Importance of detailed soil surveys for Conservation Agriculture

Abstract

This paper explores the role that detailed soil surveys can play in Conservation Agriculture (CA). While it is widely acknowledged that CA practices have to be adapted to local conditions, it appears as if in-field physical soil and hydrological properties, the type of information gathered during detailed soil or soil-landform surveys, tend to be neglected. Aspects of soil-landform surveys relevant to CA are discussed, namely plough pan related compaction, soil surface crusting, the hydric properties of subsoils, toposequence effects on soil hydrology, in-field variation in soil texture and luvic properties and soil related features that may affect no-till planter operations. In addition soil-landform surveys can be used to plan crop rotation, crop sequencing and periodic ripping. The soil-landform map units can shed light on the suitability of existing field boundaries for CA. The point data can also be utilised to monitor changes in soil properties over time. Lastly, the suveys provide data and information that can be employed by equivalent management units elsewhere.