Examination should include
- the current state of the soil (e.g., organic matter, macronutrient, micronutrient availability)
- the planned use of the soil
- soil management practices (e.g., no-till farming, conservation tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, mulching, grassed waterways, buffer strips).
Process/Skill Questions:
- What is organic matter?
- What effect does organic matter have on the physical and chemical properties of soil?
- What soil conservation practices can producers use to prevent soil degradation and build organic matter?
- What are the environmental costs for not using best management practices on a given area?
- What soil management practices are used in the landscaping industry?
- What is the importance of soil drainage and water-holding capacity as it relates to plant growth and development?
- How can soil drainage and water-holding capacity be improved?
Teacher Resource: