Alabama
I 11di
I .jiilvi 1975-vn 309BOI
fII 
-,
I
IT'
Ler'ar-"ten,: of A~ronc;,r and So ils
De-jar ental Series No. 63
Alabar. a .Ag-Uum a DerTent S zatic-
GaeA. Buc anan, Direr o - ufr -.ri ers
u ur n : r&i Ala'-a

Table of Contents
Page
Introduction........ ............................................. 5
Sample Numbers.................................................... 5
Soil Fertility Results ............................................ 7
Fertilizer Ratios................................................ 8

Alabama Soil :Test Summary, July 1, 1975-June 30, 1980
Henry C. Williams, Clyde E. Evans,
and Raymond A. Hoyum *
Introduction
The Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory has been in operation
since 1953. The soil testing program in Alabama is a cooperative effort
between the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service and 
the Alabama
Agricultural Experiment Station. The Extension Service is 
responsible
for distribution of soil test supplies, information, 
and education about
soil testing. The Experiment Station is responsible for the 
research on
which the lime and fertilizer recommendations 
are based, operates the
laboratory, and makes the actual recommendations.
In addition to soil test recommendations for farmers and homeowners,
soil test analyses for the Agricultural Experiment 
Station are also
conducted in the Soil Testing Laboratory. 
A plant analysis service is
also provided for pecan and fruit growers and for 
"trouble-shooting"
fertility problems with all crops during the 
growing season.
Sample Numbers
The purpose of this summary is to present the soil test 
results of
all soil samples for farmers and homeowners from 
July 1, 1975, to June
30, 1980. Because of the large number of soil samples 
analyzed, this
summary shows trends have developed during the last 5 years in the
fertility status of the agricultural soils in Alabama.
*Graduate Research Assistant, and Associate Professor, Department
of Agronomy and Soils, and Agronomist, Alabama Cooperative Extension
Service, respectively.
5
The number of soil samples analyzed for farmers and homeowners
increased steadily during the first 25 years of operation. The largest
number of soil samples analyzed.in a single year was 71,747 in the
fiscal year beginning July 1, 1976,and ending June 30, 1977. (This did
not include approximately 10,000 research soil samples that are analyzed
each year for the Agricultural Experiment Station.) During the next 3
years (1977-1980), the Soil Testing Laboratory analyzed almost 60,000
soil samples per year for farmers and homeowners. The 10,000 fewer
samples during these 3 years is attributed to a decrease of 7,300 soil
samples for pasture and hay crops and a decrease of 4,200 soil samples
analyzed for row crops, see tables 1-5.
Trends during the 3-year period, 1976-1980, show a 35 percent
decrease in soil samples for corn, a 20 percent decrease in soil samples
for cotton, a 6 percent decrease in soil samples for peanuts, but a
200 percent increase in the number of soil samples for soybeans. Soil
samples for pasture and hay crops decreased 35 percent, and the number
of soil samples for horticultural crops only increased slightly.
Of the total number of soil samples received by the Soil Testing
Laboratory in 1979-80, 47 percent were for row crops, 28 percent were
for pasture and hay crops, and 25 percent were for horticultural crops.
In comparison, the percentages were 40, 38, and 22 percent, respectively,
in 1975-76.
Tables 2-4 show where the soil samples came from by county and by
districts of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service. Table 5 shows
the 12 counties that sent in the most soil samples for each year and
for the 5-year period beginning July 1, 1975, and ending June 30, 1980.
Houston County sent in over 5 percent of the soil samples during this
6
period and the top i2 counties sent 
in nearly 38 percent of the
total number of soil samples.
Soil Fertility Results
The relative distribution of soil samples, according to the levels
of phosphorus and potassium, are shown in figures 1-3. The total
number of soil samples is divided into three crop groups: (1) row crops,
(2) pasture and hay crops, and (3) horticultural crops. The actual
percentages are shown in table 6 which also includes the levels of
magnesium.
Except for horticultural crops, the soil samples testing Medium
or lower in P or K need fertilizer and soil samples testing High or
higher in P or K do not need fertilizer.
Tables 7-10 show the relative number of soil samples for each level
of P, K, and Mg for each of four major row crops: cotton, corn, peanuts,
and soybeans. These data suggest that soil-test P has decreased on
cotton, corn, and peanut fields during the last 5 years while soil-test K
has increased on cotton and corn fields. Since some marginal crop lands
have been planted in soybeans in the last 5 years, it would be difficult
to draw any conclusions except to say that a large number of soybean
lands are deficient in P and K.
The levels of magnesium have increased on all field crop samples
during the 5-year period. The increase in soil test Mg, shown in
tables 7-10, and the pH data in tables 11 and 12, indicate that most
farmers are following a good liming program.
Fertilizer Ratios
One of the primary purposes of soil testing is to measure 
the
fertility status of a given field and to make an appropriate fertilizer
recommendation based on that measurement. Tables 13, 15, 17, and 
19
summarize the number of soil samples according 
to their need for P and
K fertilizer. Although the Soil Testing Laboratory 
recommends many
different rates of P205 and K
2
0, an attempt is made to recommend these
elements in only a few fertilizer ratios. 
For example, if one soil
sample for soybeans tested Medium in P and 
Medium in K (P-K rating =
M-M), then the fertilizer recommendation is 0-40-40. 
