healthy soils report

Your key to unlocking yieldHealthy Soils Report

A Hoyles Farming

Middle (8.28 ha)

Current Crop Winter Oilseed RapeCAMPUS

Previous Crop Spring BarleyNFC TIPPLE

Soil Health Index Low - Check organic matter, pH, overall nutrient levels.

Summary of key points*Shallow compaction noted at 8 cm, possibly from previous combination drill.*Deep compaction noted at 58 cm from heavy axle root harvesters.*Surface ponding in certain areas of the field, possible soil structure damage.*Low P index.

Soil Biological Properties

Soil Fauna

Worms (in a 1/16 m3)

Endogeic

Anecic

Total 42

Slugs 0

Beetles 0

CO2 Burst Index

Low level of microbial activity. Check the soil organic matter levels and if low, look to build. 62mg/kg

Active Carbon Index

Low - Check soil structure and drainage. Check LOI OM figures, if these are low then increase OM tothe soil. Take Physical action to the soil.

2%

1.9

29

13

1.5

2

A Hoyles Farming Ltd Advisor: Andy Hoyles FE/4195

Healthy soils assessmentCropping year 2017 / 2018

The information contained within this document is based on the information submitted by the client shown above. Hutchinsons does not accept liability for any errors or omissions, which arise as a result of thisinformation. The responsibility for all crop management decisions remains with the client at all times.

Soil Physical Properties

Soil Texture

Soil series THAMES (Ts)

Top Soil

Silty clay loamSand Silt Clay

5% 40% 55%

Stone content %

Rooting depth 56cm

Drainage Impeded - Mottling/gleying in subsoil

Capping No

Depth tocompaction 58cm

Subsoil

Silt

Stone content %Depth to Rock if less than 1.5m -

Soil StructureCultivations Primary cultivation: Sumo trio Drill type: Weaving GD

Cultivation's should be focused on seed bed stability. The change from the power harrow combi to Weaving DG will limited further compaction in this area. The deep compaction zone at 58 cm will be difficult to break by mechanical cultivation's.

Compaction / Erosion / Drainage

Two compaction Zones. Shallow surface compaction at 8 cm from historical power harrow seed bed preparation. Deep compaction at 58 cm caused by heavy axle root harvesting.

Infiltration rate (mm/hr)Very Rapid

Water infiltration across the measured 18 mm was rapid. The remaining water was also quickly infiltrated and examination with a spade showed it had moved vertically through the soil profile rather than spreading out horizontally.

VESS scoreRequires considerable effort to break aggregates with one hand. Few micro-pores and cracks. All roots are clustered in macro-pores and around aggregates. Aggregates fragments are easy to obtain when soils is wet, in cube shapes.

736

4




Soil Chemical PropertiesMain Elements

P2O5 (ppm)

Low - Look to build levels to a target of Index 2 (16-25 ppm). Are pH and soiltexture the issue? With potatoes in the rotation look to build P index where possible asphosphate is a particularly immobile nutrient in the soil.

K2O (ppm) Medium - Important to replace crop offtake, ideally in the spring.

MgO (ppm)Medium - Be aware that certain crops such as sugar beet will need additionalMg - especially at the lower end of index 2.

Soil pH

Lab assessed pH Good.

Field pH (0-5 cm)pH level was constant through the soil profile. It is recommended that this zonalmeasurement of pH is used in the future as the period of min-til lengthens, wemay find pH varying through the profile.

Field pH (5-20 cm)

Field pH (>20 cm)

Additional FactorsOrganic Matter (%) 1.6 Target level for light soils. Look to build on all other soil types.

CEC (meq/100g) 12.9Cation Exchange Capacity is an inherent soil characteristic and is difficult toalter significantly. See Appendix for more information on CEC.

Additional Elements

Calcium (ppm) 1810Risk - Does the soil need lime? If not Calcium sulphate is a useful source ofCa.

Sulphur (ppm) 38Normal - Results from the soil analysis are not reliable. Follow up with leafanalysis in-season or grain analysis after harvest.

Manganese (ppm) 16.6Normal - Results from the soil analysis are a guide. Evaluate the risk ofmanganese deficiency and follow up with leaf analysis in-season.

Copper (ppm) 4.4 Normal - Soil analysis is a reliable method of detecting copper deficiency.

Zinc (ppm) 2.5Risk - Results from the soil analysis are a guide. Leaf analysis is the mostuseful diagnostic guide - be aware that high levels of P can impede Zn uptake.

