Special Reference to Biosolids George W. Bird, Professor Michigan - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Fundamentals of Soil Health: With Special Reference to Biosolids

George W. Bird, Professor Michigan State University

If an individual understands why, he or she will teach himself or herself how (after Liberty Hyde Bailey, 1916, The Principles of Fruit Growing).

Healthy Soil Overview

• Nature of Healthy Soil

Healthy Soil Overview

• Nature of Healthy Soils
• Introduction to Your Friends that Live in the Soil

– Who are They? – What are Their Functions? – Life in the Soil Video

Healthy Soil Overview

• Nature of Healthy Soil
• Introduction to Your Friends that Live in the Soil

– Who are They? – What are Their Functions? – Life in the Soil Video

• Development and Maintenance of Healthy Soil

– Healthy Soil Analysis – Healthy Soil Management

Conceptual Model of a Healthy Soil

Healthy Soil System Inputs Management Decisions Healthy Soil System Monitoring Air Soil Shoot System Desired System Response

• Soil that responds to

management in a predictable manner and resists degradation.

• High quality healthy

garden with balanced root and shoot system growth. Root System

Crop

Healthy Soil

• Healthy soil is a soil that responds to

management in a predictable manner.

• Healthy soil resists degradation.
• A healthy soil is based on its:

– Biology (living organisms), – Physical-chemical attributes and – Responses to management practices.

Nature of Healthy Soils

• Regenerative living ecosystem

Nature of Healthy Soil

• Regenerative living ecosystem.
• Place where energy and matter are

transformed and transported.

• Foundation of successful crops.

Living Systems

What is Life? A science-based theory of living systems was developed by Capra in 1996. This theory of life consists of three properties:

• A living system is continually self-making or

reproducing.

Living Systems

What is Life? A science-based theory of living systems was developed by Capra in 1996. This theory of life consists of three properties:

• A living system is continually self-making or

reproducing.

• A living system continually takes in matter (food) and

energy for transformation into garden plants, flowers and

• fruit. This mandates continual elimination of residuals.

Living Systems

What is Life? A science-based theory of living systems was developed by Capra in 1996. This theory of life consists of three properties:

• A living system is continually self-making or

reproducing.

• A living system continually takes in matter (food) and

energy for transformation into garden plants, flowers and

• fruit. This mandates continual elimination of residuals.
• A living system has the ability to sense and respond to

its environment (cognition or knowing.

Components of Healthy Soil

• Gas (Source of Carbon)
• Liquid (Source of Water)
• Solid (Source of almost everything else)

–Mineral –Organic Matter

Components of Healthy Soil

–Organic Matter

• Dead (Humus)
• Decomposing (Plant matter)
• Living Soil-Borne Organisms (your friends)

Four Processes

• f Healthy Soil
• Decomposition
• Nutrient Immobilization
• Nutrient Fixation
• Nutrient Mineralization

3 DOMAINS and 23 KINGDOMS OF LIFE (plus viruses and prions)

BACTERIA

(PROKARYA) Six Kingdoms

ARACHAEA

Six Kingdoms

EUKARYA Eleven Kingdoms Animals Plants Fungi Flagellates Ciliates Entamoebae

PRIONS VIRUSES (Chemical Messengers)

Nine Healthy Soil Organisms

• Treat them well and they will take care of you.
• Who are they?

– Bacteria

• Fungi
• Actinomycetes

– Nematodes

• Amoebae - Flagellates

– Ciliates

• Arthropods - Earthworms

Decomposers

• Bacteria (C:N = 5:1)

– Soft tissues

• Fungi

– Cell walls (cellulose and hemicellulose)

• Actinomycetes

– Tough stuff (lignin)

Immobilization

• Incorporation of matter and energy into

the bodies of Bacteria, Fungi and Actinomycetes as a result of the process

• f their feeding.

Shredders

Earthworms Arthropods

Immobilization

• Incorporation of matter and energy into

the bodies of Bacteria, Fungi and Actinomycetes as a result of the process

• f their feeding.
• The results is the same for all other soil-

borne heterotropic organisms.

