Why do I need a soil quality card?
A soil quality assessment is essential for the development, performance and maintenance of a sustainable soil management.
• Regular use (every 1-3 years) allows to assess actual soil quality conditions, record changes over time, identify potential problem areas and provide an accurate soil quality measurement for comparison and optimization.
• The soil quality card is designed to help make informed management decisions.
Soil Quality... the foundation of sustainable life
What is a Soil Quality Card?
The card is a simple, non-technical method developed to assess the soil's health through field observations of physical soil, chemical, and biological properties that qualitatively measure soil quality.
This tool raises awareness of soil quality and increases the effective knowledge about soil.
You only need a pencil or a smartphone and a shovel to complete this card.
The appropriate time to do a soil test is between spring and fall and avoid extreme conditions or changes (heat, cold, rain, etc.).
1) If you have more than one section to test, divide and organize them according to their soil type, topography, soil condition and management practices.
2) Complete the Quality Card with information regarding the area being assessed.
3) Based on your judgment of the soil, including other indicators that you feel would help evaluate your soil quality, describe at your best its condition.
4) Follow and register any change in any indicator over time.
For best result, consider options, which might improve the soil quality in those areas.
How it works?
Organic Matter and Residual Cover:
Increase soil organic matter by incorporating continuous crops, vegetables in rotations, manure applications, and returning crop residue to the soil. Practice cover crop incorporation, reduce tillage, and avoid extended fallows.
Drainage and Infiltration:
Improve drainage and infiltration by improving organic matter, promoting particle aggregation and in particular, crusting and compaction problems.
Water Holding Capacity:
Soils rich in organic matter retain water better, which helps limit water stress on plants. Structure and Tillage practices that enrich the soil with organic matter and reduce intensive tillage result in better aggregation and a more friable and workable structure.
Living Soil:
Soil life includes earthworms, springtails, bacterias, nematodes, fungi and other microorganisms, Together, these actors break down organic matter, release nutrients and maintain a living and sustainable soil, essential for healthy ecosystems.
Earthworms improve soil porosity, aggregation and fertility, but being introduced in certain places like Canada, they can disrupt certain sensitive ecosystems. Conversely, springtails, native to all soils of the world and without any negative impacts, play a key role by fragmenting organic matter and stimulating microbial activity, contributing to a fertile and balanced soil.
How can I improve my soil quality?
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