2022 marks the fifth and really the final year for this project. The project looks at the connections between soil health measurements, the functions of the soil microbiome and yield. The data analyzed from the first four years shows that this connection between yield and soil health is complicated.

A few co-operators are still needed for 2022.

What is needed? A corn field with some background information in terms of fertility records and yield maps from previous years. It is best to have a field with some definite yield differences that don’t seem to have a simple explanation.

What gets done? Close to corn tasseling, two areas within the field will be selected for sampling –historically higher and lower yielding (current imagery will also be used to select the areas). Samples of 5 corn root balls from each are submitted to A & L Labs for the Vitellus soil test and biological testing. The SHAP (Soil Health Assessment and Plan) suite of tests will also be run on samples. At harvest, a yield sample will be collected from each area and brought back to Ridgetown for analysis. All the data will be analyzed and reported back in this final year.

What is needed from a co-operator? The field must be in corn in 2022, with some background information on soil fertility, hybrid planted, tillage etc. and previous yields, yield maps etc.

If you are interested in participating, please contact: Anne Verhallen, OMAFRA anne.verhallen@ontario.ca  or 519 359 6707