The below info will give you reason to do soil analysis. Your soil analysis outcome will determine what treatment kenfarm should apply to your farm to maximise yield.

In the pix in this post is a farm Kenfarm is Managing and has just accomplished treatment process after soil analysis of the soil indicated high PH.

Won’t you rather invite kenfarm for your soil analysis and treatment of your farm. Secrete to a bountiful harvest is adequate preparation…….contact kenfarm via WhatsApp line. 08038623884.

Organic Matter
Incorporating any organic matter will make soil more acidic, but sphagnum peat and pine bark mulch are particularly effective. However, enormous amounts of organic matter must be turned into the soil to have 4.5 8.0 7.0 6.0 4.5 3.5 making conditions that are as bad, or worse, for the plants than the original alkaline soil. Iron sulfate and aluminum sulfate lower soil pH faster than elemental sulfur since they require a significant effect on pH. Because of the cost and effort, this method is generally limited to small garden plots.

Ammonium Fertilizers
Ammonium fertilizers include urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate. Bacteria in the soil convert the ammonium into acidic compounds. Ammonium fertilizers are convenient because they simultaneously fertilize your plants and acidify the soil. However, to avoid applying too much nitrogen, use these products only to make gradual changes to the soil pH. Still, there is less risk of lowering pH too much when using ammonium fertilizers than there is when using elemental sulfur. Ammonium fertilizers also can be used with acid-loving plants to maintain an already low soil pH. Ammonium sulfate is an ammonium fertilizer that is two to three times more acid forming per pound of nitrogen than other commonly used ammonium fertilizers.

Sulfur Compounds
Elemental sulfur, iron sulfate, and aluminum sulfate are products that are often used to dramatically acidify the soil (by 1 or more pH units). Soil bacteria combine elemental sulfur with oxygen and water from the soil to form sulfuric acid. The bacteria require warm, moist, aerated soil. Acidification occurs faster when the application is incorporated into the soil than when the application is left on the soil surface. Sulfur compounds may take up to a year before they have their full effect on soil pH. Too much sulfur can reduce the soil pH below the optimum range for your plants, chemical rather than biological reactions. This speed carries the risk of applying excessive iron or aluminum if you add too much of these products (typically more than 5 pounds per 100 square feet).

Mix Amendments Properly

Soil amendments mainly lower just the pH of the soil they are incorporated into. Mixing amendments into the top 6 to 10 inches of topsoil is generally adequate to acidify soils. Most plants, including trees, absorb the majority of their nutrients from this area. However, deep roots may be subject to nutrient deficiencies since some of the nutrients that are only available in the upper acidified soil are difficult for plants to transport down to the roots.

so if you have cleared your farm, the ideal next step is soil analysis. We will visit your farm regardless of the distance.

Kenfarm email: kenfarm2020@gmail.com
Oder for our suckers today!!!!!!

Nematode/Nematicide Information

As we prepare our farm land for planting of suckers, it imperative we note all plantation farmers enemies and way to tackle them. Kenfarm wish to advise that getting a viable nematode resistant plantain sucker from us is the best preventive measure. But if you have bought your suckers from another source, then the below info on Nematode will be useful for you.
What are nematicides, and what do you need to know about using nematicides in gardens and farm land? In simple terms, nematicides are chemicals used to kill nematodes – tiny, parasitic worms that live in water or soil. Although the threadlike critters are microscopic, they can cause major damage when they feed on plant tissue or roots.
Using nematicides in gardens or farmland, gardeners have access to two common nematicide products.

There are numerous formulations within each type.
Fumigant nematicides are dispersed rapidly as a gas through the spaces in the soil, thus killing the nematodes living within those spaces. Fumigant nematicides are most effective in moist but well-drained soil with relatively low levels of organic material.
Non-fumigant (non-volatile) nematicides are sold as liquids or granules that are applied to the soil surface or mixed into the top of the soil. The active ingredient is released by irrigation or rainfall, and the effectiveness of the chemicals varies depending on a number of factors, including available moisture, soil structure, soil temperature and organic material content.

