Progressive Crop Consultant May/June 2021

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Physical Chemical Biological Indicator Available Water Capacity Surface Hardness Subsurface Hardness Aggregate Stability Bulk Density Water Infiltration Indicator Electrical Conductivity (EC) Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) pH Essential Nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, etc.) Heavy Metals Cation Exchange Capacity Indicator Organic Matter (combustion) Soil Protein Index Soil Respiration Water Extractable Organic Carbon Microbially Active Carbon (%MAC) Water Extractable Organic Nitrogen Soil Health Metrics Active Carbon (potassium permanganate oxidation) Phospholipid Fatty Acid Analysis (PLFA) Microscopy Genomics Enzymes - B-Glucosidase, N-Acetyl-B-D Glucosaminidase, Phosphomonoesterase, arylsulfatase Description Measures the amount of water soils can hold and release to plant roots. Soils with higher OM have higher AWC. Measures compaction at the soil surface implicating susceptibility to runoff. Measures soil compaction between 6 to 18 inches. Measures how well soil aggregates stick together when struck by simulated rain drops. Soils with better aggregate stability resist erosion and generally have good water infiltration and aeration. Indicates soil structure, compaction, and organic matter content. Soils with high bulk density may have poor structure, compaction, and low organic matter. Measures the soil's ability to absorb water. Description Measures overall soil salinity Calculation comparing sodium to calcium and magnesium content to determine soil sodicity. Soil acidity and alkalinity influence nutrient availability Macro and micronutrient concentrations are measured to determine fertilization requirements and address potential deficiencies or toxicities. Measured to determine presence of metals that may harm plant, animal, or human health. Measures the soil's ability to retain essential nutrients. Description Measures the quantity of all carbon containing materials in the soil. Measures the fraction of organic matter containing amino acids, peptides, and proteins. Organic nitrogen availability influences the soil's nitrogen mineralization potential. Measures microbial activity upon rewetting oven dried soil. Small fraction of Soil Organic Matter that is readily available for microbial consumption. Percentage of WEOC used by microbes during the soil respiration test. High values above 80% indicate that microbial activity may become limited by carbon availability and the soil would benefit from increasing carbon inputs. Includes proteins and amino acids available for microbial use. Higher WEON levels indicate better nitrogen mineralization potential and decreases mineral N fertilizer requirement. Carbon readily available for microbial decomposition. Estimates the quantity and type of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes in the soil. Microorganism identification DNA sequencing to determine microbial genera and species present in the soil. Enzymes indicate microbial community composition and the soil's capacity to cycle nutrients. Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Contact your local soil health test lab to inquire about the soil health metrics they offer. Continued from Page 33 growers in transitioning to a suite of practices to begin rebuilding soil. No-till cover cropped systems represent the gold standard for carbon sequestration and soil health, yet logistical and economic factors prevent many growers from adopting regenerative practices. When cover cropping and no till are unfeasible, growers can support healthy microbial communities by applying carbon rich liquid amendments and biostimulants. Many organic fertilizers and amendments contain high levels of carbon, amino acids and metabolites to support beneficial microbial activity during crop growth. Carbon-rich fertilizers made from food scraps feed the soil microbiome while providing a societal benefit by diverting waste from landfills. Liquid organic fertilizers, compost and other amendments can improve soil fertility, mitigate salinity and enhance the crop’s stress tolerance. No matter where your farm lies on the sustainability spectrum, you can monitor and manage the land to improve its long-term production capacity. Soil Health Metrics Soil health testing can guide management decisions and gauge progress after implementing new practices. Many commercial and university labs provide soil quality panels to assess a wide array of metrics influencing the soil’s production capacity and environmental impact. Some labs offer soil health assessment frameworks that rate soil health based on results for several key indicators. Lab test results for each indicator are mathematically transformed into unitless scores reflecting the level of functionality. Scores for each indicator are combined to give an overall soil health rating. Widely respected soil health frameworks include the Cornell Soil Health Assessment, the Soil Management Assessment Framework (Andrews et al., 2004) and the Haney Test provided by Ward Laboratories. Metrics included in the assessments vary between labs, but they all aim to 34 Progressive Crop Consultant May / June 2021
include physical, chemical and biological components. Familiar measurements including pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and essential nutrients appear on soil health panels as do traditional field evaluations like water infiltration and wet aggregate stability. Biological indicators include combustible soil organic matter, water soluble organic carbon and soil respiration. Several biological indicators must be viewed together to accurately interpret field conditions. For instance, increased microbial respiration does not always indicate improved soil health. High respiration rates combined with high organic matter likely indicate good soil health, but when the soil shows high respiration and low organic matter, the microbes may be burning soil carbon faster than it can be captured. Respiration that outpaces carbon sequestration leads to organic matter loss and soil degradation. Advances in Biological Testing Other biological metrics provide insight into nutrient cycling, disease pressure and crop stress tolerance. Enzyme analysis indicates the microbial community’s capacity to mineralize N, P, K and micronutrients. Pathologists can diagnose fungal, bacterial, nematode and viral pathogens so that growers can choose the right fumigants and crop rotations to keep disease pressure in check. Phospholipid Fatty Acid Analysis (PLFA) helps determine the abundance and types of microbes in the soil. Identifying some of the beneficial microbes helps us predict the soil’s ability to inhibit disease, enhance crop growth and increase nutrient availability. Recent advances in genomics offer exciting opportunities to sequence all the DNA found in a soil sample and map microbial community composition and functioning. Genomics offer a more comprehensive analysis of microbial community than PLFA can provide. Tracking shifts in the microbiome may help determine how land management influences the soil’s trajectory towards improved sustainability. Choosing Soil Health Indicators Healthy soils share many common characteristics, but growers may prioritize some attributes over others depending on their needs. Growers can select soil health indicators relevant to their unique goals, production system, climate and soil type. Farmers converting to no-till can monitor progress by measuring organic matter. Those who continue tilling but begin cover cropping may not observe significant OM increases, but they might find decreased compaction and improved soil aggregate stability. Biostimulant and organic amendment efficacy may be measured by analyzing enzymatic activity and changes in the soil microbiome. Soil health tests are accessible, affordable and offer practical insights into Continued on Page 36 Helping Farmers Grow NATURALLY Since 1974 FEATURING: Office: 559-686-3833 Fax: 559-686-1453 2904 E. Oakdale Ave. | Tulare, CA 93274 newerafarmservice.com May / June 2021 www.progressivecrop.com 35
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