The Scoop on Soil:

Continued...

By KSC Dietetic Interns: Devin Williamson & Marissa Schriver

December 6, 2016
From Last Week
Lets talk about the plant
foods weve eaten!
 Soil Particle Size
Sand
Silt
Clay
Loam
What are the 3 components of
soil?
Can you name the 3 PRIMARY
macronutrients found in soil?
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CnRBjMv_ViM/VMxaC_ghYSI/AAAAAAAAQFQ/EUnmKdvoSzc/s1600/review-time.jpg
By the end of this presentation, you will be able
to...
1. Evaluate the mineral composition of a soil sample
2. Identify at least 2 functions of microorganisms in the soil
Nitrogen (N)
Needed in largest amount
Component of chlorophyll
Enhances plant growth
Plant develops dark green
color if receiving enough N

http://www.powerhousehydroponics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/nutrient-deficiency-treatment-plants.jpg
Phosphorous (P)
Essential for fruit & seed
formation
Helps roots form early & speeds
up maturity
Increases strength in stems &
stalks
Important for photosynthesis
Phosphorus enhancers: Worms,
http://www.summitfertz.com.au/images/agronomy/P_Wheat.jpg

bacteria, fungi and microbes

Potassium (K)
Produces strong stalks
Helps the plant to be
resistant against diseases
Improves quality of fruit
and seed
Controls N and P balance

http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/nutrient-management/potassium/potassium-for-crop-production/img/6794p03.jpg
Soil Testing!
To test pH
https://bonnieplants.com/library/articl
1. Fill thin column to bottom line with soil. Add water to reach top line es/soil-soil-building/

2. We will add powder solution to soil

3. Cap & shake. Results will be ready in 1min
4. Record results on the sheet provided

To test N, K or P
1. Fill BOTH the thin and large chambers with water provided
2. We will add powder solution to water
3. Cap & shake. Allow to sit for 10min to see results
4. Record results on sheet provided
Soil pH
Above 5.5: topsoil & 4.8: subsoil
Plants have pH preferences
Can be adjusted
Limestone & lime: add for more basic soil
Iron sulfate or aluminum sulfate: add for more acidic soil

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/car-care-blog/images/2014/02/ph-scale1.jpg
How to Add Minerals Back into Soil
Compost
3 major components for healthy compost
Brown materials
Green materials
Water
Helps soil hold nutrients and water
Adds N, P, K, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn
Encourages production of beneficial
bacteria and fungi
Reduces emissions from landfills

http://www.civicgardencenter.org/assets/Compost_Cycle.png
How to Add Minerals Back into Soil
Animal Manure

Helps soil retain moisture and nutrients

Balances extreme changes in pH https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/71/d4/3b/71d4
3befc40cfae218f9be38680af366.png

Vegetable crops use up a lot of nutrients and organic matter

Animal manures: rich in N, P and K
Various pathogens could be present in fresh manure
Apply manure to crops ~3 months prior to harvesting and eating
 How to Add Minerals Back into Soil
Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers
Directly from plant or animal sources
Nutrients released slowly
Improve water movement into soil
Feeds beneficial microbes
More expensive

http://turflinelawncare.com/wp-c
ontent/uploads/2012/04/TL-Org http://i.imgur.com/TY282H0.png
http://www.healthygrow.com/img/new_img/home_bags.png
How to Add Minerals Back into Soil
Fertilizers
Inorganic/chemical fertilizers
Come from rock minerals, chemical compounds or chemical
synthesis
Nutrients in a soluble/concentrated, ready-to-use form
Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and some sulfur (alone or
combination)
Easy to apply too much & damage plants

https://www.google.com/search?q=organic+fertilizer&biw=1366&bih=651&source=lnms
Gases (2-50% soil volume)
Can be found in the same spaces as water
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Nitrogenous gas
All have many different roles for soil and plant health
 Microorganisms (Less than 1% of Soil Volume)
Did you know. There are more microorganisms in 1 tsp. of soil than
there are people on the earth?!
1 g can contain up to a billion microbes
Typically can only be seen under a microscope
Mainly found in topsoil
Examples: bacteria, actinomycetes, protozoa, fungi and nematodes

https://www.cfans.umn.edu/sites/cfans.umn.edu/files/styles/panopoly_image_original/public/magnify
.gif?itok=Ey7ZDWlb
Microorganisms: Functions
Consume raw organic matter, air and water to recycle raw organic
matter into humus
Fix nitrogen to help plants grow
Detoxify harmful chemicals
Suppress disease organisms
Soil Pollution
Caused by:
Pesticides and herbicides (farming chemicals)
Leaks in sewage systems
Storage of wastes in landfills
Floods from polluted lands
http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/hawleyb/earth-thermometer.gif

Vehicle emissions
Runoff
Effects:
Air and water pollution
Harms soil microorganisms
Reduces plants ability to take up nutrients and for photosynthesis
Lets play recycle ball!

http://cliparts.co/recycle-bin-photo
 Go visit the
compost pile and
find out what you
https://dubai-teachmeet.com/2013/11/03/challenge-in-year-one/
can and cant add
to it!
Resources
http://secretsofsoil.com/
https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/fruit-vegetable/using-manure-and-compost/
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/955
http://articles.extension.org/pages/54401/basic-soil-components
http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/SAG-16
http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Books/Building-Soils-for-Better-Crops-3rd-Editio
n/Text-Version/The-Living-Soil/Soil-Microorganisms
http://eschooltoday.com/pollution/land-pollution/what-is-soil-contamination.html
http://soilquality.org.au/factsheets/soil-acidity
http://water.usgs.gov/edu/runoff.html