1. Soil and the Characteristics Important for Plant Growth Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching Slides adapted from the Living on the Land curriculum, University of Nevada-Reno, Sue Donaldson, et al. 2001

2. What describes a good soil?  Drains well  Doesn’t crust after planting  Soaks up heavy rains with little runoff  Stores moisture for drought periods  Has few clods and no hardpan  Resists erosion and nutrient loss  Produces healthy, high quality crops...

3. What are soils made of?  Minerals  Air  Water  Organic matter (humus)

4. Water = 20-30% Air = 20-30% Mineral Fraction (sand, silt, clay) = 50% Organics = 5% Composition of a loam soil

5. The Minerals: sand, silt, and clay OSU Extension Service

6. The textural triangle UNCE, Reno, NV

7. USDA NRCS, Bozeman MT Simplified textural triangle

8. Why determine soil texture? Soil texture influences:  Water intake rates  Water storage  Ease of tillage  Amount of aeration  Soil fertility

9. Platy structureGranular structure www.statlab.iastate.edu/soils/ Soil structure: How particles are grouped together into stable collections

10. OSU Extension Service Soil structure is important to: Good aeration Good drainage Good tilth (easy to work)

11. OSU Extension Service Good soil quality has: Good aeration Good drainage Good tilth (easy to work) Lots of organic matter Lots of organisms Balanced percentage of air and water

12. Soil Organic Matter Consists Of:  Living organisms  Dead organisms  Plant matter  Other decomposing organic materials UNCE, Reno, NV

13. Benefits of Soil Organic Matter Increased water and nutrient-holding capacity Formation of soil into stable aggregates Improved water infiltration Diversity of soil organisms – which results in increased stability of the living soil ecosystem

14. The soil ecosystem

15. worm USDA NRCS

16. How Can I Manage My Soils to Improve Them? Avoid compaction Increase the organic matter content Maintain cover with vegetation

17. Add organic matter to soil

18. Manure spreaders make the job of applying manure as an organic matter amendment easier OSU Extension Service

19. Add compost

20. Till in Cover Crops OSU Extension Service

21. Summary of the basics… Soil texture and structure influence the management of the soil related to water, nutrients, and plant growth. Organic matter is an important component of healthy soils