Farmer perceptions of soil quality and their relationship to management-sensitive soil parameters

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.B. Gruver ◽  
R.R. Weil
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Individual Parameter ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Percent Difference ◽  
Level Of Agreement

AbstractA critical step in the quantification of soil quality (SQ) is the selection of SQ benchmarks. The benchmarks used in this study were SQ ratings made by 32 farmer collaborators representing a range of farming systems, scales of operation and geographic locations in the Mid-Atlantic region of USA. Soils from 45 pairs of sites identified by their farmers as having good and poor SQ were sampled over three seasons and analyzed for 19 soil parameters. Farmer judgments of SQ were based on many factors, most commonly soil organic matter, crop performance, soil water availability and erosion history. Selected individual soil parameters were normalized and integrated into an additive SQ index (SQI). Three additional indices were developed using discriminant analysis. The level of agreement between individual parameters, SQIs and farmer SQ ratings was evaluated using paired t-tests and mean percent difference values. The additive SQI was found to have the highest level of agreement with farmer SQ ratings (P<0.0001), demonstrating that a linear combination of soil parameters can be assembled that is more in agreement with holistic SQ criteria, such as farmer SQ ratings, than individual soil parameters. Extractable C from microwave (MW) sterilized soil (a measure of microbial biomass) was the individual parameter that best agreed with farmer SQ ratings (P<0.0001). Five additional soil C parameters, as well as aggregate stability, also agreed well with farmer SQ ratings (all P values <0.0005). The three parameters with the highest ratio of mean percent difference to coefficient of variation (an indication of parameter reliability) were extractable C from MW sterilized soil, anthrone reactive C and macroaggregate stability (14.2, 7.7 and 3.7, respectively). Mineral fertility parameters (pH, Ca, Ca:Mg ratio, P and K) were not significantly related to farmer SQ ratings (P values >0.05). The strong relationships observed between soil C parameters, soil structural parameters and farmer SQ ratings suggest that efforts to improve SQ in the study region should focus on monitoring and enhancement of soil C and soil structure.

Labile soil carbon fractions as indicators of soil quality improvement under short-term grassland set-aside

Soil Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 364
Author(s):  
Jason M. Lussier ◽  
Maja Krzic ◽  
Sean M. Smukler ◽  
Katarina R. Neufeld ◽  
Chantel J. Chizen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Aggregate Size ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Soil C

Grassland set-asides (GLSA) are fields that are taken out of intensive annual crop production and seeded with a mixture of grasses and legumes for one to four years to improve soil quality. The objectives of this study were to evaluate (i) the relationships among soil organic carbon (SOC), permanganate oxidisable C (POXC), dilute-acid extractable polysaccharides (DAEP) and aggregate stability to determine if they may be used as proxies for one another, (ii) whether these indicators could be used to predict aggregate stability, (iii) if differences in soil quality after short-term GLSAs, detected with aggregate stability, could instead be detected with POXC or DAEP and (iv) potential use of diffuse Fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-MIR) to predict POXC, DAEP and aggregate stability in the Fraser River Delta region of British Columbia, Canada. There were strong relationships among SOC, POXC and DAEP, but the relationship between DAEP and SOC (R2 = 0.60, P &lt; 0.0001) was less strong than that observed between POXC and SOC (R2 = 0.71, P &lt; 0.0001). All three soil C fractions were significantly predicted with the 2–6 mm aggregate size fraction but the correlations for DAEP (R2 = 0.43) and POXC (R2 = 0.36) were stronger than that for SOC (R2 = 0.29). Predictions of soil quality indicators using FT-MIR produced R2 = 0.92 for POXC, R2 = 0.93 for DAEP and R2 = 0.62 for the 2–6 mm aggregate size fraction. These results suggest that FT-MIR holds promise as a low-cost method to determine labile soil C fractions that are better proxy soil quality indicators for aggregate stability than SOC.

Soil and vegetation of ungrazed crested wheatgrass and native rangelands

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Broersma ◽  
M. Krzic ◽  
D. J. Thompson ◽  
A. A. Bomke
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Soil C

Seeding of introduced forage grasses, such as crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. and A. desertorum (Fisch.) Schult.], can lead to the reduction of species diversity and soil quality. This study evaluated the effects of crested wheatgrass on soil and vegetation relative to native rangeland dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass [Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Scribn. & Smith] under ungrazed conditions. Three sites consisting of adjacent ungrazed stands of crested wheatgrass and native vegetation were sampled in June 1997. Total plant cover was 37% on native and 24% on crested wheatgrass rangeland. Species richness was lower for crested wheatgrass than for native rangeland. Quantities of root biomass and most soil properties were similar for the two rangelands. Native rangeland had a more stable soil structure with 1.7 mm mean weight diameter (MWD) and 38% of soil aggregates in the 2–6 mm size fraction compared to 1.4 mm MWD and 28% of soil aggregate in the 2–6 mm size fraction on crested wheatgrass rangeland. Greater soil penetration resistance was observed at the 6 and 7.5 cm depths for crested wheatgrass rangeland. Crested wheatgrass did not invade adjacent native rangelands and only a slight reduction in soil quality was observed on crested wheatgrass rangelands. Key words: Crested wheatgrass, soil C, soil N, penetration resistance, aggregate stability, species diversity

scholarly journals Predictive physico-chemical model for soil quality index in a long-term green manure farming system at tropical conditions, North-eastern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gislaine dos Santos Nascimento ◽  
Tancredo Souza ◽  
Lucas Jónatan Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Lídia Klestadt Laurindo ◽  
Djail Santos
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Soil Quality Index ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Tropical Conditions ◽  
C Stock

Abstract Soil quality index shed light on soil health and its capacity to sustain high primary production. It also can assist decision-making in farming systems by integrating this valuable product into soil management planning. However, the currently existing models are based on rather local data, and thus, there is a lack of predictive tools to monitor soil quality on farming systems at tropical conditions. We characterized soil physico-chemical properties, plant biomass production under a 6-year experiment in a sandy soil from Tropical ecosystem, using ten treatments: Brachiaria decumbens, Canavalia ensiformis, Crotalaria juncea, Crotalaria ochroleuca, Crotalaria spectabilis, Lablab purpureus, Mucuna pruriens, Neonotonia wightii, Pennisetum glaucum, and Stilozobium aterrimum. We found that most of the soil physico-chemical properties were correlated with each other by Pearson’s correlation analysis. On the other hand, RDA illustrated that shoot dry biomass was related to soil C stock, K+, macro- and microporosity. Soil pH, Al3+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Olsen’s P, Na+, soil C stock, bulk density, microporosity, macroporosity, and permanent wilting point were the main factors driving primary production in our long-term study. Our findings suggest that: 1) a consecutive green manure practice without any input of fertilizers after 6 years changed positively by increasing soil fertility (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Olsen’s P), and improving plant growth and soil quality in tropical savanna climate conditions; and 2) the 33 multivariate predictive models may provide a deeper view about the benefits of using plant species as green manure by creating positive plant-soil feedback thus promoting soil quality.

Changes in soil quality following humping/hollowing and flipping of pakihi soils on the West Coast, South Island New Zealand

2007 ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Thomas ◽  
M.H.Beare C.D. Ford ◽  
V. Rietveld
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
The West ◽  
Organic Matter Quality ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Soil C

Humping/hollowing and flipping are land development practices widely used on the West Coast to overcome waterlogging constraints to pasture production. However, there is very limited information about how the resulting "new" soils function and how their properties change over time following these extreme modifications. We hypothesised that soil quality will improve in response to organic matter inputs from plants and excreta, which will in turn increase nutrient availability. We tested this hypothesis by quantifying the soil organic matter and nutrient content of soils at different stages of development after modification. We observed improvements in soil quality with increasing time following soil modification under both land development practices. Total soil C and N values were very low following flipping, but over 8 years these values had increased nearly five-fold. Other indicators of organic matter quality such as hot water extractable C (HWC) and anaerobically mineralisable N (AMN) showed similar increases. With large capital applications of superphosphate fertiliser to flipped soils in the first year and regular applications of maintenance fertiliser, Olsen P levels also increased from values

SOIL C AND N AS INDICATORS OF VINEYARD SOIL QUALITY IN THE RAVNI KOTARI REGION OF CROATIA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia C. Clemens ◽  
◽  
Mia Brkljaca ◽  
Delaina Pearson ◽  
C. Brannon Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Vineyard Soil ◽  
Soil C And N ◽  
C And N

scholarly journals Identification of sensitive indicators to assess the interrelationship between soil quality, management practices and human health

SOIL ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Zornoza ◽  
J. A. Acosta ◽  
F. Bastida ◽  
S. G. Domínguez ◽  
D. M. Toledo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Sustainable Land Use ◽  
Soil Quality Index

Abstract. Soil quality (SQ) assessment has long been a challenging issue, since soils present high variability in properties and functions. This paper aims to increase the understanding of SQ through the review of SQ assessments in different scenarios providing evidence about the interrelationship between SQ, land use and human health. There is a general consensus that there is a need to develop methods to assess and monitor SQ for assuring sustainable land use with no prejudicial effects on human health. This review points out the importance of adopting indicators of different nature (physical, chemical and biological) to achieve a holistic image of SQ. Most authors use single indicators to assess SQ and its relationship with land uses – soil organic carbon and pH being the most used indicators. The use of nitrogen and nutrient content has resulted sensitive for agricultural and forest systems, together with physical properties such as texture, bulk density, available water and aggregate stability. These physical indicators have also been widely used to assess SQ after land use changes. The use of biological indicators is less generalized, with microbial biomass and enzyme activities being the most selected indicators. Although most authors assess SQ using independent indicators, it is preferable to combine some of them into models to create a soil quality index (SQI), since it provides integrated information about soil processes and functioning. The majority of revised articles used the same methodology to establish an SQI, based on scoring and weighting of different soil indicators, selected by means of multivariate analyses. The use of multiple linear regressions has been successfully used for forest land use. Urban soil quality has been poorly assessed, with a lack of adoption of SQIs. In addition, SQ assessments where human health indicators or exposure pathways are incorporated are practically inexistent. Thus, further efforts should be carried out to establish new methodologies to assess soil quality not only in terms of sustainability, productivity and ecosystem quality but also human health. Additionally, new challenges arise with the use and integration of stable isotopic, genomic, proteomic and spectroscopic data into SQIs.

