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The Perils of Saturated Soils
Sow Much Water, Sow Little Time
Well folks, it’s been a very wet year, from January to April we have already received 396mm of precipitation, while in an average year we receive between 65mm and 87mm! Beyond the rain gauge we continue to see phenomenal rain related events, like the tundra swan wading in the large ponds now in our fields. The vast amount of ponding that we are seeing in our community is telling us that our soils are fully saturated with water and is the next step from soil saturation. Surface ponding is problematic, but do not forget about the potential problems occurring beneath the surface.
IMPACT ON SOIL HEALTH AND STRUCTURE DAMAGE
We know what soil is: Minerals (sand, silt, clay), water, air, and organic matter; when it rains the water infiltrates through and fills the air space. Water then acts as a lubricant between soil particles making it easily susceptible to: movement under pressure (tractor and implement weight and pressure on soil surface), soil structure damage, and compaction. During a high level of saturation, the soil is highly susceptible to Erosion from further rain and/or wind, Runoff carrying the eroded soil particles, and Nutrient Loss (bound to the eroded soil particles). Lastly, the problems continue into the drying period of these soils, they often form a hard crust on the soil surface, which is problematic if the field has already been planted as this crust can prevent seedlings from emerging.
IMPACT ON CROP GROWTH AND HEALTH
Plants are impacted by highly wet conditions at every stage of growth, which overall impacts the quantity and quality of harvested material (grain, vegetative matter). During wet conditions plants experience: Oxygen Starvation, oxygen is required to create energy for nutrient absorption, water uptake and growth, Increased Disease, soil-borne fungal diseases thrive in wet environments and will likely require fungicide application, Nutrient Losses, soil bound nutrients have greater opportunity for runoff, and nitrogen specifically can be lost to the atmosphere via denitrification, and Reduced Yield, due to loss of planted seeds or largely delayed planting (shifting pivotal growth/development periods to a more strenuous time of year i.e. pollination during drought/high temperatures).
IMPACTS ON FARM OPERATIONS
We have talked about the soil and plants, but how do these wet conditions affect the farmer and their business? It will Delay Planting/Harvest – This could mean finding a different variety with a shorter growing season or moving to an entirely different crop that also has a shorter growing season. This can also impact their longer term operation plans (crop rotation). Replanting may be required – Replanting areas/whole fields that have died out or are too stunted to continue successful growth. Field Damage – Soil compaction can occur when heavy equipment right down to livestock is sent out to the field. Compaction can be a difficult issue to rectify and will take more than 1 pass with tillage equipment, it could take months to years to bring your soil back to its previous condition.
When is a field too wet to be planted?
A simple and easy way to check if the field is too wet to be planted is to take a handful of soil, does it stick together and/or drip water when squeezed? Or does it crumble? Find all the details for this soil test here: https://www.pioneer.com/content/dam/dpagco/pioneer/na/ca/en/files/articles/DF-Soil-Fitness-NA_CA_EN_V1.pdf)
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Article provided by Lisa Holland, PRWIN Project Co-ordinator.
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Our committee greatly appreciates community sponsorship and grant funding opportunities to continue our annual seedling program and tree projects in the Pine River Watershed.
Funding allows PRWIN to keep our tree programs alive and to support the goals of PRWIN and our Lake Huron shoreline.
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RIPLEY REUNION - GIVING BACK TO COMMUNITY
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Thank you to the Ripley Reunion for their donation in support of the Pine River Watershed Initiative Network. This contribution will help foster the continued growth of our community outreach initiatives and educational opportunities. PRWIN Chairperson, David Grant, accepted the donation on behalf of the organization from the Ripley Reunion Committee.
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We Celebrated Earth Day by hosting a Earth Day Contest
Let's make every day Earth Day!
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Have you wondered what our non-profit organization is all about?
Would you like to volunteer and make a difference
in our local watershed?
Why not join PRWIN and be involved with the growth and future success of our organization?
We welcome you to join us!
Contact us at pineriverwin@yahoo.ca if you would like to contribute to our community.
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We encourage our vital community members to share our newsletter, website, and Facebook page. There is an opportunity for everyone to sign up for our newsletter. We have resources about our organization on our website and our social media page that will inform our community to be up to date with our present and future projects.
http://www.pineriverwatershed.ca
https://www.facebook.com/pineriverwatershedinitiativenetwork/
Please email pineriverwin@yahoo.ca to sign up for our newsletter.
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