Title: Conserving Soils
1Conserving Soils
Randall H. Zondag The Ohio State University
Extension- Lake County
Ohio Nursery Short Course January 2007
2Information on this Program
- My Website
- http//lake.osu.edu
- Links
- Weather stations
- Pest Management Information
- Programs
-
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7The Four Main Components of Soil are
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9Soils are a combination of weathered rock,
organic matter, and a vast complex of living
organisms.
10SOIL From the Ground, Up!
Soil Properties
They are not independent they interact to
affect soil characteristics
Biological
Physical
Chemical
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14- How Do We Lose Our Soil ?
- Water Erosion
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21- How Do We Lose Our Soil ?
- Water Erosion
- Wind Erosion
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23- How Do We Lose Our Soil ?
- Water Erosion
- Wind Erosion
- Harvesting
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26How Big Does a Ball Have To Be ? 20 inches or
less in diameter 75 of diameter 20 inch ball
should be at least 15 inches deep 20 to 30 inch
diameter balls no less than 2/3 or 66 2/3 30
inch ball about 20 inches deep 30 to 48 inch
diameter ball no less than 60 or 3/5 of diameter
40 inch ball should be no less than 24 inches
deep
27If I Dig a 40 Inch Ball How Much Soil Have I
Removed ?
- 8.7 square feet surface area
- 2 feet deep
- 17.4 cubic feet of soil
- 0.143 per cubic foot
- Total 2.49
28How Is Your Soil Worth ?
- 43560 square feet in a acre
- 4 foot digging depth 174240 cubic feet
- 10,000 per acre at 10 interest
- 15 year digging time
- Cost per cubic foot of greenhouse 0.143 per acre
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30Native Soils
A Horizon more air and biological activity B
Horizon lighter color, less air color of
subsoil will help determine the amount of air in
the soil Bed rock or parent material
31Topsoil Removed
Topsoil Stockpiled
32Compaction
Compaction decreases macropores by crushing
aggregates. Micropores cannot be reduced unless
soil particles fracture, so they usually increase
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50Activities of Organic Material and Mulch
- Reduces compaction in the subsoil.
51Activities of Organic Material and Mulch
- Reduces compaction in the subsoil.
- Decomposed organic material binds soil particles
together to form structure.
52Activities of Organic Material and Mulch
- Reduces compaction in the subsoil.
- Decomposed organic material binds soil particles
together to form structure. - Feed the soil food chain.
53Recommendations Pre-planting 1. Rip the subsoil
to a depth of 24 inches.
54Recommendations Pre-planting 1. Rip the subsoil
to a depth of 24 inches. 2. Incorporate 2 inches
of compost to upper 8 inches of subsoil.
55Recommendations Pre-planting 1. Rip the subsoil
to a depth of 24 inches. 2. Incorporate 2 inches
of compost to upper 8 inches of subsoil. 3.
Top-dress with 1 inch of compost.
56Soil conservation means reducing the amount of
soil erosion and maintaining soil fertility. It
relies on increasing the amount of water seeping
into the soil, reducing the speed
57Soil conservation means reducing the amount of
soil erosion and maintaining soil fertility. It
relies on increasing the amount of water seeping
into the soil, reducing the speed
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59Why Plant Cover Crops?
- erosion control
- organic matter increase
- soil structure improvement
- atmospheric nitrogen fixation
- nitrate recapture
- soil water management
- weed control
60 Some CN ratios of cover crops.Young
rye plants
141Rye at mid-boot stage
401Hairy vetch
101 to 151Crimson clover
151Corn
stalks
601Sawdust
2501.
Cover crops with a cn ratio of 30 or higher
should be incorporated because it will likely
take nitrogen from the crop
61Other Cover Crops Summer Cover Crops Spring
Oats Sudax Sorghum Sudan Field peas Buckwheat
Fall Cover Crops Red Clover Crimson Clover
White clover Hairy Vetch Birds foot trefoil
Cereal grains Annual Ryegrass
http//agguide.agronomy.psu.edu/cm/sec10/table1-10
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62Legumes grown as summer green manure
crops to add nitrogen along with organic matter
are cowpeas, soybeans, annual sweetclover,
sesbania,guar, crotalaria, velvet beans
annual medic
63Summer green manure crops non-legumes grown to
provide biomass, smother weeds and improve soil
tilth.sorghum-Sudan grass, millet, forage
sorghumbuckwheat
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67Cover crop Seeding rate (lbs/A) Dry matter
production (T/A) Rye
156 2.0
Ryegrass
30
0.9 Summer oats 156
0.2
Winter wheat 160
1.4 Rape
12
0.3
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75ORGANIC MATTERS!
