India ranks second on the basis of population in the world. Agricultural land utilised by the burgeoning population, the cultivable land resource is shrinking day by day. To meet the food, fibre, fuel, fodder, and other needs of the growing population, the productivity of agricultural land has to be increased rationally. This requires the use of all resources judiciously. In India, the mineral gypsum is mostly used in the manufacture of cement, fertiliser, plaster of Paris, ceramics and distemper. Smaller quantity is used as soil conditioner, for carving and statuary purposes. India has huge resources of natural gypsum of the order of 1120 million tonnes, of which recoverable reserves are estimated at 237 million tonnes. Over 95 per cent of the natural gypsum come from Rajasthan.

Gypsum is chemically calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O). When dissolved in water, it yields calcium ions (Ca2+) and sulfate-sulfur ions (SO42-). Both of these ions are essential major nutrients for growing plants. In addition to this, calcium also plays a vital role in establishing and maintaining good chemical balance in soil, water and plants. Gypsum is one of those rare materials that perform in all three categories of soil treatment: an amendment, conditioner, and fertilizer. The usage of gypsum in agriculture can be grouped into following heads:

Reclaims soil sodicity: The sodic soils have exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) more than 15, it must be lowered for soil improvement as well as better crop growth. The calcium supplied by gypsum replaces the sodium held at the clay-exchange sites. The replaced sodium can be leached from the soil as sodium sulfate to an appropriate sink.

Decreases the toxic effect of NaCl salinity: Calcium from gypsum has a physiological role in inhibiting the uptake of sodium by plants. Thus plant are mitigate the sodium toxicity, which is more pronounced in the salt affected soils.

Decreases pH of sodic soils: The sodic soils are characterised by the high soil pH (>8.5). Gypsum lowers the high pH of sodic soils or near sodic soils to 7.5 to 7.8. These values are in the range of acceptability for growth of most crop plants. Increased calcium uptake by roots when gypsum is applied can decrease the pH of the rhizosphere.

Creates favorable soil EC: The more EC value of the soil is undesired for the crop growth. The high EC of soil are due to fertilizer application as well as by the weathering of soil minerals. Gypsum, being readily soluble, results in proper buffered solute concentration (EC) in soil to maintain soil in a flocculated state.

Makes excess Magnesium non-toxic: Calcium is essential to the biochemical mechanisms by which most plants nutrients are absorbed by roots. Without adequate calcium, uptake mechanisms would fail. In soils having unfavorable calcium magnesium ratios, such as serpentine soils, gypsum can create a more favorable ratio. Thus render Magnesium non-toxic.

Decreases heavy-metal toxicity: Calcium plays a role of regulator for balance of micro-nutrients, such as iron, zinc, manganese and copper, in plants. Calcium prevents excess uptake of many of them; and once they are in the plant, calcium keeps them from having adverse effects when their levels get high. Calcium in liberal quantities helps to maintain a healthy balance of nutrients and non-nutrients within plants. Gypsum also removes excess of Boron from sodic soil. It also regulates non-essential trace elements.

Improves soil structure: Gypsum provides calcium, which, flocculate clays in acid and alkaline soil. A flocculated clays form friable soil with improved soil structure and tilth. It also allows for deeper, healthier root development and water penetration.

Prevents crusting of soil: Gypsum application can decrease and prevent the crust formation on soil surfaces which result from rain drops or from sprinkler irrigation on unstable soil. It can prevent crusting that result when acid soils are limed and the gypsum is coapplied with the lime.
Improves compacted soil: Gypsum can break up compacted soil and decrease penetrometer resistance. Combination with organic amendments also helps, especially in preventing return of the compaction. The soils applied with gypsum have low bulk density.

Makes slightly wet soils easier to till: Soils that have been treated with gypsum have a wider range of soil moisture levels where it is safe to till without danger of compaction or deflocculation. Even a liberal application of gypsum is a good procedure for starting a piece of land into no-till soil management or pasture. Gypsum also improves the ability of soil to drain and not become waterlogged due to a combination of high sodium, swelling clay, and excess water.

