| On Topic
Soil testing key to realising the
value of healthy soils
Using a variety of assessment
methods to test the health of soils,
rather than relying on just standard
nutrient testing, could reward growers
with higher yields and greater
profitability by helping make better
informed management decisions on
farm.
any growers will regularly test
crop nutrient availability to
inform fertilising programmes,
but this is only one basic step
towards understanding the
potential of soils.
Using a wider range of soil evaluation methods,
including investigations into soil structure, soil
organic matter and biology, will give a better
indication of soil health and therefore help to
improve farm-management decision making.
Growers attending a GREATsoils event at
Honeydale Farm in the Cotswolds in June were
shown simple and easy to use soil health
testing methods that can be done by growers
in the field.
M
10 | Farming Monthly | July 2017
Dr Martin Wood, from Earthcare Technical
who led the workshop said: “Soil health is as
much about biology and structure as it is about
the chemical composition. There are lots of
simple testing methods that can measure soil
health and we would urge growers to have a go
at these and see what works for their growing
systems.
“No one test is better than another and no
one test will give you all the information you
need to build a clear picture of your soil
health.”
Factors which affect soil health include
physical parameters such as soil structure;
chemical parameters such as crop nutrient
indices and soil organic matter content and
biological parameters such as earthworm
numbers. These can all be affected by the ways
in which we manage our soils.
There is a range of soil assessment methods
which vary in complexity, time input and skill.
Some tests can be run by growers on farm,
including earthworm counts, water infiltration
and visual soil assessment using a spade.
More adventurous growers could try out simple
soil respiration and aggregate stability tests.
Other assessments require laboratory testing,
including soil organic matter and nutrient
availability tests.
Iain Tolhurst from Tolhurst Organic C.I.C who
are looking at green manures as part of
GREATsoils field work trials said: “The
earthworm counting is a great way to assess
soil health and one that can be learnt quickly
by growers. I’m particularly interested in the
respiration test we’ve been doing in this trial
and the measuring of soil organic matter as it
brings a more academic approach to the
testing.”
Grace Choto, knowledge exchange manager
at AHDB said: “The GREATsoils programme is
informing and demonstrating the value of
healthy soils to businesses through reduced
input costs from fertilisers and irrigation use, to
increased yields from healthier crops.“
GREATsoils (Growing Resilient, Efficient and
Thriving Soils) is a programme funded by
AHDB Horticulture to inspire and support
growers to assess and manage the health of
their soils.
There are lots of GREATsoils events planned
around the UK throughout 2017. To find out
more and to book your place, visit
horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/GREATsoils
An information sheet is also available for
growers which outlines soil assessment
methods to download from
horticulture.ahdb.org.uk/GREATsoils
www.farmingmonthly.co.uk