Measuring Soil Health: Assessment, Management and Monitoring. Harold van Es

Transcription

1 Measuring Soil Health: Assessment, Management and Monitoring Harold van Es

2 How to Assess a Soil s Health 1. Field Observations Yields in comparison to past years or neighbors, stress tolerance, soil crusting/cloddiness, nutrient deficiency or disease symptoms, earthworms, topsoil color, residues, root health and development, compaction, tilth, crop condition, water holding/drainage/infiltration, erosion 2. Soil Health Testing Kits Semi-quantitative assessment and educational. Not suitable for monitoring. 3. Laboratory Testing Comprehensive Soil Health Tests (Cornell) Other Targeted Tests (such as heavy metals, disease, )

3 Why should we laboratory-test soil health? Standardized quantitative information for holistic and adaptive soil management Improve awareness of Soil Health (not just plant nutrition) and the effects of poor SH on crops and the environment Understand constraints beyond nutrients Target management practices to alleviate multiple constraints Monitor soil improvement or degradation from management Facilitate applied research Better enable valuation of land

4 Development of the Cornell Soil Health Test soilhealth.cals.cornell.edu

5 The Road to Soil Health Testing Expand traditional soil testing o Foundation for modern nutrient recommendations o Focus on supply of nutrients at expense of other essential properties o Reactive approach The Limiting Factor Concept : Perhaps too simplistic

6 Indicator Selection: What to Measure? Criteria Physical Standardized Consistent/reproducible Scientific/agronomic relevance Represent diverse processes Sensitive to agricultural management Easy and inexpensive to measure Interpretations accessible to many users Minimal infrastructure/investment Soil Quality Biological Chemical (Doran et al., 1994; Larson and Pierce, 1991; Mausbach and Seybold, 1998; Bastida et al., 2008; Moebius et al., 2007)

7 Functional Processes in Soil Good Tilth (structure) Physical support for plants Aeration Soil water storage and movement Resistance to soil erosion Physical root proliferation and organism movement Physical Soil Health Biological Chemical OM decomposition Nutrient transformations & access Pest suppression, low pest pop. Support of microbial community, beneficials, producing plant growth promoting compounds Immobilization of toxins Nutrient storage and release (ion exchange) Energy (C) storage Salinity/toxicity prevention

8 PHYSICAL Linking Indicators to Agronomically Essential Soil Processes Soil Indicator in the Cornell Soil Soil Process Health (Function) Test Soil Texture and Stone Content Aggregate Stability Available Water Capacity Soil Strength (penetrometer) All Aeration, infiltration, shallow rooting, crusting Plant-available water retention Rooting BIOLOGICAL CHEMICAL Organic Matter Content Active Carbon Content Potentially Mineralizable Nitrogen Root Rot Rating* ph Extractable P Extractable K Minor Element Contents Energy/C storage, water and nutrient retention Organic material to support biological functions Ability to supply N Soil-borne pest control Toxicity, nutrient availability P availability, environmental loss potential K availability Micronutrient availability, elemental imbalances, toxicity

9 Wet aggregate stability Available water capacity Field penetration test Analyses in the Cornell Soil Health Test Also: rapid soil texture analysis 0-6 depth 6-18 depth Active carbon test Potentially Mineralizable N Root Health rating Permanganate oxidation

10 Cornell Soil Health Test Report Measured values for each indicator Rating (score) for each indicator Identification of constraints Overall score

11 Indicators of three types of organic matter and processes strongly affected by organic matter: Potentially Mineralizable Nitrogen Living Aggregate Stability Root Health Rating Active Carbon Dead Compaction Available Water Capacity Total Organic Matter Very Dead Nutrient availability (overloading?) and retention

12 Aggregation is Essential small pore important for long term moisture retention Intermediate pore- Important for water retention and biological functions large pore Important for drainage, aeration and rooting Aggregate (crumb)

13 What does the measured value MEAN? ph is 5.4. Aggregate stability is 26% Surface Hardness is 167psi Active Carbon is 554 ppm SOOOO WHAT??

