Comparison of Soil Health Indicators at Two Different Locations in Murray

Soil health is an ability to provide support to the crop growth and it can be assessed by evaluating soil health indicators. This study compared soil health indicators at Pullen Farm and West Farm. The objectives of this were to assess soil health indicators and provide suggestions for sustainable improvements. A total of 24 soil samples were collected from soybean, corn, and grassland, with four replications per crop. The key soil properties analysed include soil bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), macro porosity (MP), soil water at field capacity (SWFC), soil water holding capacity (SWHC), soil organic matter (SOM) and soil pH. Results showed that West Farm corn soil had a pH of 7.10, while the grassland of West Farm had the pH of 6.57. Pullen Farm had the highest SOM (6.69%), while West Farm’s soybean field had the lowest (4.62%). Furthermore, Bulk density was at peak in West Farm (1.34gm/cm^3), while Pullen Farm’s corn had (1.19gm/cm^3). Total porosity in Pullen’s corn field was maximum (54.98%), while West Farm’s cornfield had the minimum (49.32%). Pullen’s grassland found highest MP (42.62%), whereas West Farm’s soybean field had the lowest (34.17%). SWHC was more in Pullen’s grassland (45.48%) and less in West Farm’s soybean field (36.78%). SWFC of Pullen grassland was (87.75%) while the West Farm soybean soil had lowest (77.40%). It was concluded that improvements in West Farm’s soil health may be achieved through adopting sustainable practices, particularly in its soybean and corn fields. Keywords: Bulk Density, Corn, Grassland, Soybean, Total Porosity