If another soil
sample for cotton tested Low in P and Low in K 
(P-K rating = L-L), then
the fertilizer recommendation would be 90-90-90. 
In both examples, the
ratio of P
2
0
5 
to K
2
0 is 1 to 1. This ratio is referred to as the 
P-K
ratio. Most of the P-K ratios used by the 
Auburn University Soil Testing
Laboratory are 1:1, 2:1, 1:2, 1:0, and 0:1. 
Only in a few instances,
(for example, some horticultural crops) 
are other ratios recommended.
By restricting the number of recommended ratios 
of P
2
0
5 
and K
2
0,
farmers and homeowners find it easier to 
purchase and apply fertilizer.
Tables 14, 16, 18, and 20 show that for all four 
major row crops
where P and K fertilizers were recommended, the 
number of samples needing
a 1:1, 2:1, and 1:0 ratio increased. This 
brings out a point that was
discussed earlier: Soil-test P seems to 
be decreasing while Soil-test
K seems to be increasing.
Tables 21 and 22 summarize the P-K ratios needed 
by various crops
and crop groups in 1979-80.
8
Table 1. Number and Percentage~ of Soil Samples Received by Crop
1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 19790
CROP Number Pct. Number Pct. Number Pct. Number Pct. Number P.
Corn
Cotton
Peanuts
Soy beans
Clover-win tergrass
- Clover-summergirass
Legumes
Temp. wiLntergrams
P'erm. wintergrass
S unue r grass
'0 Coastal
Fruits and nuts
Commercial vegetables
Gardens
Lawns
Shrubs
Row crops
Pasture and hay
Horticulture
14,149 20
5,264 7
4,280 6
5,250 7
4,069 6
1,230 2
727 1
545 1
4,095 6
12,022 17
3 ,530 5
855 1
1, 272 2
7,898 11
4,495 6
1,500 2
28,943 40
26,218 38
15,970 22
16,350 23
5, 252 7
3,163 4
7,645 11
3,453 * 5
1, 130 2
5415 1
650 1
4,236 6
11,378 16
3,058 4
1,105
1,161
6,711
4, 427
1,423
5,568 10
4,137 7
7,605 13
7,956 14
2,305 4
905 2
644 1
749 1
3,369 6
9,184 16
2,320 4
1,071 2
600 .1
4,563 8
5,145 9
1,319 2
2
9
6
2
32,410 45
24,450 35
14,887 21
25,266 44
19,476 34
12,698 22
6,937 12
4,052 7
6,269 10
9,997 17
2,519 4
582 1
580 1
539 1
2,865 5
8,310 14
2,098 4
1,263 2
---578 1
6,305 11
5,194 9
1,424 2
27,255 46
17,493 30
14,764 25
9,282 15
4,191 7
4,030 7
10,705 18
2,163 4
489 1
743 1
495 1
2,573 4
8,210 13
2,451 4
1,286 2
725 1
1,366 12
5,006 8
1,551 2
28,208 47
17,124 28
15,934 25
TTL1.131 100 71/147 100'u7400 100,,,aci19 iv O a1F1 1
TOTAL 71,131 100 7147 100 57 , 400 100
59.512 100 61.267 100
Table 20. Number of Samples Received and Percent of State Total
By County in District 1
COUNTY 1975-16 1976-77 1978-79 1979-80 Ttl2 
r
Number Pct. Number Pcte ue 't. Number Pc. 
Number Pct. Number Pct.
Bllount 1,298 1.8 1,'i50 1.6 871 
1.5 660 1.1 795 1.3
Cherokee 1,105 "1.6 1,078 1.5 725, 
1'.3 88 1.5 674. 1.11
Colbert 757 - 1.1 877 1.2 985 1.7 941 
1.6 1,036 1.7
Cullman 1,077 1.5 1,458 2.0 1,141 
2.0 844 1.4 898 1.5
DcKaib 1,119 2.4 2,271 3.2 
964 1.7 1,440 2.4 1,684 2.7
Etowah 939 1.3 667' 0.9 60b 1.1 
539 0.9 623 1.0
Fayette 309 0.4 318 0.4 261 
0.5 220 0.4 170 0.3
Franklin 772 1.1 939 1.3 877 
1.5 525 0.9 684 1.1
Jackson '1,451 2.0 1,438 2.0 988 
1.7 925 1.6 1,088 1.813
Jefferson 2,648 3.7 2,201 3.1 
1.,952 3.4 2,122 3.6 1,08812 3.1 
3,1 .
Lamar .41 0.6 470 0.7 2981 
0.5 263 0.4 379 0.66,5 0.
Lauderdale 915 1.3 1,511 2.1 
887 1.5 1,143 1.9 1,281 -2.1 
1,5 .
Lawrence 1,277 1.8 1,272 
1.8 1,157 2.0 1,184 2.0 1,130 1.*8 
1,7.
Limestone 928 1.3 1,103 1.5 
897, 1.6 878 1.5 1,134 1.9 
2,1 .
M~adisoni 2,003 2.8 
1,772 2.5 1,560 2.7 2,004 
3.4 1,540 2.5 2,9 
.
Marion 657 09.9 543 
0.8 335 0.6 414 0.7 
406 0.76,3 0.
Marshall 1,134 1.6 1,101 
1.5 (651 1.1 744 1.3 
7414 1.2 1,0 .
