Soil Health Dynamics in Kentucky Croplands and Grasslands: A Regression and Correlation Analysis

Project Abstract

Using regression and correlation, we examined soil health relationships in Kentucky croplands and grasslands. Soil data from six field types (corn, soybean, tobacco, beans, Miscanthus, and Mexican feather grass) included pH, organic matter (SOM), bulk density, porosity, and water retention. Results showed SOM as a key driver of soil structure: each 1% increase in SOM reduced bulk density by 0.11 g/cm³ (R² = 0.86, p < 0.01). Macroporosity was strongly linked to water-holding capacity (β = 1.06, R² = 0.98, p < 0.001), with a 10% gain in macropores raising capacity by 10.6%. Soil pH also increased with SOM (β = 0.36, p = 0.019), consistent with neutral grassland soils compared to more acidic croplands. Compaction effects were evident: bulk density negatively correlated with both porosity (r = -1.00) and water retention (r = -0.98). Grasslands generally showed better SOM, porosity, and pH, but SOM and macroporosity emerged as the most practical levers for improving soil function. Long-term and broader- scale research is needed to confirm these patterns across diverse cropping systems.

Conference

CANVAS 2025 in Salt Lake City, UT

Dates: November 9-12

Sponsoring Body: American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

Conference Website: Science Society Home | Science Societies

Funding Type

Travel Grant

Academic College

Hutson School of Agriculture

Area/Major/Minor

Masters in agriculture

Degree

Agriculture

Classification

Graduate

Name

Dr. Iin Handayani

Academic College

Hutson School of Agriculture

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