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The spade test - visual soil assessment in the field

{Tool} The spade test - visual soil assessment in the field. [Die Spatenprobe: Bodenbeurteilung im Feld.] Creator(s): Alföldi, Thomas; Fliessbach, Andreas and Hasinger, Gerhard. Issuing Organisation(s): FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture. OK-Net Arable video. (2016)

[thumbnail of Youtube-video] Video (MPEG) - German/Deutsch (Youtube-video)
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[thumbnail of Youtube-video] Video (MPEG) - English (Youtube-video)
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[thumbnail of Youtube-video] Video (MPEG) - French/Francais (Youtube-video)
145B
[thumbnail of Youtube-video] Video (MPEG) - Italian/Italiano (Youtube-video)
172B
[thumbnail of Youtube-video] Video (MPEG) - Hungarian/Magyar (Youtube-video)
155B

Document available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEeLeHplhmY


Summary

This video explains how to take out a handy soil profile and how to interpret it by using the spade test. The video is addressed to farmers, advisors and scientist.
After the introductory part of determining the objectives of the test and of comparing it with other methods, the user gets a detailed presentation on how to extract, prepare and judge a sample. This is done by judging its colour and odour characteristics. Furthermore, it is explained how the stratification, structure and texture of a sample can be assessed by using the finger test, the drop test and observations. This helps evaluate your findings. In the short term, you can find out whether your field is ready for tillage or whether it is too wet. In the long term, it helps you get to know your soil better and decide if your tillage practices need adaptations. On a spatial scale, you can find out why some parts of a field have a good growth whereas others don’t.
Video sequences:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 1. On the technique and related methods
01:26 2. About the target group of the method
03:05 3. On determining objectives and location(s) for the test
04:06 4. How to take the sample
05:32 5. How to prepare and process the sample
06:14 6. How to judge its stratification
06:47 7. On judging its color and odor
07:54 8. How to perform the finger test to assess its texture
09:11 9. How to judge its structure
11:15 10. How to determine its calcium content
11:49 11. On judging its root density
12:20 12. How to perform the drop test
12:50 13. How to evaluate your observations


Summary translation

Film: Mit der Spatenprobe die Bodenstruktur im Feld beurteilen
Die Spatenprobe ist eine bewährte Methode, um die Bodenstruktur im Feld zu beurteilen. In diesem Film zeigt Gerhard Hasinger, wie sich die Struktur durch Beobachten von Geruch, Farbe, Wurzeln, Bodenteilchen und Schichten beurteilen lässt.
Die heutige Landwirtschaft steht ökonomisch unter grossem Druck. Die Betriebe werden immer grösser, der Personalbestand bleibt aber gleich. Das hat zur Folge, dass die Schlagkraft der Maschinen erhöht wird, das heisst es werden immer grössere und schwerere Geräte eingesetzt. Mit zunehmendem Abstand der Fahrerkabine zum Boden verringert sich umgekehrt der Bezug der Produzenten zum Boden. Die Spatenprobe ist ein gutes Mittel, sich mit der Produktionsgrundlage Boden auseinanderzusetzen. Sie kann helfen, Fehler in der Bodenbearbeitung aufzudecken und Gegensteuer zu geben. Der Film motiviert auch, sich einfach einmal mit seinem Boden auseinanderzusetzen und zu schauen wie es ihm geht. Das sollte alle Produzenten interessieren, denn ohne gesunden Boden gibt es keine nachhaltige Produktion.

EPrint Type:Practice tool
Teaser:Get in touch with your soil and discover its needs!
What problem does the tool address?:Soil condition is a limiting factor for good arable agriculture, but farmers don’t pay too much attention to it.
What solution does the tool offer?:The tool presents a simple way of how to analyse the quality and the needs of farmland soil.
Country:Switzerland
Type of Practice Tool:Video
Theme:Soil quality and fertility, Nutrient management
Keywords:arable farming, carbon sequestration, diagnostic tool, farming system, humus balance, management measures, soil compaction, soil fertility, soil structure
Keywords:arable farming, carbon sequestration, humus balance, management measures, measuring instruments, monitoring and evaluation, soil compaction, soil fertility, soil structure, soil quality, nutrient management
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
arable farming
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_36528
English
carbon sequestration
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_331583
English
monitoring and evaluation
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_bea12d1e
English
measuring instruments
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_12457
English
humus
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3693
English
crop management
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_16094
English
soil fertility
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7170
English
soil quality
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_a9645d28
English
soil structure
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7196
English
soil compaction
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7163
English
nutrient management
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_330697
English
soil analysis
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7198
English
soil
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7156
English
soil management
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7176
Subjects: Soil > Soil quality
Soil
Farming Systems > Farm nutrient management
Research affiliation: European Union > Horizon 2020 > OK-Net Arable > Selected tools
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Soil
Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Knowledge exchange > Videos
European Union > Horizon 2020 > OK-Net Arable
Related Links:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEeLeHplhmY, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH63L-lXwE8&feature=youtu.be, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-kigHj3vbw&feature=youtu.be, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/30993, https://www.youtube.com/user/FiBLFilm?feature=mhee
Project ID:ofk
Deposited By: Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau, FiBL
ID Code:30993
Deposited On:06 Jan 2017 10:22
Last Modified:17 Jan 2024 13:49
Document Language:English, German/Deutsch, French/Francais, Hungarian/Magyar, Italian/Italiano
Status:Published

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