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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

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Section 3 • Living Soil, Integrated Soil Nutrient and Crop Managements<br />

❏ How many kg <strong>of</strong> insects, worms, bacteria and fungi do you think are in a typical hectare <strong>of</strong> soil<br />

(facilitator pose this question and <strong>of</strong>fer matrix below, but without numbers):<br />

ORGANISMS kG/HA X 20 CM DEEP<br />

Insects 17<br />

Worms 600<br />

Bacteria 1,500<br />

Fungi 3,500<br />

Note: This study in central Europe shows just how ‘alive’ a soil really is. It measured<br />

amount <strong>of</strong> living organisms in a 1-ha <strong>of</strong> soil, down to 20 cm in depth. To date, most<br />

participants have seriously underestimated how much living material exists in soil<br />

(especially bacteria and fungi). Recall, however, that this study was done in temperate<br />

zone. Values will be different <strong>for</strong> tropics and depend greatly on amount <strong>of</strong> organic<br />

matter in soil.<br />

❏ Did you observe differences in kind and number <strong>of</strong> organisms and litters found in different<br />

soils?<br />

❏ Do you think there will be differences in per<strong>for</strong>mance (e.g., plant growth, development, and<br />

yield) <strong>of</strong> crops to be grown in different soils?<br />

❏ What factors do you think influenced the number and kind <strong>of</strong> organisms and litters found in<br />

different soils?<br />

❏ What do you think is the influence <strong>of</strong> some basic characteristics <strong>of</strong> a living soil on abundance<br />

<strong>of</strong> soil organisms, soil organic matter content, and soil water holding capacity, soil nutrient<br />

availability, and crop productivity?<br />

❏ What characteristics should we observe in a living soil that suggest abundance <strong>of</strong> soil organisms,<br />

soil organic matter content, and soil water holding capacity, soil nutrient availability, and crop<br />

productivity?<br />

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