Oregon Department of Agriculture Fertilizer Research Grant Natural Resources Conservation Service Benton Soil & Water Conservation Dist. Soil & Water Conservation Society Oregon Branch WELCOME & THANKS

Soil Quality Assessments Teresa Matteson

The capacity of a soil to: Sustain plant and animal productivity. Maintain or enhance water and air quality. Support human health and habitation. Define Soil Quality

Why Soil Quality?

1. Land management impacts Soil Quality - for better or for worse. 2. Field & Lab assessments encourage informed management decisions that: Lower production costs Reduce environmental impacts Build soil capital Take Home Messages

Management and Soil Quality Soil Organisms Soil Structure Organic Matter Water Infiltration Vegetation Soil Quality

Soil Quality Assessment Field Observations Laboratory Tests

WV Soil Quality Card Willamette Valley Soil Quality Card (EM 8711) Willamette Valley Soil Quality Card Guide (EM 8710) Online at OSU Extension publications Do this at HOME!!!

NRCS SQ Test Kit

Do this at HOME!!! A simple set of tools to measure infiltration.

Infiltration = Pore Space = Compaction

Water Infiltration 1.Reduces erosion 2.Minimizes water pollution 3.Increases irrigation efficiency 4.Prevents flooding 5.Is cost effective

Field Observations Laboratory Tests Get to know your soil better!

Sample Collection 10 shovels of soil = composite sample 10 compaction readings

Lab Assessments Answer is in the BAG!

SQP Report $100/sample Weeds Bare soil Hx: Intensive till No OM inputs

SQP Report Row crop rotation 20 yr OM Cultivation

Compaction SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: Dickey-john compaction tester Maximum pressure in two depth ranges: 0-6 inches 6-18 inches

Compaction Decrease in pore spaces are where plants get air, water, and nutrients. Adapted from Sulzman and Frey, 2003 Field Assessment

Less Greater Compaction Field Observations

Try this at home! Test your compaction! Use what you have: Fingers Shovel Pin flag Rod

Why Compaction? EROSION!  500 yrs = 1 in. top soil INFILTRATION! CO$T!!!!  Production  Environment

Three steps of water erosion Most erosion is initiated by the impact of raindrops, NOT by the flow of running water

USA 1930’s Dust Bowl Wikipedia… “The phenomenon was caused by severe drought coupled with decades of extensive farming without crop rotation, fallow fields, cover crops or other techniques to prevent wind erosion. [1] Deep plowing of the virgin topsoil of the Great Plains had displaced the natural deep-rooted grasses that normally kept the soil in place and trapped moisture even during periods of drought and high winds.”droughtcrop rotationcover cropswind erosion [1]topsoilGreat Plainsgrassesdrought

Ways to Improve Soil Reduce disturbance Work soil when dry Avoid compaction Add organic materials  Mulch soil surface  Cover crops

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. ~Marcel Proust Betsiboka River, Madagascar Via Space Shuttle

Teresa Matteson Benton SWCD Thanks for attending this Soil Health Workshop!