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Published in Soil Sci Soc Am J 40:890-895 (1976)
© 1976 Soil Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
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Geography of Soil Test Results1

Frederick C. Westin2

ABSTRACT

Since the factors that control soil formation and soil geography must also affect levels of soil K, P, organic matter, and pH, this study was undertaken to determine the correlations that might exist between soil geography and soil test results. Soil test results for over 80,000 farmer samples were correlated with soils classified at the series, family, subgroup, great group, suborder, and order categories of the comprehensive soil classification system. Then the regional effects of climate and native vegetation on soil test results were isolated, followed by a determination of the local effects on the soil test results of soil parent material, slope and age. Chi square statistical procedures were used to determine significance. Increasing precipitation resulted in decreased K and P and lower pH but higher organic matter. Increasing temperature lowered K and organic matter and increased P but had no effect on pH. Within a climatic zone, as sandiness increased, levels of K, P and organic matter decreased, while pH rose. When carbonate content increased, K and P decreased and pH increased, while organic matter remained constant. As slopes became steeper, levels of K, P, and organic matter decreased, while pH rose. And as soils became older, K and pH decreased, while P and organic matter remained essentially constant. Except for the influence of soil texture on organic matter, all other data were highly significant. Although precise amounts of K, P, organic matter and pH require individual field sampling, a consideration of the geography of the soils as expressed in soil taxonomic terms gives a rational starting point in plant nutrient assessment and a tool for extension of fertility-related data.

NOTES

1 Authorized for publication as J. Ser. no. 1399 South Dakota Agric. Exp. Stn. Presented before Div. S-5 Soil Science Society of America, Knoxville. Tennessee, 25 Aug. 1975.

2 Professor, Plant Science Dep., South Dakota State Univ., Brookings, SD 57006. Appreciation is expressed to Dr. W. L. Tucker, South Dakota Agric. Exp. Stn. Statistician for assistance with statistical procedures.

Received for publication February 17, 1976. Accepted for publication June 14, 1976.






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The SCI Journals Agronomy Journal Crop Science
Journal of Natural Resources
and Life Sciences Education		 Vadose Zone Journal
Journal of Plant Registrations Journal of
Environmental Quality		 The Plant Genome
Copyright © 1976 by the Soil Science Society of America.