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Table of contents
Palouse and Nezperce Prairies Soil Quality Card
Soil Quality Card is… -Field Tool -Assess current status of soil quality -Determine changes in soil quality affected by field management -Displays farmer-selected soil quality indicators
For Farmers and Ranchers… -assess impact of field management -keep records of soil quality -detect changes over time -identification of problems
For conservationists… -communicate and exchange ideas -learn about soil quality issues
Scientific Validity… -qualitative assessment -baseline establishment
Project Participants… -Growers -Nez Perce SWCD -Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association -McGregor Company - USDA- NRCS -SARE
Organization… -Card with indicators -Soil quality Guide
Using the Guide… -description of indicator -explanation of why indicator is used -management discussion -instructions for assessment
Slide 10
Infiltration… -process of water entering soil -record water ponding
Slide 12
Soil Function… Water and Solute Flow
Slide 14
Compaction… -Restricts rooting depth -Reduced pore space
Slide 16
Tilth and Structure… -arrangement of soil particles -measure ease of breaking soil ped
Slide 18
Slide 19
Organic Matter… -compare soil color -smell soil sample
Slide 21
Slide 22
Plant Residue… -view residue present on soil surface -determine amount of decomposition
Earthworms… -count number of worms -look for worm casts and burrows
Earthworm Burrows
Slide 26
Erosion… -estimate amount of rills -view color of runoff water
Slide 28
Seedling Emergence… -determine timing -measure height
Plant Growth and Vigor… -note color, height, population
Factors Influencing Soil Nutrients
Slide 32
Rooting Systems… -note number of roots -note shape of roots
Slide 34
Slide 35
Where to obtain… -available on PNDSA web site -local conservation district offices -www.nezperceswcd.org