Fertility, carbon stock and aggregate stability of an Alfisol under integrated farming systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Luan Ferreira da Silva ◽  
Flávio Pereira de Oliveira ◽  
Adriana Ferreira Martins ◽  
Danillo Dutra Tavares ◽  
André Julio do Amaral
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Stability Index ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Gliricidia Sepium ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Integrated Farming ◽  
Integrated Farming Systems

ABSTRACT Integrated farming systems are promising strategies for the recovery of pastures and degraded soils. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of integrated farming systems arrangements, after four years of implementation, on the fertility, carbon stock and aggregate stability of an Alfisol, in the semiarid region of the Paraíba state, Brazil. A randomized block experimental design was used, with 5 treatments and 4 replications: Brachiaria decumbens; B. decumbens + Tabebuia impetiginous; B. decumbens + Gliricidia sepium; B. decumbens + Mimosa caesalpiniifolia; and B. decumbens + maize. The soil chemical attributes, fertility, carbon stock and structural and aggregate stability were evaluated in the 0.00-0.10, 0.10-0.20 and 0.20-0.30 m layers. The B. decumbens + maize system presented an organic matter content 11.93 % higher than B. decumbens, and was higher than the other systems evaluated. Concerning the carbon stock in the 0.00-0.10 m layer, in B. decumbens the uptake was 2.66 Mg ha-1 higher than that of the B. decumbens + maize system and, on average, 4.69 Mg ha-1 higher than for the systems with the arboreal component. In the medium-term, B. decumbens is more efficient in adding carbon to the soil. The soil structural stability, aggregate stability index and fertility were not affected by the different arrangements after four years of implementation.

scholarly journals Soil quality indicators of arable lands in the Russian Federation

2020 ◽  
pp. 31-67
Author(s):  
V. S. Stolbovoy ◽  
A. M. Grebennikov
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Agricultural Lands ◽  
Grain Crops ◽  
The Russian Federation

The study presents three groups of Soil Quality Indicators (SQI) of arable lands in the Russian Federation, such as agroclimate conditions, soil parameters and negative soil characteristics. The selection of SQI meets the requirements of the crop growth model for calculating the standard crop yield. The application of SQI in the Grain Equivalent Model allows ranking quality of the soils of agricultural lands in the country. The share of the best quality Chernozems with the standard yield of grain crops exceeding 4 t/ha is about 10%. At the same time, arable Chernozems occupy nearly 66% of total area of agricultural lands. More than 74% of the arable lands including podzolized and leached Chernozems in the northern part and Chernozems southern in the southern part of the agricultural zone are characterized by medium quality with the standard yield of grain crops 2-4 t/ha. About 10% of the arable land occupied by Chestnut solonetzic and saline soils are of poorer quality with the standard yield of grain crops less than 1 t/ha. The proposed indicators are included in the government programs for valuating and monitoring the quality of agricultural lands. The universal validity of indicators is a basis for the development of a new generation of standards for the protection and rational use of soils based on modern digital technologies and GIS approaches.

scholarly journals SQI: Development index and application for two contrasting mediterranean landscapes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Antonio Sillero-Medina ◽  
Paloma Hueso-Gonzalez ◽  
Jose Damián Ruiz-Sinoga
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Mediterranean Landscapes ◽  
The Status ◽  
Torrential Rainfall ◽  
Edaphic Properties ◽  
Climate Crisis

&lt;p&gt;Soil quality indexes (SQIs) are very useful in assessing the status and edaphic health of soils. This is particularly the case in the Mediterranean area, where successive torrential rainfall episodes give rise to erosion and soil degradation processes; these are being exacerbated by the current climate crisis. The objective of this study was to analyze the soil quality in two contrasting Mediterranean watersheds in the province of Malaga (Spain): the middle and upper watersheds of the Rio Grande (sub-humid conditions) and the Benamargosa River (semi-arid conditions). Field soil sampling was carried out at representative sites, and the soils were subsequently analyzed for various edaphic properties in the laboratory. From the resulting data, the mean values &amp;#8203;&amp;#8203;have been grouped and reclassified, and based on a multicriteria evaluation, a SQI for the study region was generated. The results show that there are major differences between the two watersheds, with optimal soil quality values being found in the Rio Grande watershed, but more unfavorable values occurring throughout most of the Benamargosa River watershed.&lt;/p&gt;

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