Soil

Center pivot in corn field
Starting to irrigate too soon can lead to wasting water, poor soil environment, increasing costs, and leaching nitrogen which can result in lower yields.

Soil-Water-Plant Interaction Basics

June 12, 2024
As irrigation season approaches, producers may find it beneficial to review the basics on how soil, water and plants all work together to grow crops.

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Woman sits near wall of soil
Judith Turk, associate professor in the School of Natural Resources, will use an $854,000 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development Program to shed light on how human activity is impacting soil degradation in the Great Plains. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing)

Turk Investigating Soil Health Over Time, a Key to Climate Resilience Strategies

June 6, 2024
Turk’s research will inform soil carbon sequestration strategies and advance understanding of soil health, which is key to agricultural systems’ capacity to withstand extreme weather.

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Soil types in Nebraska map

The Impact of Spring Rainfall on Available Soil Moisture

May 15, 2024
Assessing whether rainfall is sufficient to recharge soil moisture to adequate levels is not an easy task. This article covers key aspects of soil-water relations and how recent rainfall in Nebraska may affect available soil moisture for future irrigation decisions.

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Saturated crop field with standing water and tire tracks
The worst compaction happens on the first pass across the field, so controlling traffic will help minimize compaction as a whole.

Strategies to Minimize Compaction During Wet Spring Conditions

May 15, 2024
Insights on how wet field conditions affect compaction and ways to mitigate compaction when field work can't be delayed.

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