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The Living Soil

The Living Soil. A Soil Aggregate: " ped ". How Do We Improve Soil Structure?. By Applying an Aggregation of Knowledge. Aggregates. Macropores. Micropores are within the Aggregates. Aggregated Soil:. SOIL WITH STRUCTURE!. Aggregated Soil. No-Till for 43 years.

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The Living Soil

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  1. The Living Soil A Soil Aggregate: "ped"

  2. How Do We Improve Soil Structure? By Applying an Aggregation of Knowledge

  3. Aggregates Macropores Micropores are within the Aggregates Aggregated Soil: SOIL WITH STRUCTURE!

  4. Aggregated Soil No-Till for 43 years “An agricultural adage says the tiny animals that live below the surface of a healthy pasture weigh more than the cows grazing above it.” -- Carol Williams Tilled for 5 years

  5. Soil Aggregation is a Game Changer!

  6. GRAVITATIONAL WATER 4 (SATURATION) 3 Inches of Water Per ft. of Soil 2 1 Sand Clay Sandy Loam Clay Loam Silt Loam Soil Texture Soil Texture and Water FIELD CAPACITY WATER AVAILABLE TO PLANTS PERMANENT WILTING POINT UNAVAILABLE WATER This is Non-Aggregated Soil

  7. Aggregation, Water Infiltration, and Improved Soil for Plants Water Moist, Well-Drained Soil Water freely infiltrates and drains Aggregates adsorb and hold water Clay Also Holds Onto Nutrients! Aggregated Clay Soil

  8. Soil Compaction

  9. DOWN FORCE Aggregates Macropores Micropores Increase Aggregated Soil: Compacted Soil: Macropores Have Been Eliminated! Micropores SOIL WITH GOOD STRUCTURE! SOIL WITH STRUCTURE DESTROYED!

  10. Macropores Micropores Soil Structure and Soil Pores • Good structure means higher ratio of macropores to micropores • Aggregated soil has more macropores • Compacted soil has fewer macropores Aggregated Soil Compacted Soil Good Soil Structure Poor Soil Structure Macropores Micropores Soil Particles Soil Particles

  11. Water Infiltration: Non-Aggregated and Compacted Clay Soils Non-Aggregated Clay Soil Compacted Soil Water Water Water Runoff Water Runoff Result: Water Runoff, Saturated, Poorly Drained Soil Result: Heavy Water Runoff, Little Water Infiltration Aggregates are crushed, surface crusting forms

  12. How do we Help Soil to Recover from Compaction? Remember: Organic Matters!

  13. Add organic matter Decomposition Reduced soil-borne diseases Pore structure improved Nutrients released Humus and other growth promoting substances Harmful substances detoxified Healthy Plants ORGANIC … MATTERS! Increases biological activity (& diversity) Aggregation increased tilth Improved & water storage

  14. Increases Microorganisms Increases Microbial Glue Increases Soil Aggregates Increases Macropores Improves Soil Structure Take-Home Message: Adding Organic Matter You can recover from damaged soil structure!

  15. CAUTION Beware of Different Types of Organic Matter

  16. Carbon : Nitrogen Ratios A ratio above 30:1 may cause problems with soil nitrogen deficiency

  17. Manure Spreader THIS is the manure spreader!

  18. Compost The Most

  19. Mulch Matters!

  20. Putting It All Together! A “How-To” in Dealing with Soil Problems

  21. Steps in Dealing with Compaction • Avoid the Problem • Identify the True Problem: • A “Compaction-Mimic?” • or True Soil Compaction • Take Action: • Core aeration • Addition of Top Soil / Compost (always mix into existing soil) • Subsoiler • Air Spade® or Air Knife® • Mix Patience with a Long-Term Recovery Plan • Support Microbial Support

  22. Steps in Dealing with Compaction • Avoid the Problem • Identify the True Problem: • A “Compaction-Mimic?” • or True Soil Compaction • Take Action: • Core aeration • Addition of Top Soil / Compost (always mix into existing soil) • Subsoiler • Air Spade® or Air Knife® • Mix Patience with a Long-Term Recovery Plan • Support Microbial Support Caterpillar Tracks!

  23. Turf Tires Avoid Driving on Wet Soil Proper Use of Equipment

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