Richard Wolkowski, PhD (Post Hole Digger) 56 Soil Science 608.963.4187 (cell) rpwolkow@wisc.edu
Wife Terry and seven grandkids -Number eight coming in July -Five adult children between us I enjoy outdoor hobbies -Ski Patroller at Cascade Mtn. -We live in Baraboo, our hometown
More time spent outdoors
I used to have a job at the UW, retired June 2011 after 32 years. Thanks Scott. Extension Teaching Field research in soil management -Tillage and soil compaction -Soil conservation -Land application of municipal and industrial wastes
DATE LECTURE TOPIC Jan. 21 No Class Martin Luther King Day 22 Introduction Soil Conversation (What is soil, soil formation, why it s important) 23 Soil Physical Properties (Texture, structure, bulk density, etc.) 24 Soil Water Management (Infiltration, flow, storage, water cycle, etc.) 25 Quiz 1 and Soil Chemical Properties (Mineralogy, cation exchange, etc.) Jan. 28 Soil Acidity and Liming (ph, origin of acidity, lime sources and use) 29 Soil Classification and Wisconsin Soils (soil orders, soil survey, Wis. soil types) 30 Essential Plant Nutrients and Fertilizers (function in plants, fertilizer basics) 31 Soil Testing and Plant Analysis (Soil sampling and analysis, plant analysis) Feb. 1 Quiz 2 and Hand Texturing Quiz (Soils Building) Feb. 4 Nutrient Recommendations (UWEX Rec. basics, other philosophies) 5 Soil Conservation (erosion, practices, government programs) 6 Tillage (purposes, implements, management, soil compaction) 7 Intro to Nutrient Management (basic rules, guidelines, NRCS 590 Standard) 8 Final Exam
9:55 10:45, 108 Plant Science Class participation and attendance STRONGLY encouraged!!! Office hours: Anytime, feel free to drop by Better to call or email to set up an appointment Course objective: To introduce those with little or no familiarity to the discipline of Soil Science in a broad survey. Emphasis will be given to management issues whenever possible. Text and Reference: Schulte, E.E., L.M. Walsh, K.A. Kelling, L.G. Bundy, W.L. Bland, R.P. Wolkowski, J.B. Peters, and S.J. Sturgul. 2005. Management of Wisconsin Soils. (5th edition). UWEX Publ. No. A3588. {One copy provided free; $15 value}
Grading based on a Points System, NO CURVE 2 quizzes (40%), 2 problem sets (20%), final exam (40%) Extra points built into each (~ 120 total points) 5 pts. Extra Credit available (See me if interested) Your responsibility to re-schedule missed quizzes and turn in homework 92 + A 88-91 AB 82-87 B 78-81 BC 70-77 C 60-69 D <60 F
Quiz, exam, and problem set information will come from the lecture Power Points are posted at the UW Soil Science Extension Website http://www.soils.wisc.edu/extension/shortcourse/intro.php Readings are intended to support lecture material
Located in Headhouse of King Hall Greenhouse Open 7 am 6 pm On your own time Practice hand texturing, see me for assistance Quiz on unknown samples 1 Feb See Table 2-2 for basics
Definition depends who you are! Farmer: A productive media for growing crops and manage livestock wastes Construction engineer: Support for a building or road Mining engineer: Over-burden, something in the way Homeowner: Grow flowers or garden; on-site waste disposal system, dirt Naturalist: A component of the natural environment Environmentalist: A source or solution for pollution Our definition: A dynamic natural body of mineral and organic matter capable of supporting plant growth
Biblical and other ancient literature references Chinese taxed based on productivity 28 centuries ago Early concept that plants absorbed fine earth and humus Jethro Tull Von Liebig identified plant need for mineral elements in the 1840 s Law of the Minimum F. H. King Early UW Agricultural Physicist 1674 1741 Jethro Tull ca. 1968
Born on a farm near Whitewater UW Faculty member 1888 1902 Inventor of the cylindrical silo Taught Short Course Use of steam and gas engines Windmills Water management of soils, tiling, surveying Controlling erosion Draft for farm machinery Use of dynamite Failed 33 of the 99 students in his 1898 class Known for his book Farmers of Forty Centuries
Edaphology: Study from the viewpoint of effect on plant growth and food and fiber production Pedology: Study from the viewpoint of the soil as a natural body, soil formation, and classification Agricultural management will incorporate both concepts.
A soil consists of weathered parent material that shows layering based on mineralogical changes, leaching, and organic matter Profile: A vertical cross-section of the soil showing the various layer to un-weathered parent material Horizon: A distinct horizontal layer consisting of a unique property such as texture, color, structure, etc. Plow layer: The cultivated layer (~ 6 in.) weighing 2 (silt loams) or 2.5 (sands) million lbs.
Silt loam Sand Air 25% Air 28% Mineral 45% Org. Matter 5% Water 25% Mineral 59% Water 12% Org. Matter 1%
Soils are the detritus of rocks and minerals, with the incorporation of organic matter
Source: Dr. Rick Cruse, Iowa State Univ.
Local and global consideration Micro-climate vs. Macro-climate Precipitation Form and intensity Seasonal variability Evaporation/transpiration Temperature Processes double for every 10 C increase We re frozen 5 months a year
Differences between prairie and forested soils Deciduous Coniferous Prairie Acid secretions from plant roots Activities of meso-fauna (worms, gophers, insects) Functions of micro-fauna (bacteria, fungi, others)
Slope Percent Shape Aspect North vs. south Deposition Eolian=wind Alluvial=moving water Lacustrine=freshwater lakes
The mineral and organic material at the surface Much of Wisconsin was glaciated Glacial till reflects bedrock properties Loess overlays, so many have two parent materials Driftless area Loess Bedrock Organic soils Develop in the absence of O 2 in depressional areas
Soil mineral structure and composition changes with time and weathering Wisconsin soils are geologically young Soils of the S. US. and tropics are mineralogically very different. Tend to be more nutrient poor Very low organic matter Tie up P More acidic
Disintegration Primary secondary minerals Plant residue Humus Organisms Acid from roots Add organic matter Encourage structure Water Freezing/thawing Leaching Oxygen supply Un-weathered parent material P OM, structure Developed soil