soil and the characteristics important for plant growth sustainable small acreage farming and...
TRANSCRIPT
Soil and the Characteristics Important for Plant Growth
Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching
Slides adapted from the Living on the Land curriculum, University of Nevada-Reno, Sue Donaldson, et al. 2001
What describes a good soil? Drains well
Doesn’t crust after planting
Soaks up heavy rains with little runoff
Stores moisture for drought periods
Has few clods and no hardpan
Resists erosion and nutrient loss
Produces healthy, high quality crops...
What are soils made of?
Minerals Air Water Organic matter (humus)
Water = 20-30%
Air = 20-30%
Mineral Fraction
(sand, silt,clay) = 50%
Organics = 5%
Composition of a loam soil
The Minerals:sand, silt,and clay
OSU Extension Service
The textural triangle
UNCE, Reno, NV
USDA NRCS, Bozeman MT
Simplified textural triangle
Why determine soil texture?
Soil texture influences: Water intake rates Water storage Ease of tillage Amount of aeration Soil fertility
Platy structure Granular structurewww.statlab.iastate.edu/soils/
Soil structure: How particles are grouped
together into stable collections
OSU Extension Service
Soil structure is important to:
Good aeration
Good drainage
Good tilth (easy to work)
OSU Extension Service
Good soil quality has:
Good aeration Good drainage
Good tilth (easy to work) Lots of organic matter Lots of organisms
Balanced percentage of air and water
Soil Organic Matter Consists Of:
Living organisms Dead organisms Plant matter Other
decomposing organic materials
UNCE, Reno, NV
Benefits of Soil Organic Matter Increased water and nutrient-holding
capacity Formation of soil into stable
aggregates Improved water infiltration Diversity of soil organisms – which
results in increased stability of the living soil ecosystem
The soilecosystem
worm
USDA NRCS
How Can I Manage My Soils to Improve Them?
Avoid compaction
Increase the organic matter content
Maintain cover with vegetation
Add organic matter to soil
Manure spreaders make the job of applying manure as an organic
matter amendment easier
OSU Extension Service
OSU Extension Service
Add compost
Till in Cover Crops
OSU Extension Service
Summary of the basics… Soil texture and structure influence the
management of the soil related to water, nutrients, and plant growth.
Organic matter is an important component of healthy soils