Morgan 1,461 2.1 1,309 
1.8 1,046 1.8 946 1.6 
9.51 1.6 1,5 .
St. Clair- 583 0.8 783 
1.1 533 0.9 499 0.8 
510 0.87,6 0.
Shelby 702 1.0 1,016 
1.4 71.4 1.3 788 1.3 
607 1.09,2 11
Walker 691 1.0 492 
. 0.7 666 1.2 509 0.9 
549 0.96,7 0.
Winston 4r57 0.6 551 
0.8 281 0.5 415 0.7 
290 0.54,7 0.
District total 23,324 32.8 24,320 
33.3 18,425 32.0 18,891 31'.7 
19,055 31.2 2295 3.
Stat.toal 1,11 7 .47 . 5r7 . v . , 4 19a 862/ .13
Stae tta 7113 71.7477440 59.512
61.267 862.137
Table 3. Number of Samples Received and Percent of State Total
By County in District 2
UuI
________________ Number
('ntorv197-761f7_77
.U 1J IIe
Pet.' Numiber Pct.
1977-78 1978-79 
1979-80 Total 27 y..
N~umber P'ct. N~umaber 1 
ct. Number PC t. Number 
Pct.
Barbour
Bullock
Calhoun
Chamtbers
Clay
Cleburne
Coffee
Coosa
Coving ton
Cre nshaw
Dale
Eilmore
Geneva
Henry
Hlous ton
Lee
Macon
Mon tgomuery
Pike
Randolph~
Ruisseall
Talladega
Tallapoosa
1,523
779
762
579
209
221
2,513
122
1,850
1,080
19582
1,016
2,353
2,527
4,410
1,521
941
1,645
1,883
480
794
633
391
District total ' 29,814
2.1
1..1
1.1
0.3
3.5
0.2
2.6
1.5
2.2
1.4
3.3
3.6
6.2
2.1
1.3
2.3
2.6
0.7
1.1
0.9
0.5
41.9
1,858
907
835
633
*181
171
2,279
170
1,791
694
1,4169
1,075
2,513
2,230
3s,581-
1,495
943
1,720
1,999
364
963
54~5
4 47
2.6
1.3
1.2
0.9
0.3
0.2
3.2
0.2
2.5
1.0
2.0
1.5
3.5
3.1
5.0
2.1
1.3
2.4
2.8
0.5
1.3
0.8
0.6
28,903 140.3
State total 71. 131 71,747Z
1,464
496
4i13
471
218
187
1,919
140
1,574
782
1,242
868
1,676
2,144
2,948
1,143
5 94
1,611
1,750
255
962
654
332
23,843 41,
5i7.440.
2.5
0.9"
0.7
0.8
0.4
0.3
3.3
0.2
2.7
1.4
2.2
1.5
2.9
3.7
5.1
2.0
1.0
2.8
3.0
0.4
1.7
1.1
0.6
1,420
650
591
398
142
140
1,472
115
13,169
581
960
8348
1,7116
2,419
3,267
1,517
721
1,551
1,748f
358
1,272
598
295
2.4
1.1
1.0
0.7
0.2
0.2
2.5
0.2
2.0
1.0
1.6
1.4
2.9
4.1
5.5
2.5
1.2
2.6
2.9
0.6
2.1
1.2
0.5
.5 24 ,078 40.4
1,436
677
745
420
167
115
1,762
125
1,615
668
1,238
980
2;065
2,505
3,101
1,806
802
1,570
1;70()
470
1,0(35
586
373
2.3
1.1
1.2
0.7
0.3
0.2
2.9
0.2
2.6
1.1
2.0
1.6
3.4
4.1
5.1
2.9
1.3
2.6
2.8
0.8
1.7
1.0
0.6
25,961 42.4
hl ')f.71
*23,345
9,956
9,053
7,214
3,570
2,719
28,254
2,241
20,403
10,495
17,327
13,613
31,590
29,698
41,813
19,473
11, 55i
24,465
26v571
4,907
9,920
8,460
6,393
2.7
1.2
1.1
0.8
0.4
0.3
3.3
0.3
2.4
1.2
2.0
1.6
3.7
3.4
4.8
2.3
1.3
2.81
3.1
0.6
1.2
1.0
0.7
363,033 42.1
ALf1 f 97
tA7w ti/
.. .r s wv."
aI
State total
71,131 71,747
Table 4. Number of Samples 
Received and Percent 
of State Total
By County in District 
3
1975-76 1976-77 
1977-78 1913-79 
1979-80
Number Pct. 
Number Pct. 
Numer 
Pct. Number 
Pt. Number 
Pet.
Autauga 
1,213 1.7 
1,258 1.8 
1,082 1.9 
984 1.7 1,133 
1.
Baldwin 
843 1.2 
1,189 1.7 
824 1.4 
987 1.7 
804 1.
Bibb 
369 -0.5 
361 0.5 
402 0.7 
247 0.4 
322 0.
Butler 
623 0.9 
537 0.7 
464 0.8 
393 0.7 
372 0.
