Assessing soil health indicators in an organically managed grassland

Summary in the original language of the document

Overall, the permanent pasture had somewhat better soil health, based on higher values for a higher numbers of the selected soil health indicators, than the grass-clover leys (Fig.3). To visualize the results from several indicators together in a participatory manner, we normalised the data for each soil indicator. By doing so, we obtained an overall “soil health diagram” that farmers and advisors can interpret and use in the discussion of soil health.
Conclusion: Assessment and graphic visualization of several indicators and fields altogether seems useful in the discussion about soil health on farm level. Depending on the purpose of the assessment, a visual evaluation of the topsoil by digging and discussing in field is recommended to complement the selected indicators. More field data is needed to obtain “reference levels” for interpretation of soil health, and for a better understanding of optimal or low values of soil health indicators between cropping systems and management.