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Soil Sample preparation

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How To Sample Bulk Density In The Field (by NRCS)

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How To Differentiate and Identify Soil Horizons In The Field (by NRCS)

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How To Differentiate and Identify Soil Horizons In The Field

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Lecture on Classification of Soil in the Field

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Lecture on Classification of Soil in the Field

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on Soil sampling and analysis

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JEM6014 Soil Sampling and Analysis-Lecture

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Lecture note on Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

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Salinity measurement

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Gravimetric water content

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Particle size analysis

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Particle Size Analysis (Sieves and Hydrometer)

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Collection and Preparation of Soil Sample

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by
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS, Ontario, CANADA

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Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

Table of Contents

1. Background

2. Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

3. Procedure for Using the USLE

4. Soil Loss Tolerance Rates

5. Management Strategies to Reduce Soil Losses

6. Equation for Calculation of LS (if Not Using Table 3A)

7. Example: Calculation of Soil Erosion Using USLE

Background

The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) predicts the long-term average annual rate of erosion on a field slope based on rainfall pattern, soil type, topography, crop system and management practices. USLE only predicts the amount of soil loss that results from sheet or rill erosion on a single slope and does not account for additional soil losses that might occur from gully, wind or tillage erosion. This erosion model was created for use in selected cropping and management systems, but is also applicable to non-agricultural conditions such as construction sites. The USLE can be used to compare soil losses from a particular field with a specific crop and management system to "tolerable soil loss" rates. Alternative management and crop systems may also be evaluated to determine the adequacy of conservation measures in farm planning.

Five major factors are used to calculate the soil loss for a given site. Each factor is the numerical estimate of a specific condition that affects the severity of soil erosion at a particular location. The erosion values reflected by these factors can vary considerably due to varying weather conditions. Therefore, the values obtained from the USLE more accurately represent long-term averages.

A calculation of soil losses using the USLE may also be done in OMAFRA's NMAN Nutrient Management Software, SOF001. The soil loss value generated from the USLE equation is used to determine the "soil erosion rating value" in the calculation of the Phosphorus Index. See the OMAFRA Factsheet Determining the Phosphorus Index for a Field, Order No. 05-067.

Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

A = R x K x LS x C x P

A represents the potential long-term average annual soil loss in tonnes per hectare (tons per acre) per year. This is the amount, which is compared to the "tolerable soil loss" limits.

R is the rainfall and runoff factor by geographic location as given in Table 1. The greater the intensity and duration of the rain storm, the higher the erosion potential. Select the R factor from Table 1 based on the upper tier municipality designation and corresponding weather station where the calculation is to be made.

K is the soil erodibility factor ( Table 2). It is the average soil loss in tonnes/hectare (tons/acre) for a particular soil in cultivated, continuous fallow with an arbitrarily selected slope length of 22.13 m (72.6 ft) and slope steepness of 9%. K is a measure of the susceptibility of soil particles to detachment and transport by rainfall and runoff. Texture is the principal factor affecting K, but structure, organic matter and permeability also contribute.

LS is the slope length-gradient factor. The LS factor represents a ratio of soil loss under given conditions to that at a site with the "standard" slope steepness of 9% and slope length of 22.13 m (72.6 ft). The steeper and longer the slope, the higher the risk for erosion. Use either Table 3A or the "Equation for Calculating LS" included in this Factsheet to obtain LS.

C is the crop/vegetation and management factor. It is used to determine the relative effectiveness of soil and crop management systems in terms of preventing soil loss. The C factor is a ratio comparing the soil loss from land under a specific crop and management system to the corresponding loss from continuously fallow and tilled land. The C Factor can be determined by selecting the crop type and tillage method ( Table 4A and Table 4B, respectively) that corresponds to the field and then multiplying these factors together.

The C factor resulting from this calculation is a generalized C factor value for a specific crop that does not account for crop rotations or climate and annual rainfall distribution for the different agricultural regions of the country. This generalized C factor, however, provides relative numbers for the different cropping and tillage systems, thereby helping you weigh the merits of each system.

P is the support practice factor. It reflects the effects of practices that will reduce the amount and rate of the water runoff and thus reduce the amount of erosion. The P factor represents the ratio of soil loss by a support practice to that of straight-row farming up and down the slope. The most commonly used supporting cropland practices are cross-slope cultivation, contour farming and strip cropping ( Table 5).

Procedure for Using the USLE

1. Based on the soil texture, determine the K value ( Table 2). If there is more than one soil type in a field and the soil textures are not very different, use the soil type that represents the majority of the field. Repeat for other soil types as necessary.

2. Divide the field into sections of uniform slope gradient and length. Assign an LS value to each section ( Table 3A).

3. Choose the crop type factor and tillage method factor for the crop to be grown. Multiply these two factors together to obtain the C factor.

4. Select the P factor based on the support practice used ( Table 5).

5. Multiply the 5 factors together to obtain the soil loss per hectare (acre).

Weather Station

Upper Tier Municipality Designation

R Factor

* Organic matter content

Soil Loss Tolerance Rates

A tolerable soil loss is the maximum annual amount of soil, which can be removed before the long-term natural soil productivity is adversely affected.

The impact of erosion on a given soil type, and hence the tolerance level, varies, depending on the type and depth of soil. Generally, soils with deep, uniform, stone-free topsoil materials and/or not previously eroded have been assumed to have a higher tolerance limit than soils that are shallow or previously eroded.

Soil loss tolerance rates are included in Table 6.

The suggested tolerance level for most soils in Ontario is 6.7 tonnes/hectare/year (3 tons/acre/year) or less.

Management Strategies to Reduce Soil Losses

Having obtained an estimate of the potential annual soil loss for a field, you may want to consider ways to reduce this loss to a tolerable level. Table 7 outlines management strategies to help you reduce soil erosion.

Equation for Calculation of LS (if Not Using Table 3A)

LS = [0.065 + 0.0456 (slope) + 0.006541 (slope) ²](slope length ÷ constant) NN

Where:

slope = slope steepness in %

slope length = length of slope in m (ft)

constant = 22.1 metric (72.5 Imperial)

NN = see Table 3B below

Example: Calculation of Soil Erosion Using USLE

A = R x K x LS x C x P

Rainfall and Runoff Factor (R)

The sample field is in Middlesex County. Therefore the R Factor is obtained in Table 1 from the London weather station.

R Factor = 100

Soil Erodibility Factor (K)

The sample field consists of fine sandy loam soil with an average organic matter content. The K Factor is obtained from Table 2.

K Factor = 0.40

Slope Length-Gradient Factor (LS)

The sample field is 244 m (800 ft) long with a 6% slope. The LS factor can be obtained directly from Table 3A or may be calculated using the equation on page 4. The NN value from Table 3B to be used in the equation is 0.5.

LS Factor = 1.91

Crop/Vegetation and Management Factor (C)

The sample field was plowed in the spring and grain corn was planted. The C Factor is obtained from the crop type factor ( Table 4A) and the tillage method factor ( Table 4B).

Crop Type Factor for grain corn = 0.4

Tillage Method Factor for spring plow = 0.9

C Factor = 0.4 x 0.9 = 0.36

Support Practice Factor (P)

Cross-slope farming is used on this sample field. The P Factor was obtained from Table 5.

P Factor = 0.75

Therefore,

A = R x K x LS x C x P

= 100 x 0.40 x 1.91 x 0.36 x 0.75

= 20.63 tonnes/hectare/year (9.28 tons/acre/year)

Referring to Table 6 in this Factsheet, you will see that this soil loss rate of 20.63 tonnes/hectare/year (9.28 tons/acre/year) is in the moderate range and considerably higher than the "tolerable loss level" of 6.7 tonnes/hectare/year (3 tons/acre/year). To reduce the soil losses for this sample field below 6.7 tonnes/hectare/year (3 tons/acre/year) we will make the following changes to the above example.

Change tillage method from "spring plow (0.9)" to "no-till (0.25)"

Therefore, C Factor (revised) = 0.4 x .25 = 0.10

The adjusted annual soil loss value is

A = R x K x LS x C x P

= 100 x 0.40 x 1.91 x 0.10 x 0.75

= 5.73 tonnes/hectare/year (2.58 tons/acre/year)

Thus by changing the tillage practice, the average annual predicted soil loss for this field is below the "tolerable soil loss" of 6.7 tonnes/hectare/year (3 tons/acre/year).

Additional research, experiments and data have led to the development of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), which is a computerized version of USLE. RUSLE has the same formula as USLE, with improvements in many of the factor estimates. RUSLE can handle more complex combinations of tillage and cropping practices and a greater variety of slope shapes. A further-enhanced version of the software, known as RUSLE2, can do event-based erosion prediction. RUSLE2 requires a comprehensive set of input information, which may not be available in all jurisdictions.

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Background Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) Procedure for Using the USLE Soil Loss Tolerance Rates Management Strategies to Reduce Soil Losses Equation for Calculation of LS (if Not Using Table 3A) Example: Calculation of Soil Erosion Using USLE The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) predicts the long-term average annual rate of erosion on a field slope based on rainfall pattern, soil type, topography, crop system and management practices.

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Playlist - Recorded lecture on Soil sampling and analysis for your self learning purpose

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Playlist - Recorded lecture on Soil sampling and analysis for your self learning purpose

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Dear students,

Please use these videos (prerecorded lectures) on Soil Sampling and analysis for your self- learning purposes.

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Dear students,
Please find the Playlist of recorded field practical on how to conduct soil profile description (here available in Youtube).

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