The quick test makes the consequences of soil compaction on water infiltration and the yield of agricultural crops visible. It promotes an understanding of the effects of soil compaction and the importance of soil-conserving cultivation

Liebl, Boris

Spiegel, Ann-Kathrin

Organic Eprints

                Bioland e.V. Quick test for infiltration of arable soils. OK-Net Arable Practice Abstract PRACTICE ABSTRACT N0,028 Quick test for infiltration of arable soils Problem  Driving on arable land with heavy machinery while the soil is too moist leads to soil compaction, which severely impairs airflow and drainage. Especially crops in heavy soils react to this situation with yield losses. Solution With the aid of a simple quick test, water infiltration – as one of the characteristics of soil compaction in the field –can be clearly examined. The quick test is also easy to understand and helpful for non-scientists. It is particularly suitable for training farm apprentices and employees, and raising their awareness on the issue. Advantages The quick test uncovers the consequences of soil compaction on water infiltration and the yield of arable crops. It promotes an understanding of the effects of soil compaction and the importance of soil conservation.   Procedure  Hammer the ring into the soil to a depth of about 50 mm.  Cover the inside of the ring with plastic wrap.  Pour 500 ml of water onto the foil (corresponds to 25 ml of precipitation).  Remove the foil and start the stopwatch.  As soon as the water has completely seeped away, stop the watch.    Image 1: Material for the quick test   Image 2: The ring is hammered into the ground. (Image: Boris Liebl, FiBL).   (Foto: Boris Liebl, FiBL). Applicability Box Theme Soil fertility Geographical coverage Global Application time All year round, not during rainfall Required time 2-3 hours (incl. repetitions) Required tools  Ring made of plastic or metal with a diameter of 160 mm and a height of 150 mm (e.g., section of a drainpipe)  Wooden slat of approx. 20 cm  Hammer  Plastic wrap  Stopwatch  500 ml of water (for every repetition)  Paper, pencil   PRACTICE ABSTRACT This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 652654. This communication only reflects the author’s view. The Research Executive Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided.      Image 3: The measured amount of water is poured into the ring on the foil. (Image: Boris Liebl, FiBL). Image 4: The foil is pulled out of the tube. (Foto: Boris Liebl, FiBL). Practical recommendation For training purposes, a direct comparison of several quick tests should be carried out at different areas on the same field. The comparison of tests taken in the tramlines, on the headland and in the untrafficked area might be particularly interesting. In addition, one might also select areas where the crop grows particularly well or poorly in order to check whether the growth of the crop is related to soil compaction. The moisture status of the soil prior to the test time has a major influence on the ability of the soil to absorb more water. This limits the comparability of the results to a single point in time. To increase comparability, the soil can be thoroughly watered 12-48 hours in advance. Use the comment section on the Farmknowledge platform to share your experiences with other farmers, advisors and scientists! If you have any questions concerning the method, please contact the author of the practice abstract by e-mail.  Further information  Video   A video in English shows the practical implementation step by step. Links The quick test was presented in a brochure from the US Department of Agriculture.  United States Department of Agriculture (eds.): Soil Quality Test Kit Guide https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_050956.pdf  United States Department of Agriculture (eds.): Evaluación de la Calidad y Salud del Suelo 199 (Spanish)   https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_051284.pdf  About this practice abstract and OK-Net ArablePublishers:  Bioland e.V., Kaiserstraße 18, DE-55116 Mainz Tel. +49 6131 239 79 0, info@bioland.de, www.bioland.de FiBL Projekte GmbH, Kasseler Straße 1a, D-60486 Frankfurt am Main Tel. +49 69 7137699-0, info.deutschland@fibl.org, www.fibl.org IFOAM EU, Rue du Commerce 124, BE-1000 Brussels Tel. +32 2 280 12 23, info@ifoam-eu.org, www.ifoam-eu.org Authors: Boris Liebl (FiBL), Ann-Kathrin Spiegel (Bioland), Dr. Stephanie Fischinger (Bioland)   Contact: boris.liebl@fibl.org Permalink: Orgprints.org/32722 OK-Net Arable: This practice abstract was elaborated in the Organic Knowledge Network Arable project. OK-Net Arable promotes exchange of knowledge among farmers, farm advisers and scientists with the aim to increase productivity and quality in organic arable cropping all over Europe. The project is running from March 2015 to February 2018. Projekt website: www.ok-net-arable.eu Projekt partners: IFOAM EU Group (project coordinator), BE; Organic Research Centre, UK; Bioland Beratung GmbH, DE; Aarhus University (ICROFS), DK; Associazione Italiana, per l’Agricoltura Biologica (AIAB), IT; European Forum for Agricultural and Rural Advisory Services (EUFRAS); Centro Internazionale di Alti Studi Agronomici Mediterranei - Istituto Agronomico Mediterraneo Di Bari (IAMB), IT; FiBL Projekte GmbH, DE; FiBL Österreich, AT; FiBL Schweiz, CH; Ökológiai Mezõgazdasági Kutatóintézet (ÖMKI), HU; Con Marche Bio, IT; Estonian Organic Farming Foundation, EE; BioForum Vlaanderen, BE; Institut Technique de l’Agriculture Biologique, FR; SEGES, DK : Bioselena, Bulgaria  © 2018 

Quick test for infiltration of arable soils (OK-Net Arable Practice abstract)

http://orgprints.org/32722/13/PA_028_infiltration_test_final_en.pdf

Quick test for infiltration of arable soils (OK-Net Arable Practice abstract)

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