Soil Science for Gardeners by Pavlis, Robert -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Introduction

What Is Soil Health? Using the Book Terminology

Section 1: Understanding Soil

1. Soil Basics

Components of Soil Origin of Soil Soil Particles Soil Texture Importance of Particle Size Air and Water Aggregation and Soil Structure Soil pH

2. Plant Nutrients

Ions What Is Salt? Movement of Nutrients in Soil Essential Plant Nutrients Micronutrients Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

3. Soil Life

Energy Food Web The Power of Large Molecules Ratio of Fungi to Bacteria Chemicals in the Soil Pathogen Control Identification of Microbes

4. Bacteria

What Do They Eat? Where Do They Live? Role in Disease Prevention Ideal Environment Role in Building Soil Aggregates Conditions that Harm Bacteria Nitrogen Fixation

5. Fungi

What Do They Eat? Where Do They Live? Fungi at War Fungal Parasites Mycorrhizal Fungi

6. Other Organisms

Actinomycetes Algae Protozoa Nematodes Arthropods Earthworms

7. Organic Matter

Decomposition: Converting Dead Things into Humus Truth About Humus Too Much Organic Matter Compost Chelation

8. Rhizosphere

Root Exudates Soil Enzymes Effect of Desiccation Soil pH Levels Dynamic Microbe Population Allelochemicals Plants Are in Control

Section 2: Solving Soil Problems

9. Identifying Soil Problems

Why Do We Fertilize? Soil Testing Plants as Indicators of Soil Problems Plant Tissue Analysis DIY Test Kits Determining Soil Texture Crusted Soil Quantification of Microbes Level of Organic Matter Compaction Hardpan Drainage

10. Gardening Techniques That Affect Soil

Tilling Working the Land Mulching Hoeing Cover Crops Raised Bed Gardening Crop Rotation Companion Planting

11. Solving Chemical Issues

Buffer Capacity Increasing pH Decreasing pH Saline and Sodic Soils Increasing CEC Synthetic vs Organic Fertilizers Understanding Fertilizers Synthetic Fertilizers Organic Fertilizers Fad Products

12. Solving Microbe Issues

Inoculation Solarization Controlling Pathogens Compost Tea Best Practice for Increasing Microbe Populations

13. Increasing Organic Matter

Options for Adding Organic Matter Cover Crops Vermicompost Bokashi Compost Biochar Biosolids

14. Dealing with Structural Problems

Compaction Drainage Issues Modifying Soil Texture Clay Soils Sandy Soils

Section 3: A Personalized Plan for Healthy Soil

15. Developing a Plan for Soil Health Improvement 16. How Detailed Should You Get? 17. Soil Health Assessment

Chemical Tests Soil Sampling Instructions

18. Soil Health Action Plan

Soil Health Assessment Action Plan Action Plan Follow-up

Appendix A: Soil Health Assessment Form Appendix B: Action Plan for the Year Index About the Author About New Society Publishers