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Evaluation of two field methods to estimate soil organic matter in Alberta soils

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Soil quality can be briefly defined as how well a soil is able to function within an ecosystem. One way to assess soil quality is to use a quantitative method such as the United States Department... More ≫

Description

Soil quality can be briefly defined as how well a soil is able to function within an ecosystem. One way to assess soil quality is to use a quantitative method such as the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Soil Quality Test Kit. The kit measures various biological, physical, and chemical indicators but does not include a test for determining soil organic matter. The objectives of this study were to test two field methods for determining soil organic matter using soils from 41 sites across Alberta and to compare to measured soil organic matter and light fraction carbon obtained through conventional laboratory analyses.

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AESA soil quality benchmark sites. Soil organic matter

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Analysis of soil organic matter (SOM), conducted on the AESA Soil Quality Benchmark sites, has revealed some significant differences in the per cent of organic carbon and total nitrogen in... More ≫

Description

Analysis of soil organic matter (SOM), conducted on the AESA Soil Quality Benchmark sites, has revealed some significant differences in the per cent of organic carbon and total nitrogen in Alberta's agricultural ecoregions, depending on soil horizon and slope positions. Because SOM varies between ecoregions, and within a single field based on slope position, the assessment of SOM is very site-specific. The study findings highlight the importance of conserving high SOM levels in soils and identify some ways farmers can do this.

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Soil organic matter

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The cultivation of prairie soils has generally resulted in a decline in organic matter of 30 to 50 per cent. A product of this decline has been the release of large amounts of plant nutrients,... More ≫

Description

The cultivation of prairie soils has generally resulted in a decline in organic matter of 30 to 50 per cent. A product of this decline has been the release of large amounts of plant nutrients, particularly nitrogen. Crop rotations with a high frequency of summerfallow have relied on the nitrogen released from soil organic matter to supply crop requirements. More frequent or continuous cropping, less frequent tillage, the production of high yields and the return of crop residues will help to maintain soil organic matter at a satisfactory level. Perennial forages are effective for maintaining or increasing soil organic matter.

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