Boron (ppm) 4.6Very high/excessive - Both soil and leaf analysis are useful measures fordetecting Boron deficiency.

Molybdenum (ppm) 0.2Normal - Soil and tissue analysis may be used to diagnose molybdenumdeficiency.

Iron (ppm) 346Very high/excessive - Deficiency not normally a problem in annual field cropsand cannot be reliably diagnosed using soil or plant analysis.

Sodium (ppm) 11Low - Soil analysis is a reliable method for measuring the need to applysodium Certain crops (e.g. sugar beet) benefit from applications of Nafertilisers.

10.7

154

63.1

6.5

6.7

6.7

6.7




Available Elements

P2O5 (kg/ha) Apply bulk P sources to build reserves. Check plant available levels.

K2O (kg/ha) Build levels with organic manures. Feed the crop at key growth stages.

MgO (kg/ha) Low pH apply Mag based lime. If good pH apply plant available magnesium .

CaO (kg/ha)Check pH and apply Bulk calcium. Issues with Plant health and Nutrientavailability possibly?

SO3 (kg/ha) Increase organic matter to increase Soils S holding ability.

Na (kg/ha) Check and apply to crop demand: look at available Na.

Total Elements

P2O5 (kg/ha) Maintain P offtake levels.

K2O (kg/ha) Can adversely affect soil structure. Interfere with Ca and Mag uptake.

MgO (kg/ha)If affecting soil structure apply Gypsum. Apply foliar Mag in periods of dryweather.

CaO (kg/ha)Check pH and apply Bulk calcium. Issues with Plant health and Nutrientavailability possibly?

SO3 (kg/ha) Will be linked to high OGM. Check how much is available.

Na (kg/ha) Potential issues with soil structure. Interfere with K, Mag and Ca uptake.

52

785

517

7657

555

24

1799

13099

13660

12986

1781

453




Picture n°1 : Vess score for the soil is 4, based on aggregate size and ability to break in hand.

Picture n°2 : Compaction area identified deep at 58 cm. Most likely caused by heavy axle weight from harvesting sugar beet andpotatoes.




Picture n°3 : Close up of Vess test. Scoring (4)

Picture n°4 : Surface ponding due to over working of the soil seedbed to finely, with inadequate topsoil residue in previous springbarley crop.




Glossary of Terms

CO2 Burst: The majority of carbon dioxide released from soils is the result of microbialprocesses. Having a greater amount of CO2 released from a soil system indicates greatermicrobial activity and is therefore a good indicator of the health of the soil.

Mottling and Gleying: Terms that describes the grey, or green soil colours that occur in soilsthat have been waterlogged for prolonged periods of time. Anaerobic microbes flourish in theabsence of air, reducing iron and manganese minerals. The chemical reduction of iron andmanganese produces the characteristic gley colours.

Soil Fauna: Macrofauna - Mice, moles, earthworms and other worms; ants, beetles, spidersslugs and snails Mesofauna: nemaodes, mites, centipedes, and springtails. Microfauna:bacteria fungi.

Soil Health Index: This is an overall assessment of soil health based on the soil biological,physical and chemical properties.

Soil Texture: This is calculated from the proportions of three soil fractions sand, silt and clay.

VESS Score: Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure a quality score which shows if the soilstructure needs to be improved to maintain soil health. Sq1 good soil structure Sq5 verycompact.

Available Nutrients: These are the easily extracted nutrients in oxide form. This is the poolwhich the plants have available to them. These levels can change seasonally with cropremovals and fertiliser or manure applications.

Total Nutrients: These nutrients are what make up the soils background level. They areextracted using a strong acid so are not readily available to the plants. They give you a guide ofwhat the soils is made up off allowing for management strategies to try and make these morereadily plant available.

Active Carbon: This test measures the fast cycling carbon in the soil. The active soil carbonmeasured in this way is more sensitive to agricultural management practices and is moreclosely related to biological activity. This test utilises the Potassium Permanganate test(KMnO4), which reacts with only the most active (readily oxidable) forms of soil carbon.




Earthworms

Earthworm numbers in soil can give an indication of soil health and fertility. This information isbest used to assess the impact of soil management changes by regular earthworm populationassessment over time. Comparison of earthworm populations across different soil types andcultivation regimes may disappoint because a loamy sand, regularly growing root vegetables,will never support the numbers of earthworms found in a clay loam under permanent pasture,no matter how much organic matter is applied.

