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FAQ On MOET

1. MOET involves growing indicator plants in pots with and without individual nutrients to identify the most limiting nutrient for plant growth. 2. If plants grow better without a nutrient like zinc, it means the soil already has toxic levels of that nutrient. 3. MOET should be conducted every 1-2 seasons depending on soil type, fertilizer usage, and previous results to monitor for nutrient deficiencies over time. 3. MOET identifies deficient nutrients but not fertilizer rates - those depend on target yields.

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2K views

FAQ On MOET

1. MOET involves growing indicator plants in pots with and without individual nutrients to identify the most limiting nutrient for plant growth. 2. If plants grow better without a nutrient like zinc, it means the soil already has toxic levels of that nutrient. 3. MOET should be conducted every 1-2 seasons depending on soil type, fertilizer usage, and previous results to monitor for nutrient deficiencies over time. 3. MOET identifies deficient nutrients but not fertilizer rates - those depend on target yields.

Uploaded by

delacruzjoby
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Nutrient Management
Frequently Asked Questions on MOET
What is Minus One Element Technique (MOET) test?
It is a kind of biological test of determining a nutrient or multiple
nutrient deficiencies in soils and is based on the law of minimum. The
law of minimum states that the level of plant production can be no
greater than that allowed by the most limiting of the essential plant
growth factors. This means, “if one crop nutrient is missing or
deficient, plant growth will be poor, even if the other elements are
abundant.”
The law of minimum can be represented by a barrel with staves of
unequal length, wherein the staves represent the nutrients/elements.
The water inside the barrel represents the potential yield while the
water pouring out represents the lost yield.

When the growth of indicator plants are better in the minus one
element pots (especially in the –Zn or –Cu) than the plants in the
“complete” pot what does this indicate?
It is likely that the level of the said element (e.g. Zn) in the soil is already
close to the level of toxicity, thus when such element is added in the
“complete” pot, it may have already attained toxic level, which results in
depressed growth of the plant.

When such situation is observed during the MOET test, is it still safe to
apply zinc sulfate in the field?
Application of zinc sulfate or any other form of zinc SHOULD NOT be
applied in the field because it could lead to toxicity, depressed growth, and
low yield.

How often does one have to conduct the MOET test?


Ideally, it should be done every season if the farmer can afford it. The Representation of the Law of Minimum.
frequency of conducting the MOET test depends on the following four The amount of yield is dependent on the
factors: most deficient nutrient. One can never
1. Soil type. If the soil is sandy, frequent MOET test should be achieve the fullest potential yield unless
conducted, i.e. once in every two seasons. the problem with deficient nutrient will
2. Amount and kind of fertilizer applied after the initial MOET test. If be addressed.
the farmer applied heavy doses of P and K and soil is clayey and
micronutrients are not limiting, then MOET tests may be conducted once in every four seasons.
3. Yield levels produced following the MOET test. If yields are constantly high (>4.0 tons) even during wet
season, then MOET test should be conducted once in every four seasons unless there is a declining yield
trend not caused by other biotic factors. If such is observed, it is advisable to conduct a MOET test.

Fair use of this material is encouraged. Proper citation is requested. | © 2010, OPAPA-PhilRice
4. The element(s) found deficient in the last MOET test. If the
initial MOET test indicates that only one element is deficient
and it happens to be N, MOET test may not be conducted
every season. If more than one element is deficient,
especially if one of the micronutrients is deficient, then the
test should be done once in every two seasons just to
determine whether the addition of such nutrient(s) has
residual effects.

Does MOET test determine the rate of fertilizer to apply?


MOET test will only indicate the essential nutrients that are
deficient. As long as such deficient nutrient is applied together with the other nutrients, an increase in yield is
assured. The rates of the other nutrients will depend on the target yield taking into consideration the amount of
nutrient to produce a ton of grain per hectare, i.e. 17-20 kg N/ton grain; 8-10 kg P/ton grain; 15-17 kg K/ton grain
and 3-5 kg S/ton grain, etc.

What could be the reason when the results of MOET test do not seem to be consistent with what is
observed from the stand of the crop in the field?
1. There are several reasons that might explain the inconsistency:
2. Soil sampling sites may not be adequate. Instead of the recommended 35 sampling points, the samples
may have been taken from fewer points, thus the sample collected was not a good representative of the
soil in the area being tested. It is always advisable to collect from more sampling points especially when
the area is big.
3. The test is conducted away from the farm, hence, the environment is quite different.
4. The likelihood of contamination.
5. Fair
Theusewater used
of this to irrigate
material the testProper
is encouraged. pots is different
citation from the| ©
is requested. irrigation water in the field.
2010, OPAPA-PhilRice
6. It is A MUST that the MOET test be conducted within the field being evaluated.

What are the procedures or steps in getting soil sample?


1. There are three steps in collecting soil sample:
Collect approximately 35 kg of wet soil samples immediately after harvest (if the field soil is still wet).
Otherwise, sampling should be done just before land preparation.
2. Collect soil samples randomly at a depth of 20 cm from at least 35 points per ha using a 20cm x 20in PVC
pipe. If the farm has varying soil fertility levels as evidenced by the stand of the preceding crop, divide the
farm into uniform sampling units. Collect soil samples from each sampling unit separately.
3. Avoid taking samples at or near carabao ponds, animal manure or near piles of decomposing matters like
straws or crop residues.

How long will we have to wait before we can get the result (of MOET)?
You can get the MOET result 30 days after the procedure.

On what specific land area can we apply the recommended fertilizers based on MOET?
If the landscape is flat, it is safe to say that one can apply the recommended fertilizers on 2 ha of your land per
sampling. If the landscape is not flat, you should split your land area first before getting soil samples (e.g. lower
portion and upper portion).
Reviewed by:
Contributors:
___________________
Mr. George Lucero, ICDAI
Ms. Maria Angela Malihan, PhilRice
Mr. Diego G. Ramos, PhilRice

Fair use of this material is encouraged. Proper citation is requested. | © 2010, OPAPA-PhilRice

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