1. Corn, sorghum, edible beans, flax, and potatoes when zinc test is below .75 ppm: Recommendations are made for the use of inorganic products such as zinc sulfate.  One application of broadcast and incorporated zinc should be effective for 2-4 years.  If banded, one third to one half the recommended amount should be applied each year for three years to distribute zinc throughout the soil.  Chelates may be used at about one third the rate of inorganic products.
2. All crops except corn, edible beans, flax, and potatoes when zinc test is below .75 ppm: Experience has shown that only the crops of corn, sorghum, edible beans, flax and potatoes respond to added zinc.

1. When sulfur is recommended: Apply above sulfur as broadcast or apply 10-15 pounds actual sulfur in the      row or with the drill. Sulfate forms of sulfur (ammonium sulfate 24% S, gypsum 18% S, and potassium sulfate 17% S) are the best sources for immediate effectiveness.  However, elemental sulfur (95-98% S) is usually available from dealers and least expensive.  Elemental sulfur requires 1-3 months in warm soil before it is completely available.

2.When no deep (0-2 ft) soil analysis is available and a sulfur recommendation would result using the topsoil    analysis: A deep (6-24”) sample should be taken to evaluate the sulfur status of your soil.

35 lb 2 foot chloride soil test
Fertilizer Recommendation = 60-35 = 25 lbs/a chloride recommended

1. Wheat and barley when chloride is recommended: The recommendation should be applied as a broadcast application.  Seed placement of chloride has shown no advantage over a broadcast application.  Higher rates of chloride with the seed can cause seedling injury.  Chloride is most economically applied by using muriate of potash (0-0-60) that is 45% chloride.  The amount of KCl fertilizer to apply is calculated as: lb/a fertilizer needed = recommended Cl X 2.2.

2. Chloride test done for crops other than wheat or barley:  The chloride test has only been calibrated for wheat and barley.  However, corn, soybean and oats have not responded to chloride.  Therefore no recommendation is given.  If wheat or barley is grown, the chloride recommendation would be:  60 - chloride test (lb/a, 2 feet)= recommended chloride (lb/a).

3. Chloride test is done and soil sample depth is less than 18 inches: A deep (24 inch) sample should be taken to evaluate the chloride status of your soil.

    

1. The above magnesium recommendation is for a broadcast application:  Reduce to 10-20 pounds actual magnesium if row applied.  Sources such as magnesium sulfate (11% Mg) can be used.  Magnesium deficiency has not been confirmed in South Dakota.

1. The calcium recommendation above should be based on a buffer pH lime test:  Calcium deficiency has only been observed on very acid, sandy solid (pH less than 5.0).  Calcium deficiency has not been confirmed in South Dakota.

1. The iron test can not be adequately calibrated in our area.  High pH (greater than 7.5) will likely be a better indication of potential iron deficiencies in susceptible crops.  Research in other areas has shown that an iron soil test above 4.5 ppm is sufficient for crop needs.  If the test is below this level, 0.15 lb/a of iron should be applied as a foliar application when iron deficiency symptoms are first observed.  Use a chelated form of iron, such as EDDHA.  Soil application of iron is generally not effective in South Dakota and extremely expensive.  Iron is recommended only for sensitive crops such as sorghum, beans, corn, flax, sudan, and potatoes.  Deficiencies are often more severe when soils are wet and cold and may disappear as the soil dries down and warms up.

    

1. The boron soil test has not been adequately calibrated for our area.  Research in other areas has shown that a boron soil test above 0.50 ppm is adequate for crop needs.  A boron application should always be broadcast applied and never applied in direct seed contact (row or drill fertilizers).  Alfalfa and clovers are the most sensitive to boron deficiency.  Because of possible toxic over-fertilization with boron, never apply unless a boron soil test has first been taken.  Boron deficiency has not been confirmed in South Dakota.

    

1. The copper soil test has not been adequately calibrated for our area.  Research in other areas has shown that a copper soil test above 0.20 ppm is adequate for crop needs.  If the test is below this level, 2 lb/a copper should be applied.  Copper deficiency has never been confirmed in South Dakota.

