Soil Management Class test

Soil Management

Definitions

• Lodging: the tendency of cereal crops to bend over and lie flat on the ground, making harvesting difficult and reducing yield.
• Volatilisation: the process of ammonium ions converting to ammonia gas, which is lost to the atmosphere.
• Manure: an organic material consisting of plant and animal wastes.
• Organic: made from materials that were once living, containing carbon.
• Inorganic: made from materials that have not come from living matter.
• Straight fertiliser: contains only one essential element.
• Compound fertilisers: contains two or more essential elements.

Macronutrients

• Nitrogen (N): essential for photosynthesis, protein production, growth, and reproduction in plants.
• Phosphorus (P): essential for growth, reproduction, cell production, seed formation, and DNA transfer.
• Potassium (K): essential for protein synthesis, carbohydrate translocation, enzyme activation, disease resistance, and water regulation.

Macronutrient Deficiencies

• Nitrogen deficiency: slow growth, pale green/yellow leaves, necrosis in older leaves.
• Phosphorus deficiency: stunted growth, lack of fruit or flowers, wilting.
• Potassium deficiency: reduced crop yields, chlorosis of leaves, slow growth.

Other Macronutrients

• Calcium: essential for cell wall formation, necessary for plant growth.
• Magnesium: part of the chlorophyll molecule, necessary for photosynthesis.
• Sulfur: contained in amino acids for protein synthesis, necessary for growth.

Nutrient Availability in Soil

• Most nutrients are available between pH 6 and 7.
• Nutrient availability decreases as soils become acidic or alkaline.

Soil Testing

• Soil auger should be used to take samples.
• Minimum of 20 samples should be taken.
• Samples should be taken in a W shape.
• Samples should be taken from areas that are representative of the entire field.

Fertilisers and Manures

• Fertilisers: inorganic, manufactured materials that may contain one or more essential elements.
• Manure: an organic material consisting of plant and animal wastes.
• Examples of fertilisers:
  • Urea (N)
  • CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate) (N)
  • Sulfate of ammonia (N)
  • Ground rock phosphate (P)
• Straight fertiliser: contains only one essential element.
• Compound fertilisers: contains two or more essential elements.
• Examples of compound fertilisers:
  • 10-10-20

CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate)

• Contains calcium and ammonium ions.
• Ammonium ions are acidic and lower soil pH.
• Calcium ions are alkaline and act as a buffer against ammonium.
• Fast-acting fertiliser, nitrate available immediately for crop uptake.
• Ammonium is slower-acting and must be converted to nitrate form.

Urea

• Less fertiliser is needed for the land than CAN.
• Slower-acting than CAN, undergoes volatilisation.
• Volatilisation: process of ammonium ions converting to ammonia gas, lost to the atmosphere.
• Avoid volatilisation by applying when rain is due and soil is moist, or top-dressing on established crops.

Handling and Storage of Manure

• Store bagged fertiliser at least 10m away from water courses or drains.
• Indoor storage: do not store near combustible materials.
• Wear gloves when handling manure.
• Fertiliser application: may be applied by placing in the soil, broadcasting, or top-dressing.

Farmyard Manure (FYM) and Slurry

• FYM: solid, improves soil structure, no toxic gases, high organic matter, slower release of nutrients.
• Slurry: liquid, little effect on soil structure, produces toxic gases, lower organic matter, faster release of nutrients.
• Advantages of spreading pig or cattle slurry on land:
  • Rich in nutrients, especially nitrogen.
  • Decreased need for chemical fertiliser.
  • High organic matter.

Health and Safety

• Slurry releases toxic gases when agitated, proper ventilation is necessary.
• Slurry tanks should have barriers or fencing to prevent human or livestock access.
• Precautions when slurry is being agitated:
  • Remove livestock from slatted sheds.
  • Nobody should enter building.
  • Keep shed ventilated.
  • Two people present.

Factors Affecting Slurry Composition

• Livestock type.
• Animal diet.
• Dilution of slurry with water.

Timing and Weather for Spreading Slurry

• In spring, on an overcast and misty day, to reduce emissions and protect the environment.
• Soil should be damp to retain ammonia quicker.

Benefits of Soil Drainage

• Less poaching of land by livestock.
• Extended grazing season.
• Increased crop yields.

Animal Influences on Soil

• Damage by poaching: damage caused by wet or waterlogged land by animals, resulting in surface vegetation removal and soil wash away.
• Contribution of organic matter and nutrients from dung.
• Improvement of soil structure by earthworms, resulting in aeration and drainage.

