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Research ArticleResearch Section

Comparison of two soil quality indexes to evaluate cropping systems in northern Colorado

T.M. Zobeck, A.D. Halvorson, B. Wienhold, V. Acosta-Martinez and D.L. Karlen
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation September 2008, 63 (5) 329-338; DOI: https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.63.5.329
T.M. Zobeck
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A.D. Halvorson
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B. Wienhold
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V. Acosta-Martinez
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D.L. Karlen
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Abstract

Various soil management or quality assessment tools have been proposed to evaluate the effects of land management practices on soil, air, and water resources. Two of them are the Soil Management Assessment Framework and the Soil Conditioning Index (SCI). This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the Soil Quality Index (SQI) estimated by the Soil Management Assessment Framework can detect more minute changes in soil management than SCI and to test SCI response to other soil quality (SQ) indicators. These SQ indexes were tested on irrigated cropping systems near Fort Collins, Colorado, that included no-till and conventionally-tilled corn (Zea mays L.), and no-till corn with rotations including barley (Hordeum distichon L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and dry bean (Phaeseolus vulgaris L.) at three levels of nitrogen varying from 0 to 224 kg N ha-1 (0 to 200 lb ac-1). Both SQ indexes clearly separated the plots with very high levels of N from plots with no N. However, for SQI the mid-level of N was statistically the same as both extreme levels. Statistical differences were observed among all N levels for the SCI. The SQI seemed to make more detailed differentiation among crop management systems than the SCI. The SCI separated the cropping systems into three groups with no overlap among groups. All no-till systems had the statistically same higher SCI than the conventionally-tilled continual corn system. The SQI separated the cropping systems into three groups with decreasing SQI as tillage intensity increased and as lower residue crops were introduced into the cropping system. The systems that included tillage and a low residue crop (soybean) had the lowest SQI. The SQI allowed overlap among cropping groups not recognized by SCI. Selection of the most appropriate SQ index seems to be a tradeoff between data requirements, resolution required, and the desired use of the evaluation tool.

Footnotes

  • Ted M. Zobeck is a research soil scientist at the Cropping Systems Research Lab, USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Lubbock, Texas. Ardell D. Halvorson is a research soil scientist at the USDA ARS, Fort Collins, Colorado. Brian Wienhold is a supervisory research soil scientist at the Agroecosystem Management Research Unit, USDA ARS, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. Veronica Acosta-Martinez is a research soil scientist at the Cropping Systems Research Lab, USDA ARS. Douglas L. Karlen is a supervisory research soil scientist at the National Soil Tilth Lab, USDA ARS, Ames, Iowa.

  • © 2008 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society

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Journal of Soil and Water Conservation: 63 (5)
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Vol. 63, Issue 5
September/October 2008
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Comparison of two soil quality indexes to evaluate cropping systems in northern Colorado
T.M. Zobeck, A.D. Halvorson, B. Wienhold, V. Acosta-Martinez, D.L. Karlen
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation Sep 2008, 63 (5) 329-338; DOI: 10.2489/jswc.63.5.329

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Comparison of two soil quality indexes to evaluate cropping systems in northern Colorado
T.M. Zobeck, A.D. Halvorson, B. Wienhold, V. Acosta-Martinez, D.L. Karlen
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation Sep 2008, 63 (5) 329-338; DOI: 10.2489/jswc.63.5.329
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