In order to determine the nutrients that are already in your soil, you will need to send soil samples to a laboratory for testing. Accurate soil testing is essential for determining the quantity of nutrients in the soil because it provides a scientific basis for understanding soil fertility and making informed decisions about crop management.
By analyzing soil samples, you can identify the levels of both macro and micro nutrients. By interpreting these values, you can adjust your recipes to optimize plant health, enhance nutrient availability, and maximize crop yield potential.
You also need to be aware of nutrient toxicity. Nutrient toxicity occurs when a plant absorbs too much of a particular nutrient, leading to harmful effects on growth, development, or overall health. Excess levels of required nutrients can disrupt plant metabolism and damage tissues. Also, soil or water may contain elements like Chlorine (Cl), Sodium (Na) and Aluminum (Al) among others that will be detrimental to plant growth at elevated levels.