Soil Management Handbook - Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

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where the common structure is described as granular or crumb-like. The plow layer is subject to many agents or forces which break down or build up soil structure. Some structural conditions, unfavourable to plant growth, commonly occur in soils. These are outlined in the following sections. 2.2.1 Crusting and Puddling By the action of water or mechanical forces, the granular or crumb structure in the plow layer may become completely broken down into a solid mass with no large pores. Such a soil is said to be puddled. When the puddled surface dries out, a hard crust forms. This crust may prevent seedlings from emerging, and tend to seal off the soil surface, preventing the infiltration of air and water. 2.2.2 Soil Compaction Soil compaction refers to the disruption and reduction of the large pores within the soil. The presence of excess soil moisture at the time of any field operation is the main factor leading to soil compaction. Once a soil is compacted, the bulk density and the strength of the soil are increased. For construction purposes, a compacted soil is ideal, but under normal crop production, a compacted soil can be a serious problem. Penetration into the soil by tillage implements and crop roots is restricted. The movement of air and water through the soil is hampered, causing the soil to remain wet and cool long into the growing season Many areas in British Columbia suffer from this debilitating condition, which can be the main obstacle to good crop production. Because compaction is such a serious threat, a closer look should be taken at ways to reduce or reverse its effects. However, section 2.2.2 will only deal with the recognition and effects of soil compaction. 2.2.2.1 How to recognize a compacted soil. Soil compaction occurs when a force compresses the larger soil pores and reduces the air volume of the soil. (See Figure 5.) The continuity of the pores from the surface of the soil to deeper depths is disrupted, and thus, the transmission of water through the soil, and gases between the crop's roots and atmosphere is reduced. (See Figure 6.) Figure 5 The effect of compaction on pore space Measurements of compaction damage to agricultural soils can be based on changes in density, strength or visual estimates of structure. a) Bulk Density The measurement of a soil's bulk density provides a relative value of soil compaction. The porosity of a soil can be related to the bulk density measurement, with further laboratory procedures. Bulk density is expressed as weight per volume of soil (usually in terms of grams per cubic centimetre). Variation in bulk density can occur on a year to year basis, as freezing and thawing, wetting and drying cycles, and cultivation can alter the basic structure of a soil. Figure 6 The effect of compaction on crop root growth Soil Management Handbook – Okanagan-Similkameen Valleys 39
The bulk density of high organic mineral soils and peats is much lower than that of mineral soils. Table 7 gives some examples of soil bulk density measurements. Table 7 Examples of Average Mineral Soil Bulk Densities (g/cm 3 )* Well structured high organic loam soil 0.9 Silt loam 1.1 Medium to fine-textured loam 1.3 Sand 1.5 Compacted soil or clay subsoil 1.3-1.6 *1 g/cm 3 = 62.43 pounds per cubic foot b) Penetrometer Method Another method of measuring soil compaction is using a penetrometer. Penetrometers can give quick results in the field, and many measurements can be taken in a short time. However, the use of penetrometers and interpretation of the results requires considerable skill, especially if soils are in the initial stages of compaction. Penetrometers are useful in finding hard layers that will obviously obstruct root development or water flow through a soil. Penetrometers measure soil strength and their movement through the soil has been related to the soil's resistance to root penetration. Plant roots, however, grow around obstacles and can exert tremendous local pressure on soil pores, so that Table 8 Impact of Soil Resistance Values on Crop Yield penetrometers can only provide a relative root resistance value. Factors which affect penetration resistance as measured by penetrometers are cone angle, cone diameter (surface area), and rate of soil penetration; soil factors which affect soil strength or resistance are water content, structure and bulk density. The effects of compaction are dependent on the amount of root zone that is compacted, continuity of the compacted zone and susceptibility of crops to compaction. Table 8 is a rough guide to penetrometer resistance values (in megapascals - MPa) and soil compaction through the rooting zone. These penetrometer readings are averages and were obtained using a penetrometer with a 60 degree cone angle. Although using penetrometers is much easier and quicker in the field, the number of factors that come into play in interpreting their results makes them as difficult to use as the bulk density method. If proper sampling techniques are used, the bulk density method may give a more accurate result for any particular site in the field. Because both technical methods have limitations, the visual method may be the quickest and best alternative. c) Visual Method Often the best method of determining soil compaction is visual observation of both the soil and crops. Cloddy seedbeds, increased surface water ponding, Effect of Compaction on Crop Yield Soil Resistance Value (MPa)* Low 1.0 Medium 1.0-1.5 Severe 2.0-3.0 *1MPa = 145.0 pounds pressure per square inch *1KPa = 0.1450 psi 40 Soil Management Handbook – Okanagan-Similkameen Valleys
Page 2 and 3: Soil Management Handbook For The Ok
Page 4 and 5: Preface The Soil Management Handboo
Page 6 and 7: Table Of Contents Preface..........
