3.1: Linking Physical Properties To Nutrient Availability

There is just no way around soil chemistry. It is important to understand so you can connect the dots between:

Soil Physical Properties →	Soil Structure →	Nutrient Availability →	Nutrient Uptake →	Plant Growth
Texture: Sand, Silt, Clay →	Aggregates →	Nutrient Cations →	Uptake →	Plant Growth

Maybe we should not call it “chemistry” since that term can frighten some people. Here is a dictionary definition of chemistry that I prefer:

Definition: Chemistry

The transformation of matter - the structure, composition, properties, and reactive characteristics of substances, especially at the atomic and molecular levels.

I like the “alchemy” or transformation aspect in the definition, but that could also be difficult for some to understand.

A more relatable definition, also from a dictionary, gives a picture of the “chemistry” of love. In that sense, chemistry is “a spontaneous reaction between two people, especially a mutual sense of attraction or understanding.” Therefore, for our purposes here, think of chemistry as “attraction”.

If we think of chemistry in human terms, we see that we are talking about relationships and reactions between two things. In soil chemistry, we will be examining a few relationships too. We will look at changes, transformations, and shape-shifting of nutrients in soil depending on the conditions in the soil.

We will stick to three basic terms:

1. the pH of the soil
2. cation exchange capacity
3. base saturation

Once you understand these terms, you will begin to understand how soil works to either hold nutrients or release nutrients to the plants. Once you know that, you will know how to add nutrients as fertilizers or other soil amendments.

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