Soil condition is a limiting factor for good arable agriculture, but farmers don’t pay too much attention to it.
Solution
The tool presents a simple way of how to analyse the quality and the needs of farmland soil.
Description
This video explains how to take out a handy soil profile and how to interpret it by using the spade test. The video is addressed to farmers, advisors and scientist.
After the introductory part of determining the objectives of the test and of comparing it with other methods, the user gets a detailed presentation on how to extract, prepare and judge a sample. This is done by judging its colour and odour characteristics. Furthermore, it is explained how the stratification, structure and texture of a sample can be assessed by using the finger test, the drop test and observations. This helps evaluate your findings. In the short term, you can find out whether your field is ready for tillage or whether it is too wet. In the long term, it helps you get to know your soil better and decide if your tillage practices need adaptations. On a spatial scale, you can find out why some parts of a field have a good growth whereas others don’t.
Video sequences:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 1. On the technique and related methods
01:26 2. About the target group of the method
03:05 3. On determining objectives and location(s) for the test
04:06 4. How to take the sample
05:32 5. How to prepare and process the sample
06:14 6. How to judge its stratification
06:47 7. On judging its color and odor
07:54 8. How to perform the finger test to assess its texture
09:11 9. How to judge its structure
11:15 10. How to determine its calcium content
11:49 11. On judging its root density
12:20 12. How to perform the drop test
12:50 13. How to evaluate your observations
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Disqus
In order to use the comment function, you must register with the third-party provider "Disqus".
When you activate this function, your browser establishes a direct connection with the servers of the third-party provider. We would like to point out that data is transmitted to the third-party provider after activation, and the latter may set cookies that can also be used for analysis and marketing purposes. For more information, please refer to our privacy policy.
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