DOCSLIB.ORG

Building Soil Health: Key to Organic Soil Fertility Management

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Building Soil Health: Key to Organic Soil Fertility Management Building Soil Health: Key to Organic Soil Fertility Management John Idowu Extension Plant Sciences NMSU, Las Cruces Email: [email protected] Phone: 575-646-2571 Difference between Conventional and Organic Soil Fertility Management • Conventional Systems: – The plant/crop is the direct target – Immediate short-term productivity – Environmental conservation in some cases is of secondary concern – Quick fixes for immediate maximum productivity – Same system is repeated yearly to maintain productivity – Not much interest in diversity Difference between Conventional and Organic Soil Fertility Management Organic Systems: • Feed the Soil to Feed the plant – Adding organic materials such as cover crops, crop residues, and composts to cultivated soils over time – This will build soil organic matter and improves the ability of the soil to supply nutrients • Organic soil fertility is highly dependent on Soil Health Organic Soil Management Strategy • The ultimate goal is a healthy, fertile, biologically active soil with improved structure and enhanced nutrient availability. • As soil organic matter increases, nutrients are incorporated into the soil, allowing the soil to act as a reservoir of these and other nutrients. • The decomposition of soil organic matter releases nutrients, at which point they become available for plant uptake. What is Soil Health? • Ability of the soil to support crop growth … (Power & Myers, 1989) • Capacity of the soil to function in a productive and sustained manner … (NCR-59 Madison WI, 1991) • The capability of the soil to produce safe and nutritious crop …. (Parr et al., 1992) • Fitness for use (Pierce & Larson 1993) Approach to Soil Health Soil Health Chemical Biological Physical Components of Soil Health Chemical Fertility Physical Fertility Biological Fertility Soil Health Indicators • Bulk density • Cation exchange • Penetration capacity resistance • N, P, K • Aggregate stability Physical Chemical • Salinity • Water infiltration • Micronutrients rate • [Toxins, pollutants] • Water holding capacity • Pore size distribution Biological • Soil disease suppressive • Decomposition rate capacity • Respiration rate • Beneficial and pathogenic • Earthworm counts nematodes, [other pathogens] • % OM • “Active” C, N in OM • N mineralization rate (PMN) Physical Issues • Soil Texture – Relative distribution of Sand, Silt and Clay • Soil Structure/Agregation – how well the soil binds together • Soil Density – how tightly the soil is packed together Soil Texture = %Sand, Silt & Clay in a soil • Soil texture is the single most important physical property of the soil. Knowing the soil texture alone will provide information about: 1) Water flow 2) Water holding capacity 3) Fertility potential 4) Suitability for different crops Soil Structure • The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates of different shapes and size – How is the distribution of aggregates? – How stable are the aggregates? – How is the configuration of the pores? Aggregation Affects .Soil erosion by water and wind .Pore size distribution (water movement/retention) .Drought tolerance of soils .Root growth and proliferation .Soil aeration Factors Affecting Aggregate Stability • Clay content • Chemical elements associated with the clay • Products of decomposition or organic matter • Microbial population Aggregation as a function of soil management Soil Density Affects .Water movement .Water holding capacity .Root growth and proliferation .Soil aeration Root Growth and Compaction Definition: The resistance of a soil to root growth Affected by Density of Soil: Low Bulk Density and high porosity make soil easy to penetrate Compacted Soil Deep Loose Soil Roots in loose or compacted soil Compaction Assessment PENETROMETER can be used to identify compaction layer in the soil - Take measurements when the soil is at field capacity Quick and Cheap Assessment DIG with a shovel Solving Compaction Problem? Very difficult task Method 1 Soil loosening with tillage equipment OR Manual digging in a small garden • Require a lot of energy to achieve • Does not bring the soil totally to pre-compacted state Method 2 • Use deep rooted crops to loosen the compact layer, examples: alfalfa, forage radish, • Takes more time to become effective Best is to combine both methods Tillage Radish – Biodrilling Biological aspects of soil health –Diversity of Flora and Fauna –Soil Microbial Activity –Organic Matter Decomposition –Amount Soil Organic Matter –Soil Borne Pathogens Soil Organisms • Those we can see with our eyes • Earthworms • Insects • Burrowing animals • Those we cannot see with our eyes • Bacteria • Fungi • Actinomycetes • Nematodes • Protozoa Location of microbes in Soil • Mostly in top inch • Almost all in top 6 inches • Rhizosphere – Zones close to the roots – Region of intense activity – Stimulus: Secretions from roots Root exudates (including other losses) can account for 10 to 33% of the net plant photosynthetic product. Soil Microorganisms Organisms that we cannot see with our eyes (Micro means “very small”) • Bacteria (Often Single Cell) • Fungi (Often Long Filaments or Hyphae) • Actinomycetes (Properties of Both) Bacteria • Bacteria are very tiny, one-celled organisms that aren't plants or animals. • They are much simpler than plants and animals. • They can be shaped like a grain of rice or have other shapes. Nitrogen Fixation in Legumes (making nitrogen available to crops) Examples of legumes are alfalfa, clovers, beans Bacteria that make nitrate in plant roots with plants are called Rhizobium Nodules Nitrogen come from the soil air (79% N2 in soil) It is a relationship of give and take (Symbiosis) Root Plants supply bacteria with food and bacteria gives back nitrate to plants Can fix up to 300 kg/ha N Sesbania Nodules (Grown as (270Ibs/ac N) in a year summer green manure in Las Cruces) Mineralization: Breakdown of Organic Matter • Organic materials are full of nutrients that can help crops grow in the field. Example of such nutrients include: – Nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur • Example of organic materials are: – Cow manure, dead leaves and plant residue, compost, chicken manure, etc. • Mineralization is the release of these nutrients in forms that growing crops can use How does soil mineralization happen? As the microbes feed on soil organic matter, nutrients are released Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and others) NO3 K Mg Ca S P Small and large animals (earthworms, bugs, nematodes) Fertile soil with nutrients will produce good crops Decomposition of OM dependent on . Temperature (Low in winter high in summer) . Moisture (problems – too dry or too wet) . Food Supply (Amount of Organic Matter) . Oxygen (problem – low O2) . C:N Ratio (next slide) Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio Material C:N Ratio Wood chips 700:1 Less N available Sawdust or pellets 500:1 700 units of Carbon to 1 unit of Nitrogen Paper 170:1 Straw, wheat 130:1 Bark 100:1 Straw, oat 80:1 Leaves 60:1 Cornstalks 60:1 Peanut hulls 50:1 30 units of Carbon to 1 unit of Nitrogen IDEAL RATIO 30:1 More N available Fruit waste 35:1 Legume grass hay 25:1 Grass clippings 19: Poultry house litter, stockpiled 15:1 Yard waste 14:1 Fresh manure, cattle 8:1 Fresh manure, swine 6:1 Fresh manure, poultry 6:1 Fungi • Fungi are primitive plants that don't have chlorophyll (they can’t make their food from the sun) • The multiply with thread-like structures called Hypha • They are mostly saprophytes – secrete enzymes for digestion before uptake • Tolerant of acidity • Important decomposer of lignin (hard to decompose part of plants) Fungal Association • Some types of beneficial fungi that can grow on plant roots are called Mycorrhizae • Mycorrhizae fungi have many filaments that are like thin hairs around the roots Benefits of Mycorrhizae • Mycorrhizae fungi helps the plant get food (nutrients) and water from the soil • The plant makes carbohydrates and gives some to the mycorrhizae fungi for energy. • The fungi help the plant and the plant helps the fungi Positive Roles of Microbes • Mineralization (making nutrient available from organic matter) • Nitrogen fixation (making nitrates available from Nitrogen in soil) • Aggregate stabilization (making soil structure better) • Predation on pests and pathogens (making soil able to resist diseases) Negative Roles of Microbes ×Immobilization: (making nutrients unavailable to crops) ×Denitrification: (removing nitrates from the soil and converting it back to nitrogen air) ×Pathogens: (microorganisms can attack plants making them less productive) Other important soil organisms Nematodes: Not all of them are bad! • Worms that are microscopic in size • Most abundant soil animal • Involved with nutrient cycling (Beneficials) • Live in water films surrounding soil particles or in plant roots • Encyst in dry soil and repopulate when conditions are favorable • Parasitic nematodes have stylet and are more mobile than beneficials • Upon infection of host plants the react by forming galls, knots or deformed roots. Other Soil Animals • Nematodes • Springtails • Mites • Insects • Earthworms Earthworms • They eat dead plants and break them down for microbes • They mix the soil by moving materials form the surface down into the soil and this helps nutrient distribution • They help water to flow through the soil • They help soil to form better structure • Their channels allow roots to grow well into the soil Soil Organic Matter – Driver of Soil Health • Percentage small (often <5%) but has very great effect on soil productivity – Food for soil organisms – Influence physical, chemical and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Non-Timber Forest Products
    Agrodok 39 Non-timber forest products the value of wild plants Tinde van Andel This publication is sponsored by: ICCO, SNV and Tropenbos International © Agromisa Foundation and CTA, Wageningen, 2006. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, photocopy, microfilm or any other means, without written permission from the publisher. First edition: 2006 Author: Tinde van Andel Illustrator: Bertha Valois V. Design: Eva Kok Translation: Ninette de Zylva (editing) Printed by: Digigrafi, Wageningen, the Netherlands ISBN Agromisa: 90-8573-027-9 ISBN CTA: 92-9081-327-X Foreword Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are wild plant and animal pro- ducts harvested from forests, such as wild fruits, vegetables, nuts, edi- ble roots, honey, palm leaves, medicinal plants, poisons and bush meat. Millions of people – especially those living in rural areas in de- veloping countries – collect these products daily, and many regard selling them as a means of earning a living. This Agrodok presents an overview of the major commercial wild plant products from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. It explains their significance in traditional health care, social and ritual values, and forest conservation. It is designed to serve as a useful source of basic information for local forest dependent communities, especially those who harvest, process and market these products. We also hope that this Agrodok will help arouse the awareness of the potential of NTFPs among development organisations, local NGOs, government officials at local and regional level, and extension workers assisting local communities. Case studies from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Central and South Africa, the Pacific, Colombia and Suriname have been used to help illustrate the various important aspects of commercial NTFP harvesting.
    [Show full text]
  • BEYOND the STATUS QUO: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report
    BEYOND THE STATUS QUO: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report LAKE ST. CROIX TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . 4 Health Equity and Water. 5 GOAL #1: Manage Water Resources to Meet Increasing Demands . .6 GOAL #2: Manage Our Built Environment to Protect Water . 14 GOAL #3: Increase and Maintain Living Cover Across Watersheds .. 20 GOAL #4: Ensure We Are Resilient to Extreme Rainfall . .28 Legislative Charge The Environmental Quality Board is mandated to produce a five year water Contaminants of Emerging Concern . .34 policy report pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 103A .204 and 103A .43 . Minnesota’s Water Technology Industry . 36 This report was prepared by the Environmental Quality Board with the Board More Information . .43 of Water and Soil Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Department of Health, Department Appendices available online: of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, • 2015 Groundwater Monitoring Status Report and Pollution Control Agency . • Five-Year Assessment of Water Quality Degradation Trends and Prevention Efforts Edited by Mary Hoff • Minnesota’s Water Industry Economic Profile Graphic Design by Paula Bohte • The Agricultural BMP Handbook for Minnesota The total cost of preparing this report was $76,000 • Water Availability Assessment Report 2 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Minnesota is home to more than 10,000 lakes, 100,000 miles of rivers and streams, and abundant groundwater resources. However, many of these waters are not clean enough. In 2015, we took a major step toward improving our water by enacting a law that protects water quality by requiring buffers on more than 100,000 acres of land adjacent to water.
