University of Delaware Nutrient Recommendations

The University of Delaware provides nutrient and liming recommendations for most commercial crop and landscape plants grown in Delaware. When possible, these liming rates and nutrient recommendations are based on scientific research conducted here in Delaware or in nearby states with similar soil types, climates and growing conditions. The rates that are given are designed to:

• provide the nutrients needed to achieve a desirable level of plant performance, whether expressed as the economic optimum yield and market quality for agronomic crops, or as an optimum level of plant growth and performance for ornamentals.

• maintain soil fertility in the range that is optimum for plant growth , and

• prevent the over-application of plant nutrients and lime, thus avoiding unnecessary costs and minimizing any negative environmental effects on the quality of surface and ground water in Delaware.       

Nutrient recommendations for individual crops or plant types can be obtained by clicking on the appropriate button to the left. Individual crops as well as entire sections are available in .PDF format. In order to print them you will need Adobe Reader.

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