- -   AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM  - -


(CLF7000)  Advanced Core Cluster:  PLANT AND SOIL SCINECE

  (CLF7400)   Unit Title:  SOILS

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  (CLF7412)   Topic:  MANAGEMENT PRACTICES       Time      Taught in Year(s) 
                      FOR SANDY AND ORGANIC     2 hours         3 and 4  
                      SOILS                                                  
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         Topic Objectives:  Upon completion of this lesson the student will 
         be able to:

         Learning Outcome #:

           (G-21) -  Identify the management practices that require special 
                     consideration when dealing with sandy soils and organic 
                     soils.

         Special Materials and Equipment: 

         References: Donahue, Roy L.  SOILS.  (1983).  Pages 524 to 525,
                         602 to 608.

                     Brady, Nyle C.  THE NATURE AND PROPERTIES OF SOILS.
                         Pages 476 to 494.

         Evaluation: Quiz by instructor

TOPIC PRESENTATION:  MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SANDY AND ORGANIC SOILS

A.  Sandy soils and organic soils present the grower with different and 
    sometimes unique management practices. 

    1.  Soils composed of more than 85 to 90 percent sand are classed as 
        sands and loamy sands. 

    2.  Organic soils are distinguished by their organic carbon content 
        being greater than 12 to 18 percent, the percentage depending on 
        their clay content. 

    3.  Each of these can be farmed successfully using correct management 
        practices. 

B.  Some of the more important disadvantages of sandy soils are summarized: 

    1.  Inadequate available water retention,

    2.  excessive infiltration rates, 

    3.  low inherent fertility,

    4.  slough