Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Managing Soil to Keep It Managing Soil to Keep It ProductiveProductive
Developed by: Developed by:
Hudson MinshewHudson MinshewOregon State University Extension ServiceOregon State University Extension ServiceSusan DonaldsonSusan DonaldsonUniversity of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionUniversity of Nevada Cooperative Extension
NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Part One: FertilizingPart One: Fertilizing
What do my soil test results mean?
What nutrients do plants need?
How can I supply those nutrients?
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
What kind of information does What kind of information does my soil test report provide?my soil test report provide?
Particle size analysis
Soil organic matter content
pH
Soluble salts
Nutrient contentUSDA NRCS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Particle size analysisParticle size analysisProvides the
relative percentages of sand, silt, and clay
Allows determination of soil textural class
A loamy texture is generally best for most plants NRCS, Bozeman,
Mont.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Soil organic matter (OM)Soil organic matter (OM)Living or dead
plant and animal residue
Measured in %
OM content is highly variable
Generally, 3 to 8 % OM content is good for plants
UNCE, Reno, Nev.
pHpHIndicates relative acidity or alkalinity
pH 7 = neutral; less than pH 7 = acid; more than pH 7 = alkaline or basic
Adapted from library.thinkquest.org by A. Miller
Soil pH Soil pH and and
nutrientsnutrients
Adapted from www.soil.ncsu.edu by A. Miller
Widest part of the bar indicates maximum availability
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
What makes soils acid?What makes soils acid?Acid soils: pH is below 7
Soils become acid due to heavy rainfall that weathers soils quickly
Basic cations such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are leached from the soil profile
This natural weathering process makes soils acid
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Raising the pH of acid soilsRaising the pH of acid soils
Add lime to raise the pH (making soil less acid)
Lime most often consists of calcium carbonate
Plant response will be relatively slow, taking weeks or months
What makes soils alkaline?What makes soils alkaline?Alkaline soils: pH is above 7
Soils that have not been greatly weathered or leached
Soils high in calcium
Reduces solubility of all micronutrients
Adapted from library.thinkquest.org by A. Miller
http://ag.arizona.edu
Example of crop grown in alkaline soil
Adapted from ag.arizona.edu by A. Miller
Soluble saltsSoluble salts
A measure of inorganic chemicals that are more soluble than gypsum, such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate and bicarbonate
Salty soils are a problem in arid regions or in poorly drained soils
USDA NRCS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Classifying salt-affected Classifying salt-affected soilssoils
Electrical conductivity measurements (EC)
Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP)
Salt-affected soils are commonly classified for management purposes into three groups: saline, sodic, and saline-sodic based on EC and ESP
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Managing salt-affected soilsManaging salt-affected soils
Select plants that can tolerate salinity
Avoid excess or salty forms of fertilizers
Incorporate organic matter
If appropriate, add sulfur to lower the pH
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Managing salt-affected soilsManaging salt-affected soils
In soils with good drainage, periodically leach the salts below root zone with high quality irrigation water (avoid if high water table present)
Check with your local Extension office for help
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Plant nutrientsPlant nutrients
Substances necessary for plant growth
Some, such as hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, come from the air and water
Others, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, may need to be added
Excess or improper use of fertilizers may result in water pollution
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
MacronutrientsMacronutrients
N = nitrogen
P = phosphorus
K = potassium
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
More macronutrientsMore macronutrients
H = hydrogen
O = oxygen
C = carbon
Ca = calcium
Mg = magnesium
S = sulfur
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
MicronutrientsMicronutrients
Fe = iron
Mn = manganese
Zn = zinc
B = boron
Mb = molybdenum
Ni = nickel
Cu = copper
Co = cobalt
Cl = chlorine
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Six questions to ask yourself Six questions to ask yourself before you add fertilizerbefore you add fertilizer
1. Which elements do I need? (N, P, K, S, Ca)
2. How much do I apply?
3. What type of material do I use?
4. Which application method is best?
5. When is the best time to apply it?
6. Will I get a return on my investment?
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Types of fertilizersTypes of fertilizersChemical fertilizers
Organic fertilizers (bone meal, compost, manure, etc.)
www.farmphoto.com
What’s in What’s in the bag?the bag?
WAY TO GROW
FERTILIZER
28 – 14 - 5GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Total nitrogen 28% 6% Ammonium nitrogen 14% Urea nitrogenAvailable phosphoric acid 14%
Soluble potash 5%
Derived from sulfur-coated urea,
etc.
Product name
NPK formula
Nitrogen content
Phosphorus content
Potassium content
Specific sources
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
How much fertilizer do I need to How much fertilizer do I need to apply?apply?
