The soil is a mix of residential and non-residential - particles of sand, silt and clay, organic matter, air, water-soluble nutrients and organisms. The combined effects of these components give your important soil characteristics - pH, nutrients, erosion, drainage class, the suitability for different applications and much more.
Courtesy of soils.missouri.edu.
We rely on the land to provide a number of different functions or services to support our lives. 1) naturally occurring plant growth, 2) regulation and water purification, 3) recovery and organic nutrients 4) habitat for organisms: college courses usually ground begin by describing the five basic functions of the ground floor, and 5) a physical support for the building and construction (and plants). For the production of crops, livestock, landscaping, water purification, forest productivity, landscape engineering - everything - we rely on the experience of the soil to perform these functions. Soil health refers to the ability of the soil to perform these functions. Not all soils these functions as well, and how to manage the soil affects its ability to these necessary services. Especially healthy soils these functions very well and is not unhealthy soils.
The soil parameters that contribute to the overall health of the earth, are numerous. Figure 1 illustrates the concept of soil health, and other important parameters. Among the factors that determine the health of the soil is fixed or immutable soil properties, such as topography, soil type, soil texture, local climate, etc. We, as stewards of the land, few have influence on the health and function of land administration and, if . Improve or deteriorate according to our choice of tillage and sowing, crop rotation sequences, the application of manure or other amendments, soil health can over time.
A unique piece of land that contributes many of these functions, the soil organic matter (SOM). The term "organic" is used here to show the chemical composition, something carbon-based. SOM consists of living tissue, and dead plants and animals in various stages of decomposition. This is the part of the earth, it is the characteristic brown color. Containing organic material, energy and nutrients that promote the growth of the body of the plant and the soil and contributes to the ability of the sun and water storage of nutrients. SOM is also important for the maintenance of soil structure. The amount of land in a MOS is added by the balance of organic matter is determined, and how much is lost by respiration over time. The organic matter in the soil in the form of crop residues to be, cover crops, manure changes or use of other materials.
SOM loss through respiration is normal and inevitable, but significantly accelerated with the work of the intensive and regular soil. No-tillage and reduced tillage tools have been developed to reduce the loss of air and maintain SOM. Many soils, which have a long history of intensive work of frequent soil and little or no organic matter are, in descending lose health and function. Erode more easily; not to keep water and nutrients, and their surface crust, rain water flows over the surface and penetrates less.
This photo shows the difference between the non-ground notillveggies.org (left) and a plow soil. What do you mean, like the lawn?
At the other extreme, soils, never plowing and regular inputs of organic matter are usually very healthy and work to be good. These soils have more water and nutrients that are resistant to erosion, supports active microbial populations so that more rainwater runoff to infiltrate and waste less. Most of our agricultural soils in northern New York somewhere between these two extremes, and it helps to understand the health of the soil to make good long-term decisions about their inputs and methods of organic farming. If a field is assumed to be in deteriorating health due to poor structure, compaction, erosion, poor nutrient retention, improve the management of SOM can be great progress to a better function and health. And if you are planning a future for a given area, the regular intensive management, the plan a good idea to include some organic inputs increase as additional manure, cover crops and crop residues major.
To measure laboratory tests, the health of the Earth is changing. The focus in this issue is soil health Lab at Cornell University and USDA prairies, soil and water research laboratory in Temple, Texas. The two research groups with similar approaches in the analysis of various issues related to soil health and the integration of these related analyzes together in a measuring parameter. Further research will ensure that integrated measures actually predict based on the actual terrain. For now, the two are a good start.
Other Resources:
- 2014 Cornell management of field crop production. 2014 Bill Cox, ed. Cornell Univ. Cooperative Extension.
- Website of the Cornell Soil Health - extensive testing and educational resources. http://soilhealth.cals.cornell.edu/
- Website Health USDA NRCS soil - lots of good discussion and information. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/health/
For more information about fields and soil management, contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension or local Kitty O'Neil, CCE Northern NY, 315-379- 9192 x253; kao32@cornell.edu.