Should Soil Testing Services Measure Soil Biological Activity?

Should Soil Testing Services Measure Soil Biological Activity?

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Health of agricultural soils depends largely on greenlee 45300 conservation management to promote soil organic matter accumulation.Total soil organic matter changes slowly, but active fractions are more dynamic.A key indicator of healthy soil is potential biological activity, which could be measured rapidly with soil testing services via the flush of CO during 1 to 3 d following rewetting of dried soil.

The flush of CO is related to soil microbial biomass C and has repeatedly been shown strongly related to net N mineralization during standard aerobic incubations.New research is documenting the close association with plant N uptake in semicontrolled greenhouse conditions ( = 0.77, = 36).

Field calibrations are underway to relate the flush of CO to the need for in-season N requirement in a variety of crops.An index of frondescence boise soil biological activity can and should be determined to help predict soil health and soil N availability.