Soil Management

Definitions

• Lodging: the tendency of cereal crops to bend over and lie flat on the ground, making harvesting difficult and reducing yield.
• Volatilisation: the process of ammonium ions converting to ammonia gas, which is lost to the atmosphere.
• Manure: an organic material consisting of plant and animal wastes.
• Organic: made from materials that were once living, containing carbon.
• Inorganic: made from materials that have not come from living matter.
• Straight fertiliser: contains only one essential element.
• Compound fertilisers: contains two or more essential elements.

Macronutrients

• Nitrogen (N): essential for photosynthesis, protein production, growth, and reproduction in plants.
• Phosphorus (P): essential for growth, reproduction, cell production, seed formation, and DNA transfer.
• Potassium (K): essential for protein synthesis, carbohydrate translocation, enzyme activation, disease resistance, and water regulation.

Macronutrient Deficiencies

• Nitrogen deficiency: slow growth, pale green/yellow leaves, necrosis in older leaves.
• Phosphorus deficiency: stunted growth, lack of fruit or flowers, wilting.
• Potassium deficiency: reduced crop yields, chlorosis of leaves, slow growth.

Other Macronutrients

• Calcium: essential for cell wall formation, necessary for plant growth.
• Magnesium: part of the chlorophyll molecule, necessary for photosynthesis.
• Sulfur: contained in amino acids for protein synthesis, necessary for growth.

Nutrient Availability in Soil

• Most nutrients are available between pH 6 and 7.
• Nutrient availability decreases as soils become acidic or alkaline.

Soil Testing

• Soil auger should be used to take samples.
• Minimum of 20 samples should be taken.
• Samples should be taken in a W shape.
• Samples should be taken from areas that are representative of the entire field.

Fertilisers and Manures

• Fertilisers: inorganic, manufactured materials that may contain one or more essential elements.
• Manure: an organic material consisting of plant and animal wastes.
• Examples of fertilisers:
  • Urea (N)
  • CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate) (N)
  • Sulfate of ammonia (N)
  • Ground rock phosphate (P)
• Straight fertiliser: contains only one essential element.
• Compound fertilisers: contains two or more essential elements.
• Examples of compound fertilisers:
  • 10-10-20

CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate)

• Contains calcium and ammonium ions.
• Ammonium ions are acidic and lower soil pH.
• Calcium ions are alkaline and act as a buffer against ammonium.
• Fast-acting fertiliser, nitrate available immediately for crop uptake.
• Ammonium is slower-acting and must be converted to nitrate form.

Urea

• Less fertiliser is needed for the land than CAN.
• Slower-acting than CAN, undergoes volatilisation.
• Volatilisation: process of ammonium ions converting to ammonia gas, lost to the atmosphere.
• Avoid volatilisation by applying when rain is due and soil is moist, or top-dressing on established crops.

Handling and Storage of Manure

• Store bagged fertiliser at least 10m away from water courses or drains.
• Indoor storage: do not store near combustible materials.
• Wear gloves when handling manure.
• Fertiliser application: may be applied by placing in the soil, broadcasting, or top-dressing.

Farmyard Manure (FYM) and Slurry

• FYM: solid, improves soil structure, no toxic gases, high organic matter, slower release of nutrients.
• Slurry: liquid, little effect on soil structure, produces toxic gases, lower organic matter, faster release of nutrients.
• Advantages of spreading pig or cattle slurry on land:
  • Rich in nutrients, especially nitrogen.
  • Decreased need for chemical fertiliser.
  • High organic matter.

Health and Safety

• Slurry releases toxic gases when agitated, proper ventilation is necessary.
• Slurry tanks should have barriers or fencing to prevent human or livestock access.
• Precautions when slurry is being agitated:
  • Remove livestock from slatted sheds.
  • Nobody should enter building.
  • Keep shed ventilated.
  • Two people present.

Factors Affecting Slurry Composition

• Livestock type.
• Animal diet.
• Dilution of slurry with water.

Timing and Weather for Spreading Slurry

• In spring, on an overcast and misty day, to reduce emissions and protect the environment.
• Soil should be damp to retain ammonia quicker.

Benefits of Soil Drainage

• Less poaching of land by livestock.
• Extended grazing season.
• Increased crop yields.

Animal Influences on Soil

• Damage by poaching: damage caused by wet or waterlogged land by animals, resulting in surface vegetation removal and soil wash away.
• Contribution of organic matter and nutrients from dung.
• Improvement of soil structure by earthworms, resulting in aeration and drainage.

This quiz covers key definitions and concepts related to soil management, including lodging, volatilisation, manure, and organic and inorganic materials.