14 Scoring Functions interpret constraints in soil processes Score Score More is better Example: Aggregate Stability Measured Indicator Value Example: ph Optimum is best Example: Subsurface Hardness Less is better Optimum Soil Function Score>70 Soil Constraint Score<30

15 SCORING METHODS 1. Expert Opinion: score based on well-defined literature values for example ph, nutrients. 2. Frequency Distribution in our Database: score relative to local conditions (most indicators) Number of Samples Gaussian Normal 100 Score Gaussian Cumulative Normal Active Carbon (ppm) 0 Active Carbon

16 Soil Change due to Management for example: Divergence of Grain vs. Livestock Similar Soil Types Different Soil Health!

17 15 years fall plow Corn for grain Clay loam 15 years No till Corn for grain Clay loam

18 Test Results and Applications of the Cornell Soil Health Test OR Why would I want to use this test? soilhealth.cals.cornell.edu

19 Many Options for Managing Soil Constraints and Improving Soil Health Soil Health Test guides management but what are the opportunities on your farm?

20 Linking Soil Health Test Results to Management Practices Test Results Suggested Management Practices NRCS Practice Short Term Long Term (code) Physical Concerns Low Aggregate stability Incorporate fresh organic materials Use shallow-rooted cover/rotation crops Add manure and green manure Reduce tillage Use a surface mulch Rotate with sod crops (328) Conservation Crop Rotation; (340) COVER CROP; (329) Residue Mgmt No-Till/Strip-Till; (484) Mulching; (512) Forage & Biomass Planting; (528) Prescribed Grazing Low Available Water Capacity High Surface Hardness High Subsurface Hardness Biological Concerns Low Organic Matter Add stable organic materials Add compost or biochar Incorporate high biomass cover crop Perform some mechanical soil loosening (strip till, aerators, broadfork, spader) Use shallow-rooted cover crops Use a living mulch or interseed cover crop Use targeted deep tillage (subsoiler, yeomans plow,chisel plow, spader.) Plant deep rooted cover crops/radish Add stable organic materials Add compost and biochar Incorporate high biomass cover crop Reduce tillage Rotate with sod crops Incorporate high biomass cover crop Shallow-rooted cover/rotation crops Avoid traffic on wet soils, monitor Avoid excessive traffic/tillage/loads Use controlled traffic patterns/lanes Avoid plows/disks that create pans Avoid heavy loads Reduce traffic when subsoil is wet Reduce tillage/mechanical cultivation Rotate with sod crop Incorporate high biomass cover crop (328) Conservation Crop Rotation; (329) Residue Mgmt No-Till/Strip-Till; (317) Compost Facility; (340) COVER CROP; (512) Forage & Biomass Planting; (528) Presc. Grazing (328) Conservation Crop Rotation; (345) Residue Mgmt, Mulch Till; (340) COVER CROP; (484) Mulching; (528) Prescribed Grazing (512) Forage & Biomass Planting (324) Deep Tillage; (329) Residue Mgmt, No-Till/Strip-Till; (345) Residue Mgmt, Mulch Till (340) COVER CROP ; (606) Subsurface Drain (328) Conservation Crop Rotation; (340) COVER CROP; (329) Residue Mgmt No-Till/Strip-Till; (317) Compost Facility; (528) Prescribed Grazing (512) Forage & Biomass Planting; Low Active Carbon Add fresh organic materials Use shallow-rooted cover/rotation crops Add manure, green manure Reduce tillage/mechanical cultivation Rotate with sod crop Cover crop whenever possible (328) Conservation Crop Rotation; (329) Residue Mgmt, No-Till; (340) COVER CROP; (345) Residue Mgmt, Mulch Till; (528) Presc.Grazing (512) Forage & Biomass Planting Low Mineralizable Nitrogen High Root Rot Rating Add N-rich organic matter (low C:N source like manure or well-finished compost) Incorporate legume or young, green cover crop (inoculate legume seed) Adjust ph to (helps molybdenum) Use disease-suppressive cover crops Biofumigate Plant on ridges/raised beds Monitor irrigation Reduce tillage Rotate with forage legume sod crop Cover crop and add fresh manure Keep ph at (helps molybdenum) Monitor C:N ratio of inputs Use disease-suppressive cover crops Increase diversity of crop rotation Sterilize seed and equipment Improve drainage/monitor irrigation (328) Conservation Crop Rotation; (329) Residue Mgmt No-Till/Strip-Till; (317) Compost Facility; (340) COVER CROP; (512) Forage & Biomass Planting; (528) Prescribed Grazing ; (590) Nutrient Mgmt (328) Conservation Crop Rotation; (346) Residue Mgmt, Ridge Till; (340) COVER CROP; (449) Irrigation Water Mgmt; (595) Integrated Pest Mgmt; (606) Subsurface Drain

