In this Arkansas Highway Department open cut slope project, highly acidic, clay-heavy, nutrient-deficient soils with low organic matter made it difficult to establish sustainable vegetation. A soil test guided a holistic approach using fertilizer (15-30-15), JumpStart™ 5, BioPrime®, NeutraLime™ pH adjuster, ProGanics® BSM™ and Flexterra® HP-FGM®. This combination improved soil conditions, controlled erosion and helped perennial seeds establish quickly and grow uniformly, even with less than optimal rainfall. The project reflects Profile’s five fundamentals for erosion control and vegetative success.
Key Points
- Clay content was 50%, with very low pH level of 4.6, low organic matter content of 1.5% and highly deficient soils on the open cut slope.
- Soil test and treatment plan included fertilizer (15-30-15), JumpStart 5 at 80 lbs/acre, BioPrime at 80 lbs/acre and NeutraLime, pH adjuster, at 400 lbs/acre.
- ProGanics BSM applied at 4,000 lbs/acre and Flexterra HP-FGM at 3,500 lbs/acre worked together to amend the soil and prevent erosion, supporting rapid, uniform perennial establishment with less than optimal rainfall.
- Five fundamentals emphasize creating optimal soil conditions, picking the right plant species, selecting the correct erosion control material, ensuring proper installation, and follow-up inspection and maintenance practices.
