Soil quality parameters (IGKV RAIPUR, C.G)

2. OVERVIEW
OIntroduction
OConcept of soil quality
OImportance of soil quality
OTools for assessing soil quality
OIndicators for measuring soil quality
OSoil quality parameters
OManagement of soil quality

3. Introduction
The ability of soil to support crop growth
which includes factors such as degree of
tillth , aggregation , organic matter content ,
soil depth , water holding capacity,
infiltration rate pH changes, nutrient
capacity and so forth
Definition

4. Soil quality
OThe SSSA SQ definition
to function, within natural or managed ecosystem
Soil quality is the capacity of a specific kind of soil
boundaries, to sustain plant and animal
productivity , maintain or enhance water and air
quality, and support human health and habitation
(Agronomy News, June 1995)

5. Concept of soil quality
ODevelopment of soil quality concept : warkentin
and Fletcher (1977)
Ohighly productive land
Osustaining or enhancing productivity,
Omaximizing profits,
Omaintaining the soil
Oresource for future generations;
Ofor consumers Healthful
Ofor naturalists
Oor the environmentalist

6. Tools for assessing soil quality
OSoil quality is an assessment of how well soil
performs all of its functions.
OIt cannot be determined by measuring only crop
yield, water quality, or any other single outcome
OThe quality of a soil is an assessment of how it
performs all of its functions now and how those
functions are being preserved for future use

7. Couti…
O Soil quality cannot be measured directly, so we evaluate
indicators.
O Indicators are measurable properties of soil or plants
that provide clues about how well the soil can function.
O Indicators can be physical, chemical, and biological
characteristics.
O Useful indicators : Are easy to measure
O Measure changes in soil functions
O encompass chemical, biological, and physical
properties

8. Conti…
OAre accessible to many users and
applicable to field conditions
OAre sensitive to variations in
climate and management

9. Importance of Soil quality
O First using a soil improperly can damage it and the
ecosystem ; therefor we need to match our use and
management of the land to the soil’s capability
O Second, we need to establish a baseline understanding
about soil quality so that we can recognize changes as
they develop .
O By using baselines to determine if soil quality is
deteriorating, stable , or improving , we have a good
indicator of the health of an ecosystem

10. PHYSICAL
OSoil structure
ODepth of soil
OInfiltration and bulk density
OWater holding capacity

11. Indicator Relationship to Soil
Health
 Retention and transport of water and nutrients
 Habitat for microbes
 Estimate of crop productivity
 potential Compaction,
 plow pan, water movement Porosity
Workability

12. CHEMICAL
OIndicator Relationship to Soil Health
OpH
OElectrical conductivity
OExtractable N-P-K
OBiological and chemical activity thresholds
OPlant and microbial activity thresholds
OPlant available nutrients and potential for N
and P loss.

13. BIOLOGICAL
OIndicator Relationship to Soil Health
OMicrobial biomass C and N
OPotentially mineralizableN Soil respiration.
OMicrobial catalytic potential and repository
for C and N
OSoil productivity and N supplying potential
OMicrobial activity measure

14. Soil Organic Matter
(SOM)
OIndicator Relationship to Soil Health
Soil fertility Structure
OStability Nutrient retention
OSoil erosion.

15. MANAGING FOR
SOIL QUALITY
OEnhance organic matter.
OAvoid excessive tillage.
OCarefully manage fertilizer and pesticide
use.
OIncrease ground cover
OIncrease plant diversity
OPrevent soil compaction

16. Soil quality parameter
OAggregate stability
OBulk density
OCation exchange capacity
OInfiltration
OOrganic matter
OpH

17. THANKU

18. THANK YOU