what makes soil good
DESCRIPTION
What Makes Soil Good. Analysis of soils assists an agricultural land brokerage professional estimate the economic potential of the land. 3-1. Objectives. Identify macro and micro nutrients in soil Soil texture, structure, and consistence Identify horizons in soil profiles - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
What Makes Soil GoodWhat Makes Soil Good
Analysis of soils assists an agricultural
land brokerage professional estimate
the economic potential of the land
3-1
ObjectivesObjectives
Identify macro and micro nutrients in soil
Soil texture, structure, and consistence
Identify horizons in soil profiles
NCRS capability classification system
Resources to analyze agricultural property
3-2
Important Concepts for Soils Analysis
Important Concepts for Soils Analysis
Four major components of soil
Mineral components develop from parent material
Organic matter
Ingredients that make soil solution
Biological Activity
Plants draw six macronutrients from soil3-3
Important Concepts of Soils Analysis (cont.)
Important Concepts of Soils Analysis (cont.)
Trace elements or micronutrients
N-P-K designation for fertilizer
Soil deficiencies develop from shortages
Characteristics of soils
Texture depends on individual particles
Structure groups soil textures3-4
Establishing Soil TextureEstablishing Soil Texture
Coarse soils - loose and very friable Moderately coarse soils - hold together when
moist Medium soils - feel velvety Moderately fine soils - form clods Fine soils - form hard clods
3-5
Soil StructuresSoil Structures
Four distinct structures
Platy soils - flat plate-like soil
Prismlike - flat and well defined
Blocklike - six-sided blocks of aggregate
Spheroidal - granular and round
3-6
ConsistenceConsistence
Loose - noncoherent
Very friable - crush under very gentle pressure
Friable - crush under gentle pressure
Firm - crushed with moderate pressure
Very firm - requires strong pressure
Extremely firm - resists crushing3-7
Group Activity 3-1Group Activity 3-1
3-8
AcidityAcidity
Critical to agricultural activities
Calcium deficiency contributes
Measured by pH level
7 is neutral
Most crops prosper with 6.5 to 7 pH
3-9
Soil DepthSoil Depth
3-10
SlopeSlope
3-11
ErosionErosion
3-12
HorizonsHorizons
Layers determine the characteristics Four major horizons O horizons A horizons B horizons C horizons
3-13
Understanding Soil SurveysUnderstanding Soil Surveys
NRCS System of eight capability classes Suitability of soil for cultivation Classes based on limitations NRCS system includes several subclasses NRCS publishes surveys at the county level
3-14
Soil ClassesSoil Classes
Class I - most desirable Class II - have some limitations Class III - permanent limitations Class IV - marginally suited to cultivation Class V - fewer erosion hazards Class VI - similar restrictions to class IV Class VII - similar to limitations of Class VI Class VIII - cannot be used
3-15
Factors limiting Soil Productivity
Factors limiting Soil Productivity
3-16
Factors limiting Soil Productivity (cont..)
Factors limiting Soil Productivity (cont..)
3-17
Factors limiting Soil Productivity (cont.)
Factors limiting Soil Productivity (cont.)
3-18
Soil Surveys ContentsSoil Surveys Contents
Soil Map Description of formation Description of soils Use and management Classification of the soils Extensive Glossary
3-19
Soil SurveysSoil Surveys
Assign compound names First name indicates soil series Second name indicates texture Characteristics common to subject area Permits identification of soils Quality and detail of information varies
3-20
Agricultural Production Capabilities
Agricultural Production Capabilities
Production depends on structure Dominant textures Topsoil depth Rooting depth Soil fertility Slope characteristics
3-21
Soil Capability ClassesSoil Capability Classes
Iowa State University Corn Suitability Ratings CSR
3-22
Soil AnalysisSoil Analysis
Should draw on various sources Indicate the history of the property Include local county extension agent information May include USDA information Information from state level agricultural offices Begin with a set of maps
3-23
Topography ExaminationTopography Examination
Irrigation Methods of assigning water rights Impact of water rights on property value Drainage - surface or subsurface Slopes Erosion potential
3-24
Group DiscussionGroup Discussion
3-25
Module 3 - ReviewModule 3 - Review
Understand the composition of the ideal soil and how it supports agricultural production
Mineral material organic matter water air 45,25,25,5
3-26
Module 3 - ReviewModule 3 - Review
Identify the macro and micro nutrients available in soils
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur
Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Boron, Molybdenum, Chlorine, Cobalt
3-27
Module 3 - ReviewModule 3 - Review
Understand the concepts of soil texture, structure, and consistence
3-28
Coarse to FinePlaty, Prismlike, Blocklike, SphericalLoose to Very Fine
Module 3 - ReviewModule 3 - Review
Identify the horizons occurring in soil profiles
O, A, B, and C
3-29
Module 3 - ReviewModule 3 - Review
Understand the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NCRS) capability classification system
Eight Productive capacity Classes
3-30
Module 3 - ReviewModule 3 - Review
Access resources to facilitate analysis of the soils of a agricultural property
NCRS soil surveysLocal Sources
3-31
Self-Assessment QuestionsSelf-Assessment Questions
The four major components of soil are Soil deficiencies develop because of The three main concepts describing soil character are The NCRS capability classification system includes all of
the following except for Limitations on soils in the NCRS system refer to The corn suitability rating (CSR) developed for Iowa soils
3-32