21 Linking Soil Health Test Results to Management Practices Test Results Suggested Management Practices Test Results Short Term Long Term (code) Chemical Concerns Low ph High ph Low Phosphorus High Phosphorus Low Potassium High Potassium Low Micronutrients High Micronutrients High Salinity 1 Add lime or wood ash to soil test recs Add calcium sulfate (gypsum) in addition to lime if aluminum is high Use less ammonium or urea Stop adding lime or wood ash Add elemental sulfur to soil test recs Add nutrient amendments to soil test recs Use cover crops to recycle fixed P Adjust ph to to free up fixed P Stop adding manure and compost; or Choose low or no-p fertilizer blend; or Apply only 20 lbs/ac starter P; or Apply P at crop removal rates Add wood ash, fertilizer, manure, or compost to soil test recs Use cover crops to recycle K Choose a high K fertilizer blend Stop adding high K fertilizer or manure Grow high K removing crops Balance K, Ca & Mg % base saturation Add chelated micros to soil test recs Use cover crops to recycle micronutrients Do not exceed ph 6.5 for most crops Raise ph to (for all high micros except Molybdenum) Do not use fertilizers with micronutrients Leach soils Use fertilizers with a low salt index (avoid chlorine and ammonium/urea fertilizers) Do not use chilean nitrate Test soil annually & add maintenance lime to soil test recs to keep ph in range Raise organic matter to improve buffering capacity Test soil annually Use higher % ammonium or urea Promote mycorrhizae populations Maintain a ph of Use cover crops to recycle fixed P Use cover crops that accumulate P and export to low P fields or offsite Consider low P rations for livestock Consider phytase for non-ruminants Use cover crops to recycle K Balance K, Ca & Mg % base saturation Add maintenance K to soil recs each year to keep K consistently available Use cover crops to accumulate K and export to low K fields or offsite Balance K, Ca & Mg % base saturation Promote mycorrhizae populations Improve organic matter Decease soil P (binds micros) Maintain a ph of Monitor irrigation/improve drainage Improve soil calcium levels Test compost for soluble salts Use electroconductivity meter to monitor salts in the soil and irrigation water Improve drainage (340) COVER CROP; (512) Forage & Biomass Planting; (590) Nutrient Mgmt (590) Nutrient Mgmt (340) COVER CROP; (590) Nutrient Mgmt (340) COVER CROP; (590) Nutrient Mgmt; (633) Waste Recycling (340) COVER CROP; (590) Nutrient Mgmt (340) COVER CROP; (590) Nutrient Mgmt (340) COVER CROP; (590) Nutrient Mgmt; (633) Waste Recycling (449) Irrigation Water Mgmt; (512) Forage & Biomass Planting; (590) Nutrient Mgmt; (606) Subsurface Drain (449) Irrigation Water Mgmt; (512) Forage & Biomass Planting; (590) Nutrient Mgmt; (606) Subsurface Drain

22 One practice can address multiple constraints and a single constraints can be addressed by multiple practices.. enhance mycorrhizal numbers add N (legume) suppress weeds suppress nematodes reduce erosion increase water infiltration/ retention Compost/ Manure Rotation add organic matter cover crops attract beneficial insects decrease nutrient loss Reduced Tillage

23 Combining the management practices can have an additive effect reduced tillage, cover cropping, perennial forage rotation crop, manure/compost reduced tillage, cover cropping Soil health reduced tillage cover cropping Green manure cover crop years Strip tillage

24 Cornell Soil Health Test Report Field Management Sheet Step 1. Identify constraints, prioritize Step 2. List management options Step 3. Determine site history/ farm background Step 4. Management Strategy 2012 and beyond

25 Developing a Management Strategy Need to prioritize- where to focus? Consider soil constraints in combination with: Site History and Farm/Site Background equipment available (rent, share) field management history ease of application grower expertise, character field location costs? other options? What are the opportunities on your farm?

