L i v i n g L i v i n g n n the Land the Land Module 2: Your Living Module 2: Your Living Soil Soil Soils Soil Quality Fertilizing Soil Surveys Irrigation NRCS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Module 2: Your Living SoilModule 2: Your Living Soil
Soils
Soil Quality
Fertilizing
Soil Surveys
IrrigationNRCS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Getting Down and Dirty Getting Down and Dirty With SoilWith Soil
Developed by :Developed by :
Hudson Minshew, Oregon State University Extension ServiceHudson Minshew, Oregon State University Extension Service
Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionSusan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
USDA NRCS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Lesson 1 AgendaLesson 1 AgendaSoil texture and
structure
The living soil
Understanding soil erosion
Reducing soil erosion
Improving your soil
Taking a soil sample
NRCS, Mont.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
What describes a good soil?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
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
How are soils formed?How are soils formed?
A. Miller
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
What are soils made of?What are soils made of?
Minerals
Air
Water
Organic matter (humus)
www.statlab.iastate.edu
Soil Soil mineralsminerals
A. Miller
The soil textural triangle
A. Miller
NRCS, Bozeman Mont.
Textural Textural triangletrianglefor the for the
graphically graphically challengedchallenged
Texture by feel: SandTexture by feel: Sand
Adapted from NRCS, Bozeman Mont. by A. Miller
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Why determine soil texture?Why determine soil texture?
Soil texture influences:
Water intake rates
Water-storage capacity
Ease of tillage
Amount of aeration
Soil fertility
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
In this experiment, an equal amount of water was applied to three soil types.
NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.
Soil texture affects drainageSoil texture affects drainage
wormworm
USDA NRCS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Benefits of soil organic matterBenefits of soil organic matter
Increased water- and nutrient-holding capacity
Formation of soil into stable aggregates
Reduced soil compaction
Improved water infiltration
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
What threatens my soil?What threatens my soil?
NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Signs of water erosionSigns of water erosion
Small rills and channels on the soil surface
Soil deposited at the base of slopes
Sediment in streams, lakes, and reservoirs
Pedestals of soil supporting pebbles and plant materials
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Soil qualitySoil quality
An assessment of the capacity of a soil to:
– Sustain plant and animal productivity
– Maintain or enhance water and air quality
– Support human health and habitation
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Page 12
How do How do I know I know what to what to add to add to my my soil???soil???
A. Miller
Test your soil!Test your soil!
UNCE, Reno, Nev.
Use the “slice” method for a
representative sample.
Managing Soil to Keep It Managing Soil to Keep It ProductiveProductive
Developed by: Developed by:
Hudson MinshewHudson MinshewOregon State University Extension ServiceOregon State University Extension ServiceSusan DonaldsonSusan DonaldsonUniversity of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionUniversity of Nevada Cooperative Extension
NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Lesson 2, Part 1: FertilizingLesson 2, Part 1: Fertilizing
What do my soil test results mean?
What nutrients do plants need?
How can I supply those nutrients?
pHpHIndicates relative acidity or alkalinity
pH 7 = neutral; less than pH 7 = acid; more than pH 7 = alkaline or basic
Adapted from library.thinkquest.org by A. Miller
Soil pH Soil pH and and
nutrientsnutrients
Adapted from www.soil.ncsu.edu by A. Miller
Widest part of the bar indicates maximum availability
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Classifying salt-affected Classifying salt-affected soilssoils
Electrical conductivity measurements (EC)
Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP)
Salt-affected soils are commonly classified for management purposes into three groups: saline, sodic, and saline-sodic based on EC and ESP
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Plant nutrientsPlant nutrients
Substances necessary for plant growth
Some, such as hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, come from the air and water
Others, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, may need to be added
Excess or improper use of fertilizers may result in water pollution
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
MacronutrientsMacronutrients
N = nitrogen
P = phosphorus
K = potassium
H = hydrogen
O = oxygen
C = carbon
Ca = calcium
Mg = magnesium
S = sulfur
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
MicronutrientsMicronutrients
Fe = iron
Mn = manganese
Zn = zinc
B = boron
Mb = molybdenum
Ni = nickel
Cu = copper
Co = cobalt
Cl = chlorine
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Page 8
What’s in What’s in the bag?the bag?
WAY TO GROW
FERTILIZER
28 – 14 - 5GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Total nitrogen 28% 6% Ammonium nitrogen 14% Urea nitrogenAvailable phosphoric acid 14%
Soluble potash 5%
Derived from sulfur-coated urea,
etc.
Product name
NPK formula
Nitrogen content
Phosphorus content
Potassium content
Specific sources
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Calculating fertilizer ratesCalculating fertilizer rates
X 100Pounds of nutrient recommended Percentage of nutrient in fertilizer
material
To convert a recommendation to pounds/acre of an actual fertilizer material, use the following formula:
USDA NRCS
Nutrient deficienciesNutrient deficiencies
Lesson 2, Part 2: Soil SurveysLesson 2, Part 2: Soil Surveys
How to use a soil survey
How to find a map unit
Map unit descriptions
Soil ratings and capabilities
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
How do I use a soil survey?How do I use a soil survey?
Locate your property on the “Index to Map Sheets” page
Note the number of the map sheet
Find that sheet
Locate your property on the map sheet
Make a list of map unit symbols
Soil map unit exampleSoil map unit example
630 Fleischmann gravelly clay loam
Soil textural class is part of map unit name
Number designation
Name given by soil scientists conducting survey
Soil Soil limitationslimitations
NRCS, Bozeman, Mont.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Suitability ratings
Temperature and precipitation data
Freeze dates and growing season
Productivity
Building site development
Other information:Other information:
Capability classesCapability classes
USDA NRCS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Got Water?Got Water?
Developed by: Developed by: Hud Minshew, Oregon State University Extension ServiceHud Minshew, Oregon State University Extension Service
Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionExtension
UNCE, Reno, Nev.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Lesson 3 AgendaLesson 3 Agenda
Sources of irrigation water: surface versus well water
Matching available water to soils and plants
Determining when it’s time to irrigate
Irrigation systems
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Where will you get your Where will you get your water?water?
Do you have a water right?
Where will your water come from?
When or how often will you get your water?
www.farmphoto.com
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Things to know before Things to know before you start to irrigate:you start to irrigate:
What plants do you want to grow?
Do you have enough available water to support the plants?
Are your soils appropriate for growing the plants you selected?
UNCE, Reno, Nev.
Where do plants get their water Where do plants get their water from in the root zone?from in the root zone?
Adapted from PNW 475 by A. Miller
Soil texture and drainageSoil texture and drainage
Soil textureInfiltration rate, inches per hour
Sand 2 - 4
Sandy loam 1 - 3
Silt loam, loams 0.25 – 1.5
Silty clay loams, clay 0.1 – 0.3
A. Miller
Available waterAvailable water
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
Sand SandyLoam
Loam SiltLoam
ClayLoam
SiltyClay
Clay
Finer Texture
Wa
ter
Co
nte
nt
(% v
olu
me
)
Available Water
Field Capacity
Wilting Point
Unavailable Water
OSU Extension Service
Available waterAvailable water
A. Miller
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
When is it time to irrigate?When is it time to irrigate?
Rule of thumb: when the amount of water-holding capacity is at 50 % -- but that’s hard to tell!
If your plants are showing signs of stress, irrigation is overdue
– Look for wilting or grasses that don’t spring back up when stepped on
The Look-and-feel MethodThe Look-and-feel Method
USDA NRCS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Look-and-feel methodLook-and-feel method
Clay, clay loam or silty clay loam at
25 to 50% moisture
Clay, clay loam or silty clay loam at
50 to 75% moisture
Irrigation is overdue. Will need to irrigate soon. USDA NRCS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Look-and-feel methodLook-and-feel methodSandy loam or fine sandy
loam at 50 to 75% moisture
Sandy loam or fine sandy loam at
25 to 50% moisture
Irrigation is overdue. Will need to irrigate soon.
Irrigation methods: selecting the Irrigation methods: selecting the system that’s right for yousystem that’s right for you
Micro-irrigationMicro-irrigation
SurfaceSurface
SprinkleSprinkleUSDA NRCS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Are you using an existing Are you using an existing system, or starting over?system, or starting over?
Your flexibility may be limited with an existing system, but costs will be lower
Starting over allows you to carefully match soils, plants and water availability with irrigation systems, but can be costly
New irrigation systems may save time, money or water
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
What source of power What source of power will you use?will you use?
None – select an irrigation system that does not require power
Electricity from an existing power line
An internal combustion engine
Solar power
Surface irrigation (gravity-flow)Surface irrigation (gravity-flow)
NRCS Irrigation Page
UNCE, Reno, Nev.
UNCE, Reno, Nev.
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Contour-furrow irrigationContour-furrow irrigation
Icrisat.org
Powered systems: Powered systems: sprinklerssprinklers
UNCE, Reno, Nev.
Low-energy precision-applicationLow-energy precision-applicationsprinklerssprinklers
USDA NRCS
USGS
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Drip irrigationDrip irrigation
USDA SCS
Graphic by A Miller, adapted from USDA-SCS 1984
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Page 11
Livin
g
Livin
g n n
the Landthe Land
Checking your system:Checking your system:Does it apply water uniformly?Does it apply water uniformly?
UNCE, Reno, Nev.