Processes of Nutrient Mineralization and Fixation

Ionic (inorganic) forms of matter used by plants as a source of nitrogen. NH4

+

NO3

• Organic forms not directly usable

Proteins (Amino Acids) Nucleic Acids Microbial cell wall (immobilization) Mineralization Fixation (assimilation)

Bird, 2004

Nitrogen transport and transformation in soil and compost

Mineralizers

Nematode Ciliate Flagellate

Shoot System Root System NH4

+

NO3

─

Sugar Exudate Nematode C:N 10:1 Bacteria C:N 5:1 Rhizosphere Energy CO2 H2O Nutrients

Role of nematodes, flagellates, ciliates and amoebae in nutrient mineralization

Bird, 2011

The Living Soil

Video

Three Phases of Crop Systems

• Development

– Crop establishment

• Dynamic Equilibrium

– Optimal Crop Production

• Senescence

– Declining crop production

Cornell University Soil Health Assessment System

• Physical

– Water Stable Aggregates

% stability

Cornell University Soil Health Assessment System

• Physical

– Water Stable Aggregates

% stability

Cornell University Soil Health Assessment System

• Physical

– Water Stable Aggregates

% stability

– Water Holding Capacity

grams/gram

– Surface Hardness

pounds/square inch

– Subsurface Hardness

pounds/square inch

Cornell University Soil Health Assessment System

• Physical

– Water Stable Aggregates – Water Holding Capacity – Surface Hardness – Subsurface Hardness

• Biological

– Soil Organic Matter % – Active Carbon ppm – N Mineralization potential

µgN/g dw soil/week

• Biological (continued)

– Root Health

0-9 index

Cornell University Soil Health Assessment System

• Physical

– Water Stable Aggregates – Water Holding Capacity – Surface Hardness – Subsurface Hardness

• Biological

– Soil Organic Matter – Active Carbon – N Mineralization potential

• Biological (continued)

– Root Health

• Chemical

– pH – Extractable Phosphorus – Extractable Potassium – Minor Elements

Soil Health Results Survey (96 Michigan Sites)

• Physical

– Water Stable Aggregates – Water Holding Capacity – Surface Hardness – Subsurface Hardness

• Biological

– Soil Organic Matter – Active Carbon – N Mineralization potential

• Biological (continued)

– Root Health

• Chemical

– pH – Extractable Phosphorus – Extractable Potassium – Minor Elements

• Survey Score

– 57.7 (based on 0 to 100 scale)

Impact of Management on Soil Health and Crop Productivity

Six Year Means Straw/Hay Mulch

Compost Tillage and Herbicide

Carbon (mg/kg) 10,750 9,602 8,670

Impact of Management on Soil Health and Crop Productivity

Six Year Means Hay/Straw Mulch

Compost Tillage and Herbicide

Carbon (mg/kg) 10,750 9,602 8,670 Nitrogen (mg/kg) 740 725 713

Impact of Smart Management on Soil Health and Crop Productivity

Six Year Means Hay/Straw Mulch

Compost Tillage and Herbicide

Carbon (mg/kg) 10,750 9,602 8,670 Nitrogen (mg/kg) 740 725 713 C mineralization (mg/g) 675 825 550

Impact of Smart Management on Soil Health and Crop Productivity

Six Year Means Straw/Hay Mulch

Compost Tillage and Herbicide

Carbon (mg/kg) 10,750 9,602 8,670 Nitrogen (mg/kg) 740 725 713 C mineralization (mg/g) 675 825 550 N mineralization (mg/g) 45 55 35

Impact of Smart Management on Soil Health and Crop Productivity

Six Year Means Straw/Hay Mulch

Compost Tillage and Herbicides

Carbon (mg/kg) 10,750 9,602 8,670 Nitrogen (mg/kg) 740 725 713 C mineralization (mg/g) 675 825 550 N mineralization (mg/g) 45 55 35 Good/Bad Nematodes 8 8 3