Chilton 
769 1.1 
701 1.0 
615 1.1 
766 1.3 505 
0.8
Choctaw 
271 0.4 
298 0.4 
255 0.4 
351 0.6 
301 0.5
Clarke 
495 0.7 
4,07 0.6 254 
0.4 366 
0.6 360 *0.6
Conecub 
944 1.3 " 
763 1.1 
485 0.8 
575 1.0 
651 1.1
Dallas 
2,054 2.9 
2,536' 3.5 
1,797 3.1 
2,370 4.0 
2,443 4.0
Eacambla 
622 0.9 
902 1.3 
691 :1.2 
8,,g)Greene 
595 0.8 
768 1.1 
544 0.9 
537 0.9 
490 0.81,8 
.
Hale 
701 1.0 
686 1.0 
610 1.1 
630 1.1 
- 511 0.81,2 
.
Lowndee 
665 0.9 
823 1.1 
702 1.2 
696 1.2 
767 1.3:036 
.
Marengo 
1,022 1.4 
717 1.0 
810 1.4 
558 0.9 
683 1.1 
1,3 .
Mobile 
1,818 2.6 
1,634 2.3 
1,425 2.5 
1,612 2.7 
1,469 2.4 
1,6 .
Monroe 
742 1.0 
797 1.1 
651 1.1 
698 1.2 
864 1.48731.
Perry 
546 0.8 
639 0.9 
648 1.1 
1,003 1.7 
470 0.81.9 
.
Pickens 
746 1.0 
594 0.8 
571 1.0 
387 0.7 
4g36 0.77,80.
Sumter 
827 1.2 
651 0.9. 
552 1.0 
5641 0.9 
547 0.98411.
Tuscaloosa 
1,284 1.8 
1,448 2.0 
1,040 1.8 
1,111 1.9 
1,318 2.2 
1,8 .
Washington 
391 0.5 
365 0.5 
263 0.5 
335 0.6 
334 0.54370.
Wilcox 
453 .0.6 
450 0.6 
487 0.8 
548 0.9 
425 0.77,90.
District 'total 
17,993 25.3 
18,524 25.5 
15,172 26.4 
16,543 27.8 
16,251 26.5 
2619 
2.
State total 
71,131 
71,747 
57,4410 
59,512 
6 6
Table 5. Top Twelve 
Counties According to 
Number of Samples Submitted
Rank 1975-76 
1976-77 
1977-78 
1978-79 
1979-0
County o. sarnlea 
County No. Samples 
Couty o. samples 
Cont No. samples 
County No. samlee
I Houston I4410 
Houston
2 Jefferson 2,648 
Dallas
3 Henry .2,527 
Geneva
4 Coffee 
2,513 Coffee
5 Geneva 2 ,353 
DeKa lb
6 Dallas 2,054 Henry
7 Madison 2,003 
Jefferson
8 Pike 
1,883 Pike
9 Covington 1,850 
Barbour
10 Mobile 1, 818 Covington
11 DeKaib 1, 719 Madison
12 hontgomery 1,645 
Montgomery
Top twelve total 
27,423
State total 71,131
Houston 2,948 Houston
Henry 2, 144 
Hlenry
Jefferson 1,952 
Dallas
Coffee 
1,919 Jefferson
Dallas 
1 ,797 1fadisoit
Pike 1,750 
Pike
Geneva I1,676 
Geneva
Montgomery I1,611I Mobile
Covington 1, 574 
Montgometry
Madison 1, 560) 
Lee
Barbour 1,4641 
Coffee
Mobile 1,425 
DeKaib
21,820
57 ,440
2,4 19
2,370
2,122
2,004
1,748
1,746
1 ,612
1,551
1,517
1,472
1,440
23, 268
59,512
henry 2,505
Dallas 2,443
Geneva 2,065
Jefferson 1,882
Lee 1,806
Coffee 1,162
Pike 1,700
DeKaib 1,684i
Covington 1,615
Mlontgomsery 1,570
la(hlson 1,540
23,673
61,267
5-year totals
1975-80
Couny o. SftI5l4Ef
Houston 17,305
tHenry 11,825
Dallas 11,200
Jefferson 10,805
Geneva 10,355
Coffee 9,945
Pike 9,080
Miadison' 8,580
llohtgosiery 8,095
1eKalb 8,080
Covington 8,000
Mobile 7,960
121,230
321 ,095
percent samples sent 
3.
by top 12 counties 
38.6 
'37.3' 
38.0. 
39.1 
38.6
3,581
2,536
2,513
2,279
2,271
2,230
2,201
1,999
1,858
1,791
1,772
1,720
26,751
71,747
1s.*
'430
O.
ViL L M 1 VII Ell
1975- 7b
I0"
60
V1. I. H I VI{ Eli
1976-771
30-
~120-
.4
10'
40j
1
S20.
i0"
V1. L 1 U VII Eli
1977-7
4n".
u30.
20.
a o
10.
uK.1 111VII Eli
1979-80 
i El
I.-
S O IL-TES T RA T I NGS Fo0iR P If 0 S P 11 0 R U S
M
r8
e-1
.N
N8
U4
5-
7
6L
40"
'430.
8H 
20-
10.
1916-71
SOIL- T EST RA T I NGS FO R.P OT A SSI U M
1FIG. I. Soil. test levels of P anid 
K for row crops, 197(-1981).
iii
C
:20"
10.
50
i. 20
p.
s0.,
too.
,430.
1
IA
v *20..
P4
1 0.,
47l
Hi 11
1977-78
VI L.11-I ~
w
VI I. H 11 VII
* 30'
U20.
610
.
Ii:
30
N.
'4
4 Ul
Y A.
