Field Guide. cropping and pastoral grazing on flat to rolling country.

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SOIL INDICATORSSoil colour under pasture Compare the colour of a h<strong>and</strong>ful of soil from the soil structure testwith soil taken from under the nearest fence line. Using the three photographs below, compare the relative change insoil colour that has occurred.As topsoil colour can vary between soil types, the photographsillustrate the trend rather than the absolute colour of the soil.THE COLOUR OF THE SOIL is a useful indication of soil drainage <strong>and</strong>aeration, soiI wetness from late autumn to early spring, <strong>and</strong> whetherthe soil is being damaged by pugging. Grey subsoil colours in loamy,silty or clayey soils suggest the soil is poorly drained. Grey soil coloursin the topsoil suggest the soil is waterlogged <strong>and</strong> deficient of oxygenfor long periods. Poor aeration leads to a build-up of carbon dioxide<strong>and</strong> methane, <strong>and</strong> reduces the ability of plants to take up water <strong>and</strong>nutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus <strong>and</strong> potassium. Pooraeration also slows the breakdown of organic residues, <strong>and</strong> can inducechemical reactions toxic to plant roots.60 VISUAL SOIL ASSESSMENT: Volume 1
FIGURE 3: Visual scoring (VS) of soil colour under pasturePOOR CONDITION VS = 0Soil colour has become significantly palerdue to gleying because of persistentpuggingMODERATE CONDITION VS = 1The colour of the topsoil is somewhatpaler due to the early stages of gleyingbecause of moderate puggingGOOD CONDITION VS = 2Dark coloured topsoil indicating a wellaeratedsoil with a good turnover oforganic matterVISUAL SOIL ASSESSMENT: Volume 161
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VISUAL SOILASSESSMENTCROPPED SOILPA
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TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroduction 5Visu
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INTRODUCTIONTHE QUESTION - To profi
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The following examples illustrate t
Page 9 and 10: 2. Setting upIt is important to be
Page 11: VISUAL SOILASSESSMENTNO-TILLCONVENT
Page 14 and 15: SCORE CARDVisual indicators for ass
Page 16 and 17: SOIL INDICATORSSoil structure <stro
Page 18 and 19: SOIL INDICATORSSoil porosity under
Page 20 and 21: SOIL INDICATORSSoil colour under <s
Page 22 and 23: SOIL INDICATORSNumber and</
Page 24 and 25: SOIL INDICATORSEarthworm counts und
Page 26 and 27: SOIL INDICATORSPresence of a tillag
Page 28 and 29: SOIL INDICATORSDegree of clod devel
Page 30 and 31: SOIL INDICATORSSusceptibility to wi
Page 32 and 33: 32 VISUAL SOIL ASSESSMENT: Volume 1
Page 34 and 35: PLANT INDICATORSCrop emergence Asse
Page 36 and 37: PLANT INDICATORSCrop height at matu
Page 38 and 39: PLANT INDICATORSThe size an
Page 40 and 41: PLANT INDICATORSCrop yield Assess r
Page 42 and 43: PLANT INDICATORSRoot diseases Asses
Page 44 and 45: PLANT INDICATORSWeed infestation As
Page 46 and 47: PLANT INDICATORSSurface ponding und
Page 48 and 49: PLANT INDICATORSProduction costs As
Page 50 and 51: 50 VISUAL SOIL ASSESSMENT: Volume 1
Page 53 and 54: SCORE CARDVisual indicators for ass
Page 55 and 56: INSTRUCTIONS FORASSESSING SOIL QUAL
Page 57 and 58: FIGURE 1: Visual scoring (VS) of so
Page 59: FIGURE 2: Visual scoring (VS) of so
Page 63 and 64: FIGURE 4: Visual scoring (VS) of nu
Page 65 and 66: FIGURE 5: Visual scoring (VS) of ea
Page 67 and 68: FIGURE 6: Visual scoring (VS) of su
Page 69 and 70: INSTRUCTIONS FORASSESSING SOIL QUAL
Page 71 and 72: FIGURE 7: Visual scoring (VS) of pa
Page 77 and 78: FIGURE 10: Visual scoring (VS) of a
Page 79 and 80: FIGURE 11: Visual scoring (VS) of d
Page 81 and 82: FIGURE 12: Visual scoring (VS) of s
Page 83 and 84: FIGURE 13: Scoring of stock-carryin
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Field Guide. cropping and pastoral grazing on flat to rolling country.

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