The above images and tables show two fields with similar soil types and have been under the same type of management. In 2019 each field was sampled and a conventional Ammonium Acetate (AA) extraction was performed as well as the Potassium KH3A extraction. The tables show the results. As you can see the two fields have similar AA Potassium tests. The averages are close and the range from minimum to maximum is similar. As far as making conventional Potassium fertilizer recommendations are concerned these two fields would have similar amounts applied. In the 2020 growing season, field 2 showed visible Potassium deficiency and we expect it to have an impact on yield. When we look at the KH3A test we start to see a difference. The average KH3A test for field 1 is nearly double that of field 2 and the maximum of field 2 is 1 PPM higher than the minimum of field 1. These data sets are in a completely different range and give a better look at true availability. Although the AA Potassium test is similar between the two what can be used by the plant in field 2 is significantly lower, drastically changing how we go about using fertilizer on these two fields. The KH3A test is one of many attributes included in the Indicator complete soil test that gives us a more in-depth look at soil fertility and biological activity to allow us to manage resources more efficiently.