How to Use Nematicides

Most products are approved only for commercial applications, as nematicides are highly toxic and should be used only by trained applicators who understand how to mitigate the risks. The chemicals should never be applied when crops are nearing harvest.

Several newer, safer nematicides are currently under study, including biological products based on a fungus that destroys nematode eggs. However, the effectiveness of the products has yet to be proven.
Research has specify that the addiction of manure, compost or other organic material is one nontoxic way to reduce the damage caused by nematodes( consult kenfarm to know why). By improving soil structure and water retention, organic material creates a healthy environment that increases the chances of plant survival even when nematodes are present.
Deep, infrequent watering helps create healthy, nematode-resistant roots. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which produce lush growth and nematode-prone roots.

Growing plants in above-ground containers (Nursery plants) can also reduce damage caused by nematodes. Use only clean potting mix that hasn’t been contaminated by regular garden soil.

Oder for that Nematode free sucker and smile to the Bank at harvest time

Farmers complain that after a few harvests, plantains don’t do well, what’s the problem?
This is caused by nematodes and borers’ attacks which make plantains to dry off; all of these are soil pests. So, to control these pests a farmer needs to apply enamaticide twice a year. They can use MOCAP bastion and it will be good to have a permanent calendar. It is good to apply in April and again in September. If this is well followed, you will stop this effect. You know that the nematodes and borers attack plantains more, not bananas. That’s why banana stems which were cultivated by our parents long in the 50s are still surviving

WHY YOU SHOULD DO SOIL ANALYSIS

Ideally, fertilizer recommendations should be based on soil analysis but when this is not done then use the land history and vegetation to determine the soil fertility. Agricultural research has proved that 90% of farmer who carry out the soil analysis of their farm land experience a bountiful turnover output (I.e bumper harvest).

This is so because the soil analysis will reveal the level of micro & macro nutrient in the soil especially NPK (Nitrogen, patacium calcium) Hence, the knowledge of your farm soil fertility will further give a clue as to what Quantity of fertilizer to apply, what time to apply it, and which type of fertilizer to apply. I must quickly in for you that a farm land that will be used for cassava forming much be rich in NPK element and must have an acidic PH of not more than 6.0. This is the reason lime is usually added to the farm land as a pre-preparation step to cassava farming. Also, plantain suckers strive best in an alkaline soil. If you intend to cultivate any of these two crops, then next thing after clearing your farm is soil analysis for soil fertility text.

You do not want to depend on the soil vegetation to conclude on the soil fertility because the weeds on your farm land which appears healthy may be enjoying nutrients in the soil of your farm. But after clearing your farm land and tilling it especially using mechanised method (tractor), the Tractor often time compromise the soil fertility by 20% due to mixing of the top, middle and inner soil together.

So when you plant your crop afterwards without doing the soil analysis believing your crop will look healthy like the weeds/vegetation on your land, you will be taking an erroneous decision capable of compromising the growth of your cassava stem.

Subsistent farmer are free to depend on vegetation to ascertain soil fertility but I strongly discourage commercial farmers from using such method but rather do soil analysis to save yourself lot of challenges that arise in the future. A healthy cassava easily resist pest, fungi, bacteria etc.

Followers of kenfarm thread, find above pix of our visit to a client farm at Ijebu Igbo for the land treatment. We did the soil analysis and the outcome of the analysis made it imperative for us to balance the soil PH of the farm land to maximise yeild. Are you still contemplating on whether you need to do your farm soil analysis, consider it a wise decision to analyse your farm soil.
What you stand to gain by analysing your soil is enormous. Subsistence farming has gone pass the era of just burying seeds in the ground and go home to sleep with with your two eyes close.

Some farm land soil lack vital nutrients (macro & micro). Don't you think having an idea of the nutrient composition of your soil will help you know which treatment to give your farm soil?

Treating a farm soil include introducing the lacking nutrient into your soil, neutralising the highly concentrated one, balancing the soil PH amongst others. Also, a high PH soil indicate the need to .......... and low Soil PH indicate the need to ...........

However, when the PH of the soil is known, it help you to know the type of crop to plant on your farm land. As a matter of fact, some crop strive well in a soil with high soil PH while some other crop strive best in a soil with low PH.

