Scientists have been looking at the adoption and impact of various soil conservation management practices over time across a number of fields in Saskatchewan.
Dr Jeff Schoneau, a Professor in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan says studies looked at how multicropping with legumes, the use of fertilizer and manure at recommended rates (the 4 R principle) and reduced or no till practices enhance the organic matter or quality of the soil.
"Microbial activity is enhanced, nutrient supply power and recycling is increased. From the water standpoint, water use efficiency is improved, water storage and conservation is improved by increasing that soil humus. That soil organic matter content, and also on the surface of the soil maintaining that surface protective residue cover is very important in reducing evaporation, protecting that soil from wind and water erosion."
He commented on the results of their project and the impact they've seen on the soil over time.
"These results show and demonstrate that across the soil zones after 21 years of conservation management, along with an increase in the mass of organic matter in the top 10 centimetres of the soil profile, we also see an increase in the dynamic fraction of organic matter. That dynamic fraction is the soil microbial biomass, and soil microbial biomass is a very important part of the soil as it's responsible for the cycling and turnover of nutrients within the soil environment."
Schoneau says his team has also been doing some work on improving soils on upslopes by adding various amendments (such as phosphorus fertilizer, copper and zinc micronutrients and cattle manure
applied alone and in combination) as well as looking at the mechanical movement of soil back into the upslope.
Schoneau talked about his research during the Farm Forum earlier this month.
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