Stops water runoff and erosion: Gypsum improves water infiltration rates into soils and also the hydraulic conductivity of the soil. The use of gypsum can decrease wind and water erosion of soil.

Improves swelling clays: Gypsum can decrease the swelling and cracking associated with high levels of exchangeable sodium on the montmorillonite-type clays. As sodium is replaced by calcium on these clays, they swell less and therefore do not easily clog the pore spaces through which air, water and roots move.

Increases water retention in soil: Gypsum when applied to sodic soil reduced the levels of exchangeable sodium resulted in increase in water retention. The improved soil structure help in the more retention of water.
Increases the stability of soil organic matter: Gypsum is a source of calcium responsible for the binding of soil organic matter to clay and gives stability to soil aggregates.

Improves low-solute irrigation water: Gypsum is used to increase the solute concentration of low-solute water used for irrigation. Irrigation water from rivers that no longer have sources of leachable salts either penetrates poorly into soil or causes soil particles to degrade which results in low-water penetration. The problem can be corrected with surface-applied gypsum or application to the irrigation water.

Improves water-use efficiency: Gypsum application increases water-use efficiency of crops. Improved water infiltration rates, improved hydraulic conductivity of soil, better water storage in the soil all lead to deeper rooting and better water-use efficiency.

Efficiently use low quality irrigation water: Use of reclaimed municipal wastewater is important for conservation of natural resources. Reclaimed water can be satisfactorily used if amended with gypsum and water-soluble polymers.

Improves fruit quality and prevents some plant diseases: The quality of fruit depends on the amount of calcium. Calcium is nearly always only marginally sufficient and often deficient in developing fruits. Calcium moves very slowly, if at all, from one plant part to another and fruits at the end of the transport system get too little. Calcium must be constantly available to the roots. In very high pH soils, calcium is not available enough; therefore, gypsum helps. Gypsum is used for peanuts, which develop below ground, to keep them disease free. Gypsum helps prevent blossom-end rot of watermelon and tomatoes and bitter pit in apples. Gypsum is preferred over lime for potatoes grown in acid soils so that scab may be controlled.

Decreases loss of fertilizer nitrogen to the air: Calcium from gypsum can help decrease volatilization loss of ammonium nitrogen from applications of ammonia, ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium sulfate, or any of the ammonium phosphates.

Keeps clay off tuber and root crops: Gypsum can help keep clay particles from adhering to roots, bulbs and tubers of crops like potato, carrots, garlic and beets.

Helps Earthworms to Flourish: A continuous supply of calcium with organics is necessary for the habitat of earthworms that improve soil aeration, improve soil aggregation and churn the organic matter with inorganic fraction of soil.

Dr Sarvesh Kumar Shah
Department of Agricultural Sciences,
The Fertiliser Association of India, New Delhi

Blue spruce trees have been reported to be suffering from the
Blue Spruce Rust in the Horsham Pa. area. This Rust is difficult
to control. For this reason alone I would suggest that you NOT
plant the Blue Spruces.

If my farm were run like a democracy and one man one vote
applied for whether we should plant or sell Colorado Blue
Spruce, the vote would 100% against the Blue Spruce Tree. The
Blue Spruce also known as Picea pungens Engelm is noted for
being majestic, stately, with its silver blue color and
symetricle form. Its color can range from blue to green. The
color variations are genetic traits of the tree. For uniform
color from tree to tree one should use grafted cuttings, which
command premium prices. The Blue Spruce is widely planted
througout the US because it is tolerant to a variety of site
conditions. It has good drought, wind, and cold tolerance. The
Blue Spruce finds uses such as wind breaks and as an ornamental
in landscape designs. Deer don’t prefer to eat these trees
unless they are very hungry. Now you would think that this tree
would get our vote. But my boys hate to work with these trees
because they can be brutal on transplanting. Like wrestling with
a porkupine! You can see more of Bill’s plant talk at his web
site http://www.seedlingrus.com

Even though we are still enjoying warm weather and winter seems far away, now is a great time to begin preparing. If you do a bit at a time before winter hits the tasks are not at all overwhelming.

So often, people wait until the last minute to take care of necessary duties. Worst yet, some people wait until snow or rain is pouring down to even begin thinking of what needs to be done.

