<strong>Soil</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>H<strong>and</strong>book</strong> – Okanagan-Similkameen Valleys 3
List <strong>of</strong> Definitions for Table 1 Contour Cropping: The production <strong>of</strong> crops in rows that follow the natural contour <strong>of</strong> the l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> are at right angles to the direction <strong>of</strong> the slope. Crop Rotation: Growing a variety <strong>of</strong> crops in reoccurring succession on the same l<strong>and</strong>. (i.e., field vegetables followed by winter wheat, then forage grass). Cover Crop: A crop <strong>of</strong> close-growing legumes, grasses or small grains grown primarily for the purpose <strong>of</strong> soil protection <strong>and</strong> improvement between periods <strong>of</strong> regular crop production. Annual cover crops, such a cereals or annual grasses, are usually allowed to die over the winter or is “killed” by the use <strong>of</strong> herbicides or tillage. Permanent cover crops, such as perennial grasses or legumes, are normally managed by mowing over the growing season. Permanent cover crops protect the soil from erosion, providing organic matter to the soil <strong>and</strong> may have benefits in terms <strong>of</strong> microclimate <strong>and</strong> insect management. Forages (Perennial): Certain green crops (legumes or grasses) primarily grown <strong>and</strong> harvested to feed domestic livestock. These crops can aid in soil conservation or management <strong>of</strong> specific soil/site constraints such as stoniness or salinity. Shelterbelts: An extended line(s) or “belt” <strong>of</strong> living trees <strong>and</strong> shrubs established <strong>and</strong> maintained to act as a shield protecting farml<strong>and</strong> from wind erosion <strong>and</strong> crops from wind damage. Barrier Strips (Grass/Stubble): Consists <strong>of</strong> one or two rows <strong>of</strong> tall-growing grass or an annual cereal seeded every 15 to 24 metres at right angles to the prevailing wind. It may also be a strip <strong>of</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ing crop left taller than the adjacent crop residue. Barrier strips can protect sensitive young plants/crops from wind damage. Barrier strips may also be used to trap snow or reduce soil erosion during winter months. Residue <strong>Management</strong>: A cropping system that maintains an adequate residue cover (min. 30% surface cover) for soil erosion control <strong>and</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> the soil surface from puddling <strong>and</strong> erosion. Tolerant Crops: A crop able to grow under stressful growing conditions, such as high salinity or adverse soil physical conditions or wet sites. Animal Manure/Compost: Livestock produce nutrient-enriched liquid <strong>and</strong> solid organic waste materials which can be distributed on soils to supply essential plant nutrients <strong>and</strong> improve soil physical conditions. They must only be used as a soil conditioner or plant nutrient. Composts, like animal manures, provide nutrients, they are also excellent soil conditioners, providing stable humic forms <strong>of</strong> organic matter. Compost contain nutrients which are less readily available so application rates can be higher. Compost can also be used as a mulch. Reduced Tillage: A Tillage system where the number <strong>of</strong> field operations required for crop production are at minimum. Equipment types or modifications are used to minimize soil disturbance <strong>and</strong> maintain weed control. To delay or reduce the amount <strong>of</strong> tillage, herbicides are included in the system. For some forage production systems, tillage may be reduced to subsoiling, aeration <strong>and</strong> direct seeding. Alter Tillage Practices: Changing tillage equipment type or operating speed, will reduce pulverization <strong>of</strong> the soil <strong>and</strong> the burial <strong>of</strong> crop residue. Avoid use <strong>of</strong> rotovators or implements which continuously work at the same depth. Use <strong>of</strong> power harrows, spaders or deep chisel cultivators may be beneficial. Liming: The application <strong>of</strong> agricultural lime (CaCO3) or other liming material required to raise the soil pH to a desired value under specific cropping conditions. Liming may also increase crop nutrient availability. Subsoiling: Subsoiling is done in the fall (when soils are dry) to alleviate compaction, <strong>and</strong> to improve water infiltration <strong>and</strong> root penetration. Compaction may be the result <strong>of</strong> natural soil development or traffic/tillage on the soil. Timing <strong>of</strong> Field Operations: The coordination <strong>and</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> various field operations can improve or hinder existing soil conditions. (i.e., shift major tillage operations to drier periods or change crop type). Water Erosion Control System: An erosion control system consists <strong>of</strong> a subsurface drainage system, which may include blind surface inlets <strong>and</strong> discharge structures coupled with cover, contour or continuous cropping practices. Grassed Waterway/Roadway: A vegetated, natural or constructed broad, shallow channel designed to carry surface run<strong>of</strong>f across farml<strong>and</strong> with minimum water erosion. Grassed waterways or roads may provide better trafficability, reduce water erosion risk <strong>and</strong> can reduce wind erosion. Subsurface or Surface Drainage: A conduit such as tile, pipe or tubing installed below the ground surface to lower watertables within a field <strong>and</strong> maintain unsaturated soil conditions. Reforestation/Grassl<strong>and</strong> Revegetation: The natural seeding or artificial replanting <strong>of</strong> trees, grasses or shrubs within an area that was previously under forest or grassl<strong>and</strong>, which may be used as a wildlife habitat, reduce erosion hazard, or improve soil productivity on a long term basis. Mulching: The application <strong>of</strong> straw or other coarse organic matter to reduce excessive water evaporation or the risk <strong>of</strong> soil erosion or surface structure degradation by wind <strong>and</strong> water. Irrigation Practices: Excess applications <strong>of</strong> irrigation water can have significant impacts on soil/crop management (i.e., flooding or slumping <strong>of</strong> glaciolacustrine cliffs). Low application rates will reduce crop yield potential. Water conservation is impacted by irrigation system design <strong>and</strong> management. Dykes or Terraces: Earthen berms constructed along river channels or canals to reduce the risk <strong>of</strong> flooding. Dyking is essential in some areas due to the spring freshet. Terracing, a long, low, earth embankment with a flat or graded channel constructed across the slope can be developed within fields on sloping l<strong>and</strong> to control surface run<strong>of</strong>f or reduce water erosion. Fertilizer Practices: Application <strong>of</strong> fertilizer or various types/methods <strong>of</strong> fertilizer application can be beneficial in various crop/soil/site conditions. Over-application can impact soil chemical parameters such as pH or electrical conductivity. Underapplication will reduce crop yield potential. Stone Removal: Some soils contain stones near the surface that impact the suitability <strong>of</strong> a site for specific crops. Stones can be removed to reduce the impact on tillage, seeding <strong>and</strong> crop growth. 4 <strong>Soil</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>H<strong>and</strong>book</strong> – Okanagan-Similkameen Valleys
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