RE: sodium

Hi Folks,
     The reason they test  for sodium would be for the benefit of producers
who irrigate a great deal, some ground waters contain a fair amount of
sodium. In areas of low rainfall, this soluble sodium does not leach out ,
and more irrigation compounds the problem, contributing to the build-up.
Fertilizers should not contribute to the sodium, since they consist of
potassium,phosphorous, and nitrogen, primarily. These fertilizers all do
have a salt "index"....for instance,KCl,or potassium chloride,which is
"potash", is indeed a pure salt.

 Wendel Smith
 Extension Agent 1
 Horticulture/4-H
 Tennessee State University
 Lawrence County Cooperative Extension Service
 PO Box 100
 Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
 Phone 931-762-5506
 FAX 931-766-1589







                                                                           
             Stephen Jepsen                                                
             <ctpumpkin@optonl                                             
             ine.net>                                                   To 
             Sent by:                  pumpkins@hort.net                   
             owner-pumpkins@ho                                          cc 
             rt.net                                                        
                                                                   Subject 
                                       RE: sodium                          
             10/08/2007 08:12                                              
             PM                                                            
                                                                           
                                                                           
             Please respond to                                             
             pumpkins@hort.net                                             
                                                                           
                                                                           




Pete,

Of all the elements tested for, Sodium is the one you WANT to find "very
low".  This is a good thing since surplus sodium eventually causes trouble.

For example; fertilizers are salts. If they're applied too heavily the
resulting burn (actually reverse osmosis) is a very obvious side effect of
surplus sodium (or salts) in the soil. Other sources of surplus sodium
might
be manures or even treated or tainted irrigation water.

As time passes you will want to keep an eye on soil sodium. If it starts
creeping up you'll need to find out why & correct the cause. However since
it isn't a problem you needn't be concerned.

Stephen Jepsen
CT Giant Squash & Pumpkin Growers Assoc, Pres.
ctpumpkin@optonline.net

www.ctpumpkin.org


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pumpkins@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf Of
MDUDLEY680@aol.com
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 9:21 PM
To: pumpkins@hort.net
Subject: sodium

My soil test showed I am good in everything except sodium. It is  in the
"very low" range. 46 ppm to be exact. I've never had this  before. Does
anyone
know how  important it is and what  I should do about it?
Thanks,
Pete



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