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2. Soil Fundamentals
Discussion – Plants, pH, and Nutrient Deficiency
You notice that your plants lacks vigor. You have had your soil tested for nitrogen and there is no
deficiency. You also measured your soil pH and found it to be 8. What are some possible causes for
the general lack of vigor?
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Discussion – Why do we think of carbon differently than
other chemical soil components?
Let’s think holistically about soil as a system rather than as “just dirt.” Why is carbon or soil carbon
not discussed above with other soil nutrients? Why isn’t it considered a nutrient when there is so
much attention paid to the amount of carbon or organic matter in soils?
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Carbon and Nutrients