SSMG-35 (H.R. Mount)

Obtaining Soil Information Needed for Site-Specific Management Decisions

Summary:

County soil surveys contain a compendium of information about soil and climatic conditions within a region. The soil surveys are available from local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices. Most are in the process of being digitized (http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/ssur.data.html). Boundaries of the different soils are usually drawn on an aerial photograph. Most soil surveys are Order 2, with scales of 1:12,000 to 1:31,680 and a minimum size delineation of 1.5 to 10 acres. Order 2 soil surveys were not developed for site-specific management, and research evaluating the ability to use them for site-specific management has been mixed. They can be personalized by developing a new map based on the Order 2 soil survey as well as experiences, visual observations, and measured values.

Interactions between soil and climatic conditions influence land productivity and weed, disease, and nutrient spatial and temporal variability. By understanding these interactions, our ability to manage risk, increase productivity, and protect the environment can be improved. We must recognize that there is no single strategy for incorporating soils information into the decision process. This guideline discusses different approaches for developing experience-modified soils maps which can be used for a variety of site-specific management decisions.

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