Alkaline Soils
In most cases Alkaline soils have high levels of SODIUM in soil (either naturally there, or from high-sodium and/or high SAR waters). Sodic soils have a horrible dispersive, hard-setting and easily-compacted structure.
Our Liquid Optimizer Humic Acid provides a buffering effect between sodium and the plant roots. Additionally, Humic Acid is a sequestering compound and as such, it is able to break the bond of sodium and magnesium with clay particles in heavy soils. Thus it reduces the tightness and compaction of the soil, enabling it to be more easily tilled.
The resultant open friable soil sustains better water movement through it and increases the aeration of the soil. This produces better root structure in plants, which in turn are more capable of resisting drought.
Our Liquid Optimizer Humic Acid provides a buffering effect between sodium and the plant roots. Additionally, Humic Acid is a sequestering compound and as such, it is able to break the bond of sodium and magnesium with clay particles in heavy soils. Thus it reduces the tightness and compaction of the soil, enabling it to be more easily tilled.
The resultant open friable soil sustains better water movement through it and increases the aeration of the soil. This produces better root structure in plants, which in turn are more capable of resisting drought.
How PH affects Nutrient Availability
The high PH of Alkaline soils or irrigation water "tie up" NPK as well as most vital micro-nutrients.
Our Liquid Optimizer allows plants to take in a broader range of nutrients at every PH level.
Additional foliar nutrition may be ideal in some areas where the soil is immediately tying up fertilizer nutrients because of PH.
Our Liquid Sunshine products have been developed to deliver nutrients through plant foliage and make sure that your sprays get into the plants fully every spray.
Our Liquid Optimizer allows plants to take in a broader range of nutrients at every PH level.
Additional foliar nutrition may be ideal in some areas where the soil is immediately tying up fertilizer nutrients because of PH.
Our Liquid Sunshine products have been developed to deliver nutrients through plant foliage and make sure that your sprays get into the plants fully every spray.
Salinity
Salinity is a different matter. Saline waters do often contain high levels of sodium. Therefore all the above may well still apply. Salinity will show up in your water test as a high EC (Electrical Conductivity).
When there is salt in the water (or in the soil-water, because of the salty water and salty soils), it is extremely hard for the plant to take a drink. the plant uses it's energy from evotranspiration to draw water from the soil. But when there is salt present, it becomes harder and harder. Water moves from the soil into the plant tissues by osmosis.
When there is salt in the water (or in the soil-water, because of the salty water and salty soils), it is extremely hard for the plant to take a drink. the plant uses it's energy from evotranspiration to draw water from the soil. But when there is salt present, it becomes harder and harder. Water moves from the soil into the plant tissues by osmosis.
Where there is salt in the soil and soil-water, the salt in the soil/water draws the water back to itself. Therefore the saltier the soil and soil-water, the less water is taken up by the plant. The plant is stunted. If it's very salty, it may eventually die of thirst.
The other important issue is this: When you apply saline water to the soil, much of this water evaporates. The water evaporates....the salt does not! Generally the more you use saline water, the high the concentration of salts you will create in the soil. So whilst a moderate salinity water may not show up immediate problems, it may well become a problem in the months and years ahead.
Our Liquid Optimizer helps to buffer the soils in saline conditions. This allows plants to take in the necessary water and nutrients without experiencing the additional stress that generally accompanies this problem. Also, Liquid Optimizer assists in keeping salt levels from becoming too concentrated in the root zone of the soil.
The other important issue is this: When you apply saline water to the soil, much of this water evaporates. The water evaporates....the salt does not! Generally the more you use saline water, the high the concentration of salts you will create in the soil. So whilst a moderate salinity water may not show up immediate problems, it may well become a problem in the months and years ahead.
Our Liquid Optimizer helps to buffer the soils in saline conditions. This allows plants to take in the necessary water and nutrients without experiencing the additional stress that generally accompanies this problem. Also, Liquid Optimizer assists in keeping salt levels from becoming too concentrated in the root zone of the soil.