    [Show full text]
  • Gender and Non-Timber Forest Products
    Gender and non-timber forest products Promoting food security and economic empowerment Marilyn Carr, international consultant on gender, technology, rural enterprise and poverty reduction, prepared this paper in collaboration with Maria Hartl, technical adviser for gender and social equity in the IFAD Technical Advisory Division. Other staff members of the IFAD Technical Advisory Division contributing to the paper included: Annina Lubbock, senior technical adviser for gender and poverty targeting, Sheila Mwanundu, senior technical adviser for environment and natural resource management, and Ilaria Firmian, associate technical adviser for environment and natural resource management. The following people reviewed the content: Rama Rao and Bhargavi Motukuri (International Network for Bamboo and Rattan), Kate Schreckenberg (Overseas Development Institute), Nazneen Kanji (Aga Khan Development Network), Sophie Grouwels (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and Stephen Biggs (School of Development Studies, University of East Anglia). The opinions expressed in this book are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IFAD concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The designations ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries are intended for statistical convenience and do not necessarily express a judgement about the stage reached by a particular country or area in the development process. Cover: Women make panels and carpets from braided coconut leaves at this production unit near Naickenkottai, India.
    [Show full text]
  • Irrigation Management Effects on Soil Fertility and Environmental Impacts
    Irrigation Management Effects on Soil Fertility and Environmental Impacts Mike Cahn, Irrigation and Water Resources Advisor, UCCE Monterey Water Management Needs to be Factored into Soil Fertility Management Costly to build up soil fertility in organic systems Poor water management can lead to loss of nutrients (mostly N and P) Potential water quality impairments from sediment and nutrients in run-off and leachate from organic fields Organic Liquid Fertilizers* (0.1 – 7% N) Activate, Micronized Fertall Liquid Iron Aqua Power Liquid Fish Fertall Liquid MB Azomite Fertall Liquid Zinc Biolink Organic 0/5/5 HFPC Hydrolyzed Fish Powder Biolink Organic 5/5/5 Maxicrop Kelp Extract Biolink•5-1-1 Organic liquidMicronutrients costs $9.6Micro Hume per lb of N Cranford's Micronized Compost Micro Phos Diamond•13-0-0 K Solution dry grade Gypsumcosts $4 Multi-Ke-Min per lb of N Earth Juice Bloom 0/3/1 Neptune's Harvest Liquid Fish Earth Juice Catalyst Nutra Min Earth Juice Grow 2/1/1 Omega 1/5/5 Eco-Hydro•A substantial fish Liquid amountOmega 6/6/6of the N Eco-Nereo Kelp and Humic Acids Phytamin 800 Eco-Polycould 21 mciro be Shrimp in mineralSolubor form Boron (12-50%) Feather Tea Sulfate of Potash, Diamond K Soluble Fertall Liquid Chelate Calcium *Organic Material Research Institute, National Organic Program Compost sources of Nitrogen • $1.5 - $2 per lb of N (1.4% N product) Cover Crops as a Source of Nitrogen •100 – 150 lb of N/acre in above ground Biomass •Production costs of $150 – $200/acre for a winter cover crop •$1-2 per lb of Nitrogen •Roughly
    [Show full text]
  • The Soil Fertility and Drainage Indexes: 2 United States Forest Service, Fort Collins, CO Taxonomically Based, Ordinal Estimates of Relative Soil Properties Bradley A
    1 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI The Soil Fertility and Drainage Indexes: 2 United States Forest Service, Fort Collins, CO taxonomically based, ordinal estimates of relative soil properties Bradley A. Miller1, Randall J. Schaetzl1, Frank Krist Jr.2 Validation of the Soil Fertility Index Among other validation approaches with different data sets, 2009 crop yield data for 11 Midwestern states were used to evaluate the FI. In a GIS, we determined the soils and crops in particular fields, and thus were able to ascertain the mean FI value per soil, per crop, per county. These crop specific, mean, county level FI values were then compared with the county yield values reported by USDA-NASS. Statewide summaries of these data produced correlations among yields of specific crops and FI values that were all positive. Below are selected examples. Illinois Crop Rs value Corn 0.73 Soybeans 0.75 Winter Wheat 0.78 Minnesota Crop Rs value Corn 0.29 Soybeans 0.23 Oats 0.80 Sugar Beets 0.24 Low Soil Fertility Index Soil Drainage Index This poster introduces a new, ordinally based, Soil Fertility Index (FI). The above map shows the FI for the lower 48 states. The FI uses family-level The map above shows the natural, inherent, soil wetness of the lower 48 states, as determined by the ordinally based Soil Taxonomy information, i.e., interpretations of taxonomic features or properties that tend to be associated with natural low or high soil Natural Soil Drainage Index (DI). The DI is intended to reflect the amount of water that a soil can supply to growing plants under Wisconsin fertility, to rank soils from 0 (least fertile) to 19 (most fertile).
