Fertilizer stratification is when applied fertility inputs are not able to penetrate soil and become trapped at the soil surface. Fertilizers, especially those containing phosphorus and potassium, become 'held up' at this top layer of soil, well above seed planting depth and the ideal location for plant roots to access them.
Expert no-till farmer, Marion Calmer, shared his experiences with stratification. "My soil tests looked fine, but something was wrong,” said the veteran no-tiller “A dollar worth of P and K was only producing 40 cents worth of grain.” Extensive testing confirmed the veteran no-tiller to be correct. “At my farm, 50% of my P and K is in the top 2 inches of the soil, half of the nutrients are above where I plant the seed. I’ve got a stratification problem."
Not all No-Tillers are open to “tilling” or “ripping.” For these growers especially, an ongoing residue pass is their best tool to prevent stratification, increase carbon, and build resiliency into their systems.
|
|
Crop Residue, Stratification, and other challenges. It’s easy to understand how stratification leads to fertility inefficiencies, there are several other factors in play. The biological breakdown of residue can help reduce soil compaction. Air and water make up about 50% of highly productive soils. Carbon fixation is the process by which microbes convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into organic compounds. Humification is the process in which organic carbon from decomposing plants is transformed into a stable, dark-colored substance called humus. Increases in soil carbon can significantly improve water holding capacity and water infiltration. These are biological processes that rely heavily on the balance between fungi and bacteria. They have a significant effect on soil health and fertility efficiency, bringing resiliency to your farm system. |
It won’t happen this fast on your farm, but the visual makes the point. The ongoing productivity of your soil and system starts at the microscopic level. Here is a visual of how, over time, microbes can help address the limiting factor of stratification
A good fertility program delivers in 2 ways:
- Increased annual returns on investment today
- Improved ongoing productivity of the soil and/or system for the long run, the “upward spiral”
There is no “one way to farm.” The truth is Full-Till, No-Till, Strip-Till, Limited Till, or Shallow Incorporation all can work.
Liquid fertility inputs can address the limiting factors on the surface as well as permeate the soil and allow for more efficient mineral uptake. Strategically placed fertility in a strip or 2X2 and biology directly on the seed works terrific. Early foliar applications with fertility and carbon before full canopy can get you both fertility efficiency and residue breakdown. A broad-spectrum product like BIOACTIVETM LiquiLife, or LiquiLife+ means you accomplish more functions with every pass you make.
Without a balanced and diverse biological foundation, the microbes you count on to mineralize, solubilize, fix, chelate, protect, and actively deliver macro and micronutrients to your crops no longer function as well in your soil. Without these robust biological functions, farmers become more reliant on purchased fertilizers and the next more expensive generation of crop protection inputs.