2015
Improving soil quality/productivity
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Alabama Soybean Producers
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
AgricultureBiodiversityCarbonField management Land Use SustainabilityU.S. Soy reputation
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Charles Mitchell, Auburn University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Alabama Soybean Producers
(n/a)
Institution Funded:
Auburn University
(n/a)
Brief Project Summary:

Conservation tillage offers opportunities for soil quality improvements. Sustainable production depends on developing and maintaining a high quality soil. However, producers have no quick and easy way to evaluate soil quality/soil productivity. This project aims to develop a reasonable soil/quality/soil productivity index that can be used on routine soil samples, make producers aware of soil quality and how it influences productivity and sustainability, and encourage adoption of practices that will increase the soil quality index over time.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, Extension agents

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

1. Set up the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory to provide the extra analyses necessary to report a "Soil Quality Index".
2. Evaluations and modifications of Index tool.
3. Based on the on-farm tests and demonstration samples, the effectiveness of the index tool will be evaluated and modified, if necessary.
4. Introduce the SQ1 tool in 2015 and provide information on its use.

Final Project Results

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.