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How Do Farmers Observe the Health of Their Soil and What Tools do they Use? PART B

By: Helen Disler

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The farmer should observe closely the biological activity of farm soil. As in the physical aspects, all information should be written down in the farm's records for use in analysis and decision-making.

Organic matter content should normally be measured in laboratory tests, but you can make a visual evaluation. Darker brown soil generally implies higher humus content. Dig up some soil and look for white threads of fungal mycelia and undecomposed organic matter. The absence of crop residues from the previous growing season within a few weeks of the new crop indicates the soil is biologically active. If residues are still present, you need to stimulate more soil organisms.

Counting earthworms is a useful indicator of biological activity and overall soil health. Avoid taking the soil from spots that would overstate the worm count, such as under mulch or close to a compost pile. It is advisable to wait until a cool time of day so worms will not be exposed to harmful conditions.

The earthworm census should be taken several times each season; the season average can be used to analyse year-to-year changes in soil health. You can pick any of these alternative methods for estimating earthworm population:

Dig out everything in a 12-in x 12-in x 6-in (30.5-cm x 30.5-cm x 15.2-cm) plot and place in a pan or bucket. Good healthy soil should contain 10 or more earthworms in a sample this size.

Dig out a "spade-split" of soil, about 2-in (5-cm) wide and 8-in (20-cm) deep (the spade blade serves as length). There should be several spade-splits taken from each field, and the average for the field is calculated. For each spade-split, one earthworm is roughly equivalent to 100,000 worms per acre (247,000 worms per hectare).

This is the simplest: just count the number of earthworm holes (marked by the earthworm castings beside them) in a designated area. The same area should be used for subsequent counts during the season, to make the year-to-year numbers comparable.

Plant root condition can be considered an ultimate indicator of soil health. Examine the roots of a weed or a growing plant. If you dig up a plant, take care to cut off the least possible portion of its root mass. Select the healthiest-looking specimen in the area and evaluate.

Are roots well-branched and vigorous? It is desirable for roots to penetrate as much soil area as possible. The estimated volume and depth of the root mass in the area, tracked over the course of the season, indicates changes in the soil biological health.

Are fine root hairs plentiful? The presence of many fine feeder roots indicates good air circulation in the root zone.

Are roots spreading out in every direction, or are they growing sideways at some point? A sudden change of direction sideways indicates the presence of an impenetrable hardpan underground.

Legume crops should contain a good number of nodules, which are the living areas of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Slice open some nodules and check the colour inside. A healthy nodule presents a pink or red colour; green or black indicates lack of bacterial activity (although this may be the temporary normal colour, when the plant is entering its dormant phase). The more and the bigger the nodules, the more nitrogen the plant can fix. Beans and peas normally have fewer nodules than clover and alfalfa.

Close, regular, and accurate observation and recording of information about the soil's physical and biological condition, combined with crop health and yield records, provides a sound basis for evaluating the fertility improvement program.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

For More Info: Helen M. Disler Farming Secrets www.farmingsecrets.com/ Email: info@farmingsecrets.com

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