Iron Oxide Strip as an Innovative Diagnostic Tool for Soil Phosphorus Management
By Lilit Vardanyan and Vimala D. Nair
Phosphorus (P) is essential for plant growth and productivity. However, excessive application of P fertilizers has contributed to environmental degradation through runoff and leaching into waterways. Traditionally, the Mehlich 1-P and Mehlich 3-P soil tests have been used widely to guide fertilizer recommendations in Florida and many other regions. However, these may provide inaccurate estimates of plant-available P, especially in soils with diverse mineralogy or strong P-sorption capacity. This can result in suboptimal fertilization practices. Standard soil tests rely on chemical extractants that may mobilize both labile and non-labile forms of P. Meanwhile, the iron oxide strip P (FeO-P) method targets the fraction most relevant to plant uptake. This offers a more reliable indicator of P availability. FeO-P mimics the absorptive behavior of plant roots to determine actual crop nutrient demand, providing an improved diagnostic tool for both agronomic and environmental applications.
Interpreting Soil Microbial Data Metrics for Soil Health
By Adesuwa Erhunmwunse, Hui-Ling Liao, and Kaile Zhang
Soil microbes play important roles in soil health processes, such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and aggregate stability. Soil testing labs now include microbial analyses, which often come with unfamiliar terms. This publication aims to educate producers, Extension agents, policymakers, and the public on how to interpret these soil microbial results. Additionally, it will help them better understand the results’ implications for soil health and crop production.
Nitrogen-Fixing Legume Nodules
By David Hébert and Ann C. Wilkie
Nitrogen-fixing legumes are planted as cover crops and in wildlife food plots, where they form beneficial relationships with soil microbes. These legumes grow nodules on their roots that can be plucked or scraped off easily. Conversely, legumes may grow root-knot nematode galls that are hard and part of the root. Pink or red color inside the tissue can indicate well-functioning nodulation. This is important because legume cover crop biomass is a high-protein resource for game species. Also, decomposition of organic material through green chopping can increase soil fertility. Recognizing the difference between a nitrogen-fixing legume nodule and a root-knot nematode gall is important for assessing plant health and promoting biomass growth.
Impact of Climate Change on Florida’s Soil Health
By Tanjila Jesmin, Xue Bai, and Jehangir H. Bhadha
Climate change poses significant challenges to Florida’s soil health by intensifying erosion, nutrient depletion, compaction, and salinization, which threaten agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events further exacerbate these issues, affecting the diverse soil types across the state. Implementing adaptive soil management strategies, such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, organic amendments, and efficient water management, is essential for building resilience and sustaining productivity. This publication provides valuable insights for farmers, growers, ranchers, crop consultants, researchers, and policymakers to support sustainable soil management in response to climate change.
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