Soil Quality / Soil Health Management

Agronomy | Cropland

Go to the Publications page for a complete list of NRCS Soil Quality documents, including Technical Notes, Information Sheets, and Conservation Briefs.

Cropland Soil Quality Poster

Print to raise awareness about the importance of soil quality on cropland.

Contact the Soil Quality Webmaster for additional image options.

Cropland Conservation Continuum

Print as a photo-based conservation tool and handout.

Conservation Continuum - Management Options for Cropland photo essay (PDF, 17MB)

Soil Quality - Agronomy Technical Notes

Note 1: Cover Crops (PDF, 96KB)
Note 2: Conservation Crop Rotation Effects on Soil Quality (PDF, 270KB)
Note 3: Effects of Residue Management, No-Till on Soil Quality (PDF, 100KB)
Note 4: Effect of Soil Quality on Nutrient Efficiency (PDF, 110KB)
Note 5: Herbicides (PDF, 130KB)
Note 6: Legumes and Soil Quality (PDF 30KB)
Note 7: Effects of Soil Erosion on Soil Productivity and Soil Quality (PDF, 20KB)
Note 8: Liming to Improve Soil Quality in Acid Soils (PDF, 40KB)
Note 9: Managing Conservation Tillage (PDF, 25KB)
Note 10: Sunn Hemp a Cover Crop for Southern and Tropical Farming Systems (PDF, 30KB)
Note 11: Agricultural Management Effects on Earthworm Populations (PDF, 200KB)
Note 12: Long-Term Agricultural Management Effects on Soil Carbon (PDF, 170KB)
Note 13: The Knife Roller (Crimper): An Alternative Kill Method for Cover Crops (PDF, 1.3MB)
Note 14: Improving Soil Quality on the Southern Coastal Plain: One Farmer's Experience (PDF, 800KB)
Note 15: Soil Quality and Vegetable Production: One Farmer's Experience (PDF, 520KB)
Note 16: Interpreting the Soil Conditioning Index: A Tool for Measuring Soil Organic Matter Trends(PDF, 280KB)
Note 17: Soil Compaction: Detection, Prevention, and Alleviation (PDF, 320KB)
Note 18: Sod-Based Rotations: A Proven Old Practice to Improve Soil Productivity (PDF 350KB)
Note 19: Crop Residue Removal for Biomass Energy Production: Effects on Soils and Recommendations (PDF, 385KB)
Note 20: Managing Cool, Wet Soils (PDF, 400KB)

Additional Resources

Biomass Energy Production

Crop Residue Removal for Biomass Energy Production: Effects on Soils and Recommendations (PDF, 285KB)

Soil Conditioning Index

The Soil Conditioning Index is used to predict the consequences of cropping systems and tillage practices on the status of soil organic matter.