76In an average cup of healthy forest soil there
are
Source Serita Frey, OSU School of Natural
Resources
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79Bare Root Plants
- Grown in the field or in soil less media
- The plants have the soil removed from the roots
- This is usually done during dormant periods
unless there is a large maintenance budget
available
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81Rate at Which Water Moves in the Soil
Soil Types Infiltration rates
(inches/hour)
Sand gt0.8 Sandy silty
soils 0.4 to 0.8 Loams 0.2 to 0.4 Clay
soils 0.04 to 0.2
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84Agricultural Sustainability
85Average transpiration ratios for various plant
types Water amounts in kg per kg dry matter
(transpiration ratio).
water
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97Water
98- Healthy Plants
- Friable soils
- Proper nutrient balance
- Proper soil pH acid vs. alkaline
- Proper root and crown spacing
- Ample soil moisture
- Proper soil temperature
- Proper light levels
- Pure air
- Free of insects and diseases
99well
water table
surface water
unsaturated zone
Aquifer (saturated zone)
fractured bedrock
gravel
100The Size of Mineral Particles
SAND
.
CLAY
SILT
101Soil Water Relationships
Clay Small pores, holds water, drains slowly
. Sand- Large pores , drains fast, poor water
holding capacity
102Roots absorb nutrients as water carries it to them
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104The level of water in the barrels represents the
level of crop production. On the left, nitrogen
is represented as being the factor that is most
limiting. Even though the other elements are
present in more adequate amounts, crop production
can be no higher than that allowed by the
nitrogen. When nitrogen is added (right) the
level of crop production is raised until it is
controlled by the next most limiting factor, in
this case, potassium.
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106Plant Water Relationship
The largest portion of most living organisms
being made up of water. Soils provide a place
where water is filtered and stored until needed.
107Water
- It is required in photosynthesis
- It is needed for cell expansion and growth.
- Without adequate water leaves and herbaceous
plants become flaccid and wilt. - It carries nutrients throughout the plant
- Evaporation of water cools the plant in hot
weather.
108Relative Water Usage of Different Types of Plants
grass
shrubs and groundcovers
trees
Estimated typical water usage of varying plant
types in relative amounts the amount of water
needed by plants varies with location and
climate. generally, lawns use more water than
trees, and trees use more water than both shrubs
and groundcovers.
109Nutrient Deficiency
110Relationship between soil texture and water
availability
111Soil Moisture some terms and concepts
- Field Capacity water that remains in soil
beyond the effects of gravity. - Permanent Wilting Percentage amount of water
after the permanent wilting point is reached. - Available Water amount of water in the soil
between the field capacity and the permanent
wilting percentage.
112How Does Water Move in the Soil
Percolation- water moving downward in the soil.
Excess water on the surface will cause runoff.
Capillary Action- water moving up in the soil
through the small pores against gravity. Seepage
- water moving sideways in the soil . Much of
this water can move into basements and open
sites. Runoff water that cant be absorbed
into the soil so it moves down hill. Issues are
erosion and loss of nutrients ( water
contamination)
113Summary of Water Movement
- Rate of movement in soil depends on
- Particle sizes (texture) and particle size
distribution - Pore space (structure) and consistency
- Soil aggregation
- Compaction (measured by Bulk Density)
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115Pore and Air-Water Movement
macro pores
available air in macropore
micro pores
water
soil particle
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118The Living Soil Biological Properties
Aggregated Soil
119Mulch Problems
Mulch Volcano Method.
- Over-Mulching
- Stops free air exchange, suffocating roots.
- Blocks penetration of water / fertilizer
- Causes stem rot
- New roots may grow into mulch elevating the root
system. - Creates a rodent haven.
more than 2 feet high!
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