26 Step 1. Identify constraints, prioritize Cornell Soil Health Test Report 4-Step Field Management Sheet Identified in the Soil Health Report

27 Cornell Soil Health Test Report 4-Step Field Management Sheet Step 1. Identify constraints, prioritize Identified in the Soil Health Report Low aggregate stability (poor soil structure) Low available water (droughty, HARD) Low Active C (hungry soil food web) Low PMN (low biological activity)

28 Cornell Soil Health Test Report 4-Step Field Management Sheet Step 1. Identify constraints, prioritize Identified in the Soil Health Report Low aggregate stability (poor soil structure) Low available water (droughty, HARD) Low Active C (hungry soil food web) Low PMN (low biological activity) Step 2. List management options Some suggestions found on Linkages sheet

29 Cornell Soil Health Test Report 4-Step Field Management Sheet Step 1. Identify constraints, prioritize Identified in the Soil Health Report Low aggregate stability (poor soil structure) Low available water (droughty, HARD) Low Active C (hungry soil food web) Low PMN (low biological activity) Step 2. List management options Some suggestions found on Linkages sheet Linking soil health measurements to general management solutions Physical Concerns Low aggregate stability Low available water capacity High surface density High subsurface density Suggested Management Practices short term or intermittent long term Fresh organic materials (shallow-rooted cover/rotation crops, manure, green clippings) Stable organic materials (compost, crop residues high in lignin, biochar) Limited mechanical soil loosening (e.g. strip tillage, aerators); shallow-rooted cover crops, biodrilling, fresh organic matter Targeted deep tillage (zone building, etc.); deep rooted cover crops Reduced tillage, surface mulch, rotation with sod crops Reduced tillage, rotation with sod crops shallow-rooted cover/rotation crops; avoid traffic on wet soils; controlled traffic Avoid plows/disks that create pans; reduced equipment loads/traffic on wet soils Biological Concerns Low organic matter content Low active carbon Low mineralizable N High root rot rating Stable organic matter (compost, crop residues high in lignin, biochar); cover and rotation crops Fresh organic matter (shallow-rooted cover/rotation crops, manure, green clippings) N-rich organic matter (leguminous cover crops, manure, green clippings) Disease-suppressive cover crops, disease breaking rotations Reduced tillage, rotation with sod crops Reduced tillage, rotation Cover crops, manure, rotations with forage legume sod crop, reduced tillage Disease-suppressive cover crops, disease breaking rotations, IPM practices Chemical concerns

30 Cornell Soil Health Test Report 4-Step Field Management Sheet Step 1. Identify constraints, prioritize Identified in the Soil Health Report Low aggregate stability (poor soil structure) Low available water (droughty, HARD) Low Active C (hungry soil food web) Low PMN (low biological activity) Step 2. List management options Some suggestions found on Linkages sheet Add/ grow fresh organic matter Add stable organics (composts, biochar) Reduce tillage intensity Rotate with shorter season crop Find window for shallow-rooted cover crop

31 Cornell Soil Health Test Report 4-Step Field Management Sheet Step 1. Identify constraints, prioritize Identified in the Soil Health Report Low aggregate stability (poor soil structure) Low available water (droughty, HARD) Low Active C (hungry soil food web) Low PMN (low biological activity) Step 2. List management options Some suggestions found on Linkages sheet Add/ grow fresh organic matter Add stable organics (composts, biochar) Reduce tillage intensity Rotate with shorter season crop Find window for shallow-rooted cover crop Step 3. Determine site history/ farm background Note here any situational opportunities or limitations

