Agenda
Description of soil degradation problems
in this region of New Brunswick
Gordon Fairchild, Ph.D., P.Ag.,
Soils Specialist, ECSWCC
New Brunswick –Québec Technical Exchange Workshop
Grand Falls, NB
Aug. 14-15, 2007
Agriculture in this region of New Brunswick
• climate:
• humid & temperate (high rainfall)
• much is on hilly, rolling land,
• much is on soils naturally susceptible to erosion :
• from morainal deposits
• soils strongly leached, acidic
• soil loamy or sandy in texture
• dense subsoils that impede drainage
Soil Degradation Challenges
The climate, soils naturally susceptible to erosion, intensive
agriculture in some areas, and economic constraints have led to
soil degradation challenges in this region.
Soil degradation
related to potato production
1. Loss of organic matter
2. Water erosion (sheet, rill and gully erosion)
3. Degradation of soil structure
ECSWCC. 2000
Soil degradation related to potato production
Soil compaction
M any soils show serious soil erosion and degradation
Excessive Soil Erosion by Water
Excess Runoff
Soil Compaction
Loss of Organic Matter
Loss of Available Soil-Water
Loss of Crop Productivity
Sol Erosion & Degradation (Soil Quality)
It is estimated that 55-65%
PEI & NB potato land
experiences excessive soil loss
as a result of farming
undulated slopes
Estimated annual onfarm costs at 40
million dollars
in Atlantic Canada by
AAFC in 1985
Soil erosion and degradation leads to loss of agricultural productivity
and also water quality concerns
Sheet & rillSoil
soil
erosion are
being addressed by:
Management
& Conservation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Better Crop Rotation
Strip cropping
Winter cover crops
Conservation tillage
Green manures
Residue management
Mulching
6
1,2
3
4
6
3&5
7
rill & gully soil erosion (steeper fields) by:
8
8,9
8. Cross-slope & contour cropping
9. Diversion terraces & grassed waterways
10. Sub-surface drainage, subsoiling & 4x4 tractors
9
10
Soil Erosion and Degradation
Some progress, with substantial acreage in NB & PEI
protected with appropriate combinations of:
• diversion terraces
• grassed waterways
• strip cropping
• residue management
• mulching
• crop rotation
• cover crops
• etc
Successful adoption of soil conservation
systems requires
• extensive educational and awareness activity
• cost-benefit information
• on-farm technology transfer & adaptation
New Brunswick –Québec Technical Exchange Workshop
Grand Falls, NB
Aug. 14-15, 2007