If this is scientifically proved, what do you think will be of your crop at harvest time when you fail to do soil analysis and go ahead to plant your crop that strive well in Low PH soil on your farm land with high Soil PH??

A bountiful harvest is not for the ignorant farmers. kenfarm is bringing to your notice the info that help you make a difference this season
consult us via 08038623884 or 09091405861

EFFECTS OF BUSH BURNING ON YOUR FARM SOIL FERTILITY


Kenfarm like to bring to fur the merits and demerits of burning your farm land. This we are sure will be I formative to our potential customer undergoing pre-planting process.

In as much as burning your farm after clearing seem to be fastest way to clear off tge weeds, it is imperative we understand that fire can diminish nutrient pool sizes, nevertheless nutrient availability often increases. Soil fertility can increase after low intensity fires since fire chemically converts nutrients bound in dead plant tissues and the soil surface to more available forms. The fire indirectly increases mineralization rates through its impacts.

Note that the concentration of potassium, calcium, and magnesium ions in the soil can increase or be unaffected by fires whereas nitrogen and sulphur often decrease.

Thus, if you have burn your farm land after clearing, we advise you perform soil analysis to ascertain the soil fertility.
consult us for your soil analysis

@Ken4agent, how much do soil tests cost?

make haste to engage our services. a trial with us will convince you

Dear kenfarm followers, pic below is a visit to a customer farm to collect soil sample for analysis.

The farm owner intend planting two crops on the farm land (mix farming). It may interest you to know that the soil analysis kenfarm conducted on the farm indicate insufficient Macro nutrients.

Now, if the soil analysis was not done, we won't have identify the insufficiency of Macro Nutrient in the farm soil. The farm owner intend planting two crops which need plenty of Macro nutrients for initial growth.

if our soil analysis did not detect low % of Macro nutrients in the farm soil, the crop would have experience stunted growth with poor yield at harvest. But with our soil test outcome, kenfarm was able to treat the soil and certainly plenty of Macro nutrient was introduced into the soil.

won't you rather contact kenfarm today for your soil analysis

via: kenfarm2020@gmail.com

08038623884/09091405861

My good followers, are you aware of the implication of mix cropping two crop which are heavy feeder of NPK ?
From experience, the outcome can be devastating at the long run. Ameliorating this is by consulting expert farmers and certainly having a knowledge of NPKmg percentage of your soil by calling kenfarm for your soil analysis. cheers

Permit me to inform you that we supply plantain suckers called Giant Elephant (Musa paradisiacal) and it is hybrid, resistant to pest and fruit before 11months. You van copy and past the link below on your browser and read more on our suckers as you view pictures

1. www.nairaland.com/3207817/treated-giant-hybrids-elephants-plantain
2. www.nairaland.com/3574128/investing-hybrid-plantain-plantation-not

Ken, God continue to bless the works of your hands,
Keep it up bro

Brightowan:
Ken, God continue to bless the works of your hands,
Keep it up bro

Thanks Bro, I very much appreciate your feedback. It indicates lots of farmers view our post.
....... together we can eradicate food insecurity, poverty and joblessness

UPDATE ON SOIL PH

Soil pH is an excellent indicator of the suitability of a soil for plant growth. For most crops, pH of 6 to 7.5 is optimal (table 1). Soil pH levels that are too high or too low (fig. 1) lead to a deficiency of many nutrients, decline in microbial activity, decrease in crop yields, and deterioration of soil health.

For example, soil pH values below 5.5 and between 7.5 and 8.5 limit the availability of phosphate for plants (figures 2 and 3). Four major management practices that increase the availability of phosphate for plants are:

1. Liming acid soils to increase pH to between 6.5 and 7.0.

2. Applying small amounts of phosphorus fertilizer frequently rather than a large amount at one time.

3. Banding or injecting the source of the phosphorus (manure and/or fertilizer) into the soil to reduce the contact between the soil and the phosphorus.

4. Applying phosphorus fertilizer near crop rows, where roots are most active. Nitrogen cycling is inhibited by low pH.

The effectiveness and degradation of herbicides and insecticides and the solubility of heavy metals are dependent on the soil pH.

