Soil Characteristics in Various Temperate Ecosystems

Academic Level at Time of Presentation

Senior

Major

Agronomy

2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation

Senior

2nd Student Major

Agronomy

3rd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation

Junior

3rd Student Major

Agronomy

List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)

Dr. Iin Handayani

Presentation Format

Poster Presentation

Abstract/Description

Soil Characteristics in Various Temperate Ecosystems

Anna Arthur, Sarah Horsley, and Jamison Sholar

Mentor: Dr. Iin Handayani

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of soil characteristics in different ecosystems is important in terms of sustainable agricultural land use. Four temperate ecosystems from Kentucky were used to study their impacts on various soil characteristics. Undisturbed and disturbed soil samples from a depth 0 to 7.5 cm were collected on September 8th, 2019, from tobacco, soybean, and pasture fields as well as wooded areas with four replications at each location. The tobacco field samples were collected in Breckenridge County, Kentucky; the soybean and wooded samples were collected in Christain County, Kentucky; and the pasture samples were collected in Harrison County, Kentucky. These fields have been used in continuous agriculture production using both conventional tillage and no-till. The pasture field has been utilized in a beef cattle rotation for approximately 15 years. The wooded area has been established for many years. The soil samples were analyzed for soil water retention, bulk density, porosity, soil organic matter, and soil pH. The data from this study will be described in the poster. The findings of this study will be beneficial because it could help landowners in their consideration when determining ways to manage their land. Not only will these results bring about new knowledge to our viewers, but they will also influence future decisions regarding agriculture management practices.

Keywords: bulk density, soil organic matter, soil water retention, acidity, porosity

Fall Scholars Week 2019 Event

Earth and Environmental Sciences Poster Session

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Soil Characteristics in Various Temperate Ecosystems

Soil Characteristics in Various Temperate Ecosystems

Anna Arthur, Sarah Horsley, and Jamison Sholar

Mentor: Dr. Iin Handayani

Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of soil characteristics in different ecosystems is important in terms of sustainable agricultural land use. Four temperate ecosystems from Kentucky were used to study their impacts on various soil characteristics. Undisturbed and disturbed soil samples from a depth 0 to 7.5 cm were collected on September 8th, 2019, from tobacco, soybean, and pasture fields as well as wooded areas with four replications at each location. The tobacco field samples were collected in Breckenridge County, Kentucky; the soybean and wooded samples were collected in Christain County, Kentucky; and the pasture samples were collected in Harrison County, Kentucky. These fields have been used in continuous agriculture production using both conventional tillage and no-till. The pasture field has been utilized in a beef cattle rotation for approximately 15 years. The wooded area has been established for many years. The soil samples were analyzed for soil water retention, bulk density, porosity, soil organic matter, and soil pH. The data from this study will be described in the poster. The findings of this study will be beneficial because it could help landowners in their consideration when determining ways to manage their land. Not only will these results bring about new knowledge to our viewers, but they will also influence future decisions regarding agriculture management practices.

Keywords: bulk density, soil organic matter, soil water retention, acidity, porosity