    

1. The manganese soil test has not been adequately calibrated for our area.  Research in other areas has shown that a manganese soil test above 1.0 ppm is adequate for crop needs. If the test is below this level, apply 20 lb/a manganese.  Manganese deficiency has never been confirmed in South Dakota.

    

Lime Statement (buffer test is run when water pH is below 5.6)

1. Buffer test  (index) is run and it is 6.5 or higher:  No lime is recommended based on this buffer index test.

2. Buffer test (index) is 6.1-6.4:  Apply 2 tons of lime per 6 inch of soil depth.  This rate is based on a calcium carbonate equivalent of 90% and a total effectiveness of 70%.  One ton of pure CaCO₃ is equivalent to    1.6 tons of such a limestone.  Lime recommendations are based on the buffer test (index) and not directly on soil pH.  The buffer index is run when the soil pH is below 5.6 or when requested.  Lime recommendations are based on raising soil pH to 6.0. 

3. Buffer test (index) is 5.9-6.0:  Apply 2.5 tons of lime per 6 inch of soil depth.  This rate is based on a calcium carbonate equivalent of 90% and a total effectiveness of 70%.  One ton of pure CaCO₃ is             equivalent to 1.6 tons of such a limestone.  Lime recommendations are based on the buffer test (index) and not directly on soil pH.  The buffer index is run when the soil pH is below 5.6 or when requested.  Lime recommendations are based on raising soil pH to 6.0. 

4. Buffer test (index) is 5.7-5.8:  Apply 3 tons of lime per 6 inch of depth.  This rate is based on a calcium carbonate equivalent of 90% and a total effectiveness of 70%.  One ton of pure CaCO₃ is equivalent to 1.6 tons of such a limestone.  Lime recommendations are based on the buffer test (index) and not directly  on soil pH.  The buffer index is run when the soil pH is below 5.6 or when requested.  Lime             recommendations are based on raising soil pH to 6.0. 

5. Buffer test (index) is 5.6 or less:  Apply 3.5 tons of lime per 6 inch of soil depth.  This rate is based on a calcium carbonate equivalent of 90% and a total effectiveness of 70%.  One ton of pure CaCO₃ is equivalent to 1.6 tons of such a limestone.  Lime recommendations are based on the buffer test (index)    and not directly on soil pH.  The buffer index is run when the soil pH is below 5.6 or when requested.  Lime recommendations are based on raising soil pH to 6.0. 

1. Soluble salts greater than 3.0 mmhos/cm: Excessive salts are usually associated with poor drainage either past or present.  Frequently, these areas are relatively small in relation to the rest of the field.  Little can be done to increase their productivity unless the internal drainage can be improved.  This is often impossible or uneconomical.  Heavy application of crop residues and phosphate fertilizer sometimes increases the productivity of these soils.
2. Soluble salts in 3.0-5.1 mmhos/cm range:  The soluble salt context of this soil is higher than considered desirable.  Only salt sensitive crops such as corn, soybeans, flax, potatoes, field beans, sunflower, and new alfalfa seedlings may be affected and then only when soil moisture is in short supply.  Phosphorus should be maintained at a medium to high level.
3. Soluble salts in 5.0 - 10.0 mmhos/cm range:  The total soluble salts are at such a level that the normal growth of crops such as corn, soybeans, flax, potatoes, field beans, sunflower, and new alfalfa seedlings can be expected only in relatively wet years.  You should consider growth of small grain or grass on this land.  Grass or legume establishment may be difficult.
4. Soluble salts in 10.1-16.0 mmhos/cm range: The total soluble salts are at such a level that the growth of salt tolerant crops such as rye, millet, barley, and grasses such as western wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, and tall wheatgrass should be considered.  Grass establishment may be difficult.
5. Soluble salts greater than 16 mmhos/cm:  The total soluble salts are at such a level that the growth of only the extremely salt tolerant crops should be attempted.  Tall and western wheatgrasses are the most tolerant.  Grass establishment may be difficult.
6. When ESP is in the 9.0 - 13.0 range:  the soluble sodium content of this soil is high enough so that a dispersed soil condition may now or soon will exist.
7. When ESP is greater than 13.0:  The sodium hazard of this soil is high.  Correction of this problem is often not practical.