Summary
This research report demonstrates the effect of HUMA GRO® TURF products X-TEND®, FERTIL HUMUS®, MULTI-PURPOSE™, and ZAP® in the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus leaching in fine sand soils.
The leaching of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers presents an on-going problem in Florida soils. Agricultural amendments that reduce leaching when applied to soils or when mixed with nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers present a potential solution to this problem. Retaining a greater amount of nutrient in the crop root zone is economically beneficial to the grower. Four Huma Gro® Turf amendments were applied to Immokalee fine sand soil to evaluate their respective effect on nutrient leaching and increasing nutrient levels in crop root zones.
In simulated irrigations, nitrogen and phosphorus and Huma Gro® Turf amendments were applied to columns of soil, with the leachate being drained away. A total of 15.5 inches water was applied over 60 days, after which the soil columns were analyzed for nitrate nitrogen and phosphate.
Results
The combinations of fertilizer plus the Huma Gro® Turf amendments lost only 15.6% of the nitrogen and 15.0% of the phosphate. The control lost 40.6% of the nitrogen and 35.6% of the phosphate. In the top 18″ of soil, the combination of fertilizer plus the Huma Gro® Turf amendments resulted in an increased nitrogen level of 76.1% and an increased phosphate level of 31.2% compared to the control.
Percent Increase of N & P Over the Control in Top 18″ Soil
| % Increase vs Control | Nitrogen | Phosphate |
| Fertilizer + Huma Gro® |
76.1% | 31.2% |
Percent Loss of Nitrogen & Phosphate in 36″ Soil Profiles
| Nitrogen % Loss | Phosphate % Loss | |
| Fertilizer + Huma Gro® |
15.6% | 15.0% |
| Control | 40.6% | 35.6% |
Fertilizer complexed with Huma Gro® Turf amendments to the soil significantly reduced leaching. With Huma Gro® Turf amendments, more nitrogen and phosphate remained in the top 18″ of soil.
Product Summary
FERTIL HUMUS® (24-0-0 + Fe, Zn, Mn) complexed with our proprietary Micro Carbon Technology®* (MCT) contains the nutrients necessary to feed beneficial fungal activity in the soil and to increase carbon and nutrient availability in the root zone. FERTIL HUMUS® enhances aerobic decomposition of organic matter and builds a humus-rich soil, which releases nutrients tied up in organic matter. FERTIL HUMUS® also helps buffer the plant from the effects of heavy metals and toxic substances in the soil.
MULTI-PURPOSE™ (5-0-0 + Fe,Zn,Mn) with our proprietary MCT* base, improves soil structure and feeds the beneficial bacteria activity in the soil. This balances the carbon-oxygen ratio, creating a carbon-rich soil that allows the soil and rhizosphere interface to be more active.
X-TEND® (6-2-0) is a concentrated MCT* product with high levels of organic acids and nutrients. X-TEND® is formulated to be blended in liquid fertilizers or to be impregnated onto dry fertilizers, which extends the effectiveness of the fertilizer or fertilizer solutions.
ZAP® (8-0-0 + Fe,Zn,Mn,S) complexed with MCT* is an organic–based formulation of nutrients for feeding the native beneficial soil biological balance. ZAP® feeds a strong, vigorous soil biology which indirectly results in the natural improvement of soil health.
* Huma Gro® Turf products with Micro Carbon Technology® rapidly deliver essential nutrition to crops for optimal growth, fruiting, and vigor. The results are higher quality harvests, increased crop yields, and maximum profit.
For nematode evaluations, 10 cores were taken from each plot and bulked as one sample per plot. Nematodes were recovered by wet sieving/sugar flotation and identified to genus. Nematode assays were carried out on April 29, Jun 3, July 1, and August 4. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and a test of least significant difference (LSD).