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phosphorous and magnesium #889329

Asked November 04, 2024, 2:32 PM EST

my soil indicates that these levels are above optimum. Will that hamper or benefit the growth of veg plants? And what does it mean that my soil in "mineral". is that good or bad or what plants will and will not grow in this soil? ph levels are good and potassium is good

Alpena County Michigan

Expert Response

Hi Penny, thanks for the question.

Having an abundance of nutrients is not necessarily a problem but can be.  Appropriate ratios between the elements are important.  Abundance can lead to problems of interfering with the uptake of other nutrients or with toxicity.  Soil tests should give recommendations for proper fertilization. If you have an MSU soil test and have question, please send the test number.

Mineral soils is a term that helps to define the general makeup of the soil. Organic soils are typically more fertile and provide more readily available nutrients compared to mineral soils. Organic soils retain water better, which can be beneficial for plant growth but may require proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. Organic soils have a looser, more crumbly structure due to the high organic content, while mineral soils can vary from loose to very compact depending on the particle size. These differences can make a difference when it comes to fertilization and irrigation. USDA/NRCS defines organic and mineral soils as follows:

Mineral soil material.—Soil material with properties that are dominated by the mineral component of the soil rather than the organic part. Mineral soil material contains roughly less than about 35 percent organic matter (or less than about 20 percent organic carbon). The definition used in Soil Taxonomy also considers wetness and clay content.
Organic soil material.—Soil material that contains a sufficiently high content of organic matter to have its overall properties dominated by organic rather than mineral constituents

Check out the following links:


A Glossary of Terms Used in Soil Survey and Soil Classification 

Soils, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management | MU Extension

More reasons for soil testing - Agriculture


An Ask Extension Expert Replied November 08, 2024, 11:36 AM EST

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