Alberta

Cargill soil samples collected from Alberta farms in fall 2020 showed moderate boron deficiency on more than half of farms, and moderate to severe copper deficiency on the majority of farms. This graph shows our deficiency and sufficiency findings for a range of soil nutrients necessary for crop yield and quality. For more information, or to book soil sampling for your farm, contact your Cargill representative.

^{*Every farm is different based on crop production history and fertility practices.}

Nitrogen, N

Nitrogen is the main constituent of protein and is essential for growth and development in plants. A plant’s supply of nitrogen determines its growth, vigour, colour and yield. Affects all crops.

Phosphorus, P

Phosphorus is vital for adequate root development and helps the plant resist drought. It’s also important for plant growth and development, such as the ripening of seed and fruit. Affects all crops.

Potassium, K

Potassium is central to the translocation of photosynthesis within plants and for high-yielding crops. It helps improve crop resistance to lodging, disease and drought. Affects all crops.

Sulphur, S

Sulphur is essential to the formation of plant proteins, amino acids, some vitamins and enzymes. Deficiencies are seen on new growth and include yellowing, purpling and cupping of leaves. Affects all crops.

Boron, B

Boron is used in the formation and strengthening of cell walls. Boron deficiency results in short, thick cell walls, and root and pollen tube elongation is inhibited. Flowers can fail to set seeds. Research also shows Boron is important for nitrogen fixation and nodulation in legumes. Crops most affected: canola, flax, peas.

See products containing: Boron

Copper, Cu

Copper is needed for carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism. Inadequate copper results in stunted plants. Copper is immobile in the plant and you may see pig tailing in new plant growth when copper is deficient. Crops most affected: wheat, oats, barley.

See products containing: Copper

Manganese, Mn

Manganese is essential for phosphorus uptake and assimilates CO2 used by the plant during photosynthesis. Deficiency is often seen first as yellowing or grey speckling in crops most sensitive to the deficiency, such as oats. Manganese deficiency is linked to alkaline soils, in fields with high organic matter, and is worsened during cold, wet seasons. Crops most affected: oats, wheat, peas.

Zinc, Zn

Zinc is a catalyst in many of the enzyme systems used to regulate the early growth stages of plants. It is vital for fruit, seed and root system development, formation of plant growth regulators and helping to manage crop stress. Crops most affected: corn, dry beans, flax.

See products containing: Zinc