Youth Soil Quality Lessons and Videos

children planting soil

The quality of soil depends upon a variety of factors. NRCS has developed Soil Quality Kit Guides, fact sheets and materials for teachers to integrate into their soils curriculum. In addition, a curriculum has been developed to use in the classroom. These materials were created with funds provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust.  YouTube videos supplement these curricula as well.

In This Section:

  • Components and Physical Properties of Soil
  • Soil Organic Matter
  • Using the Soil Textural Triangle
  • Estimating Soil Moisture by Feel and Appearance
  • Soil Quality Measurement
  • Soil Bulk Density
  • Soil Respiration
  • Soil Electrical Conductivity
  • Soil Web Survey
  • Soil pH
  • In Hand Soil Test Method
  • Soil Nitrogen
  • Soil Phosphorus
  • Soil Infiltration
  • The Scientific Method
  • Soils Capstone Activity

Contact

Brandy VanDeWalle
Extension Educator
402-759-3712
brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu

Articles
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Components and Physical Properties of Soil 

Surface soil particles are held together, or "glued together," by various organic substances to create stable soil aggregates. These soil aggregates make it possible for air and water to move through the soil and during a rainstorm, are harder to wash away.

Soil Organic Matter

Soil organic matter is the most important soil attribute you can manage to improve soil health. It consists of small plant residues and living organisms, decomposing organic matter and stable organic matter (humus), and serves as a reservoir for crop nutrients.

Using the Soil Textural Triangle

Soil texture plays a large role in crop production. Learn how to use a simple procedure to identify soil texture using a composite soil sample from the field and what differentiates a sandy or silt loam from a silty clay loam or silty clay and other soil types.

Estimating Soil Moisture by Feel and Appearance

Learn this in-field procedure for determining available soil moisture by the look and feel for various soil types common to Nebraska and the importance of knowing soil moisture to irrigation water management.

Soil Quality Measurement

Soil quality integrates the physical, chemical, and biological components of soil and their interactions. These resources examine field site or characterization and soil sampling guidelines.

Soil Bulk Density

Bulk density is an indicator of soil compaction and soil health. It affects infiltration, rooting depth, plant nutrient availability, and soil microorganism activity. Understanding and measuring this soil attribute can guide soil management practices. These resources cover factors affecting the bulk density, soil moisture, and soil density problems.

Soil Respiration

Soil respiration is a measure of carbon dioxide (CO2) released from the soil when soil organic matter decomposes and when plant roots and soil fauna respire. It is a sign of soil biological activity and an important indicator of soil health.

Soil Electrical Conductivity

Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of soil salinity and an important indicator of soil health. Excess salts can hinder plant growth, nutrient availability, and other soil processes and affect soil-water balance.

Soil Web Survey

Lesson Plan: PDF and Word

Soil pH 

Soil pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a soil. Consider factors that affect soil pH, soil pH management options, the relationship of pH to soil function and measure the pH in soil.

Soil Nitrogen

Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the atmosphere and is usually the most limiting crop nutrient. Investigate factors that affect soil nitrogen, nitrogen management, and measure soil nitrate/nitrite.

Soil Phosphorus

Phosphorus' primary role in a plant is to store and transfer energy produced by photosynthesis for use in growth and reproductive processes. Analyze phosphorus management practices and test soil phosphate.

Soil Infiltration

Infiltration refers to the soil's ability to allow water movement into and through the soil profile. Check into management practices that impact infiltration, problems related to infiltration and measure infiltration in soil.

Soils Capstone Activity

Lesson Plan: PDF and Word

 

 

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