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pivoxa15
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I heard that it's good to put metals like steel in the soil in which the plants grow in. Is that true? How does it help the plant? Does it act like a source of minerals?
Moonbear said:Minerals are metals. But, I'm not sure they'd be in any useable form in something like steel. Where did you hear that?
The best approach is to have your soil tested, and then use minerals, fertilizers, etc., to adjust the balance of nutrients to what is appropriate for the plants you want to grow. The nutrients that one plant requires in high concentration may kill off another plant, so it's best to check on the requirements for the types of plants you're trying to grow. If you're growing multiple types of plants together (such as in landscaping), you should check that they are compatible for the same soil types, and that your soil meets those requirements. If you have knowledgeable employees at your local gardening center, they can help with that, as can your county agricultural extension office (if you're in the US). Both are also good resources for finding out what types of plants will grow easily in your climate, and which will require a lot of extra care.
gravenewworld said:Try putting a small hole in a tree and inserting a piece of copper wire hehe.
If you are concerned about Mg soil concentrations, I would have it tested by a competent soils lab, as Moonbear also described. Deficiencies occur most commonly in sandy soils, where this macronutrient can be leached out. A typical symptom of Mg deficiency is interveinal chlorosis (loss of green color between leaf veins).pivoxa15 said:What about adding Mg in vast quantities since it is a standard metal solid. However from http://www.agr.state.nc.us/cyber/kidswrld/plant/nutrient.htm it seems that inserting metals in vast quantities is unnessary if the soil already contains these nutrients when bought.
Metals in soil can provide essential nutrients for plant growth, such as iron, zinc, and copper. These nutrients play important roles in various plant processes, including photosynthesis, enzyme activity, and hormone production.
The presence of metals in soil can improve plant growth by increasing nutrient availability and enhancing biochemical processes. Metals can also improve the physical properties of soil, such as water retention and aeration, which are crucial for plant root development and nutrient uptake.
Some common metals found in soil that benefit plant growth include iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and molybdenum. These metals are often referred to as micronutrients because they are required in small quantities but play critical roles in plant growth and development.
In high concentrations, some metals can be toxic to plants and inhibit their growth. This is known as metal toxicity and can occur when metals are present in excessive amounts in the soil. It is important for soil to have a balanced and healthy level of metals to promote optimal plant growth.
Farmers and gardeners can conduct soil tests to determine the levels of metals present in their soil. Based on the results, they can amend their soil with fertilizers or organic matter to increase the availability of essential metals. It is also important to rotate crops and practice sustainable farming methods to maintain a healthy balance of metals in the soil.