Agronomic Services

Crop Fertilization Based on North Carolina Soil Tests

Table 2.3  Information required to calculate lime and fertilizer rates
Vegetables and Small Fruit
Crop	Target pH *	N §	P2O5 †	K2O †	Cu ‡	Zn ‡	B ¶	Mn ¥	See Note
Asparagus, establishment	6.5	60–80	7	14	$	$	-	B$	6
Asparagus, maintenance	6.0	80–100	18	7	$	$	-	B$	6
Beans/ Peas	6.0	80–100	5	7	$	$	-	A$	6
Beets	6.0	100–120	7	7	$	$	-	B$	6
Blueberry, establishment	-	10–30	17	16	$	$	-	B$	18
Blueberry, maintenance	-	30–60	18	16	$	$	-	B$	18
Broccoli/ Brussels sprouts/ Cauliflower	6.0	80–100	4	7	$	$	2.0	A$	6
Cabbage	6.0	100–150	4	7	$	$	2.0	A$	6
Cantaloupe/ Watermelon	6.0	60–80	11	7	$	$	1.0	A$	6
Corn, sweet	6.0	140–180	15	13	$	$	-	BR	6
Cucumbers	6.0	80–140	12	7	$	$		A$	6
Grape, establishment	6.0	See Note 18	15	13	$	$	-	B$	18
Grape, maintenance	6.0	See Note 18	18	13	$	$	0.5	B$	18
Kale/ Mustard/ Spinach	6.0	100–120	7	7	$	$	-	A$	6
Okra	6.0	80–100	7	7	$	$	0.5	B$	6
Pea, southern	6.0	10–30	15	14	$	$	-	A$	6
Pepper	6.0	80–130	5	5	$	$	1.0	A$	6
Plant bed vegetables	6.0	See Special Printout A							6
Potato, Irish	6.0	100–150	4	5	$	$	-	B$	6
Radish	6.0	80–100	7	7	$	$	2.0	A$	6
Rape/ Canola	6.0	120–140	15	14	$	$	2.0	B$	6
Raspberry/ Blackberry, establishment	6.0	30–60	10	18	$	$	-	B$	18
Raspberry/ Blackberry, maintenance	6.0	80–100	18	18	$	$	-	B$	18
Squash/ Pumpkin	6.0	90–120	11	7	$	$	-	A$	6
Strawberry, establishment	6.0	30–60	15	13	$	$	1.0	A$	18
Strawberry, maintenance	6.0	60–80	18	18	$	$	1.0	A$	18
Sweetpotato	6.0	60–90	11	8	$	$	0.5	B$	6
Tomato	6.5	90–120	5	4	$	$	-	A$	7
Tomato, greenhouse	-	See Note 9	25	25	$	$	-	B$	9
Turnip	6.0	100–120	7	7	$	$	2.0	A$	6
Vegetables, other	6.0	80–100	7	7	$	$	-	A$	6
* This target pH applies to mineral soils only. § For nitrogen, units are lb/acre, unless a § symbol follows the number, in which case units are lb/1000 ft². † These numbers refer to the equations that should be used to calculate amounts of P2O5 and K2O needed. If the crop is growing in organic soil, use the equation number in parentheses. Equations are given in Table 2.4. ‡ For copper and zinc, “R” stands for “rate” in lb/acre. For copper, the rates are 2 lb/acre for mineral soils, 4 for mineral-organic, and 6 for organic soils. For zinc, the rates are 6 lb/acre, if broadcast, and 3 lb/acre if banded. The “$” indicates that the need for copper or zinc is less certain and refers you to the $ Note: Secondary Nutrients and Micronutrients. ¶ For boron, rates are given in lb/acre. ¥ For manganese, “A” and “B” refer to the equations for calculating the manganese availability index: Equation A.    Mn-AI = 101.2 + 0.6 × Mn-I – 15.2 × pH. Equation B.   Mn-AI = 108.2 + 0.6 × Mn-I – 15.2 × pH. “R” refers to the “rate” of 10 lb/acre; “$” refers to the $ Note: Secondary Nutrients and Micronutrients.
Hardy DH, Tucker MR, Stokes CE. 2013. Crop fertilization based on North Carolina soil tests. Raleigh (NC): North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Agronomic Division. Circular No. 1.