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Dec 14, 2006 · The consumption and destruction of soils, i.e., the destruction of the surface soil or of the topsoil, is one of the biggest ecological problems of the world. The soil is the basis for food ...
Jul 29, 2015 · Soil is a non-renewable dynamic natural resource that is essential to life. Water movement, water quality, land use, and vegetation productivity all have relationships with soil. This article introduces many important soil concepts including development, classification, properties (physical, chemical, and biological), quality, and conservation.
- Jon E. Schoonover, Jackie F. Crim
- Endoaquoll
- 2015
- Mollisol
Essay may address ANY or ALL of the following: o Why is healthy soil important? o What types of life can be found in the soil? o How do you interact daily with the soil? o What connection does healthy soil have to people? o What can you do to help keep our soil healthy? BE CREATIVE!
- SAMPLE ANALYSIS
- Soil Texture
- Backyards Beyond
- Electrical Conductivity (EC)
- Phosphorus (P)
- Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sodium (Na)
- Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
- Sulfur (S)
- Micronutrients
- SUMMARY
A soil test determines the soil’s nutrient supplying capacity by mixing soil during the analysis with a very strong extracting solution (often an acid or a combination of acids). The soil reacts with the extracting solution, releasing some of the nutrients. As soil supplies most of the mineral nutrition for higher plants through the plant’s root sy...
Soil texture reflects the amounts of various sized particles (sand, silt, and clay) in the soil. Relative amounts of these particles are used to categorize soil into textural classes. Listed generally from most clayey to most sandy these are clay, silty clay, sandy clay, silty clay loam, clay
loam, sandy clay, loam, sandy clay loam, silt, silt loam, sandy loam, loamy sand, and sand. Clayey soils hold more water and nutrients, but are more difficult to till and may absorb water very slowly. Sandier soils accept water quickly, are easy to till, but hold little water and may require frequent irrigation and fertilizer application.
Electrical conductivity (EC) of a soil extract is used to estimate the level of soluble salts. This is one of the most useful soil tests for desert southwest soils because salt buildup is one of the leading causes of poor plant growth. Higher EC equates to saltier soil. The acceptable limit depends on the salt tolerance of the plants grown. EC is a...
Most soil P is tightly bound to soil particles. The P-containing complexes in alkaline soils are very different than those in neutral or acidic soils. The amount of P removed during soil extraction is dependent on the nature of P complexes and on the specific extractant used, so it is critical that P extractants be matched to soil properties. The O...
The four major exchangeable cations in arid-region soils are K, Ca, Mg, and Na. All except Na are essential plant nutrients; however Na is included because it plays an important role in soil physical properties. Sodium levels are expressed as exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) or sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) which are measures of soil Na content...
Cation exchange capacity is usually estimated by summing the major exchangeable cations (K, Ca, Mg, and Na). This provides a measure of a soil’s ability to hold nutrients.
Measuring total soil S does not provide a good estimate of plant available S because S release from OM can not be predicted. Sulfate (SO4-S) is a common test and an accurate measure of sulfur availability, although it provides a better estimate of immediately available S than the soil’s long-term ability to supply S.
Micronutrient analyses are optional at most laboratories and are slightly less accurate for predicting plant deficiencies or responses to added nutrients than are analyses of K, Ca, and Mg. Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn) - It is difficult to estimate plant-available levels of these micronutrients. The tests are best for ident...
As part of a soil analysis the laboratory will usually supply some interpretation, which includes an indication of whether individual soil tests are low, medium, or high. The laboratory may also provide fertilizer recommendations based on the analysis, although these recommendations are plant and soil specific. Routine sampling and analysis can be ...
Feb 14, 2018 · Here we review soil quality and related concepts, in terms of definition, assessment approaches, and indicator selection and interpretation. We identify the most frequently used soil quality...
Why is Soil Important? Soil provides ecosystem services critical for life:soil acts as a water filter and a growing medium; provides habitat for billions of organisms, contributing to biodiversity; and supplies most of the antibiotics used to fight diseases. Humans use soil as a holding facility for solid waste, filter for
Feb 18, 2024 · Soil is the foundation of agriculture. It provides essential nutrients to plants, helping them grow and produce food for humans and animals. Soil hosts a massive range of organisms, from bacteria to insects, contributing to biodiversity. These organisms help break down organic matter, enhancing soil fertility.