Page 8 and 9: Table of Contents Con't. Page 3.6 D
Page 10 and 11: List Of Soil Management Groups And
Page 12: List Of Tables Table1: Farm Conserv
Page 15 and 16: To obtain information about the soi
Page 17 and 18: List of Definitions for Table 1 Con
Page 19 and 20: Well Suited Crops • All necessary
Page 21 and 22: Soil Depth refers to the depth to e
Page 23 and 24: Grapes: grape suitability is strong
Page 25 and 26: Soil Management Groups This section
Page 27 and 28: Gammil Soil Management Group Soil S
Page 29 and 30: Greata Soil Management Group Soil S
Page 31 and 32: Kelowna Soil Management Group Soil
Page 33 and 34: Munson Soil Management Group Soil S
Page 35 and 36: Postill Soil Management Group Soil
Page 37 and 38: Rumohr Soil Management Group Soil S
Page 39 and 40: Skaha Soil Management Group Soil Se
Page 41 and 42: Summerland Soil Management Group So
Page 43 and 44: Miscellaneous Soils Soil Series: Ar
Page 45 and 46: Soil Management Guide This section
Page 47 and 48: Table 5 Soil Particle Size and Char
Page 49 and 50: Table 6 Physical Characteristics of
Page 51: plant roots and organic matter. The
Page 55 and 56: Other management practices, such as
Page 57 and 58: Figure 11 Schematic drawing of the
Page 59 and 60: 1 m, etc., in an orchard block wher
Page 61 and 62: 3. Water Management High rainfall d
Page 63 and 64: Table 12 Availability Coefficients
Page 65 and 66: Impact of large drops of water disp
Page 67 and 68: The single most important soil fact
Page 69 and 70: land. Drainage systems are also nec
Page 71 and 72: Detailed information is provided in
Page 73 and 74: Table 16 Generalized Soil Profile D
Page 75 and 76: Table 17 Drain Recommendations Base
Page 77 and 78: is very susceptible to structure de
Page 79 and 80: vertically into the soil and as it
Page 81 and 82: Figure 19 Schematic drawing of the
Page 83 and 84: Case 1: Well Structured Soils If th
Page 85 and 86: fracture requires the soil to expan
Page 87 and 88: "tie up" some soil nitrogen, althou
Page 89 and 90: efer to the following Factsheets: S
Page 91 and 92: contaminate groundwater. Water cont
Page 93 and 94: Table 18 N, P and K Content of Vari
Page 95 and 96: field access is possible, manure ap
Page 97 and 98: Annual or permanent cover will redu
Page 99 and 100: agricultural production, its impact
Page 101 and 102: References Published Sources Agricu
Page 103 and 104:
Stevenson, D.S. and Brownlee, C.H.
Page 105 and 106:
Appendix A-2 Figure 2 Typical summe
Page 107 and 108:
Appendix A-4 fall frost. The angle
Page 109 and 110:
Appendix A-6 Abbreviations Used in
Page 111 and 112:
Appendix B: Soil Series And Locatio
Page 113 and 114:
Greata Soil Management Group Greata
Page 115 and 116:
Postill Soil Management Group Eanea
Page 117 and 118:
Miscellaneous Soils Armstrong (A:er
Page 119:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT B.C
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Soil Management Handbook - Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

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