Did you know soil compaction can reduce crop yields by up to 50%? For farmers, the hidden costs of this problem can add up quickly. Soil compaction is caused by heavy equipment traffic, tillage implements, and extreme weather events, which force soil particles together and reduce the storage spaces needed for air, water, and root […]
Soil pH plays a critical role in crop health and yield, yet many fields in Western Canada face the challenges of acidic soils. When soil pH drops below 6, several key issues arise, directly impacting crop productivity. The diagram below illustrates how soil pH affects the availability of key nutrients and microbial activity. It highlights […]
Low soil pH can reduce crop yields, limit the availability of nutrients, and even increase the toxicity of certain elements. Understanding the processes behind soil acidification can help you manage and mitigate its effects. Here’s a breakdown of the causes of low pH. Regional Variability in Low pH Soils Across Western Canada Low pH soils […]
1. What is low pH soil, and how is it defined? Low pH soil is soil with a pH below 6.6, where the level of acidity begins to affect soil function. Neutral soil: pH 6.6–7.3 Moderately acidic soil: pH 5.6–6.5 Strongly acidic soil: pH below 5.5Low pH soils are common in Western Canada and can […]
Soil is not just a medium in which to grow plants. It’s a living ecosystem, and the health of that ecosystem will ultimately dictate how successfully plants can grow. Since 2016, HumaTerra has been on a mission to improve soil health by increasing the diversity, density, and resilience of soil microbes in agricultural and reclaimed […]
Land reclamation is a critical environmental challenge, especially in areas with degraded soil like tailings piles. The HumaTerra team completed a series of trials to assess the efficacy of H-Start Reclaim in facilitating plant growth and root development in challenging conditions. Both trials used a sample from a tailings pile that was extremely low in […]
While better farm practices have reduced the risk of soil salinity in Canada, there are areas where it remains a significant problem. Salinity impacts crop growth, nutrient availability, and overall soil health. However, the addition of active soil microbes can result in improvements to soil health and minimize the overall impact of salinity. Salinity and […]
An article by Carol King in Top Crop Manager highlighted a project led by microbiologist Tim Dumonceaux at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Saskatoon. The research explores the potential of leveraging soil microbes around oilseed plant roots to enhance drought tolerance. Dumonceaux’s research delves into the role of root exudates (compounds excreted by plants […]
A research project led by AAFC’s Xiben Wang, is delving into soil microbial communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The focus is on understanding the genetic makeup of these communities to identify crop rotations that can harness the potential of naturally occurring biocontrol agents against major pathogens. Focus on Fusarium and other soil-borne disease Primarily concentrating […]
In collaboration with over 100 scientists across 124 agricultural research sites in Canada, the US, and Mexico, the Soil Health Institute (SHI) outlined a practical suite of 3 soil health indicators for land managers. After evaluation of 30 different factors, they recommended the following three as a minimum, based on cost, practicality, and effectiveness. Organic […]
