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Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

I welcome comments on my soil test:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=267877

Nitrogen is my limiting factor, as well as several micronutrients. One question (of many) what is the difference between Nitrate nitrogen and ammonium? (Aside from the obvious chemical difference, what does it mean to the plant?) I tend to use ammonium sulfate, because it tends to lower pH as well as provide nitrogen.

10/25/2016 12:09:56 PM

Foley, Minnesota

Nitrate is negatively charged so it is not held by the soil and can leach with water movement. Ammonium is positively charged so it can be held in the soil as long as you have some CEC to hold it. Both forms are plant available, a bacteria in the soil converts ammonium to nitrate. Adam

11/2/2016 11:27:53 AM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

Thanks, I'm trying to wrap my head around the connection between positively and negatively charged chemicals, and pH. My soil is naturally very alkaline, meaning I have a dearth of Hydrogen atoms floating around that might be able to free up a positively charged ammonium. But if I use some calcium nitrate, that nitrate should be relatively free to exchange in the soil. More available to the plant?

11/7/2016 3:39:56 PM