Soil Essentials is a practical reference for farmers and land managers in Australia and covers the problems that are commonly encountered at the farm level. It explains the results of soil tests and shows how to use this information to improve the management of soils and the profitability of farming enterprises.
The book is written in a straightforward style to appeal to the decision-making processes commonly used by farmers and land managers and demonstrates how minerals and trace elements, organic matter, soil organisms and fertilisers affect soil and plant health. It shows how to recognise gradual soil decline and repair soils affected by soil erosion, compaction, structural decline, soil sodicity and salinity. The major problem-soils: sodic soils, light sandy soils, heavy clay soils acid sulphate soils - are covered.
With this information farmers and land managers should be able to consider the costs and expected returns of good soil management.This book: explains soil tests and shows how to use the results; shows how and when to apply fertiliser; and, includes colour photographs to illustrate soil profiles and deficiencies or toxic effects of trace elements in plants.