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Field Level Indicators
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| Soil health indicators | Interpretation |
| A. Physical Indicators | |
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1. Soil structure Soil breaks easily leaving no clods.Spongy when you walk on it. Soil breaks under pressure leaving a few clods Looks dead.Like brick or concrete, cloddy and hard to operate. |
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2. Drainage, Infiltration No ponding,no runoff, water moves through soil steadily. Soil not too wet,not too dry. Water lays for short period of time, eventually drains. Water lays for a long time, evaporates more than drains, always very wet ground. |
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| 3. Water holding Crops seldom suffer from moderate dry spells Water shortage after a week or so Plant stress two days after a good rain | |
| 4. Sub surface compaction Easy penetration of wire flag beyond tillage layer Some restrictions to penetrating flag and root growth Wire flag bends readily; obvious hard pan; turned roots | |
| 5. Soil erosion No gullies or rills, clear or no runoff. Few rills or gullies, gullies up to two inches deep. Some swift runoff, colored water Large gullies over 2 inches deep joined to others, thin or no topsoil, rapid run-off the color of soil. |
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| B. Biological Indicators | |
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1. Organic matter Topsoil clearly defined, darker than subsoil Surface color closer to subsoil color Topsoil color similar to subsoil color. |
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| 2.
Earthworm Many earth worms, earthworm holes and casts. Birds behind tillage. Some earth worms with few holes and casts No visible signs of earth worm activity |
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| 3. Crop Condition Normal healthy dark green color, excellent growth all season,across field. Some uneven and stunted growth, slight discoloration. Problem growing throughout season, poor growth, discoloration,uneven stand |
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| 4. Microbial activity Residue in all stages of decomposition, earthy, sweet smell Some plant residues slowly decomposing No plant residue or residue not decomposing for longer periods |
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| 5. Root growth Vigorous, healthy root system with desirable root colour Some fine roots: mostly healthy Poor root growth and structure: brown or mushy roots |
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