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PrabhjotKSingh_MastersThesis21.pdf (1.79 MB)

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On-Farm Soil Health Assessment in Ohio and Farmer Perception of Soil Health Data

Singh, Prabhjot K
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1626692765868278

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environmental Science.
Soil health indicators are commonly used by researchers to understand how various soil properties are functioning. However, many new indicators have not been applied on working farm conditions and it is not well understood how these novel indicators may be useful to farmers in their management decision-making. This research took an integrated approach combining social science methods and biophysical soil testing to understand the use and value of soil health indicators to farmers in Ohio. A total of 19 soil health parameters were measured and reported back to farmers to discuss how these data could inform their future management decisions and to understand which indicators are most useful to farmers. Interviews were conducted with 20 row crop farmers to gather their insights on the utility of soil health indicators, as well as their management decisions following the 2019 growing season. Ultimately, the research evaluated how soil health indicators varied across selected fields the farmer deemed best and most challenging. This research also assessed which indicators aligned best with farmer perceptions of the soil health data and if the soil health indicators influenced adoption of new management practices among farmers. Findings from the research indicate that biological soil health indicators such as soil protein, respiration (MinC), and permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC) were able to distinguish between best and most challenging field, were more sensitive indicators than others, and were most aligned with farmer perceptions of their fields. Additionally, this study found that while farmers found many biological indicators insightful, they did not provide sufficient information to alter any change in management. Overall, this study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary work by integrating social and natural sciences to gain a comprehensive assessment of farmers’ perceptions and practices in relation to agricultural soil health. In doing so, the research addresses a vital issue in Ohio specifically and the Midwest more generally
Christine Sprunger (Advisor)
Nicholas Kawa (Advisor)
Steve Culman (Committee Member)
104 p.
Agriculture; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies
soil health; farmer interviews; interdisciplinary research; Ohio; on-farm research; Midwest; agriculture; soil science; soil health indicators; agricultural communication; soil health testing; farmer perceptions; farmer utility of data;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Singh, P. K. (2021). On-Farm Soil Health Assessment in Ohio and Farmer Perception of Soil Health Data [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1626692765868278

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Singh, Prabhjot. On-Farm Soil Health Assessment in Ohio and Farmer Perception of Soil Health Data. 2021. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1626692765868278.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Singh, Prabhjot. "On-Farm Soil Health Assessment in Ohio and Farmer Perception of Soil Health Data." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1626692765868278

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1626692765868278
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.