Field penetration resistance

ield penetration resistance is a measurement of the soils strength measured (in psi) with a eld penetrometer pushed through the soil prole. Measurements should be taken when the soil

is near eld capacity. It is measured for two depth increments in the eld (0 to 6 in. and 6 to 18 in.) and used to assess surface and subsurface soil compaction.

Basic Protocol (guidelines for use):

Penetration resistance is measured using a penetrometer, an instrument that measures the soil resistance to penetration. It consists of a cone-tip, a metal sha, and a gauge that measures resistance in pounds per square inch (psi, A). Most penetrometers come with two dierent sized tips which correspond to two dierent gauge scales. The outer and inner scales correspond to the larger inch and the smaller inch diameter tips, respectively (A). Be sure to use the scale appropriate for the size tip used. The level of soil moisture can greatly aect the ease with which the probe penetrates the soil. It is recommended that penetration reading be taken when the soil is at eld capacity (several days aer free drainage). If the soil conditions are not ideal, it is important to note conditions at the time of measurment so proper interpretation of the reading can be made. Apply slow even pressure so penetrometer advances into the soil at a rate of 4 seconds per 6 inches or less. Record the highest
600
450 400
Zone tillage

pressure reading measured for each of the two depths on the grower and eld information sheet (see page 20).

Pounds per square inch (psi)

Conventional tillage Zone tillage

500

Conventional tillage

Pounds Pounds per square inch (psi) per square inch (psi)

350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0

400 300 200 100 0

Root growth is reduced above 300 psi

10

12

14

16

18

10

12

14

16

18

Depth (inches)

Depth(inches) (inches) Depth

Figure 12. Soil compaction graph for a eld in intensive vegetable production in 2005 (Courtesy of C.R. MacNeil).

Figure 13. Soil compaction graph for a conventionally plow tilled eld and zone-till eld with deep ripping on the same farm in spring of 2005 (Courtesy of C.R. MacNeil).

28

PHYSICAL INDICATOR

How penetration resistance relates to soil function:

ield penetration resistance is a surface crust measure of soil compaction. The porous germinating amount of pressure needed to (loose-ing seed push the probe through the soil can be crumbs and tightly packed measured at any desired depth but is blocks) crumbs most useful for identifying the depth of large blocks the compaction layer, if present. Roots can with few cracks not penetrate the soil with penetrometer readings above 300 psi. Field proles of subsoil compaction penetration resistance can be created by recording the measured psi every inch (B) compacted soil (A) good soil structure through the soil prole and then ploing them on a chart (Figures 12 and 13). These Figure 14. Plants growing is soil with good tilth (A) or three types of charts can be used to identify various compaction (B). Source: Building Soils for Beer Crops, 2nd edition, layers of compaction, if present (Figure Sustainable Agriculture Network - USDA). 14). For the soil health test, however, we only target two depths.

Scoring function:

B
100 90 80 70 60

elow are the scoring function graphs for surface and subsurface resistance on sand, silt and clay textured soils. The red, yellow and green shading
Coarse, Medium & Fine

reects the color coding used for the ratings on the soil health report (see page 40).

Coarse 100 90 80 70 60

Medium

Fine

Score

50 40 30 20 10 0 0 100 200 300 400 500

Score

50 40 30 20 10 0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Surface Hardness (psi)

Subsurface Hardness (psi)

CORNELL SOIL HEALTH MANUAL

29