    [Show full text]
  • Soil Quality Characteristics As Affected by Continuous Rice Cultivation
    agriculture Article Soil Quality Characteristics as Affected by Continuous Rice Cultivation and Changes in Cropping Systems in South China Xiangning Ren 1,2,3, Feixiang Chen 1,2,3, Tao Ma 1,2 and Yueming Hu 1,2,3,4,* 1 College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; [email protected] (X.R.); [email protected] (F.C.); [email protected] (T.M.) 2 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Land Use and Consolidation, Guangzhou 510642, China 3 South China Academy of Natural Resources Science and Technology, Guangzhou 510610, China 4 State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +86-186-8888-2020; Fax: +86-20-8528-3140 Received: 12 August 2020; Accepted: 23 September 2020; Published: 30 September 2020 Abstract: This study was conducted to elucidate how changes in critical soil quality characteristics relate to continuous rice cultivation and changes in cropping systems and fertilization in South China over the time span 1980 to 2017. Soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP) and potassium (AK) were determined for the samples taken in 2017 and compared to results from the paired samples collected in 1980 by grouping all samples into four cropping systems: continuous paddy fields, new paddy fields developed from uplands, continuous uplands, and new uplands developed from paddy soils. The results show a significant increase in soil pH, AP and AK in all cropping systems, which was, however, coupled with low fertilizer use efficiency.
    [Show full text]
  • Soil Ph and Soil Fertility
    Soil pH and Soil Fertility Dave Wilson Research Agronomist March 7, 2013 Environmental factors influencing plant growth – Which can we manage? 1. Temperature 2. Moisture Supply 3. Radiant Energy (Sunlight: quality, intensity & duration) 4. Composition of the atmosphere 5. Gas content of the soil 6. Soil reaction (Soil pH) Degree of acidity or alkalinity 7. Biotic factors (Plant variety type- genetics, soil biology) 8. Supply of mineral nutrient elements What is pH? • pH can be viewed as an abbreviation for Power of concentration of Hydrogen ion in solution • pH = - [log (H+)] in solution, The pH of a soil is a measure of hydrogen ion activity or concentration ([H+]) in the soil solution. Impact of soil PH changes As the H+ activity increases, soil pH decreases. As the soil pH decreases, most desirable crop nutrients become less available while others, often undesirable, become more available and can reach toxic levels. Total pH scale: 0 ------------------------------ 7 -------------------------------- 14 Acid Neutral Basic or Alkaline The relative availability of Nutrients as a function of pH Color coded chart of relative nutrient availability with change in pH. The darker the blue the more available the nutrient Logarithmic Scale of pH Total pH scale: 10x 0 ---1----2----3----4-----5-----6----- 7 -----8-----9----10-----11-----12-----13--- 14 100x Acid Neutral Basic or Alkaline • Hydrogen activity is mathematically expressed as a negative logarithm: • pH = -log[H+]. Because of the logarithmic scale, one unit decrease in pH implies a 10
    [Show full text]
  • Appendices Soil Quality/Soil Health Cards
    Appendices Appendices v Soil Quality/Soil Health Cards 1. Willamette Valley Soil Quality Card 2. Maryland Soil Quality Assessment Book v Readings (not included in Web version) 1. Farmer/Scientist Focus Sessions: A How-to Guide (1993). D. McGrath, L.S. Lev, H. Murray, R.D. William. Oregon State University Extension Service, EM 8554. 2. How Farmers Assess Soil Health and Quality (1995). D.E. Romig, M.J. Garlynd, R.F. Harris, K. McSweeney. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 50(3): 229- 236. 3. The Changing Concept of Soil Quality (1995). B.P. Warkentin. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 50(3): 226-228 Permission for reprints in this guide was obtained from authors and publishers. v NRCS State Technical Notes 1. Maryland Soil Quality Assessment Book Technical Note 2. NRCS State Technical Note: Oregon Soil Quality Cards v Soil Quality Card User Guide (not included in Web version) Sample of the Willamette Valley Soil Quality Card Guide (1998). J. Burket et al. Oregon State University Extension Service, EM 8710. (Contact OSUES at: http://osu.orst.edu/extension/, or by faxing 541-737-0817.) v Take-home Training Materials Materials provided to (and added to the Guide by) participants in training sessions. 104 Soil Quality Card Design Guide Willamette Valley Soil Quality Assessment Card The Willamette Valley Soil Quality Assessment Card is a standard paper size (8.5” x 11”) pad, which includes user instructions, an assessment calendar, and multiple soil assessment cards (printed on Rite- in-the-Rain paper). The card was also produced as a fold-out brochure for convenient display and distribution.