Impact of Smart Management on Soil Health and Crop Productivity

Six Year Means Hay/Straw Mulch

Compost Tillage and Herbicides

Carbon (mg/kg) 10,750 9,602 8,670 Nitrogen (mg/kg) 740 725 713 C mineralization (mg/g) 675 825 550 N mineralization (mg/g) 45 55 35 Good/Bad Nematodes 8 8 3

Biomass (tons/ha)

18.5

15.0 15.9

Impact of Smart Management on Soil Health and Crop Productivity

Six Year Means Straw/Hay Mulch

Compost Tillage and Herbicides

Carbon (mg/kg) 10,750 9,602 8,670 Nitrogen (mg/kg) 740 725 713 C mineralization (mg/g) 675 825 550 N mineralization (mg/g) 45 55 35 Good/Bad Nematodes 8 8 3 Biomass (tons/ha) 18.5 15.0 15.9 Soil + Management Patterns of Soil Health and Plant Productivity

Impact of Management on Soil Health and Nematodes

Soil depth (0-30 cm)

Alfalfa Mulch Tillage

Soil organic matter (%) 2.4 2.1 Carbon (tons/ha) 47

45

Nitrogen (mg/kg) 24

7

C mineralization (mg/kg) 1250

1050

N mineralization (mg/kg) 90 75 Nematodes/cc soil 1246 343 Good/Bad Nematodes 28.3

13.5

Bad Nematode /100 cm soil 1 a 22

Soil Biology

Where do your friends the nutrient mineralizers live?

Vertical distribution and population density of organisms associated with eight cherry orchards in northern Michigan

(Bird and Smith, 2013).

Surface litter 0 to 6” depth 6 to 12” depth Flagellates Amoebae Ciliates

139,799 5,758 2,634 39,380 9,321 1,515 2,334 266 112

Surface litter 0 to 6” depth 6 to 12” depth Flagellates Conventional

258,344 6,991 2,342 21,235 4,524 2,928

Organic

T-test 0.002 T-test 0.445 T-test 0.776

Bird and Smith, 2013

Vertical distribution and population density of organisms associated with four organic and four conventional cherry

• rchards in northern Michigan.

MSU Kellogg Biological Station

Observation Native Forest Tillage Herbicide

Biological Diversity

Nematode Species

64 43 38 Carbon

g C/g dw

1.84 0.92 0.82 Nitrogen

g N/g dw

0.153 0.103 0.095

Biological Diversity Reduces Risk

Recent Soil Health Initiatives

• 1. On May 16, 2012, the Michigan Potato

Industry Commission today released a new “white paper” on soil health. It states that soil health is a critical factor in optimizing crop productivity, not only in the potato industry but in all commodities. The document contains a three phase plan of action, including a soil health survey using the Cornell University Soil Health Protocol.

Recent Soil Health Initiatives

• 1. On May 16, 2012, the Michigan Potato Industry

Commission today released a new “white paper”

• n soil health. It states that soil health is a critical

factor in optimizing crop productivity, not only in the potato industry but in all commodities. The document contains a three phase plan of action, including a soil health survey using the Cornell University Soil Health Protocol.

• 2. In addition, in 2012, North Dakota State

University, with assistance from the North Dakota corn growers, filled three new faculty position in the area of soil health.

Recent Soil Health Initiatives

• 1. On May 16, 2012, the Michigan Potato Industry Commission

today released a new “white paper” on soil health. It states that soil health is a critical factor in optimizing crop productivity, not only in the potato industry but in all

• commodities. The

document contains a three phase plan of action, including a soil health survey using the Cornell University Soil Health Protocol.

• 2. In addition, in 2012, North Dakota State University, with

assistance from the North Dakota corn growers, filled three new faculty position in the area of soil health.

