2017 Annual Report for EW15-011
Developing Digital Tools to Improve Soil Sampling and Analysis for Sustainable Agriculture in the Western U.S
Summary
‘Understanding Soil Properties” utilizes short videos and animations to deliver a consistent, science based explanation of soil properties that have key roles for soil management and soil testing purposes. High quality video and sound along with carefully crafted animations were created with the help of several soil specialists from Arizona, New Mexico, and Washington. Ideas for this set of videos and animations was discussed and shared among the WERA-103 working group (Regional Experiment Station) on nutrient management and water quality.
The key topics that came about from experiences with county agents and the clientele they serve were concepts of salinity, sodium adsorption ratio, getting the right phosphorus test for high pH soil from soil testing labs, and basic soil testing techniques. With that in mind, the following products were worked on, reviewed, improved, and posted on YouTube and at the website http://westernsoil.nmsu.edu. There is also a Google Docs location that can be shared for downloading the animations and videos. The website has the option to provide feedback in the form of a short “15 second” evaluation of the product viewed.
The PI and and colleagues have used the products with students as well as at extension training events. The short survey’s that were answered by viewers has a small population of respondents. However, as the training continues in other regions we are confident that the number assessments will improve. It is our hope that at live events we will be able to capture better feedback by the use of polling devices such as iclickers. The Media Productions unit at NMSU has created attractive flyers and bookmarks that advertise the products. Providing these to extension offices around the region is our goal prior to the end of the grant period.
Objectives/Performance Targets
Our objective to create short, targeted videos and animations has been completed.
Water Infiltration
Runoff versus infiltration. Which management technique is best?
Tools and preparations for soil sampling.
Sampling soil from a relatively small area.
An example of manually sampling soil from large fields.
Soil sample preparation after sampling.
Addressing changes in soil texture when sampling.
The NRCS Soil infiltration and runoff rainfall simulator.
Visualizing components of soil.
Reclamation of soil affected by too much sodium.
Dispersion vs Flocculation
NRCS Runoff Box Demonstration
Animation for Interpreting SAR and EC together
Saline soils and water availability for plants.
Why use the Olsen P test in high pH western soils?
Accomplishments/Milestones
Targets: All animations and videos have been completed. The tools can be found at http:westernsoil.nmsu.edu and on YouTube via the NMSU.ACES.EDU webpage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL88jbC2GiaFV-T1I4pUuPkmkaSiIq0HkQ&v=zAJxcOLExW8
Downloadable files are available through a Google drive:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5itibFnQ-mJRTJCUUNkQmRYd1E&usp=sharing
Feedback “buttons” have been added to the westernsoil.nmsu.edu website so that viewers can give feedback about what they have just watched. These are voluntary, anonymous 15-second responses to four questions:
- “After viewing this video, how much has your understanding of ‘video title’.” Individuals then choose 0-100% in 25% increments.
- “Currently, I consider myself to be a farmer/producer, teacher, professor, student, trainer, or other.”
- “In what setting are you viewing this video?” Choices are Classroom, Master Gardener Event, Self Study, Training Event, or other.
- What other topics would you like to see New Mexico State University videos cover?
Advertising fliers have been created and will be shipped to Cooperative Extension Offices and WERA-103 members.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
YouTube Views as of February 1, 2017
Table 1. YouTube Channel Views from June 2016 through February 1, 2017. There were no viewer feedback available options from the YouTube channel. |
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Product Type |
Product Title |
Views |
Animation |
Why Choose Olsen P for Western Soils? |
396 |
Animation |
Unavailability of Water in Saline Soils |
591 |
Animation |
What is the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR)? |
594 |
Video |
Visualizing Soil Properties: Particle Size |
867 |
Video |
Visualizing Soil Properties: Water Infiltration |
867 |
Video |
Visualizing Soil Properties: Effects of Ground Cover on Soil |
252 |
Video |
Visualizing Soil Properties: Runoff and Infiltration |
165 |
Video |
Visualizing Soil Properties: Surface Cover and Runoff |
99 |
Video |
Visualizing Soil Properties: The Saturated Paste Soil Test |
510 |
Video Time-lapse |
Visualizing Soil Properties: Dispersion and Flocculation |
1,266 |
Video Time-lapse |
Visualizing Soil Properties: Gypsum and Sodic Soil |
276 |
Video |
Soil Sampling 1: Preparation |
159 |
Video |
Soil Sampling 2: Shovel and Probe |
90 |
Video |
Soil Sampling 3: Small Field Sampling |
118 |
Video |
Soil Sampling 4: Large Field |
72 |
Video |
Soil Sampling 5: Soil Variability |
78 |
|
|
Initial feedback as recorded by individuals who watched the videos and animations from the westernsoil.nmsu.edu website from 10/10/2016 to February 1, 2017
Table 2. Viewer feedback from animations, videos, and video time lapse from September 5, 2016-January 5, 2017. | ||||||
Respondent ID | Date | IP Address | Increase in Understanding | Currently, I consider myself to be a… | In what setting are you viewing this video? | What other topics would you like to see New Mexico State University videos cover? |
Gypsum and Sodic Soil | ||||||
5163490200 | 1/5/2017 | 174.237.132.70 | 100% | Farmer/Producer | Training Event | |
5142305007 | 12/15/2016 | 128.123.242.246 | 25% | Trainer | Self Study | |
5139524266 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 50% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5136157824 | 12/12/2016 | 199.159.58.95 | 25% | Trainer | Self Study | |
5132541631 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | 100% | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | |
5109860605 | 11/23/2016 | 69.152.61.210 | 100% | County Agent | Other | |
Average | 67% | |||||
Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) Animation. | ||||||
5163418260 | 1/5/2017 | 174.237.132.70 | 100% | Sprayer Dealer | Training Event | Pecans |
5139955793 | 12/14/2016 | 173.10.243.158 | 25% | Extension Agent | office viewing | Setting gopher traps |
