Research Poster Competition and Presentations, Soil/Crop Management (Agriculture) and Sustainability
Comparing Soil Properties of Fields in Agricultural Production vs. Not in Production in Western Kentucky
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Agronomy
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
2nd Student Major
Agronomy
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Iin P. Handayani
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Understanding soil properties is a key process in comprehending how to properly maximize your yield. Soil properties observed in this study include: soil pH, soil organic matter, bulk density, soil organic carbon, soil water holding capacity, total porosity, macroporosity, and soil water at field capacity. The objective of this study was to determine the differences of soil properties of fields that were in production and those that were not in production for the last fifty years. The sites used for this study vary from Marshall County to Ballard County, Kentucky and the samples were gathered in September 2024. The fields that were in production have produced corn, soybeans, and wheat. It was observed that the fields in production in Ballard County, KY have lower levels of soil organic carbon and macroporosity. The non-productive fields in Marshall County, KY had high levels of soil organic carbon, soil water holding capacity and macroporosity. The soil organic matter recorded from the productive fields averaged at 4.71%, this is higher than the soil organic matter content for the non-productive fields which averaged to be 4.41%. Bulk density and soil total porosity levels were similar between productive and non-productive fields. The soil pH ranges were higher in non-productive fields; the highest being 8.5, while the highest pH range in the productive fields was 6.6. This information is beneficial to farmers across the world who need to determine which plots of land have the highest capability to produce successful yields.
Keywords: Bulk Density, Organic Matter, Porosity, Soil Organic Carbon, Soil pH
Fall Scholars Week 2024 Event
Soil/Crop Management (Agriculture) and Sustainability: Research Poster Competition & Presentations
Comparing Soil Properties of Fields in Agricultural Production vs. Not in Production in Western Kentucky
Understanding soil properties is a key process in comprehending how to properly maximize your yield. Soil properties observed in this study include: soil pH, soil organic matter, bulk density, soil organic carbon, soil water holding capacity, total porosity, macroporosity, and soil water at field capacity. The objective of this study was to determine the differences of soil properties of fields that were in production and those that were not in production for the last fifty years. The sites used for this study vary from Marshall County to Ballard County, Kentucky and the samples were gathered in September 2024. The fields that were in production have produced corn, soybeans, and wheat. It was observed that the fields in production in Ballard County, KY have lower levels of soil organic carbon and macroporosity. The non-productive fields in Marshall County, KY had high levels of soil organic carbon, soil water holding capacity and macroporosity. The soil organic matter recorded from the productive fields averaged at 4.71%, this is higher than the soil organic matter content for the non-productive fields which averaged to be 4.41%. Bulk density and soil total porosity levels were similar between productive and non-productive fields. The soil pH ranges were higher in non-productive fields; the highest being 8.5, while the highest pH range in the productive fields was 6.6. This information is beneficial to farmers across the world who need to determine which plots of land have the highest capability to produce successful yields.
Keywords: Bulk Density, Organic Matter, Porosity, Soil Organic Carbon, Soil pH