Environmental Microbiology, Soil Microbiology & Microbial Biogeochemistry

Soil Management

Soil management is a key component to the success of site-specific cropping systems management. It starts with a farmer's capacity to vary tillage and inputs according to soil conditions and needs. This factor is important in seedbed preparation, weed management, sustainability, and has the potential to lower or optimize production costs within an individual field. With a GPS as their guide, farmers using conservation and minimum tillage (the practice of leaving residues on the soil surface) can adjust tillage as they pass through the different soil types while reducing the amount of soil disturbance. Adjustments according to soil conditions such as soil texture, moisture content, and soil pH are important to seed and fertilizer placement.