Some diseases thrive in alkaline or acidic soils. The effectiveness and potential carryover of certain herbicides is also impacted by soil pH.

Special Purpose Fertilizers & more reason for soil analysis

Special purpose fertilizers are primarily used in the small fruit and nursery industries. When shopping for fertilizer, you will find that some are packaged for very specific uses, such as blueberry food. The blueberry (sometimes called rhododendron or azalea fertilizer) food is one example of these specialty materials and belongs to an old, established group, the acid-plant foods.

Some of the compounds (ammonium sulfate is usually the acidifying ingredient) used in these fertilizers are chosen because they have an acid reaction and may benefit acidloving plants when the soil pH is too high. These materials are appropriate for use when small-fruit producers are trying to slowly lower the soil pH in an established blueberry orchard that is showing symptoms of iron deficiency due to the effects of a high soil pH.

They are often used in combination with dilute foliar sprays of iron or soil applications of iron chelates. These materials are usually applied at a rate that will meet the nitrogen requirement of the orchard for that season. Once the soil pH is lowered to the desired level, the producer should switch to a less acidifying nitrogen source such as urea or ammonium nitrate.

Thus, without performing soil analysis on that farm land how do you ascertain best method of approaching your farm treatment. Some says the land is a virgin la7nd, and that it has not been put to use for over 50yrs. That is true. Such land is expected to be fertile. But have you forgotten in a haste that putting a soil to plant cultivation is not the only way through which your farm lose it fertility.

It may interest you to know that the following also destroy soil fertility:
1. Erosion: Erosion wash away the top soil which is rich in organic content there by exposing the top soil to high rate of era transpiration. It also wash away nutrients in the soil making the soil loose and lack essential nutrients. If the soil has not been put to use for 50yrs, have you been preventing erosion on the soil for 50yrs?
2. Poor organic content in the soil
3. High percentage of sand and low percentage of clay in the soil
4. Climatic condition of the farm location
5. Reduced Microbial activities on the soil as a result of intense bush burning during land preparation or due to unfavorable environmental condition.
6. Etc
Contact kenfarm for a detailed soil analysis 09091405861 or kenfarm2020@gmail.com

Make hast to place odder for our viable pest resistant hybrid plantain sucker. we pride ourselves in our large customer base. Our sucker is affordable and has proved to our esteem client it can keep multiplying for over 7years.

This means that if you purchase our suckers, years latter, if you plan expanding your farm, you need not purchase another sucker. Just harvest sucker from the existing farm and you will be maximising profit....
......contact kenfarm via 09091405861

Ken4agent:

UPDATE ON SOIL PH

Soil pH is an excellent indicator of the suitability of a soil for plant growth. For most crops, pH of 6 to 7.5 is optimal (table 1). Soil pH levels that are too high or too low (fig. 1) lead to a deficiency of many nutrients, decline in microbial activity, decrease in crop yields, and deterioration of soil health.

For example, soil pH values below 5.5 and between 7.5 and 8.5 limit the availability of phosphate for plants (figures 2 and 3). Four major management practices that increase the availability of phosphate for plants are:

1. Liming acid soils to increase pH to between 6.5 and 7.0.

2. Applying small amounts of phosphorus fertilizer frequently rather than a large amount at one time.

3. Banding or injecting the source of the phosphorus (manure and/or fertilizer) into the soil to reduce the contact between the soil and the phosphorus.

4. Applying phosphorus fertilizer near crop rows, where roots are most active. Nitrogen cycling is inhibited by low pH.

The effectiveness and degradation of herbicides and insecticides and the solubility of heavy metals are dependent on the soil pH.

Some diseases thrive in alkaline or acidic soils. The effectiveness and potential carryover of certain herbicides is also impacted by soil pH.

I have soil test kit and I did mine twice to validate the first test-
My soil is Alkaline but I have a very high level of phosphorus in the soil so I am wondering would the 7.5 range my result showed prevent my plant from accessing the high Phosphate in the soil.
I have been a little concerned about the phosphate level as my fish blood and bone meal contains lots of phosphorus: Ratio 4:7:4
Cheers.