    [Show full text]
  • Soils – Fundamental Concepts
    NRCS Soil: Fundamental Concepts Scoop on Soil Educational CD May 2006 Soils – Fundamental Concepts The Soil In Perspective: A fundamental knowledge of soil science is a prerequisite to meeting the many natural resource challenges that will face humanity in the 21st Century. It is also true that the study of soils can be both fascinating and intellectually satisfying. It is in the soils that we are able to observe all of the principles of biology, chemistry, and physics at work. It is the understanding of these principles which enables us to minimize the degradation and destruction of one of our most important natural resources. Much of our life’s activities and pursuits are related to and influenced by the behavior of the soil around our houses, roads, septic and sewage disposal systems, airports, parks, farms, forests, schools, and shopping centers. It is essential that conservation professionals understand the soils on which we build and design and work. In any field of natural resources, it is important to understand the soil properties which impact the application of technology as we use it to preserve and protect our most basic natural resource, our soils. Soil Defined: We have several definitions of soil depending on the discipline providing the definition: Geologic definition – loose surface of the earth as distinguished from solid bedrock. (Support of plant life not required) Traditional definition – material which nourishes and supports growing plants. (Includes rocks, water, snow, and even air – all of which are capable of supporting plant life) Component definition – mixture of mineral matter, organic matter, water and air.
    [Show full text]
  • Soil Science 1
    Soil Science 1 Soil Chemistry and Plant Nutrition: Nutrient cycling; nutrient recovery from wastewater; molecular visualization of soil minerals SOIL SCIENCE and molecules; soil acidification. The Department of Soil Science provides undergraduate and graduate Professor William Bleam education in the environmental, agricultural, and natural resource Surface and Colloid Chemistry: Physical chemistry of soil aspects of soils. Areas of emphasis include soil ecology; soil erosion colloids and sorption processes, chemistry of humic substances, management; soil fertility and plant nutrition; soil physical and chemical factors controlling biological availability of contaminants to characterization; biogeochemistry; urban soils; soil carbon; soil health; microorganisms, magnetic resonance and synchrotron studies of soil contaminants; waste management; pedology; and land-use analysis. adsorption and precipitation. Soils are a critical natural resource in environmental protection, food Assistant Professor Zachary Freedman and fiber production, turf and grounds management, rural and urban planning, and waste disposal. All of these facets are integrated into the Soil microbiology, ecology and sustainability: Effects of environmental department's course offerings and research programs. Soil Science change on biogeochemical cycles; community ecology and trophic majors prepare for professional, technical, consulting, and project dynamics; forest soil ecology; soil organic matter dynamics; sustainable positions in environmental sciences, ecology and restoration, crop and agroecosystems; bio-based product crop production on marginal lands. timber production, soil informatics, soil conservation, environmental pollution control, turf and grounds management, and land-use planning. Professor Alfred Hartemink Please contact the department for further information on career Pedology and Digital Soil Mapping: Pedology, soil carbon; digital soil opportunities. mapping; tropical soils; history and philosophy of soil science.
