A successful soil fertility program for wheat requires knowledge of a field's yield potential and a recent soil test. The soil test will provide current levels of phosphorus and potassium in the soil and the soil pH. Soil pH will assist in determining the need for micronutrients and other soil amendments.
When the proper soil pH is maintained, adequate levels of micronutrients and secondary nutrients (e.g., sulfur) should be released by the soil organic matter. The proper soil pH for western Ohio (subsoils derived from limestone) should be above 6.0 and below 7.0. For eastern Ohio (subsoils derived from shale and sandstone), the proper pH should be above 6.5 and below 7.0. The lime test index or buffer pH on the soil test should be used for lime recommendations.
Recommendations in this section are from the Ohio State University Extension Bulletin E-2567, Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, and Alfalfa. These recommendations are for mineral soils, with adequate drainage, containing 1 to 5% organic matter. Organic soils (organic matter > 20%) and sandy soils (CEC < 6) will require different recommendations. In Ohio, limed soils usually have adequate calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.