Safety should be a top priority. Assess the quality of your indoor air. You can easily create an indoor health hazard with poor quality air. If you have excessive dust or dirt, take steps to clean it up.

Make sure your smoke detectors are in good working order. They can literally save your life. If you don’t have detectors throughout your home, you need to make that a top priority on your “honey do” list. Better yet, don’t wait for someone else to take care of this most important task, do it yourself as soon as possible.

Have your fireplace inspected to insure it is safe to use. If your area permits you to burn during the winter, stock up on wood while the weather is pleasant.

Secure vents, fans and air conditioners. Properly cover as recommended by the manufacturer.

Remember to check both the inside and out. Make a list of any repairs as you go through the house. To help you determine where any leaks are, on the next windy day do a walk through to determine areas in need of repair.

• Fix Doors and Windows
• Replace or add weather-stripping where needed.
• Winterize basement windows.
• Replace old windows with weather efficient windows.
• Have your furnace serviced before the winter rush hits. Many companies run specials before the season.
• Check for mold and algae within your home furnace. You’d be amazed at what can grow during the summer months. Although mold burns off it is distributed throughout your home.
• Stock up on furnace filters. It is better to have some on hand so you can easily replace throughout the winter.
• Use caulking to fix any leaky areas.

Locate all you winter supplies such as walkway shovel, ice melt, gloves, hats, scarves and anything else you will need when a storm hits. If you don’t have these items buy them before a winter storm hits and stores run out. Make sure your snowplow is in good working order. A preseason equipment check up is advisable.

By being prepared you will be able to share more time with your loved ones. Besides, you will probably be able to save on your energy bills as well.

Copyright: © 2004 by Darlene Dipos

Publishing Guidelines: You may publish my article in your newsletter, on your web site, or in your print publication provided you include the resource box at the end. Notification would be appreciated but is not required.

Darlene Dipo is a member of the Distinctive Properties team, a unique personalized real estate agency serving the south end of the Salt Lake valley including Draper, Riverton and Sandy. The Distinctive Properties team offers a “boutique” experience and a personal relationship with each person they work with. Distinctive Properties offers relocation services throughout the United States. Visit www.distinctivepropertiesSLC.com for further information.

dipo@aros.net

Many people worry a lot when it comes to caring for their
plants. When talking about house plants, there is no need to
worry. There are just a few things you need to consider.

1. Watering Overwatering kills most houseplants. Looks can be
deceptive, so to see if your soil is dry enough to water, try
the finger test. Insert your index finger up to the first joint
into the soil. If the soil is damp, don’t water it.

2. Feeding Foliage plants usually have high nitrogen needs,
while flowering plants, K2O is needed. Slow release fertilizers
can be mixed with the compost. However, certain plants like
cacti and orchids need special fertilizer. Feed plants during
their most active growth period.

3. Lighting Plants like Sanseveria and Aspidistra require no
sun. They can be placed away from a window. Spider plants need
semi-shade. You can put plants like these near a window that
does or does not get sunlight. Check the label to see what your
plant needs.

4. Temperature Houseplants can survive in cool or warm
temperatures, but drastic fluctuations of temperature may not be
good for them. One thing that most plants cannot survive is gas
heating. If you have a plant that likes warm conditions, don’t
put it near an air conditioner in the summer.

5. Humidity Some houseplants require a humid environment. One
tip to maximize humidity is to put the pot inside a larger pot
and fill in the gaps with stones or compost to keep in the
moisture. Grouping plants together often creates a microclimate
that they will benefit from. If you want, you can spray them
with water once or twice a day depending on the temperature.

6. Re-potting Some plants require re-potting for optimum growth
but there are others that resent having their roots disturbed.
Or their roots system may be small enough that they don’t
require re-potting. One way to check if your plant needs
re-potting is to turn it upside down. Tap the pot to release the
plant and check its roots. If roots are all you see, then
re-pot. Sometimes the roots will come out of the pot. You should
either cut them off or re-pot the plant.

You just need to have a little care for your plants and in turn,
you’ll reap the benefits. Indoor plants not only add to the
beauty of your décor, but also give much pleasure to the indoor
gardener.