1916 11 1911-J8
S OI L-TE' S T R A TINJG S FO R
U
P .
19)u-)9
P11 0 S P 11 0 it u S
50
40
30
20
1o [fjjuj" j 10L IJ
YL L H IU VIU Vi 1. 1t It VVU V. L HItBV1
1916-11 191)-1d 19)b-19
SOIL-TEST RATINGS FOR POTASSIUM
FIG. 2. Soil test levels of P anid K for pastue and hay CLO1:S, 1976-19110.
'4
'3
U
a4
u.
40.4
30L~f
20
1L , H 1V
1919-A4
N-
50"
40.
. 30.
20.
10.
40f,
N MI
30 " 
.. ' a30 .Y 
3
61 ~30 
,o 0.1
2020" 30u vU
20- 20- u 20.2
51. t, i . i V l tt. H1. 
eL I 3t ElV . 1. 
1 8I7 I
1975-7b 1976-71 1917-7819 -9
S OIL -TEST R ATIN4GS FOR P 1OS P O R U S
50. 50. 50. 50- 50.
"440. 4i0-. 40, 40 .
30. "Iu ~30.,r 030. 
30. 
4'n
20"M 0. v 40.2-N20
ai a. ? u v
10 to. io.j f . . 0
VI. I 11ItB vullvr. t. nH- t v1 V. 1. IfIt VII ViL to t (lf vii
1975-76 1916-17 1977-78 1970-79
SOIL.- TEST R ATINGS FOR POTASSIUM
P IG. 3. Soil test levels of P anid K for IMor tcuttural cropfs, 170-19830.
4O*1
Tabe 6 Pecen ofSamples at IEachi Level of P, K, anid M~g for 3 
Crop Groups
Year Pc iupjjoris 
Pet. ___________ P
VL .L IH 11 VUI Ell VL L 
H 11 Vii
How crops
1975-76
1976-71
1977-78
1978-79
1979-80
6.7
7.7
7.3
5.5
74,7
14.9
15.8
16.8
15. 1
17.7
33.8
32.6
35.7
34. 1
a6.4
32.6
31.5
30.4
33.6
29.0
10.3
10.3
8.3
10. 1
7.9
1.6
2.0
1.5
1.6
1.3
1.4
1.1
1.4
1.2
1.7
13.3
12.0
12.2
12.1
14.3
4 5.3
44.5
44.0
43.2
46.3
35.6
38.1
38.9
39.2
34.8
4.4
4.2
3.5
4.2
2.9
18.6
16.2
10.0
10.3
11.2
81.4
83.8
90.0
89.7
88.8
Pasture anid hay crops
10.4
10.5
9.9
10.6
8.3
19.6
18.2
17.6
18.1
3.9 2.8 16.6
5.6 1.8 15.5
6.0 1.9 14.3
5.8 1.9 14.5
4i.6 3.5 17.8
liort icultural crops
32.9
35.9
34.8
34.1
?.1
2.8
4.1
3,2
15.9
16.7
18.0
16,3
1979-80 11.4 8.7 13.1. 16.4 17.8 32.7 4.3 - 20.1 41.6 29.4 4.5 1. 81
1975-76
1976-77
197 7-78
1978-79
1979-80
1975-76
1976-77
197 7-78
19 78-79
20. 2
18.2
19.6
17.8
21.7
8.8
9.0
10.8
9.5
18. 7
18.0
18.1
17. 1
18.3
8.0
8.4
8.5
8.4
24.8
25.0
25.0
25.7
26.0
12.8
12.4
12. 1
12.7
21.9
22. 8
21.4
23.0
21.1
18.0
16.0
16.2
17.2
38.9
39.9
39.6
38.0
39.7
39.9
43. 1
43.3
42.3
32.8
34.5
36. 1
36.5
32.1
32.8
31.5
30.3
31 18
8.9
8.4
8. 1
9.1
6.9
8.3
5.8
4.3
6,4
13.6
11.3
10. 1
9.4
10.4
13.1
11.4
9.8
9.1
86.4
88.6
89.9
90.6
89.6
86. 9
88.6
90. 2
90.9
Table 6. Percent of
11.2 88.11
Table 7. Percent Samples at each Level 
of P, K, arnd Mg for Cotton
Pect. phosphorus Pc t. 1() 
LaSS I urnP .naue
Year VL *L 11 VII Ell VL L _ M U HVii L I
1975-76 3.4 8.9 24.4 38.6 
21.5 3.2 0.5 9.5 52.1 36.3 
1.6 86 9.
1976-77 3.6 9.2 26.0 38.9 19.5 
2.8 0.4 7.2 417.9 412.2 2.27.93)
1977-78 2.2 9.5 28.8 10.6 17.1 
1.6 0.2 5.4 43.4 49.6 1.4 ~ 
41 9.
1978-79 1.5 8.1 27.3 42.2 18.8 2.0 0.3 
3.9 40.6 7-53.0 1.4 41 9.
1979-80 3.6 11.2 3 1.8 37.2 14.7 1.4 
0.4 6.8 18.7 43.0 1.2 39 9.
00
Table 8. Percent Samnples at each Level of P, K, and Mig for Corn
Pct. ph*OzphoIrw~a 1e1. poLa stium PCt ngiaiu
Year VI. L1.IM It 
Vii ClI 'L l 1. I i t IVII 
L
1915-76 6.3 14.8 36.7 33.0 8.2 1.1 0.7 7.9 39.6 44.4 7.4 24.4 7.