Plate 1. Compost worm – organic soils

The whole body is stripy on its upper surface when movingThe upper surface has dark red bands, with a pale pink oryellowish band in betweenSaddle usually paler than the rest of the body

Plate 2. Brandling worm – organic soils

The whole body is stripy on its upper surfaceThe upper surface has dark red bands, with a narrower pale pinkor yellowish band in betweenSaddle usually a similar colour to the rest of the bodyCan exude an unpleasant-smelling yellowish fluid when handled

Plate 3. Green worm – often most numerous species

Yellow ring towards the headOften curls up in the handBoth colour forms have three pairs of sucker-like discs on theunderside of alternate segments of the saddle (not always easy tosee)Can produce large amounts of yellow fluid from pores along itsbody when disturbed




Plate 4. Redhead worm – widespread

The upper surface of the body, from the first segment to thesaddle, is entirely dark in colour (reddish brown)Sometimes flattens its tail into a paddle shapeMale pores are not visible

Plate 5. Blackheaded worm – moderately common

Long and thinThe upper surface of the body, from the first segment to thesaddle, is entirely dark in colourOften has a dark purplish head, while the rear end of the body isoften much palerVisible male pores (see earthworm key for image)

Plate 6. Lobworm – common soil-borne species

Long but very stout, often as thick as a pencilUpper surface of body, from first segment to saddle, is dark incolourMale pores are raised and conspicuousSometimes flattens its tail into a wide paddle shape

Plate 7. Rosy-tipped worm – commonly soil-borne

The body from first segment to the saddle is entirely or partly palein colourRosy pink or pale pink head (up to the male pores)Saddle usually orangeOften has two or more whitish raised pads before the male pores




Plate 8. Grey worm – very common in topsoil

Front end of the worm is usually in three distinct shadesSaddle pads usually form a two-humped ridge across threesegments, but this is difficult to seeTypical adult size about 6cm in length when not moving

Plate 9. Blue-grey worm – topsoil dweller

The body from the first segment to the saddle is partly or entirelypale in colourCan vary from faint blue-grey to a pale rosy pink colourDistinct yellow tail (last four or five segments)May have a lilac blue line on the upper surface

Plate 10. Green worm – often most abundant species

Yellow ring towards the headOften curls up in the handBoth colour forms have three pairs of sucker-like discs on theunderside of alternate segments of the saddle (not always easy tosee)Can produce large amounts of yellow fluid from pores along itsbody when disturbed

Plate 11. Immature worm

If you've struggled to identify your worm, then it may bebecause the worm is an immature. Immatures do not have aclearly developed saddle.

At least 50% of the earthworms you find will be immatures




Millipedes and Centipedes

Millipedes are mostly beneficial. They shred organic matter and mix it through the soil. Thisgives smaller soil organisms like fungi and bacteria greater surface area to work on, andhastens crop residue breakdown.Millipedes have hard cylindrical bodies, usually dark brown, grey or black in colour, andbetween 30 and 400 pairs of short legs. When disturbed, they usually curl up. They are easilyconfused with wireworms and centipedes but the key difference is the greater number of legsand the body shape.One species of millipede (the spotted snake millipede) can feed on crop seedling roots and areusually most prolific in organic soils.Centipedes are less common in cultivated soils and because they only feed on insects, are notcrop pests. Their movement within soils helps mix fresh organic matter with mineral soilparticles.

Plate 12. Spotted snake millipede

Mites and Springtails

This group is easily the most numerous of all macro-organisms in soil. Most species feed ondecaying organic matter and contribute to the mineralisation process. Size of soil dwellingspecies is typically less than 3mm length. They require an open soil tilth for movement and air.Springtails are able to jump several centimetres into the air, although this is a defence responserather than their usual method of movement within soil. The white coloured species (Plate 13)are capable of feeding on the living roots of seedlings but only when populations are very high.Insecticidal seed treatments are very effective for the control of springtails.

Plate 13. Springtail (Collembola spp.)1-3mm length




Insect larvae

A wide range of insect larvae are soil dwellers, some of which are crop pests, whilst others feedon decaying organic matter or predate on soil insects.Many larvae of beetles, moths and flies will feed in the soil, pupate and finally emerge as theadult of the species. Plates 14-16 illustrate some of the more common pests of crops.

Plate 14. Wireworm10-30mm length

Plate 15. Chafer grub10-15mm length

Plate 16. Leatherjacketlarvae10-25mm length




H L Hutchinson Ltd Weasenham LaneWisbechCambs PE13 2RN

01945 461177 [email protected] www.healthysoils.co.uk

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