When synthetic fertilizers were developed in the early 1900s, many soil scientists focused their research on how farmers could either apply more fertilizers or apply them more effectively, to overcome the problems of soil degradation due to erosion or nutrient loss due to crop removal. While farmers have understood the importance of good-quality soil since the dawn of agriculture, and described it with terms like “soil tilth” and (in some cultures) “fat soil,” the concept of soil health only began attracting the attention of scientists and educators in about the 1980s. What Tests Can I Use to Assess Soil Health in My Fields?Ĭomparing Soil Health Assessment Methods: Pros and Cons What Farming Practices Improve Soil Health? Microorganisms provide many other services and benefits. The soil food web focuses on micro and larger organisms involved in decomposition. We identify benefits and limitations for each method and provide suggestions and resources for conducting these analyses on your farm or ranch. ![]() This publication describes several of the most common soil health assessment methods, including total soil organic matter, active organic matter, soil respiration, aggregate stability, and the Haney soil test. Recent years have seen an explosion of new soil health tests that measure organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, aggregate stability, carbon sequestration-all of which depend on the activity of soil microorganisms. They hold and filter water, cycle nutrients, stabilize organic matter, create habitat for a vast array of organisms, and potentially mitigate against climate change by binding carbon within the soil. Soils do a lot more than just make nutrients available, however. Until recently, most soil testing procedures assessed soil fertility, in order to guide appropriate application of nutrient-based fertilizers. ![]() By Barbara Bellows, Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research Mike Morris, NCAT and Colin Mitchell, NCAT Abstract
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |