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Soil Health

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Two hands are outstretched holding a pile of black soil above a field of green plants
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Building Soil Health in North Dakota 

The NDSU Extension Soil Health program delivers practical, science-based information which allows farmers and consultants to make informed decisions when integrating soil health building strategies and practices on-farm.

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Have questions about Soil Health?
The staff at your county NDSU Extension office is ready to help.
Find your county Extension office.

NDSU Soil Health Specialists

  • Dr. Carlos Pires - Assistant Professor of Soil Health - Extension
    • Education
      • BS, Agronomy, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, 2016
      • MS, Soil Science, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, 2018
      • PhD, Agronomy, Kansas State University, 2023
    • Phone: 701-231-7838
    • Email: carlos.pires@ndsu.edu
  • Dr. Chandler Gruener - Extension Soil Health Specialist - Minot REC
    • Education
      • BS, Plant Science, University of Missouri, 2017
      • MS, Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science, University of Arkansas, 2020
      • PhD, Crop and Soil Science, University of Georgia, 2024
    • Phone: 701-857-7677
    • Email: chandler.gruener@ndsu.edu
  • Naeem Kalwar - Extension Soil Health Specialist - Langdon REC
publications
Alfalfa is the most important forage grown in North Dakota. This manuscript details its soil fertility requirements more extensively than any publication has previously. The previous circular related to alfalfa soil fertility also included…
The presence of salts and high water tables in North Dakota soils due to an extended climactic wet cycle recently has stimulated interest in the installation of tile drainage systems. The tile controls the water table and encourages the…
Fertilization of clovers is different from alfalfa, so the recommendations requirements need to be different from those of alfalfa.
Nitrogen management is a key to successful wheat production. Recommendations include consideration of wheat yield and protein response to added N within three major state agri-climatology zones, and the use of wheat price and N cost in…
The previous edition provided a nutrient rate to potato regardless of varietal efficiency nad harvest date. This edition provides this updated information and also recommendation potassium based in part on soil clay chemistry.
Sugarbeet growers in this region are paid based on the tons of recoverable sucrose that is extracted from their crop. Therefore, sugarbeet profitability depends on producing a high-tonnage crop that is high in sucrose percentage.
Winter wheat fertilization recommendations in North Dakota previously were similar to spring wheat and durum. As a larger research base was developed for spring wheat and durum, separating the winter wheat from other wheat became necessary…
In the past dozen years, sulfur deficiency in the north central region has become common in historically unaffected soils. The reasons include higher crop yield and the associated increased demand for soil sulfur, but also the clean air as…
We use litterbags filled with wheat straw to measure the organisms activity in the soil over time as it related to breaking down old crop residue. The mesh allows microbes and small arthropods to break down the litter. After a growing…
Chemistry of clays in North Dakota vary between locations. Clay chemistry affects tillage choice, resistance of soil to compaction and potassium crop nutrient availability. This publication provides insight into reasons for clay…
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