1976-77 6.1 15.5 35.3 32.2 9.0 2.0 0.3 6.1 39.9 47.3 6.4 20.6 7.
1977-78 6.0 16.5 35.6 29.6 10.0 2.3 0.3 3.7 33.4 54.9 7.9 14.5 8.
1978-79 4.3 12.9 34.4 34.6 11.4 2.4 0.4 3.9 32.8 53.3 9.7 15.6 8.
1979-80 5.8 16.6 39.0 29.2 7.8 1.6 0.5 5.6 35.6- 51.6 6.7 15.6 8.
Table 9. Percent Samples at each Level of P, K, and Mg for Peanuts
Year 
ct. phosphorus 
c . pO ~tkt u IPC 
t a n iu
VL L M 11 Vii E If Vi. L Ii 11 VII 
.I
1975-76 3.9 14.4 39.7 35.1 6.6 0.4 3.5 24.7 50.3 20.6 
0.9 9.0 8.
1976-77 6.-0 15.9 38.8 32.5 6.6 0.2 3.8 
27.0 52.6 16 .3 0.2 166 831
1977-78 4.5 17.6 42.3 31.0 4.0 0.6 1.6 14.5 45.8 34.8 3.3 
10.4 8.
1978-79 3.5 14.7 41.2 35.0 5.1 0.6 1.8 16.4 
46.8 31.6 3.4~ 10.8 8.
1979-80 5.5 19.0 40.6 30.6' 3.8 0.4 3.3 24.5 
54.5 17.3 0.4 10.8 8.
tN)
Table 10. Percent Samples at each Level of P, K, and H4 for Soybeans
Year 1 cp10 cousPc.pC~IL~ss1uiIIr 
Pet. iaieii
VL L H It VII Eli VfL L It 11 VII L
1 9 7 5 -7 6 
1 3 .6 2 1 .6 
3 0 .6 2 3 .
8 8 .0 
2 .5 2 .
7 2 2 .2 
4 9 .6 2 3 .
9 1 .6 
1 2 .817 
- 7 
8 7 .222 
.82 .
. 2 32 
32 .71 
8 82 .32 
81 .
1977-78 13.4 20.2 32.8 25.0 6.8 1.7 2.6 19.4 50.1 26.1 1.8 9.5 9.
1978-79 9.2 19.7 32.3 28.4 8.8 1.6 1.8 18.5 49.2 28.4 2.2 8.7 9.
1979-80 11.9 20.7 34.2 24.9 6.9 1.4 2.6 20.8 51.6 23.7 1.3 10.3 8.
Table 11. Percent Samples at 
Different Soil pH Levels for Three 
Crop Groups
Soil acidity
Year Below 4.5- 5.0- 5.5- 5.8- 6.0- 6.5- 7.0- Above No. samples
4.5 4.9 5.4 5.7 5.9 6.4 6.9 7.4 7.4
3.8
3.4
2. 7
3.3
3.0
5. 6
5.8
6.2
6.9
7.2
20.4
14.4
15.2
14.6
24.5
22.6
23.7
24.3
23.6
19.9
20.4
19. 8
19.4
17.5
Row crops
14.2 29.6
16.2 29.7
17.2 33.8
16.7 31.4
16.2 34.8
Pas cure and hay
20.4 12.6 22.9
21.8 13.8 22.1
22.0 14.6 21.9
21.0 14.3 21.6
20.7 13.8 23.4
9.0
8.5
7.9
9.7
10.7
craps
S.1
6.3
6.6
6.9
1.5
1.6
1.6
1.9
1.7
2.3
1.8
1.9
1.6
1.3
1.8
2.4
2.2
1.2
2.9
3.2
2.8
2.4
2.1
23,943
32,410
25,266
27,255
28,208
26,218
24,450.