    [Show full text]
  • The Soil Story Curricular Guide
    THE SOIL STORY CURRICULUM Rebuilding Healthy Soil for Carbon Cycle Balance Earth’s Systems Photosynthesis Healthy Soil Lead Authors: Whitney Cohen | Education Director, Life Lab Food & Farming Carrie Strohl, PhD | Educational Consultant Taking Action Contributors: Annie Martin | Business Program, Kiss the Ground Arlae Castellanos | Sustainability Tracking Program Manager, Green Schools Alliance Craig Macmillan, PhD | Technical Program Manager, Vinyard Team Didi Pershouse | Director, Learning Resources Don Smith | Storytelling Team, Kiss the Ground Emily Harris, PhD | Research Scientist, BSCS Science Learning Finian Makepeace | Co-Founder, Kiss the Ground Ilana Lowe | 5th Grade Lead Science Teacher, Main Street Elementary Jessica Handy, RDN | Education Program, Kiss the Ground Karen Rodriguez | Former Operations Manager, Kiss the Ground A Middle School Lauren Tucker | Executive Director, Kiss the Ground Curriculum by Leslie Rogers | Director of Education, Atlas Organics Liz Henry | Senior Consultant, Crecer Strategies Markos Major | Director, Climate Action Now Paul Hawken | Author and Environmentalist Designer: Michelle Uyeda | Graphic Designer, Kiss the Ground + Thank you to our sponsors: About 1 THE SOIL STORY CURRICULAR GUIDE The Soil Story Curricular Guide was created through a collaborative partnership between Kiss the Ground and Life Lab. It serves as a supplemental material for teaching middle schoolers Next Generation Science Standards. Kiss the Ground (KTG) is a nonprofit with a mission to inspire participation in the regeneration of the planet, beginning with soil. The organization creates educational curriculum, campaigns, and media to raise awareness and empower individuals to purchase food that supports health soils and a balanced climate. KTG also works with farmers, educators, non government organizations, scientists, students, and policymakers to advocate for regenerative agriculture, raise funds to train farmers, and help brands and businesses to invest in healthy soils.
    [Show full text]
  • Soil-Fertility Standards for Growing Northern Hardwoods in Forest Nurseries '
    SOIL-FERTILITY STANDARDS FOR GROWING NORTHERN HARDWOODS IN FOREST NURSERIES ' By S. A. Wilde, associate professor of soils, and W. E. PATZER, Wisconsin Agricul- tural Experiment Station 2 INTRODUCTION This paper is supplemental to a previous report dealing with soil- fertility standards for growing northern conifers in forest nurseries (9).^ The general principles and technique therein outlined were followed in the present study. The fertility standards for growing northern hardwoods in forest nurseries were arrived at by analysis of soils from normally developed productive stands that included the following species: Yellow birch (Betula lutea Michx. f.), hard maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), basswood (Tilia americana L.), American elm (Ulmus americana L.), and white ash {Fraxinus americana L.). No attempt was made in the present study to estabhsh fertility standards for the heavy-seeded species, such as oak, hickory, and walnut. During their first growing season such trees feed to a large extent on nutrients of the seed, and are less dependent upon the soil- fertility level. DESCRIPTION OF AREAS SAMPLED As a general rule, northern hardwoods occur in nature as associates of various forest types, namely, hemlock, yellow birch, maple; maple, basswood, elm; oak, maple, ash; oak, ash, hickory, and so forth. De- pending on circumstances, the soil sampling was applied to the entire forest type or to local groups of the species studied. The total number of sampled areas was limited to 200. However, great care was exercised in the selection of localities; stands affected by logging, pasturing, or fire, as well as those young6>r than 100 years, were rejected.
    [Show full text]