Hello friend of the farm in this opportunity I am going to talk about the importance of plaster in agriculture. The problem of soil salinization is accentuated in the arid regions where irrigation is used as well as along the coasts. The direct consequence of cultivating in saline soils is that it diminishes the fertility of the soil, which results in a lower yield of the crops and as a result, poorly profitable crops or even economic losses.
It is difficult to consider a totally optimal soil for agriculture. Normally the agricultural producer tries to adapt to the circumstances of his soil. However, it is possible that over time I can modify the soil conditions to get closer to the ideal soil for the crop that you want to take advantage of.
El Yeso Agrícola is a very viable alternative for the farmer to modify his soil.
WHAT IS THE AGRICULTURAL PLANT?
Agricultural gypsum is a very mild mineral composed of di-hydrated calcium sulfate (CaSO4 • 2H2O) that has been used by farmers for a long time. It has been used in agriculture even since the time of the Greeks and Romans (Intagri). The gypsum is constituted in 79% of Calcium Sulphate and 21% of molecular water; The content of Calcium (Ca) is 18 to 22% while the Sulphate goes from 16 to 18%, the pH is from 7 to 7.5. Agricultural gypsum has a lower solubility than Calcium Nitrate, however it is 200 times higher than Agricultural Lime, since it is approximately 2.5 g / L.
The gypsum has been converted into a soil amendment that has been shown to be able to recover degraded sodic soils and improve various physical properties of the soil.
This solubility characteristic of gypsum makes calcium more mobile than calcium in lime and allows it to move more easily through the soil profile.
SOURCES OF AGRICULTURAL PLASTER AND ITS PROPERTIES
-The gypsum extracted from geological deposits, phosphogypsum derived from the wet production of phosphoric acid (4.5 tons of gypsum / ton of phosphoric acid).
-Recycled plaster casting several manufacturing processes.
-Recycled plaster panels.
-The flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) gypsum power plant.
THE BENEFITS OF THE USE OF THE AGRICULTURAL PLASTER
AGRICULTURAL PLANT AS SOURCE OF CALCIUM AND SULFUR
Gypsum is an efficient source of calcium and sulfates. It has a high relative solubility.
Due to this, calcium sulphate is quickly used by the plant, therefore in lands with high sodium content, the gypsum replaces it with calcium, at the same time that the alkalinity is reduced and in lands where calcium is scarce , the result is a small and poorly distributed product.
The good effects of gypsum on legumes are related to the increased activity of bacteria that vitrify the earth.
KEEP THE NITROGEN OF THE DRAWER AND REDUCE SMELLS:
Fermented manures generate large amounts of nitrogen in the form of ammonia, which is easily lost when stored.
These losses can be reduced by adding gypsum to manure, thus preserving the value that manure has on crops.
Another desirable effect of eliminating the odors of ammonia is to reduce the harmful effect it has on the eyes of animals. The threat that mosquitoes cause from the attraction to this smell is also reduced.
CLARIFIES THE WATER OF LAKES, LAGOONS AND PONDS:
The water that looks muddy, is due to the clay that is in suspension.
STIMULATES THE ACTIVITY OF MICROBIES ON EARTH:
At a very low cost the gypsum stimulates the activities of the microorganisms in the soil, which help to condition the manure and fertilizers so that the plants can assimilate them.
THE AGRICULTURAL PLANT AS AN IMPROVEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SOIL
The earth with good structure has desirable physical properties such as the following:
Spaces to conserve and receive water
Allow satisfactory ventilation.
It allows the water to escape when it is in excess.
When ventilation and drainage are good, the germination is stimulated and the growth of the roots and the plant increases, thus improving the harvest.
The gypsum has proven how its use benefits the wet lands or with high content of clays, improving its structure, facilitating and increasing the penetration of water.
It is also important that the surface of the soil remains in a granular and open condition to allow rainwater to penetrate and not run on the surface without being used, that is why the crusts that form on the surface can be the result of irrigations or intense rains, bringing as a consequence the erosion of the earth in the unevenness or stagnation where there is no drainage.
AGRICULTURAL PLANT AS IMPROVING CHEMICAL PROPERTIES IN SOIL SALIN AND SALINE SOILS
- The mitigation of subsoil acidity and aluminum toxicity, favoring rooting and the capacity of plants to absorb water and nutrients properly during periods of drought;
- As a soil improver
As already explained, soils in arid zones are characterized by higher levels of Sodium (Na) and Magnesium (Mg). In the case of Sodium, in addition to favoring the loss of the structure, in the nutritional part, this is necessary for the plant in minimum quantities, these amounts being comparable to the micronutrients. It has been shown that although it is not an essential element for plants, if it does some metabolic functions, it can even replace potassium in the opening and closing of stomata. However, when it is present in excessive amounts in the crops it causes phytotoxicity, in addition it competes with other essential ions for the plant such as Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca).
The main source of Sodium accumulation in soils is the use of water from deep wells with high salt content or by the sea breeze in the coastal plains. The parameters to determine the Sodium concentration can be obtained through a soil study in the laboratory.
FORMS AND MOMENT OF APPLICATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL PLANT
The method of application will depend on the purposes sought.
The main value to determine the Maximum Gypsum dose is through the Interchangeable Sodium Percentage (PSI), in case of not being reported in the analysis, the value can be obtained once knowing the amount of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and others. present bases that can be reported and take into account the purity of the material and the particle size (Mesh).
In general, the plaster can be applied in solid or dissolved form in the irrigation water, as long as the powder is sufficiently fine. When powders or granules are used they can be applied directly on the surface of the soil using spreaders.
The application of gypsum powder should be avoided when there are conditions of strong winds.
On the other hand, if the intention is to take the gypsum to the subsoil as quickly as possible and if there is a need to avoid and reduce erosion, the gypsum should be incorporated with a harrow immediately after application.
The time of application is also defined according to the benefits sought, although plaster can actually be applied at any time of the year.
Autumn applications are usually favorable in relation to other times, since the fields are generally drier and allow the gypsum dispersion equipment to pass through the field without damaging the soil, and it also allows time for all reactions to take place. the soil so that next year's harvests can take better advantage of the application.
In many cases the dissolution of gypsum in irrigation water is a recurring activity. However for the plaster to go properly in solution it must be finely ground.
PLASTER APPLICATIONS THROUGH IRRIGATION WATER
- Increasing the concentration of solute in irrigation water to improve the infiltration of water into the soil;
- Decrease in the sodium absorption ratio (RAS), so that water does not contribute to the sodicity of the soil.
- Supply of soluble calcium to fruit crops and other plants avoiding problems such as apical rot in tomatoes and bitter pit in apple trees;
SOURCE:
https://www.agrosintesis.com/conozca-los-beneficios-del-uso-yeso-agricola/#.W7VoctdKjIU
https://www.fertilab.com.mx/blog/104-cuales-son-los-beneficios-de-aplicar-yeso-agricola-en-suelos-sodicos/
http://agriculturers.com/beneficios-del-uso-de-yeso-agricola-en-suelos-acidos/
http://agriculturers.com/beneficios-del-uso-de-yeso-agricola-en-suelos-acidos/
Thank you for taking a few minutes to read my article.