Worst Combination for Soybeans
For soybeans, the combination that is generally considered the WORST for crop quality and yield would likely be:
sand with a pH of 7 with moderate fertilizer (soil nutrients).
This is because:
- Sandy soils typically hold less moisture and nutrients compared to silt, which can hinder crop growth.
- A pH of 7 is neutral and may not be optimal for nutrient uptake for soybeans compared to slightly acidic soils (pH around 6).
- Moderate levels of fertilizer in sandy soils may not provide sufficient nutrients for optimal growth compared to higher fertilizer levels in more fertile soil types.
Surprise About Moderate Fertilizer for Sunflowers
For sunflowers, the surprising observation about using a moderate amount of fertilizer instead of a high amount would be:
It resulted in a bumper (excellent) harvest.
This suggests that sunflowers can sometimes thrive with lower nutrient inputs, which can be counterintuitive, as high fertilizer use is often assumed to correlate with better yields. Moderate fertilization may help in reducing soil pollution and promoting sustainable farming practices while still yielding good harvests.