• 3. The fruit growers of Washington State have endowed a Soil

Health Chair at Washington State University

Recent Soil Health Initiatives

• 1. On May 16, 2012, the Michigan Potato Industry Commission

today released a new “white paper” on soil health. It states that soil health is a critical factor in optimizing crop productivity, not only in the potato industry but in all

• commodities. The

document contains a three phase plan of action, including a soil health survey using the Cornell University Soil Health Protocol.

• 2. In addition, in 2012, North Dakota State University, with

assistance from the North Dakota corn growers, filled three new faculty position in the area of soil health.

• 3. The fruit growers of Washington State have endowed a Soil

Health Chair at Washington State University

• 4. In 2013, a new soil health analysis was developed by

USDA/ARS. It is known as the Haney Soil Health Test

Management Practices

• Maintain high level of soil organic matter

Smart Soil Management Practices

• Maintain high level of soil organic matter
• Optimize water stable aggregate level

Smart Soil Management Practices

• Maintain high level of soil organic matter
• Optimize water stable aggregate level
• Have good level of nitrogen mineralization

Smart Soil Management Practices

• Maintain high level of soil organic matter
• Optimize water stable aggregate level
• Have good level of nitrogen mineralization
• Maintain a biologically active soil

Smart Soil Management Practices

• Maintain high level of soil organic matter
• Optimize water stable aggregate level
• Have good level of nitrogen mineralization
• Maintain a biologically active soil
• Minimize physical or chemical soil disturbance

Smart Soil Management Practices

• Maintain high level of soil organic matter
• Optimize water stable aggregate level
• Have good level of nitrogen mineralization
• Maintain a biologically active soil
• Minimize physical or chemical soil disturbance
• Use appropriate inputs based on soil nutrient

and soil health analyses.

Management Take-Home Message

• Crop Regulators (Soil Biology and Management)

Management Take-Home Message

• Crop Regulators (Soil Biology and Management)
• Ecosystem Responses (Healthy Garden and Smart Soil)

Management Take-Home Message

• Crop Regulators (Soil Biology and Management)
• Ecosystem Responses (Healthy Crop and Heallthy Soil)
• Be Patient (A Healthy Soil Takes Time)

Management Take-Home Message

• Crop Regulators (Soil Biology and Management)
• Ecosystem Responses (Healthy Crop and Healthy Soil)
• Be Patient (A Healthy Soil Takes Time)
• Remember Your Friends and they will Take Care of You

Management Take-Home Message

• Crop Regulators (Soil Biology and Management)
• Ecosystem Responses (Healthy Crop and Healthy Soil)
• Be Patient (A Healthy Soil Takes Time)
• Remember Your Friends and they will Take Care of You

Healthy althy Soil il + Go + Good d Managemen agement t Pattern terns of f Soil/C il/Crop rop Health alth

Sparty Says: “Do Your Soi

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l Hea ealth lth Homework”!

So Soil il He Heal alth th Readings

• G. W. Bird, Michigan State University (2014)

Fundamental References

• Lal, R. et al. 2013. Principles of

Sustainable Soil Management in Agro-Ecosystems.

• Wall, D. et al. 2012 Soil Ecology and

Ecosystem Services.

• Brady, N and R. Weil. 2007. The

Nature and Property of Soils (14th edition).

• Montgomery, D. 2007. Dirt:The

Erosion of Civilizations.

• Sterner, R. and J. Elser. 2002.

Ecological Stoichiometry: The Biology of Elements from Molecules to the Biosphere.

General References

• Gugino, B. et al. 2009. Cornell Soil

Health Assessment Training Manual (2nd edition).

• Haney, R. 2013. Soil Testing for Soil
• Health. www.usda.gov/oce/

forum/past_speeches/2013_Speeche s/Haney.pdf

• Magdoff, F. and van Es, H. 2000.

Building Soils for Better Crops.

• Ingham, E. et al. 2000. Soil Biology

Primer (Revised edition).

• Wessels, T. 2006. The Myth of

Progress: Towards a Sustainable Future.

Every decision a grower makes for his or her crops affects the

• verall ecology of the system (modified from Harwood, 2010).

In Conclusion,