Ufeolorun:

I have soil test kit and I did mine twice to validate the first test-
My soil is Alkaline but I have a very high level of phosphorus in the soil so I am wondering would the 7.5 range my result showed prevent my plant from accessing the high Phosphate in the soil.
I have been a little concerned about the phosphate level as my fish blood and bone meal contains lots of phosphorus: Ratio 4:7:4
Cheers.

7.5 PH Is not on the high PH. It is optimal and can not prevent your crop from accessing the nutrient available. I must say that you may have challenge with your crop if you go ahead to plant a crop that do not strive well in alkaline soil on your farm. If you intend planting a crop that strive well in alkaline soil, that good. But if you intend planting crop that strive well in acidic soil, then you need to ameliorate your soil before planting the acid loving crop on your farm.....cheers

Ken4agent:


7.5 PH Is not on the high PH. It is optimal and can not prevent your crop from accessing the nutrient available. I must say that you may have challenge with your crop if you go ahead to plant a crop that do not strive well in alkaline soil on your farm. If you intend planting a crop that strive well in alkaline soil, that good. But if you intend planting crop that strive well in acidic soil, then you need to ameliorate your soil before planting the acid loving crop on your farm.....cheers

Thanks for the answer , appreciate. Obviously, I would be doing veggies and top on me list are: Capsicum, tomatoes and Cucumber.
I might try amend some of my beds with cocopeat to see if it helps or bring in soil from else where and put them in planter bags to grow the plants inside.
Thanks

Ufeolorun:


Thanks for the answer , appreciate. Obviously, I would be doing veggies and top on me list are: Capsicum, tomatoes and Cucumber.
I might try amend some of my beds with cocopeat to see if it helps or bring in soil from else where and put them in planter bags to grow the plants inside.
Thanks

U well come Bro. It is our work oh!!

kenfarm esteem followers and customers, it is our pleasure to announce the commencement pre-planting operation and post planting operations of our newly acquired farm for this season. This farm is intended for research purpose. We aim at

1. Confirming the viability of different hybrid suckers
2. Ascertaining the effects of tilling the farm land before digging on plantation yeild/ plantain size
3. Ascertaining the potency of two herbicides (Name withheld)
4. Ascertaining the effect of Bush burning on plantation yield
5. Comparing the effects of two various Land topography (slopy and straight bed farm land) on plantation yield.
6. And few other undisclosed aims to the ascertain.
But most importantly, this Planting operation thread (link below) will be documented with evident pictures to further educate potential plantain farmers on the steps to be taken if you intend to establish a plantation.
We are confident that your visiting this link on a daily basis will give you reason to employ the service of kenfarm.

Also, this thread will help existing plantain farmers to realize where they got it wrong in the past season which led to poor yield. No one knows it all. You may be in the Plantain Biz for years but practical experience is parallel to Research outcome experience.

Already the first step to establishing your plantain farm thread is been posted
on Naira land. view the post via the link below:

https://www.nairaland.com/3763350/step-by-step-procedures-establishing-newly-acquired

Are you aware of the benefits of De-sucker ??

De-sucker your plants is simply the removal of the surviving suckers(follower suckers). Once your plant is mature and has several suckers, remove all but one. This uncommon practice we have have observe improve fruit yield and plant health.

Hence, do the below when necessary:
1. Cut all but one sucker off at ground level and cover the exposed plant with soil. Repeat with a deeper cut if they grow back.

2. The surviving sucker is called the follower and will replace the mother plant after it dies or harvested

3. Exceptionally healthy plants can support two followers.

Kenfarm wish to acknowledge our esteem customers who had ordered for our Nematode free suckers. It was great doing Business with you. We hope to render more follow up services to you all in the future.

Note that because we are the source of your suckers, we are at all time ready to give professional advise and guidance that will ensure you harvest bountifully this season.
Regards

Effects of Fire on Soil Physical Properties

Fire may alter several physical soil properties, such as soil structure, texture, porosity, wetability, infiltration rates, and water holding capacity. The extent of fire effects on these soil physical properties depends on fire intensity, fire severity, and fire frequency. Low intensity fires do not cause enough soil heating to produce significant changes to soil physical properties.
Below is a picture of my experimental farm under pre-planting operations.