Estimate the amount of fertilizer needed based on soil test results, crop needs and area to receive fertilizer
Most fertilizer recommendations are in pounds per 1,000 square feet, or pounds per acre
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Calculating fertilizer ratesCalculating fertilizer rates
X 100Pounds of nutrient recommended Percentage of nutrient in fertilizer
material
To convert a recommendation to pounds/acre of an actual fertilizer material, use the following formula:
Calculating land areaCalculating land area
Length x Width = Area
If the area is oddly shaped or oval, calculate using a regular shape that closely fits the shape of the land to be fertilized
100 ft
200 ft
150 ft
150 ft
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Fertilizing with manuresFertilizing with manuresGood source of
nutrients and organic matter
Protects soil from raindrop impact and erosion
Local supply often available at no cost OSU Extension Service
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Poultry manure is high in nitrogen
Beef and horse manure tends to be lower in nitrogen
Sheep manure is high in potassium
Different sources of manure have Different sources of manure have different amounts of nutrientsdifferent amounts of nutrients
UNCE, Reno, Nev.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Cautions for fertilizing with Cautions for fertilizing with manuresmanures
Watch out for weeds and pathogens
Know the manure nutrient content
Consider the salt content Univ. of Oregon
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Cautions for fertilizing with Cautions for fertilizing with manuresmanures
Incorporate or apply evenly to avoid smothering plants
Don’t apply on frozen slopes
Avoid leaching nutrients into waterways
UNCE, Reno, Nev.
USDA NRCS
Nutrient deficienciesNutrient deficiencies
Visual symptoms of deficiencies: Visual symptoms of deficiencies: NitrogenNitrogen
http://agri.atu.edu
Visual symptoms of deficiencies: Visual symptoms of deficiencies: PhosphorusPhosphorus
http://agri.atu.edu
Visual symptoms of deficiencies: Visual symptoms of deficiencies: PotassiumPotassium
Alfalfa
Corn
http://agri.atu.eduhttp://ipm.iastate.edu
Visual symptoms of deficiencies: Visual symptoms of deficiencies: CalciumCalcium
http://agri.atu.edu
Visual symptoms of deficiencies: Visual symptoms of deficiencies: ZincZinc
http://agri.atu.edu
Visual symptoms Visual symptoms of deficiencies: of deficiencies:
ManganeseManganese
http://agri.atu.edu
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
What we’ve learnedWhat we’ve learned
Use soil test results to guide you in amending your soil
Test results are only as good as the sample you collect
Fertilize to meet plant needs, and avoid costly overuse that may pollute water
Part II: Soil SurveysPart II: Soil Surveys
How to use a soil survey
How to find a map unit
Map unit descriptions
Soil ratings and capabilities
USDA NRCS
Where do soil surveys come from, Where do soil surveys come from, and where can I get one?and where can I get one?
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Why should we use soil surveys?Why should we use soil surveys?
Contain practical information for the landowner
Can prevent management mistake
Help determine the potential of your land
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
How do I use a soil survey?How do I use a soil survey?
Locate your property on the “Index to Map Sheets” page
Note the number of the map sheet
Find that sheet
Locate your property on the map sheet
Make a list of map unit symbols
Soil map unitsSoil map unitsA map unit describes
a soil “type” in the soil survey
“Map-unit descriptions” are found at the beginning of the survey
Soil map units are arranged alphabetically as well as numerically in the soil survey
Soil map unit exampleSoil map unit example
630 Fleischmann gravelly clay loam
Soil textural class is part of map unit name
Number designation
Name given by soil scientists conducting survey
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
What can you do with the number?What can you do with the number?
Determine capabilities and limitations
See “Summary of Tables” in the soil survey for additional data on a specific soil use
For our example soil, can we build a septic absorption field?
See Table 10: Lists a severe limitation due to cemented pan
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
NRCS Web-based soil surveysNRCS Web-based soil surveyshttp://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app
Can search by address, or use the map to zoom in
Steps in using the site:
– Select area of interest (your property)
– View the soil map and learn about the soil properties
– Use soil data explorer for additional information
– Create a custom soil report
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
What does What does all the all the
information information mean?mean?
USDA NRCS
Soil Soil limitationslimitations
NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Suitability ratings
Temperature and precipitation data
Freeze dates and growing season
Productivity
Building site development
Other informationOther information
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Other informationOther information
Suitability for irrigation
Physical and chemical properties (percent OM, pH, permeability, available water capacity)
Soil surveys can differ in the information they provide.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Restrictive featuresRestrictive featuresCemented pan
Droughty
Erodes easily
Flooding
Low strength
Restrictive layer
Shrink-swell potential
UNCE, Reno, Nev.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Capability classesCapability classes
Classes I and II—good farmland with few to moderate limitations
Classes III and IV—severe to very severe limitations for growing crops
Classes V and VI—limitations that are impractical to remove.
Classes VII and VIII—very severe, unsuited for cultivation.
Capability classesCapability classes
USDA NRCS
Land capability and yieldsLand capability and yields
USDA NRCS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
To wrap it up...To wrap it up...
Soil surveys are generated by NRCS scientists
They are available in printed form or on the Web
Soil surveys are useful for determining capabilities and limitations of your soils
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Additional activity:Additional activity:Use the Web soil surveyUse the Web soil survey
Enter an addressEnter an address
Select “Area of Interest”Select “Area of Interest”
Go to “Soil Map”Go to “Soil Map”
Clip “Area of Interest” to property level
Go to “Soil Data Explorer”
Click on “Vegetative Productivity”
Look at “Yields of Irrigated Crops”
Click on “Sanitary Facilities”
Look at “Septic Tank Absorption Fields”
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Generate your custom soil Generate your custom soil resource reportresource report
As you use “Soil Data Explorer” to look at different features, click “Add to Shopping Cart” to add the information to the report
Click on the “Shopping Cart” button to get the report
