soil and the characteristics important for plant growth sustainable small acreage farming and...

Soil and the Characteristics Important for Plant Growth

Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching

Slides adapted from the Living on the Land curriculum, University of Nevada-Reno, Sue Donaldson, et al. 2001

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...

What are soils made of?

Minerals Air Water Organic matter (humus)

Water = 20-30%

Air = 20-30%

Mineral Fraction

(sand, silt,clay) = 50%

Organics = 5%

Composition of a loam soil

The Minerals:sand, silt,and clay

OSU Extension Service

The textural triangle

UNCE, Reno, NV

USDA NRCS, Bozeman MT

Simplified textural triangle

Why determine soil texture?

Soil texture influences: Water intake rates Water storage Ease of tillage Amount of aeration Soil fertility

Platy structure Granular structurewww.statlab.iastate.edu/soils/

Soil structure: How particles are grouped

together into stable collections

OSU Extension Service

Soil structure is important to:

Good aeration

Good drainage

Good tilth (easy to work)

OSU Extension Service

Good soil quality has:

Good aeration Good drainage

Good tilth (easy to work) Lots of organic matter Lots of organisms

Balanced percentage of air and water

Soil Organic Matter Consists Of:

Living organisms Dead organisms Plant matter Other

decomposing organic materials

UNCE, Reno, NV

Benefits of Soil Organic Matter Increased water and nutrient-holding

capacity Formation of soil into stable

aggregates Improved water infiltration Diversity of soil organisms – which

results in increased stability of the living soil ecosystem

The soilecosystem

worm

USDA NRCS

How Can I Manage My Soils to Improve Them?

Avoid compaction

Increase the organic matter content

Maintain cover with vegetation

Add organic matter to soil

Manure spreaders make the job of applying manure as an organic

matter amendment easier

OSU Extension Service

OSU Extension Service

Add compost

Till in Cover Crops

OSU Extension Service

Summary of the basics… Soil texture and structure influence the

management of the soil related to water, nutrients, and plant growth.

Organic matter is an important component of healthy soils