19,476
17,493
17,124
Horticultural crops
17.6 10.5. 22-.0 12.2
16.4 11.0 21.5 12.7
18.0" 11.8 24.4 11.8
16.5 11.3 21.9. 11.7
1.3 7.4 21.6 17.2 11.2
22.4 12.4
22
1975-76
1976-77
1977-78
1978-79
1979-80
1975-76
1.97 6-77
19 77-78
1978-79
1979-80
0.2
0.2
0i.2
0.2
0.2
0.6
0. 6
0.7
0.9
0.8
19 75-76
19765-77
1977-78
19 78-79
1979-80
1. 1
1. 1
1.1
1.4
6.9
7.4
6.7
8.1
21.9
20.2
20.0
21.2
5.6 2.2
6.6 3.2
4.0 ' 2.1
5.6 2.4
4.6 1.9
15, 970
14,887
12,698
14,764
15,934
Tabl~e 12. Percen Samples F'or Difrena Soil pH Levels
For Cation, Corn, Peanuts and Soybeants
Year Belw 46- 3.0 5. 358 6.0- 6.5-. 7.0- Above 7
4.5 4.9 5.4 5.7 
5.9 6.4 6.9 7.4 
7.4a:
1975-76
1976-77
1977-78
1978-79
1979-80
1975-76
1976-77
1977-78
1978-79
1979-80
1975-76
1976-77
1977-78
1978-79
19700-80
1975-76
1976-77
1977-78
1978-79
0.2
0.2
0. 1
0.3
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.2
3. 1
3.3
2.7
2.8
2.3
4.4
3.5
4.5
4.3
3.7
1.3
1. 1
0.6
1.1
0.6
4.9
4.0
3.4
4.2
16.5
15.9
14.9
12.5
11.3
3.0
19. 1
17.4
18.8
15.4
16.4
14.7
9.3
11.5
11.3
20.8
19.2
17.1
16.6
16.3
16.2
18.0
16.0
15.2
20.8
22.0
21.4
21.0
13. 1
23.3
24.8
21. 1
21.3
19.0
18. 1
17.9
18.4
18.5
Cot ton
13.2
14.6
16. 3
15.2
13.9
Corn
14.5
17.6
16.7
17.9
17.4
Peanuts
16.6
20.7
21.2
20.6
20.5
Soybeans
12.6
12.6
14.2
14.0
32.5
34.2
36.6
34.4
36.2
23.9
29.4
30.9
29.5
35.3
34.2
33. 1
41.3
38'. 1
39.8
24.6
25.8
27.2
27.4
15.3
12.5
10.3
15.3
17.7
6.8
6.8
7.3
8.1
7.3
5.4
6.0
7.2
7.6
9.8
10.7
8.7
10.1
2.4
2.6
1.1
2.4
2.5
0.9
1.0
0.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.1
0.4
0.2-
0.4
3.4
3.1
3.5
3..5
0.5
0.4
0.?1
0.1
0. 1
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
5.6
6.6
*7.3
5.5
1979-80 0.1 3.4 16.1 17.2 14.5 31.6 11.4 2.7 3.0 10,705
23
5,264
5,252
4,137
4,052
44191
14, 49
16,350
5,563
6,'937
9,232
4,280
3,163
7,605
6,269
4,030
5,250
7,645
7,956
9,997
Table 13. Number and Percent of Cotton Samples by 
Fertilizer Needs and 1'""K Ratios
PoKfeilzr1975-76 1976-77 1977-711 1978-79 17.8
Numb-er Pet. Number Pc..Nmbr e~ Number Pet Number P
Recommended- 3,706 70.4 ,502 66.7 2,607 
63.0 2,388 58.9 292 7.
Not recommended 1,558 29.6 1,750 33.3 1,530 37.0 
1,664 41.1 129 3.
Ttlsmlea 5,264 100.0 5,250 100.0 4,137 100.0 
4,052 100.0 419 100
Table 14. Number and Percent of Cotton Samples Needing P or K Fertilizer by P-K Ratio
P- ai*1975-76 1976-77 
1977--78 1978-7919-0
P- ai*Number Pet. Number Pct. ubr Pt Number Pct.' Number Pct.
1-.1 940 25.4 964 27.5 723 27.7 608 25.5 80 3.
2-1 383 10.3 382 10.9 301 11.5 230 . 9.6 37 1.
1-2 173 4.7 107 3.1 80 3.1 56 2.3 9 .
1-0 437 11.8 586 16.7 579 22.2 603 25.2 50 2.
0- 1,7-73 47.8 11463 41.8 924 35.4 891 37.3 99 3.
Total samples needing fertilizer "*3, 706 100.0 3,502 100.0 2,1607 100.0 2,388 100.0 2,3 100
*Needed by those samples for which we recommend fertil1zer.
NZ
Table 15. Number and Percent of Corn Samples 
by Need of P or K Fertilizer
P or K fertilizer
Recommnended
Not recomunended
Total samples
197 5-76
Number Pet.
10,314 72.9
3,835 27.1
1976--77 1977-78 1978-79
Number Pet. Number Pct. Number Pct..
11,675 71.4, 3,827 68.7 4,4,53 
64.2
4,675 28.6 1,741 31.3 
2,484 35.8
14,149 100.0 16,350 100.0 5,568 100.0 6,937 
100.0
1979-80
Number Pct.
:?;786 73.1
2,497 26.9
9,283 100.0
Table 16. N4umber- and Percent of Corn Samples Needing P or K Fertilizer by P-K Ratio
P-K ratio* 1975--76 1976--77 1977-78 1978-79 19798
Number Pet. Number Pet. Number -Pet. -Number Pct, Number Pt
"112,761 26.8 2,972 25.5 791 20.7 
1,040 23.4 1,6201 3.
2-1 1,0511 14.6 1,888 16.2 618 16.1 
560 12.9 972 1.
1-2 412 4.0 335 2.9 80 2.1 94 2.1 195 2.
1-0 3,492 33.9 4,103 35.1 1,747 45.6 1,885 42.3 2,912 4.
0-1 2,138 20.7 2,377 20.4 591 15.4 8174 19.6 1,0871 6.
Tota~l samj)les neceding, ferttlizer 10,3.14 100.0 11,675 100.0 3.,827 100.0 4,453 
100.0 6,786 10.
*Needed by those samples for which we reconmeud feriilizer.
[Ili
VI
,..r.._.
Table 17. Number and Percent of Peanut Samples by Need of P and 
K Fertilizer
P or K fertilizer 1975-76 197677 1977-78 1978-79
Number Pet. Numr Pet. Number Pct. Number Pet. Number Pet.
