About this episode

John Kempf answers grower-submitted questions on various agricultural challenges.

In this Podcast Extra, Join John as he answers a wide range of grower-submitted questions covering challenges in agriculture. The discussion focuses on managing high summer leaf temperatures, optimizing organic nitrogen budgets, and navigating severe base saturation imbalances. John emphasizes the critical connection between precise crop nutrition, active soil biology, and the natural suppression of destructive diseases and pests. Other topics discussed include: Distinguishing between air temperature and leaf temperature, highlighting how a healthy wax lipid layer lowers a plant's canopy temperature by 8 to 10 degrees. Managing the photorespiration process in C3 and C4 plants to prevent protein degradation and the buildup of high ammonium levels. Utilizing trace amounts of nickel (3 to 10 grams per acre) as an essential enzyme cofactor to rapidly lower ammonium in plant sap. Applying Rejuvenate as a foliar tool to provide stressed crops with carbohydrates, enzymes, and high-energy compounds. Addressing low magnesium and potassium in soils with extreme calcium base saturation using targeted applications. Citing historical 1960s data on fire blight indicating the disease cannot…

People in this episode

Host: John Kempf

Topics covered

• crop nutrition
• soil biology
• disease suppression
• agriculture challenges
• leaf temperature management
• nutrient optimization

Keywords

• high summer leaf temperatures
• organic nitrogen budgets
• base saturation imbalances
• photorespiration
• ammonium levels
• molybdenum requirement
• fire blight
• micronutrients

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Rejuvenate, Rebound, Holo-K, SeaShield, SeaStim

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• Episode 182: Reclaiming Independence from Corporate Meat with Cole Mannix · June 12, 2026 · 1h 3m
• Episode 181: Plant Immunity Through Custom Foliars and Targeted Nutrition with Peter Henry · June 5, 2026 · 1h 11m
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