32 Cornell Soil Health Test Report 4-Step Field Management Sheet Step 1. Identify constraints, prioritize Identified in the Soil Health Report Low aggregate stability (poor soil structure) Low available water (droughty, HARD) Low Active C (hungry soil food web) Low PMN (low biological activity) Step 2. List management options Some suggestions found on Linkages sheet Add/ grow fresh organic matter Add stable organics (composts, biochar) Reduce tillage intensity Rotate with shorter season crop Find window for shallow-rooted cover crop Step 3. Determine site history/ farm background Note here any situational opportunities or limitations Far from dairy farm Short growing season Soil addicted to tillage Diverse inventory of field equipment Grower willing to try anything

33 Cornell Soil Health Test Report 4-Step Field Management Sheet Step 1. Identify constraints, prioritize Identified in the Soil Health Report Low aggregate stability (poor soil structure) Low available water (droughty, HARD) Low Active C (hungry soil food web) Low PMN (low biological activity) Step 2. List management options Some suggestions found on Linkages sheet Add/ grow fresh organic matter Add stable organics (composts, biochar) Reduce tillage intensity Rotate with shorter season crop Find window for shallow-rooted cover crop Step 3. Determine site history/ farm background Note here any situational opportunities or limitations Step 4. Management Strategy 2009 Far from dairy farm Short growing season Soil addicted to tillage Diverse inventory of field equipment Grower willing to try anything

34 Cornell Soil Health Test Report 4-Step Field Management Sheet Step 1. Identify constraints, prioritize Identified in the Soil Health Report Low aggregate stability (poor soil structure) Low available water (droughty, HARD) Low Active C (hungry soil food web) Low PMN (low biological activity) Step 2. List management options Some suggestions found on Linkages sheet Add/ grow fresh organic matter Add stable organics (composts, biochar) Reduce tillage intensity Rotate with shorter season crop Find window for shallow-rooted cover crop Step 3. Determine site history/ farm background Note here any situational opportunities or limitations Far from dairy farm Short growing season Soil addicted to tillage Diverse inventory of field equipment Grower willing to try anything Step 4. Management Strategy 2009 Drill barley/ timothy/ clover mix in spring Harvest barley Mow timothy/ clover as green manure Fall mow, rent ripper for strip till for corn 2010 Learn about strip tillage (Build soil for transition to strip till)

35 Cornell Soil Health Testing Packages Cost Testing Package Measurements* Typical Sampling Application Time** $45 BASIC Soil Health texture, aggregate stability, available Field crops, dairy, Test water capacity, surface and sub-surface lawns hardness, organic matter, active Carbon, standard chemical test $75 STANDARD BASIC parameters above plus: Vegetable crops, Soil Health Test Potentially Mineralizable Nitrogen (PMN), organic production, Add-on Tests root health bioassay problem diagnosis, soil health initializing home gardens $7.50 Soluble Salts/ Cornell Nutrient Analysis Lab (CNAL) test Urban soils, lawns, Conductivity # :1 soil : paste extract. Also the landscaped areas calculated Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) high tunnels $17 Heavy Metal CNAL test #2021 Heavy metal digestion Urban soils, gardens, Screening (EPA Method ) landscaped areas playgrounds Year-round Spring/ Fall Year-round Year-round * Consult website for specific procedures and interpretations ** Note that soils should be at field capacity at time of sampling

36 New Test: Soil Protein Extraction Autoclaved Citrate Extractable (ACE) proteins Most N in SOM is in proteins Intersection of C and N cycles Recombining C and N cycles a goal of agroecosystem management As microaggreagates form within macroaggregates Proteins occluded within microaggregates Occluded proteins can be quite old (century)

37 Overview of Soil Health concepts Field sampling Description of indicators Brief laboratory methodology How indicator values are scored Soil Health Report Soil Health Report Interpretation Linkages to Management Available online at

38 The Team: Cornell University: Harold van Es, Bob Schindelbeck, Bianca Moebius-Clune, John Idowu, Dave Wolfe, George Abawi, Dan Moebius-Clune, Janice Thies. Many Growers, Extension Educators, Consultants, NRCS and Conservation District staff Funders: