Nutrient deficiencies occur in grass when an essential element is not taken up by a species in sufficient quantities – so what makes healthy grass?
Trace elements occur naturally in soils at concentrations of less than 100 mg kg−1. Some of these are essential for growing healthy plants and in turn healthy animals.
They include zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium, boron and sodium.
At Lordington Park Agronomy, we take your soil samples for analysis to assess both the soil nutrient supply, the pH and crucially the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). You can find out more about these here.
Here is an example of a soil analysis.
For early season growth…
To stimulate root development, growth rate, and plant sugar formation, you need to increase the Phosphorous.
To stimulate root and shoot development and disease resistance, you need to increase the Magnesium, Manganese & Zinc.
For grazing…
To increase leaf development and growth rate, you need to increase the Nitrogen and Sulphur. Although there is a risk that Nitrogen poisoning can occur in our horses grazing pastures or eating hay that have accumulated high levels of nitrates during growth. It is important to spread the right type of nitrogen, at the right time, and at very low volumes.
For increasing root and shoot development and to improve disease resistance / drought tolerance, increase the Manganese and crucially the Phosphate and Magnesium.
For bulk plant production, you should increase the Potassium. Potash is crucial for good quality hay / haylage as it transports nutrients absorbed by the roots up in to the grass.
For late season growth…
To encourage plant development, increasing sugar content and crucial frost tolerance, increase the Nitrogen, Sulphur and Potassium
For root and shoot strength and disease resistance, increase Manganese and Zinc.
To encourage stem strength and carbohydrate production, increase the Copper and Potassium.
For good quality hay…
To increase the protein content and carbohydrate accumulation, increase Nitrogen, Sulphur and Potassium.
For plant development and hay / haylage quality, increase the Calcium, Magnesium, and Manganese.