Jimster
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While trying to figure out how tums binds with phosphorus in my stomach, for kidney failure issues, I found an interesting tidbit of info regarding Phosphorus and Calcium's interactions. The info is great when you look into the implications of too much Calcium, and the lockouts that many growers who use a LOT of cal-mag when not needed are seeing. Here is the info:
Phosphorus is most needed for early root development so the application of phosphate needs to be concentrated as starter fertilizer near the developing root systems. To create the needed acidity under the calcareous soil condition the use of sulfur with the phosphate source and the ability to add organic amendment and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria would allow a complete package for addressing the calcareous constraint. Under calcareous soil conditions beside the immobilizing of phosphorus micronutrients such as Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu are often constrained.
This info comes from the Univ of PuertoRico and is mostly concerning soils with a lot of calcium in them, and how to overcome the issues that it causes, primarily with Phosphorus being changed into Calcium Phosphate... a mineral that can't be used by plants. It might be called Apatite. This just underscores the dangers of using too much stuff on your plants without understanding the interplay between them. The solution to 90% of the problems on here recommend adding more Cal-Mag
I have always recommended using the minimum amount of nutes and stuff to avoid cross reactions. This info might explain why things seem to spiral out of control whenever a deficiency or lockout is suspected. Keep your nutes to a minimum, keep your roots rich in O2, keep Ph between 6 and 7, and you should be good!
The last line of the info is very important, as it could address the root causes of many lockout conditions, especially the Magnesium lockout many seem to experience.
Phosphorus is most needed for early root development so the application of phosphate needs to be concentrated as starter fertilizer near the developing root systems. To create the needed acidity under the calcareous soil condition the use of sulfur with the phosphate source and the ability to add organic amendment and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria would allow a complete package for addressing the calcareous constraint. Under calcareous soil conditions beside the immobilizing of phosphorus micronutrients such as Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu are often constrained.
This info comes from the Univ of PuertoRico and is mostly concerning soils with a lot of calcium in them, and how to overcome the issues that it causes, primarily with Phosphorus being changed into Calcium Phosphate... a mineral that can't be used by plants. It might be called Apatite. This just underscores the dangers of using too much stuff on your plants without understanding the interplay between them. The solution to 90% of the problems on here recommend adding more Cal-Mag
I have always recommended using the minimum amount of nutes and stuff to avoid cross reactions. This info might explain why things seem to spiral out of control whenever a deficiency or lockout is suspected. Keep your nutes to a minimum, keep your roots rich in O2, keep Ph between 6 and 7, and you should be good!
The last line of the info is very important, as it could address the root causes of many lockout conditions, especially the Magnesium lockout many seem to experience.
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