Commercial Soil Resources
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C 1077
Cover Crop Biomass Sampling
Cover crops are one of the most important practices that farmers can use to improve their soils and the sustainability of their production system. Knowing how much biomass there is in a field is a critical piece of information for cover crop management. Part 1 of this circular provides a step-by-step guide to taking a sample that will be representative of your field. Part 2 provides additional steps for preparing a fresh cover crop sample to send to the Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratory so it can be analyzed to determine nitrogen availability to the following crop. Equation examples and data sheets are also provided in order to help users calculate necessary information for submission using the given formulas. Revised by Uttam Saha, Program Coordinator, Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories; Original manuscript by Julia W. Gaskin, former UGA Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator; Dennis Hancock, former UGA Extension Forage Specialist; Uttam Saha, AESL; and Katelyn Chatam, Agricultural Specialist, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences.
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Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is a measure of the total negative charges within the soil that adsorb plant nutrient cations such as calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+) and potassium (K+). As such, the CEC is a property of a soil that describes its capacity to supply nutrient cations to the soil solution for plant uptake.
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The University of Georgia Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories offer soil salinity testing to help farmers and the general public diagnose and manage problems associated with soil salinity. By definition, a saline soil contains excess soluble salts that reduce the growth of most crops or ornamental plants. This publication discusses soil salinity testing, data interpretation and recommendations, specifically those pertaining to the University of Georgia.
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While site-specific soil sampling can improve field management, it must be accompanied by the conscientious collection and analysis of data. The new technologies that have elevated precision agriculture into the forefront of farm management cannot offset poor data collection and soil-testing techniques. Inaccurate data on soil properties will inevitably lead to improper management decisions.
This bulletin addresses three primary factors that can affect the precision management of soil fertility: 1) collecting proper soil-sample cores and the consequences of improper soil sampling, 2) breaking the field into smaller management areas, and 3) differences in test results and recommended application rates between soil-test laboratories. A step-by-step procedure is then presented on how to use variabl e yield goals to develop field maps showing variable application rates o f fertilizers and lime.
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This publication covers a procedure for applying wood ash as a lime substitute on agricultural lands. This method can be used by manufacturers and dealers who wish to supply wood ash or by landowners who wish to receive wood ash. If the practices in this publication are followed, there should be no adverse environmental effects or regulatory consequence from the land application of wood ash.
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This resource explains a new method developed through UGA research that helps growers determine the amount of lime needed to correct their soil pH. It is useful for producers and soil-testing lab technicians.
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Soil test extractants are chemical solutions used to dissolve or exchange nutrients in soil samples. They are used when performing soil analyses to determine nutrient recommendations.
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Proper planting is essential for healthy, vigorous growth of ornamental plants in the landscape. It assures rapid plant establishment by providing a favorable environment for the developing root system. This publication offers step-by-step guidelines that will help you achieve planting success.
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Developing and maintaining productive soils begin with soil testing. Soils tests provide information on the soil’s actual nutrient status. Test results are used to determine the amount and kind of nutrients that should be added for the best growth of lawn, garden, and other types of plants.
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