Recommended 3.31742 87.4 2,872 90.8 6,325 83.2 5,207 
83.0
Not recommended 538 12.6 291 9.2 1,280 16.8 1,062 
17.0
Total samples 
4,280 100.0 3,163 
100.0 7,605 100.0 
6,269 100.0
Table 18. Number and Percent of Peanut Samples Netdlng P or K Fertilizer 
by P-K Ratio
P-K ratio* 1975-76 
1976-77 1977-78 1978-79979 
-8
Number Pct. H4umber Pet. Number Pct umrPt. Number Pet.
*1-1 1,244I 33.2 1,003 34.9 2,017 .31.9 1,583 30.4 135 3.
* 2-1 361 9.6 305 10.6 791 12.5 553 10.6 46 1.
1-2 495 13.2 378 13.2 474i 7.5 . 452 8.7 43 1.
1-0 381 10.2 233 8.1 1,613 25.5 1,131 21.7 32 1.
0-1 1, 261 33.7 953 33.2 1,430 22.6 1,488 28.6 102 
2.
* Total samples needing fertilizer" 3,742 100.0 2,872 
100.0 6,325 100.0 5,207 100.0 370 10.
*Needed by th~ose for which we recor mend (r 
lzr
N\
ON
fertilizer.
Table 19. Number and Percent of Soybean Samples by Need of P or K Fertilizer
P or K fertilizer
Recommended
Not recommended
'Total samp~les
1975-76
Number Pet.
4 ,604 87.7
646 12.3
1976-77 1977-78
Number Pet. Number Pet.
6,725 88.0 6,963 87.5
920 12.0 993 12.5
1978-79
Number Pet,
8,485 84.9
1,512 15.1
5,250 100.0 7,645 100.0 71956 100.0 9 ,991 100.0
1979-80
Number Pet.
9,437 88.5
1,228 11.5
10, 665 100.0
k)
Table 20. Number and Percent of Soybean -Samples Heeding 
P and K Fertilizer by P-K Ratio
P- ai*197/5-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 
.19-8
Number Pet. Number Pet. Number Pct llumber Pet..' Number 
Pct. m
1-1 1,549 33.6 2,165 
32.2 2,307 33.1 2,658 31.3 3,315 
3.
2-1 851 18.5 
1)168 17.4 1,222 17.6 1,303 .15.4 
1,6261 7.
1-2 356 7.7 
463 6.9 537 7.7 617 
7.3 721 76
1-0 694 15..1 1.,156 17.2 1,2,5 17.6 1,549 18.2 
1,448 1.
0-1 1,154 25.1 1,773 26.4 1,672 
24.0 2,367 27.9 2,321 2.
'total samples needing fertilizer 4,604 
100.0 6,725 100.0 6,963 100.0 8,485 
100.0 9,437 10.
*Needed Iby those snuitples for which we recommen~d fert:il7 izer.
..w
Table 21. Number and Percent of Samples by Need of 1' andl K Fertilizer,
1979-1980
P or K fertilizer Cotton Corn Peanuts Soybeans Total row crops Pasture and hay Tot
Number Pct. Number Pct. Number Pct. Number Pct. Number Pct. Number Pct. Nu
Recommended 2,932 70.0 6,786 73.1 3,708 92.0 9,437 88.5 22,863 81.2 14,072 82.2 36
Not recommended 1,259 30:0 2,497 26.9 322 8.0. 1,228 11.5 5,306 18.8 3,053 17.8 8
Total samples 4,191 100.0 9,283 100.0 4,030 100.0 10,665 100.0 28,169 100.0 17,125 
100.0 45
Table 22. Number and Percent of Samples Needing P and K Fertilizer
By Crop and By P-K Ratio Recommnended, 1979-1980
Cotton Corn Peanuts Soybeans Total row crops Pasture and hay Totaagooc
P'-K Ratio Number Pet. Number' Pct. 
Number Pet-. Number Pct. Number Pet. 
Number Pct. Numbr Pt
1-1 890 30.4 1,620 23.9 1,305 35.2 3,315 35.1 7,130 31.2 
3,878 27.6 11,08 2.
2-1 377 12.8 972 .14.3 476 12.8 1,626 17.2 3,451 
15.1 2,906 20.6 6,37 1.
1-2 .96 3.3 195 2.9 453 12.2 721 7.6 1,465 6.4 
894 6.3 2,5 6.
1-0 590 20.1 2,912 42.9 392 10.6 1,44i8 15.3 5,342 23.4 3,622 25.7 8,94 
2.
0-1 979 33.4 1,087 16.0 1,082 29.2 2,327 24.6 5,475 23.9 2,772 19.7 8,27 
2.
Total samples 2,932 100.0 6,786 100.0 3,708 100.0 9,437 100.0 22,863 100.0 14,072 100.0 
36,3 10.
00
Table 23. P-K Ratios Needed for Various P.1-K Ratings
For Most Crops
P-K ratio. P-K rating combinations
1-i VL-VL, VL-L, L-VL, L-L, M-M4
2-1 VL- Nb-fL-
1-2awV, M-L
0.1 H-VL, H-L, H-11, VH-VL, V-L, 
V-,EH-V7L, EE-L, E-24
0-0 H-H, H-VH, VH-H, VH-VHl, EH-H, Eli-Va
29
0
District 
I
-- District 2
FIG. 4. Alabama Cooperative Extension Service Districts.
30

Inforation conta~ned herein. is available 
t1o all
re~gardLess o'- race, color, sex, 
or nat-ional orig=n