{"id":16435,"date":"2023-10-16T11:04:52","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T09:04:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/comment-observer-son-sol-pour-adapter-son-travail\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T11:45:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T09:45:54","slug":"how-to-study-your-soil-to-adapt-your-work-to-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/actisol-agri.fr\/en\/how-to-study-your-soil-to-adapt-your-work-to-it\/","title":{"rendered":"How to study your soil to adapt your work to it"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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How to study your soil to adapt your work to it ?<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Why study your soil ?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Knowing the structure of your soil before doing anything to it ensures that you understand it and adapt your tillage strategy<\/strong> to the needs of each plot. How do you study your soil to adapt your work to it?<\/p>

Observing biological activity, the root systems of plants already in place, and the composition of the horizons provides as much information on the health of your soil<\/strong> as a check-up with a specialist.<\/p>

This study tends to become essential for farmers keen to work following agronomic rules<\/strong>.<\/p>

There are various methods, from the most basic to the most comprehensive.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The penetrometer : a \"simple\" rod that can tell you a lot<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A penetrometer is a tool that measures soil compaction<\/strong> by penetration. Comprising of a graduated hardened steel rod and two handles, it sometimes also features a pressure gauge to measure the pressure exerted to push the penetrometer into the ground. A digital version is also available.<\/p>

This simple and practical tool is used by agronomists and farmers to quickly determine\u00a0 compaction zones<\/strong> in the soil.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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In practice<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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As with any test, certain conditions must be taken into account. The best time to do this test is between January and April<\/strong>.\u00a0 Before starting on a plot, it must be\u00a0drained<\/strong>. It is important to note that clay and rocky soils do not lend themselves well to this test.<\/p>

The penetrometer must be slowly pushed into the soil vertically. The sensation you feel when the rod penetrates the ground makes it possible to detect possible compaction problems<\/strong> and identify them using the graduation. The optional pressure gauge on the penetrometer proves very valuable for precisely determining soil resistance.<\/p>

At each level identified, it is possible to continue going down, if the rod allows it.<\/p>

On a plot, it is recommended to carry out several tests<\/strong> in the direction of tillage and diagonally. Ten points provide a realistic view of the situation. For this type of sampling, it is recommended that the same person carry out all the tests. Indeed, sensations can vary depending on the person and everyone creates their own resistance benchmarks.<\/p>

This method can be supplemented by one of the visual tests below.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The spade method<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A\u00a0spade<\/strong>\u00a0is required for this test.\u00a0<\/p>

This quick and visual method allows you to examine the appearance of clods, their porosity, and to note the presence of earthworms<\/strong> which have an impact on soil structure. As they cannot thrive in compacted soil, their presence is a positive sign.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Actidays 2022<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Procedure<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For this test, the soil must not be too dry. As with the use of the penetrometer, drained soil is ideal<\/strong>. The best time for this test is between crops (autumn or end of winter) or after work, if you want to assess its effects.\u00a0<\/p>

A tarpaulin is required to put the 5 or 6 samples taken using the spade on. As with the penetrometer test, samples taken diagonally outside the wheel arches will be more representative.\u00a0<\/p>

The clods with a depth of 25 cm<\/strong> to be placed on the tarpaulin can thus be observed with the naked eye. Different horizons can be observed and measured before fragmenting them, retaining any lumps that may come off. A\u00a0score from 1 to 5<\/strong>\u00a0can then be given, 5 being very compact and 1 being very friable.<\/p>

The biological activity of earthworms<\/strong> can be observed by the number of galleries identified in the clods collected.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The P\u00e9pone method, observation at height<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This method is named after the farmer who invented it. Also called a \u2018mini 3D profile\u2019, it allows you to quickly discover<\/strong> the horizons in a more advanced manner than the spade test.\u00a0<\/p>

Carried out using a telescopic<\/strong> forklift<\/strong>, a block of earth is extracted from the ground to observe rooting, soil life, and the general condition of the structure. Less invasive than soil profiling, this approach allows observations to be made while standing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Journ\u00e9e technique Cerfrance 49 avec Modema Agri et Actisol<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In the field<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The observation period is in line with the two previous tests with the same soil features<\/strong>.<\/p>

The spacing of the forks must allow the block of earth to be removed without it collapsing (20 to 30 cm). The sample is taken from the plot by inserting the forks into the ground at approximately 45\u00b0. The block is then extracted and placed in a horizontal position for observation.<\/p>

In this way, approximately 70 cm of earth depth<\/strong> is captured.\u00a0Two samples<\/strong>\u00a0from a plot can be studied.. It is entirely possible to include a wheel arch into this profile in order to deduce impacts.\u00a0The shape of the sample<\/strong> already gives some initial information about the soil structure. The clearly visible horizons<\/strong> allow you to see compaction zones. The roots of plants in place (shape, depth), and the biological activity of the soil.\u00a0<\/p>

To go further, take clumps from each horizon to observe the\u00a0porosity<\/strong>\u00a0and the quantity of aggregates<\/strong> more closely.<\/p>

Less invasive<\/strong> than soil profiling, this method is used by farmers and technicians.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Soil profiling, for more precision<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Soil profiling is the most advanced method in terms of physical field study. It involves digging, with a spade<\/strong> or an excavator<\/strong>, a pit 1 to 1.50 m deep<\/strong>, 3 to 4 m wide<\/strong>, and 1.50 to 2.00 m long<\/strong>.<\/p>

Profiling can be carried out in a representative area or in a problem area<\/strong> (soggy soil, poor quality crop, etc.) in order to detect the causes. Ideally, the area to be observed during the excavation should be protected from any trampling.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Journ\u00e9e technique Vertal avec La Source, Modema Agri et Actisol<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In practice<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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There are two ideal periods for this study: in spring before sowing or at the end of the season. The pit is dug in drained soil<\/strong> perpendicular to mechanical work. The smooth sides, created by the tools during excavation, should be broken up with a knife blade.<\/p>

Soil\u00a0compaction<\/strong>\u00a0is then assessed for each of the strata by inserting the blade. A few clumps should be detached from each horizon to observe the number of aggregates<\/strong> and their shape. It is also possible to observe\u00a0wet zones<\/strong>,\u00a0thanks to the colour of the earth, or hydromorphic zones. The work done upstream by the mechanical tools is visible. Soil profiling therefore makes it possible to determine their effect on soil structure.<\/p>

This method, although invasive for a plot, remains the most precise<\/strong> for observing the soil and implementing a suitable tillage strategy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Pure science<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In addition to the physical observation<\/strong> of the soil, a chemical analysis can be carried out to determine its composition<\/strong> of clay, loam, and sand. This analysis also provides the soil\u2019s pH. The cation exchange capacity as well as elements, such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, are analysed.<\/p>

This analysis helps determine the soil\u2019s reserves and to supplement<\/strong> it, if necessary.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Physico-chemical analysis<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Specialised analysis laboratories exist. All you have to do is take soil samples<\/strong> from different locations on the same plot and send them to a laboratory. Various data will then be studied.<\/p>

Soil texture<\/strong> is the only data that does not change or only slightly changes over time. There are four types:<\/p>