Fundamentals of Soils ACP

(Plant Crops)

Fundamentals of Soil

As Farmers, What Might We Want To Change About a Soil?

• How good it grows crops?
• How much water it can hold?
• How much water it releases and drains?
• How much air it can hold for roots to breathe?
• How much fertilizer it can hold?
• How much it weighs?

Is One Soil Best for Everything?

Soils can be changed to help plants grow better and make work easier. How?

• First, understand your soil
• Next, understand what must be added to the soil to change and improve it

Physical Characteristic of Soil

• Soil Texture & Soil Structure
• Root Zone Depth

Soil Components

• Mineral
• Pore Spaces
• Organic matter

Mineral Components

How to check mineral component and soil type?

Characteristic of Soil Texture

Clay - Holds excellent water and fertilizer. Air to the roots a big problem. Silt - Holds some water and fertilizer. Air to the roots can become a problem. Sand - Does not hold water or fertilizers. Excellent air to the roots.

Plant Roots and Their Need for Air

Plant Roots and Their Need for Air

Pore Space in Soil in Irrigation

Example of Organics

• Compost
• Sphagnum or Peat moss
• Manure
• Sawdust and wood shavings
• Coconut coir

What happens to organic in the soil?

First Step

Second Step

Third Step

Attached by organism and starts to rot.

Releases plant nutrients.

Improve soil structure and texture

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Physical Characteristic of Soil

• Soil Texture & Soil Structure
• Root Zone Depth

Root Zone Depth and Soil Texture

Silt

Clay

Sand

Root Zone Depth and Plant Size

How about chemical components of soil?

• pH (potential of Hydrogen)??
• Nutrients??

pH (potential of Hydrogen

pH range for plants

Ideal for plants

How soil pH affects availability of plant nutrients?

How many can I adjust the pH?

Lime Raises Soil pH

Sulfur Lowers Soil pH

How can I know the available nutrients and pH of soil?

Soil Sampling

Soil Sampling/ Analysis

• First step in Land Preparation for vegetable, field crops, and fruit trees.
• Soil analysis is a valuable tool in determining the fertility status of the soil and the necessary inputs required for efficient and economic production.

Source: Regional Soil Laboratory

Soil Sampling/ Analysis

• A proper soil test will help ensure the application of enough fertilizer to meet the requirements of the crop while taking advantage of the nutrients already present in the soil.

Source: Regional Soil Laboratory

Purpose of Soil Sampling

• Measure the nutrient content or availability in the soil
• Identify nutrient deficiency
• Determine the soil pH if acidic or alkaline
• Lime and Sulfur Adjustments for soil pH

Procedure in collecting Soil Sample

1. Prepare soil sampling tools:
2. Clean Bucket
3. Shovel or Spade
4. Trowel

DO NOT CONTAMINATE THE SAMPLE

• Use clean sampling tools and containers.
• Never use tools or containers that have been used for mixing or applying fertilizer or limestone.

Procedure in collecting Soil Sample

1. Take soil from a minimum of 10 random locations (x) in the sampled area and mix together in a clean bucket.

A good soil sample should be represented of the Area

A good soil sample should be represented of the Area

Procedure in collecting Soil Sample

1. Clear all debris, weeds, stones, that can affect you from getting soil samples in 1 meter radius.

Procedure in collecting Soil Sample

1. Dig a hole until you reach the prescribe depth.

For Vegetable Crop:

• 15-30 cm

For Orchard (Fruit) and Field Crop (Rice):

• 30-60 cm

Different Tool, Different Procedure

Follow the “V” shape rule. Dig only in 2 sides

TOP VIEW

FRONT VIEW

3-5 INCHES

2-3 CENTIMETERS

Excess soil must be remove using trowel

Procedure in collecting Soil Sample

1. All samples should be collected and put in a clean bucket.

1. Mix the samples thoroughly and remove foreign materials like roots, stones, pebbles and gravels.

Note: Air-dry soil sample if moist

Procedure in collecting Soil Sample

1. Reduce the collected soil about 1 kilogram by using quartering method.

Quartering Method

Procedure in collecting Soil Sample

1. Put the soil sample in a clean plastic bag or zipped bag.

Procedure in collecting Soil Sample

1. Label the soil sample with required information:

Name of Farmer/Client

Address

Location of Sample Source

Farm Area

Date and Time of Sample Collection

Source: Regional Soil Laboratory

Crops to be planted

Prescribed Fees for Soil Test

P250

Percent of Organic Matter (N)

Available Phosphorous (P)

P250

Available Potassium (K)

P250

Note: Soil analysis with fertilizer recommendation is free for farmers

P100

Soil pH

Source: Regional Soil Laboratory

Procedure in collecting Soil Sample

1. Send your sample in the nearest soil testing laboratory.

Example of Soil Analysis Result of MoCA Family Farm RLearning Center, Inc.

MoCA Family Farm Rlearning Center Soil Analysis Result (Last 2013)

Crop

Vegetable Garden

Target pH

6.5

pH Result

6.2

Phosphorus

High

Potassium

High

Magnesium

High

MoCA Family Farm RLearning Center Soil Lime and Fertilizer Recommendation (Last 2013)

Crop

Vegetable Garden

Lime

2.13 kgs per 100 sq. ft.

Nitrogen

.091 kg (91 gram) per 100 sq. ft.

Phosphorus

0 kg per 100 sq. ft.

Potassium

0 kg per 100 sq. ft.

Magnesium

0 kg per 100 sq. ft.

When and How Often Should Soils Be Tested?

• Soils should be dry enough to dig when sampling.
• Vegetable Garden should be sampled every 1 to 2 years
• Ornamentals should be sampled every 2 to 3 years

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