Post on 14-Dec-2015
The Soil Resource
Presentation for Harvest Hastings April 10/2014
What do we have?
Bedrock Geology
Glaciation and Subsequent Landforms
Land Use History
What is Soil?
Soil texture
• Texture– % sand, silt, clay
• Field testing– Dry feel test– Ribbon test
Soil texture- in class exercise
• 3 samples
Texture and Soil Moisture
• Soil Moisture– Texture– Depth to water table
• Seasonal• Permanent
• Drainage– Texture– Water Table– Impervious layers
Soil Fertility
• Soil nutrients– Additions
• Fertilizers• Manure• Crops
– Deletions• Leaching• Denitrification• Erosion• Crops/Livestock
Building Soil Fertility
• Nutrient Retention– Cover crops– Crop rotations– Soil organic matter– Soil texture– Nutrient additions
• Organic• Inorganic• Soil pH
Soil Testing
• Soil sampling• What to test for• When
Soil Improvement
• Drainage– Tile drainage
• Why• Cost/benefit
Soil Structure
• What is it?
Improving soil structure
• Organic matter– Cover crops– Manure– fertilizers
• Field timing– Tillage– compaction
• Earthworms and other animals
Compaction
• Soil texture• Soil moisture• Equipment• Correction and
Improvement– Mechanical– Biological
Weed Management
• Weed Resistance• Crop Rotations• Herbicides• Cover crops• Other???
Next: Field visit
Any questions before we head outside?