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Simple Soil Tests for On-Site Evaluation of Soil Health in Orchards

Author

Listed:
  • Esther O. Thomsen

    (Dept. Plant Soils and Climate, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA)

  • Jennifer R. Reeve

    (Dept. Plant Soils and Climate, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA)

  • Catherine M. Culumber

    (UC Cooperative Extension, Fresno, CA 93710, USA)

  • Diane G. Alston

    (Dept. Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA)

  • Robert Newhall

    (Dept. Plant Soils and Climate, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA)

  • Grant Cardon

    (Dept. Plant Soils and Climate, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA)

Abstract

Standard commercial soil tests typically quantify nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pH, and salinity. These factors alone are not sufficient to predict the long-term effects of management on soil health. The goal of this study was to assess the effectiveness and use of simple physical, biological, and chemical soil health indicator tests that can be completed on-site. Analyses were conducted on soil samples collected from three experimental peach orchards located on the Utah State Horticultural Research Farm in Kaysville, Utah. All simple tests were correlated to comparable lab analyses using Pearson’s correlation. The highest positive correlations were found between Solvita® respiration, and microbial biomass (R = 0.88), followed by our modified slake test and microbial biomass (R = 0.83). Both Berlese funnel and pit count methods of estimating soil macro-organism diversity were fairly predictive of soil health. Overall, simple commercially available chemical tests were weak indicators of soil nutrient concentrations compared to laboratory tests. Modified slake tests, Solvita® respiration and soil organism biodiversity counts may be efficient and cost-effective tools for monitoring soil health on-site.

Suggested Citation

  • Esther O. Thomsen & Jennifer R. Reeve & Catherine M. Culumber & Diane G. Alston & Robert Newhall & Grant Cardon, 2019. "Simple Soil Tests for On-Site Evaluation of Soil Health in Orchards," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:21:p:6009-:d:281355
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kemper, W. D. & Koch, E.J., 1966. "Aggregate Stability of Soils from Western United States and Canada," Technical Bulletins 171386, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    2. Lisa Lobry de Bruyn & Susan Andrews, 2016. "Are Australian and United States Farmers Using Soil Information for Soil Health Management?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-33, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Josephine S. Head & Martha E. Crockatt & Zahra Didarali & Mary-Jane Woodward & Bridget A. Emmett, 2020. "The Role of Citizen Science in Meeting SDG Targets around Soil Health," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-20, December.

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