Soil Sample No-Till Acid Soils at the 0-7.6 cm Depth
Applied Research
Chris Augustin
Dickinson Research Extension Center Director
Dickinson
Abstract
Soil pH controls chemical weathering, soil solution chemical activity, and biological activity. Ammonium-based fertilizers acidify soil from the release of hydrogen during the mineralization process. No-till soils are susceptible to acidification from the lack of mixing and the tendency to apply fertilizers at or near the soil surface. Soil testing guidelines are needed to assist with pinpointing the troublesome acres and to develop lime recommendations. This project compared soil pH and various soil sampling depths. Twelve acid sites across North Dakota were soil sampled at the 0-5.1, 5.1-10.2, 10.2-15.2, 0-7.6, 7.6-15.2, and 0-15.2 cm depths. Soil pH was measured with a pH probe inserted into a 1:1 slurry of deionized water and soil. Collaborating farmers practiced no-till for more than five years and reported that field acidity increased with in the past five years. Comparison of means found that the 0-7.6 cm soil pH was the lowest (p-value <0.001). The 0-5.1, 0-15.2, and 5.1-10.2 cm depths had similar pH’s. The 7.6-15.2 and 10.2-15.2 cm pH depths were the highest. No-till acidified soils from nitrification should be sampled at the 0-7.6 cm depth as that was the most acidic and included the soil environment that encompasses a variety of seeding depths.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Chris Augustin
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Augustin, C. Dickinson Research Extension Center Director, North Dakota State Univeristy - Dickinson Research Extension Center, North Dakota, 58601