| | Abstract | Objectives | Materials and methods | Results | Conclusions | Future | References | Acknowledgements
Proceedings of 36th Annual Alberta Soil Science Workshop, February 16-18, 1999,
Calgary, Alberta
D. Keyes2, K. Cannon3 and L. Kryzanowski4
Abstract
A summary of routinely measured soil properties (pH, extractable nutrients and organic matter) will be presented. Maps showing the distribution of high phosphate soils, acid soils and potassium deficient areas in Alberta, for example, will be on display. The analysis will be within the framework of a land database model, such as ecodistricts and soil landscapes of Canada, to show how farm level sampling correlates with broad land classifications. The data is provided by Norwest Soil Research LTD.
Objectives
- determine geographical distribution of soil fertility parameters in Alberta using the Norwest Laboratories database and the relationship with ecodistricts.
Materials and Methods
- database from Norwest Labs (1993 - 1997) representing 77,962 records
- producer submitted soil samples taken for 0 - 15 cm sampling depth
- parameters include soil test P, K, S, OM, and pH
- N not included because of large annual fluctuations due to management and climate
- all data used for this exercise and there was no breakdown by management or crop
- for each ecodistrict, the average for each fertility parameter was calculated
- results were partitioned into agronomically significant soil test classes and ranges
- ArcView was used to show physical distribution of soil test classes on ecodistrict basis
Results
- map illustrating ecoregions and ecodistricsts (Figure 1)
- database representing soil sample coverage of the arable land in Alberta (Figure 2)
- Table 1 summarizes the composition of the Norwest Laboratory soil fertility database
- maps illustrating the distribution of soil fertility parameters by ecodistricts (Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Conclusions
- maps are broad or general estimates for an ecodistrict
- summary is not intended as a substitute for soil sampling and testing on individual fields
Future
- summary by ecoregions and soil landscapes of Canada
- summary by township
- compare non-irrigated and irrigated
- compare fallow with annual and forage crops
- trends of soil fertility over time
- potential P loading
- combining the Norwest Laboratories database with Alberta Agriculture database
- acreage estimation of each soil
- combining database results with AGRASID
Table 1. Composition of Norwest Laboratory soil fertility database.
 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | |
| Non-irrigated | | | | | | |
| fallow | 499 | 1677 | 1104 | 809 | 1026 | |
| annual | 5184 | 15776 | 10441 | 8653 | 9954 | |
| forage | 469 | 1505 | 1066 | 953 | 895 | |
| other | 1632 | 4990 | 3465 | 3100 | 3478 | |
| total | | | | | | 76676 |
| Irrigated | | | | | | |
| annual | 0 | 191 | 196 | 147 | 93 | |
| forage | 0 | 90 | 84 | 49 | 12 | |
| other | 0 | 221 | 85 | 73 | 45 | |
| total | | | | | | 1286 |
Figure 1. Location of Benchmark Sites, Ecoregions and Ecodistricts in Alberta
Figure 2. Soil Sampling Sites in Alberta (0 - 15 cm)
Figure 3. Ecodistrict pH Levels (0 - 15 cm)
Figure 4. Ecodistrict Organic matter Levels (0 - 15 cm)
Figure 5. Ecodistrict Sulphur Levels (0 - 15 cm)
Figure 6. Ecodistrict Phosphorus Levels (0 - 15 cm)
Figure 7. Ecodistrict Potassium Levels (0 - 15 cm)
References
Kryzanowski, L.M. and D.H. Laverty, 1985. Computer assisted summarization of the spatial distributionof soil fertility factors for Alberta.
Rennie, D.A., 1993. Trends in available soil N, P, K, and S. In D.A. Rennie, C.A. Campbell, T.L. Roberts. Impact of macronutrients on crop responses and environmental sustainability on the Canadian prairies. CSSS, Ottawa.
Acknowledgements
This work is sponsored by the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (AESA) Program.
2Norwest Labs, 9938-67 Ave., Edmonton, Alberta T6E 0P5
3Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, #206, 7000-113 Street, Edm, AB T6H 5T6
4Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, 9Th Floor 6909-116 Street, Edm, AB T6H 4P2 |
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