This farm is purely for experimental purpose. we intend to investigate the following.
1. productivity of various sources of hybrid sucker
2. Effect of selected herbicide on the farm
3. The effect of Bush burning on a farmland
4. Effect of tilling the soil on growth/size when cultivating plantain suckers
5. e.t.c
Hence, we advise you follow the post via the link below if you are contemplating establishing your plantation next season:

https://www.nairaland.com/3763350/step-by-step-procedures-establishing-newly-acquired

Soil Fertility Management on Plantain Plantation

Plantain is a heavy feeder of soil nutrient which makes it thrive well in soils that are rich and also able to release its nutrient.

The nutrient consumption of 1 ha of plantain farm per year can be estimated at 300kg of N, 150kg of P and 1050kg of K which means that to have a good yield on your plantain field, you will need to maintain the soil fertility yearly by the input of fertilizer either organically or inorganically or organo-mineral.
There are basic rules to follow in other to retain the fertility of your soil; they are explained below.

The addition of a high quantity of organic waste : No doubt that plantain is a heavy feeder of nutrient which makes it grow vigorously and big if well nurtured. Giving your plantains organic waste, e.g., poultry waste, cow dung, pig poo, rice husk, cocoa pods and others will improve growth and yield but the best organic waste to apply is poultry waste because it provides a high amount of nitrogen which is needed during the vegetative period of the plant.
The addition of leguminous plants: a leguminous plant has been scientifically proven to fix nitrogen into the soil and later help boost the growth and yield of the non-leguminous plant. For example, planting cowpea between two rows of plantain stand will support the growth of the plantain.

The addition of NPK and Urea supplement : This method provides plantain with quick nutrient as NPK and Urea fertilizer are known to release its nutrient as against organic fertilizer. Though NPK has a future negative effect on the soil and plant, it is a quick fix for Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium deficiency in plants. However, urea fertilizer provides only nitrogen for plantain (needed during the vegetative stage). In considering the mixing ratio of NPK and Urea, you will mix in ratio 2:1 and apply 500g per stand.

How often should fertilizer application be made on plantain farm? The periodical use differs by soil to soil, location to location and quantity to be applied, but the average application per year thrice depends on the time of planting. It is best to apply both organic and inorganic fertilizer as a first application (if soil nutrient is low) and only organic fertilizer (if soil nutrient is average).

In summary, the best way to maintain soil fertility for plantain is the application of fertilizer, and the best compost to add is an organic waste in which poultry waste serves to be the best fertilizer, loved by plantain.
In Conclusion, Always provide your plant with enough fertilizer and water all year round as this will result in real growth and big fruit

It may interest you to know that the following also destroy soil fertility:

1. Erosion: Erosion wash away the top soil which is rich in organic content there by exposing the top soil to high rate of era transpiration. It also wash away nutrients in the soil making the soil loose and lack essential nutrients. If the soil has not been put to use for 50yrs, have you been preventing erosion on the soil for 50yrs?

2. Poor organic content in the soil
3. High percentage of sand and low percentage of clay in the soil
4. Climatic condition of the farm location
5. Reduced Microbial activities on the soil as a result of intense bush burning during land preparation or due to unfavorable environmental condition.
6. Etc

Contact kenfarm for a detailed soil analysis 09091405861 or kenfarm2020@gmail.com

may interest you to know that the following also destroy soil fertility:

1. Erosion: Erosion wash away the top soil which is rich in organic content there by exposing the top soil to high rate of era transpiration. It also wash away nutrients in the soil making the soil loose and lack essential nutrients. If the soil has not been put to use for 50yrs, have you been preventing erosion on the soil for 50yrs?
2. Poor organic content in the soil
3. High percentage of sand and low percentage of clay in the soil
4. Climatic condition of the farm location
5. Reduced Microbial activities on the soil as a result of intense bush burning during land preparation or due to unfavorable environmental condition.
6. Etc
Contact kenfarm for a detailed soil analysis 09091405861 or kenfarm2020@gmail.com

Picture below are clips of our visit to a 150hectares in Ogun State to collect soil for soil fertility test......call us today. no matter how large your farm is, we will handle the soil sampling professionally