For soybeans, which combination of soil type, soil pH, and amount of fertilizer (soil nutrients) is the WORST for crop quality and the amount of corn harvested?

Question

SOYBEANS - SILT
Preferred Soil Type
Stit - Soybeans prefer soil that holds moderate amount of water
Test 2
Test 3
Soil pH
3 - Highly acidic
6 - Mildly acidic
6 - Mildly acidic
7 - Neutral
7 - Neutral
10 - Highly basic
Soil
Nutrients
LoW
Moderate
High
Moderate
High
Moderate
Harvest
Low
Average
Good
Average
Low
Average
Crop
Quality
Low
Low
Good
Low
Low
Low
Water
Pollution
Moderate
Moderate
High
Moderate
High
Moderate
Soil
Pollution
Moderate
Moderate
Very High
Moderate
High
Moderate

sand with a pH of 7 with high fertilizer (soil nutrients)
• silt with a pH of 6 and high fertilizer (soil nutrients)
O sand with a pH of 6 and high fertilizer (soil nutrients)
• sand with a pH of 6 and moderate fertilizer (soil nutrients)
• silt with a pH of 6 and moderate fertilizer (soil nutrients)
) silt with a pH of 7 with moderate fertilizer (soil nutrients)
sand with a pH of 7 with moderate fertilizer (soil nutrients)
silt with a pH of 7 with high fertilizer (soil nutrients)

Answer 1

To determine the worst combination of soil type, soil pH, and amount of fertilizer for soybeans based on the information you provided, we need to evaluate each factor:

1. Soil Type:

   • Soybeans prefer silt, which holds a moderate amount of water. Sand has poorer water retention compared to silt.

2. Soil pH:

   • A pH of 3 (highly acidic) is detrimental, while a pH of 7 (neutral) is acceptable. A pH of 10 (highly basic) can also be harmful. Mildly acidic (pH 6) is acceptable.

3. Fertilizer:

   • Low levels of fertilizer are generally undesirable for crop yield and quality, while moderate to high levels can improve these traits.

Now, let's analyze the options you provided. The worst combination for crop quality and yield would likely have the following characteristics:

• An unfavorable soil type (sand instead of silt),
• A highly acidic pH (3) or a highly basic pH (10),
• Low or inadequate fertilizer levels.

Based on that logic:

• Sand with a pH of 7 with high fertilizer (soil nutrients) - Average crop quality, average yield.
• Silt with a pH of 6 and high fertilizer (soil nutrients) - Good crop quality, good yield.
• Sand with a pH of 6 with high fertilizer (soil nutrients) - Likely better than sand with low or highly acidic pH.
• Sand with a pH of 6 with moderate fertilizer (soil nutrients) - Poor crop quality and yield due to sand type.
• Silt with a pH of 6 and moderate fertilizer (soil nutrients) - Low quality.
• Silt with a pH of 7 with moderate fertilizer (soil nutrients) - Average.
• Sand with a pH of 7 with moderate fertilizer (soil nutrients) - Probably low quality due to sand.

Among all combinations, sand with a pH of 3 (highly acidic) and low fertilizer (soil nutrients) would probably result in the worst outcome if included, as it combines all three negative factors. However, since that specific combination was not listed, we would focus on Sand with a pH of 6 and moderate fertilizer as one of the worst options presented here, considering the low water retention of sand and its negatively impacting yield and quality compared to silt options. This combination would lead to low crop quality.