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Where do we farm? Soil and Nutrients Make three observations and 1 inference How is soil formed? • Can come from 2 things… – Broken down rocks (clay, silt, sand) – Dead organic matter (humus) • Interaction of 5 factors: – – – – – Rocks Sunlight Water Air Living organisms • What determines the TYPE of soil formed? – material it’s made from and amount of rain Where do we farm? Chemical Properties Figuring out what our Robbins Park data means… Soil and Nutrients • 3 Primary nutrients – N, P, K – why do we need them? • Limiting factor vs. poisoning – Not enough limits growth, too much hurts plant • Proper pH Levels – Allow for chemical absorption of N, P, K Nitrogen • Growth of leaves & stems • Green v yellow • Fungus danger Phosphorus • Good root growth • Flower & seed formation • Disease danger • purple Potassium • Strong stems • Ripen fruit • Disease danger • Brown edges Where do we farm? Chemical Properties Let’s look at the data again… Understanding our results 1. Finish the soil webquest 2. When done… – Look up what levels (high, medium or low) of N, P, K should be in good/fertile – Look up what pH level is normal for soil What did our data tell us about the nutrients in our locations? • • • • • Riverbank Succession Field Creepy Pond Campsite Field by garden Where do we farm? Physical properties of soil Set up soil samples 1. Fill the jar about ½ way with soil. 2. Then fill up to the top with water. 3. Shake to mix. 4. Let it sit undisturbed. While we’re waiting… • Make at least 5 observations of the two different soils – Use ALL your senses (except taste!) 1. How are they different? – What causes these differences? While we’re waiting… 2. Where are the samples from? – Match sample A and B with Creepy Pond or Succession Field – How do you know? • What evidence supports your guess? Particle Size = Soil Texture SAND, SILT, CLAY Look at your sample… • What percentage of clay, silt, sand do you estimate? • How does that help you determine your soil type? What kind of soil do you have? So what… Why don’t plants grow well in soil that is mostly clay? Mostly sand? What type of soil do plants grow best in? Why? What did our data tell us about the nutrients/texture of the soil in the different locations? • • • • • Riverbank Succession Field Creepy Pond Campsite Field by garden How To Vote via Texting TIPS Standard texting rates only (worst case US $0.20) Defending your choice… • Write a paragraph(s) 1. State your overall choice 2. Using the data, defend your choice • Include #’s! 3. Include at least 5 vocab/scientific words Taking care of the soil Keeping good soil good Soil Layers in ground Importance of Soil • What part of the soil is the most important to farmers? Why? Dust Bowl = desertification Dust Bowl Houses were shut tight, and cloth wedged around doors and windows, but the dust came in so thinly that it could not be seen in the air, and it settled like pollen on the chairs and tables, on the dishes." ~ John Steinbeck (from "The Grapes of Wrath") http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_LZpKSqhPQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OdDieuD1OA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUXGBLTUD8w Soil Erosion • Erosion = – movement of soil by wind or water • Farming speeds up erosion – plowing exposes soil – precipitation washes the soil away into streams/rivers (runoff) Plowing techniques traditional plowing contour plowing / vegetation strips terracing No-till farming No-till plowing Advantages • Reduces soil erosion – remains of first crop holds soil in place • Free fertilizer • Reduces pesticide use Disadvantages • not suitable for all crops • Soil too densely packed • Lower crop yields over time Increasing Soil Productivity • Chemical fertilizers - adds artificial nutrients to aid plant growth – Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium • Compost - adds natural nutrients to aid plant growth – decomposing material Fertilizer Solutions Advantages CHEMICAL (synthetic) ORGANIC (natural) Disadvantages Fertilizer Solutions Advantages SYNTHETIC Less needed ORGANIC Known [nutrients] quick Not as harmful Stay longer Add humus Disadvantages Harmful concentration Easily leached More needed $$ Variable nutrient am’ts The Nitrogen Cycle The air is 78% nitrogen, why can’t organisms use this? What role do bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle? The Phosphorus Cycle Takes hundreds of millions of years to complete cycle Sources – Guano, erosion of rock, ocean sediment