plant nutrient. Healthy plants have sufficient nutrient levels to repel insects and diseased organisms. Healthy soil promotes healthy plants by providing sufficient plant nutrients for plant growth.

The first step in improving plant health is to produce carbohydrates, which are part of protein. About 50% of plant carbohydrates are used for ground growth and 50% for root growth. Plants use sunlight as an energy source for photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars. Plants distribute sugar to their roots to produce root exudates to feed soil microorganisms, so that soil nutrients can be used by plants to build protein.

In the second step, plants look for nitrogen to form amino acids, peptides and proteins. This is where plant health often begins to decline. Plants like whole proteins, peptides or amino acids first, then urea (CO(NH2)2), ammonia (NH3), ammonium (NH4), and finally nitrate (NO3-). When plants only absorb nitrate, they need 25% more plant energy (16% of all plant photosynthetic activities) and 3 times more water to convert it into amide form (NH2), which is used to form amino acids and peptides , And then complete the protein. Growers can take advantage of this preference to provide plants with their preferred form of nitrogen when they mature.

The problem with plants is that ammonia and ammonium nitrogen forms can be toxic, so plants need low levels of these nutrients. In other words, plants need to continuously feed these nutrients in small amounts with a spoon. Soil microorganisms convert most nitrogen forms to nitrate forms fairly quickly. In most soils and plants, nitrogen is absorbed in the least efficient form (nitrate). In healthy soil, plants get more nitrogen from soil microorganisms in the form of intact proteins, peptides, amino acids or amides; this generally requires less plant energy and leads to higher plant health. Part of the reason plants are healthier is that they consume less energy.

When plants become truly healthy, the third step is that they become fat! As energy is used more efficiently, the excess sugar is used to form plant lipids, or fats. The best foods (plants or animals) and the best quality foods are high-fat or high-fat foods. The high-fat fruits are even, rich in nutrients, and contain a variety of essential minerals, so they taste great! Livestock can be distinguished from people! When you eat a slice of very good fruit or vegetable, it tastes very good due to the high density of nutrients and lipids (healthy fats) in the product. The high plant lipid content indicates that the plant is in good health.

Plants need high levels of micronutrients to form higher levels of protein, called enzymes. Enzymes greatly accelerate biological reactions in plants by reducing the energy required to form molecules. Plants repeatedly use enzymes to improve biological and energy efficiency. Some enzymes can cause 10,000 or more biological reactions within a few seconds. The lack of micronutrients may be needed to activate key plant enzymes to increase yield and/or grain quality. This is why the plant mineral nutrition of all elements is so important. Planting cover crops this fall will help soil microorganisms provide micronutrients to the plants next spring.

At the top of the plant health pyramid are high-density, high-quality, and high-yield foods. Due to shade and competition for nutrients, weeds cannot compete with healthy plants.

Insects cannot attack, process or digest plants with complete protein and dense nutrients. Insects are looking for unhealthy plants with high nitrate content, low protein content, and easy digestion. Most diseases are related to micronutrient deficiencies, pests and unhealthy plants; because these plants are prone to leaking water and are easily attacked by germs. The goal should be to process all plant nitrogen forms into protein within 24 hours, which is a sign of good plant health.

Scientists estimate that plants currently only use 20% of their genetic potential to increase yield. If conditions are perfect, corn may produce 1,100 bushels and soybeans 600 bushels per acre. Although it is unrealistic to expect such crop yields, improving plant nutrition, plant health, and soil health can not only increase crop yields, but also produce healthy and nutritious foods while protecting the environment.

Don "Doc" Sanders No, this is not about the playboy rabbit. I am writing an article about viruses...

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November 12, 2021-Our cold front crossed the state this morning, and we should schedule a day with basically no rain. In this dry crevice, we see a mixture of clouds and the sun...More from Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin

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