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Module 2: Your Living Soil

Module 2: Your Living Soil. Soils Soil Quality Fertilizing Soil Surveys Irrigation. NRCS. Getting Down and Dirty With Soil. Developed by : Hudson Minshew, Oregon State University Extension Service Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. USDA NRCS. Lesson 1 Agenda.

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Module 2: Your Living Soil

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  1. Module 2: Your Living Soil • Soils • Soil Quality • Fertilizing • Soil Surveys • Irrigation NRCS

  2. Getting Down and Dirty With Soil Developed by : Hudson Minshew, Oregon State University Extension Service Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension USDA NRCS

  3. Lesson 1 Agenda • Soil texture and structure • The living soil • Understanding soil erosion • Reducing soil erosion • Improving your soil • Taking a soil sample NRCS, Mont.

  4. 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

  5. How are soils formed? A. Miller

  6. What are soils made of? • Minerals • Air • Water • Organic matter (humus) www.statlab.iastate.edu

  7. Soil minerals A. Miller

  8. The soil textural triangle A. Miller

  9. Textural trianglefor the graphically challenged NRCS, Bozeman Mont.

  10. Texture by feel: Sand Adapted from NRCS, Bozeman Mont. by A. Miller

  11. Why determine soil texture? Soil texture influences: • Water intake rates • Water-storage capacity • Ease of tillage • Amount of aeration • Soil fertility

  12. Soil texture affects drainage In this experiment, an equal amount of water was applied to three soil types. NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.

  13. worm USDA NRCS

  14. Benefits of soil organic matter • Increased water- and nutrient-holding capacity • Formation of soil into stable aggregates • Reduced soil compaction • Improved water infiltration

  15. What threatens my soil? NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.

  16. Signs of water erosion • Small rills and channels on the soil surface • Soil deposited at the base of slopes • Sediment in streams, lakes, and reservoirs • Pedestals of soil supporting pebbles and plant materials

  17. Soil quality • An assessment of the capacity of a soil to: • Sustain plant and animal productivity • Maintain or enhance water and air quality • Support human health and habitation

  18. Page 12

  19. How do I know what to add to my soil??? A. Miller

  20. Test your soil! Use the “slice” method for a representative sample. UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  21. Managing Soil to Keep It Productive Developed by: Hudson Minshew Oregon State University Extension Service Susan Donaldson University of Nevada Cooperative Extension NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.

  22. Lesson 2, Part 1: Fertilizing • What do my soil test results mean? • What nutrients do plants need? • How can I supply those nutrients?

  23. pH • Indicates 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

  24. Soil pH and nutrients Adapted from www.soil.ncsu.edu by A. Miller Widest part of the bar indicates maximum availability

  25. Classifying salt-affected soils • 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

  26. Plant 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

  27. N = nitrogen P = phosphorus K = potassium H = hydrogen O = oxygen C = carbon Ca = calcium Mg = magnesium S = sulfur Macronutrients

  28. Fe = iron Mn = manganese Zn = zinc B = boron Mb = molybdenum Ni = nickel Cu = copper Co = cobalt Cl = chlorine Micronutrients

  29. Page 8

  30. WAY TO GROW FERTILIZER 28 – 14 - 5 Product name GUARANTEED ANALYSIS NPK formula Total nitrogen 28% 6% Ammonium nitrogen Nitrogen content 14% Urea nitrogen 14% Phosphorus content Available phosphoric acid Soluble potash 5% Potassium content Specific sources Derived from sulfur-coated urea, etc. What’s in the bag?

  31. X 100 Pounds of nutrient recommended Percentage of nutrient in fertilizer material Calculating fertilizer rates To convert a recommendation to pounds/acre of an actual fertilizer material, use the following formula:

  32. Nutrient deficiencies USDA NRCS

  33. Lesson 2, Part 2: Soil Surveys • How to use a soil survey • How to find a map unit • Map unit descriptions • Soil ratings and capabilities

  34. http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov

  35. 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

  36. Soil map unit example 630 Fleischmann gravelly clay loam Name given by soil scientists conducting survey Number designation Soil textural class is part of map unit name

  37. Soil limitations NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.

  38. Suitability ratings Temperature and precipitation data Freeze dates and growing season Productivity Building site development Other information:

  39. Capability classes USDA NRCS

  40. Got Water? Developed by: Hud Minshew, Oregon State University Extension Service Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  41. Lesson 3 Agenda • Sources of irrigation water: surface versus well water • Matching available water to soils and plants • Determining when it’s time to irrigate • Irrigation systems

  42. Where will you get your water? • Do you have a water right? • Where will your water come from? • When or how often will you get your water? www.farmphoto.com

  43. Things to know before you start to irrigate: • What plants do you want to grow? • Do you have enough available water to support the plants? • Are your soils appropriate for growing the plants you selected? UNCE, Reno, Nev.

  44. Where do plants get their water from in the root zone? Adapted from PNW 475 by A. Miller

  45. Soil texture and drainage A. Miller

  46. Available water OSU Extension Service

  47. Available water A. Miller

  48. When is it time to irrigate? • Rule of thumb: when the amount of water-holding capacity is at 50 % -- but that’s hard to tell! • If your plants are showing signs of stress, irrigation is overdue • Look for wilting or grasses that don’t spring back up when stepped on

  49. The Look-and-feel Method USDA NRCS

  50. Look-and-feel method Clay, clay loam or silty clay loam at 25 to 50% moisture Clay, clay loam or silty clay loam at 50 to 75% moisture Irrigation is overdue. Will need to irrigate soon. USDA NRCS

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