Tuzhi
Know the soil, farm it well.
When the soil crusts white or seedlings stall, photograph the whole plant, a close-up, and the soil surface, then compare it with the field guide. Words on a lab sheet are explained under Reading the soil test.
Photograph the fieldCommon problems
Acid soilSalty-alkali landHard-packed soilThin organic matterNutrient shortageSame crop againWaterloggingFertiliser burn
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Popular guides
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Acid soil: seedlings stall, root tips go brownStunted seedlings: check the root tips, then pH. On grain land, consider lime only below about 5.5.Acid soil
Saline soil: white crust and scorched marginsSplit salt from alkali. Salt is EC; alkali is pH and sodium.Salty-alkali land
Hard soil: a shiny pan the roots will not crossAfter rain a slurry, when dry a cap. Look at twenty centimetres before you feed.Hard-packed soil
Thin organic matter: pale soil that will not hold a ballOrganic matter is a reserve, not a packet of microbes. Build it over years.Thin organic matter
Nitrogen: old leaves yellow, new leaves still greenYellow old leaves, white roots. If new leaves yellow too, think sulphur or iron.Nutrient shortage
Potassium: scorch from the old-leaf marginScorched margins plus a white crust: split salt from potassium first.Nutrient shortage