5139473727 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 25% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5136513059 | 12/12/2016 | 208.85.32.189 | 25% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5135442878 | 12/12/2016 | 199.159.58.95 | 75% | Trainer | Training Event | Soil Health |
5132871206 | 12/9/2016 | 66.18.171.14 | 75% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5132705555 | 12/9/2016 | 71.29.200.229 | 75% | Other (please specify) | Extension workshops | Soil preparation for urban horticulture. |
5132593223 | 12/9/2016 | 139.55.232.145 | 50% | Trainer/ Self Study | Self Study | Understanding soil test results, but you may have that on other videos. |
5132537043 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | 75% | Self Study | ||
5023386345 | 10/7/2016 | 71.85.39.225 | 100% | Self Study | ||
5015000756 | 10/4/2016 | 71.85.39.225 | 100% | Self Study | ||
4967262767 | 9/12/2016 | 198.30.200.103 | 100% | Student | Self Study | |
4967257308 | 9/12/2016 | 198.30.200.103 | 75% | Producer | Self Study | |
Average | 69% | |||||
Olsen Test Animation | ||||||
5163425524 | 1/5/2017 | 174.237.132.70 | 100% | Equipment dealer/farmer | Training Event | Pecans |
5139968318 | 12/14/2016 | 173.10.243.158 | 50% | Self Study | ||
5139484328 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 50% | Teacher | Training Event | |
5136523646 | 12/12/2016 | 208.85.32.189 | 75% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5136006869 | 12/12/2016 | 199.159.58.95 | 25% | Trainer | Self Study | soil health |
5132717609 | 12/9/2016 | 71.29.200.229 | 75% | Extension Agriculture Agent | Training Event | |
5132660898 | 12/9/2016 | 136.179.21.82 | 75% | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | |
5132515655 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | 75% | Trainer | Self Study | |
5023367132 | 10/7/2016 | 71.85.39.225 | 100% | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | Importance of vigorous rhizobium in alfalfa and other legumes |
5015589792 | 10/4/2016 | 209.194.88.67 | 100% | California Pest Control Advisor | Office | |
4967244105 | 9/12/2016 | 198.30.200.103 | 100% | Producer | Self Study | |
Average | 75% | |||||
Effects of Groundcover Video | ||||||
5142942071 | 12/15/2016 | 75.161.76.132 | 25% | home gardener | Self Study | |
5139586703 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 75% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5136178168 | 12/12/2016 | 199.159.58.95 | 25% | Trainer | Self Study | |
Average | 42% | |||||
Soil Salts Animation | ||||||
5142937962 | 12/15/2016 | 75.161.76.132 | 75% | home gardener | Self Study | Understanding soil tests. More information on soil improvement. |
5139489519 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 50% | Teacher | Training Event | |
5136526841 | 12/12/2016 | 208.85.32.189 | 50% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5136015994 | 12/12/2016 | 199.159.58.95 | 100% | Trainer | Self Study | Soil Health |
5135726475 | 12/12/2016 | 68.66.92.60 | 25% | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | |
5132538903 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | 75% | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | |
5105478288 | 11/21/2016 | 1.129.97.3 | 0% | Professor | Self Study | That’s a good question. I need to see more to make an informed comment |
4967259979 | 9/12/2016 | 198.30.200.103 | 100% | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | REVIEWER |
Average | 63% | |||||
Soil Health Video | ||||||
5139604434 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 75% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5136164982 | 12/12/2016 | 199.159.58.95 | 25% | Trainer | Self Study | |
5132565071 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | NR | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | |
Average | 50% | |||||
Soil Health 2 | ||||||
5139604434 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 75% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5136164982 | 12/12/2016 | 199.159.58.95 | 25% | Trainer | Self Study | |
5132565071 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | NR | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | |
Average | 50% | |||||
Soil Health 3 | ||||||
5139604434 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 75% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5136164982 | 12/12/2016 | 199.159.58.95 | 25% | Trainer | Self Study | |
5132565071 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | NR | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | |
Average | 50% | |||||
Water Infiltration | ||||||
5139579356 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 75% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5136196747 | 12/12/2016 | 199.159.58.95 | 75% | Trainer | Self Study | |
5132545442 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | 100% | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | |
4967306730 | 9/12/2016 | 198.30.200.103 | 100% | Teacher | Self Study | REVIEWER |
Average | 88% | |||||
Soil Variability | ||||||
5139559893 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 50% | Teacher | Self Study | |
Sampling Large Fields | ||||||
5139553433 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 50% | Trainer | Self Study | |
Sampling Small Fields | ||||||
5139540383 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 50% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5132575583 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | 75% | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | |
Average | 63% | |||||
Preparations for Soil Sampling | ||||||
5139531705 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 25% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5132543904 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | 100% | Farmer/Producer | Training Event | |
4967296660 | 9/12/2016 | 198.30.200.103 | 100% | Producer | Self Study | REVIEWER |
Average | 75% | |||||
Flocculation | ||||||
5139503247 | 12/14/2016 | 68.233.154.99 | 0% | Teacher | Self Study | |
5136041068 | 12/12/2016 | 199.159.58.95 | 25% | Trainer | Self Study | |
5132535923 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | 75% | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | |
5028944118 | 10/10/2016 | 216.31.253.82 | 0% | professional soil scientist & agronomist | emailing the link out to our salesmen to promote gypsum use. Anything about saline, sodic, saline/sodic, and irrigated soils; irrigation water quality; nutrient availability/nutrient testing. | |
Average | 33% | |||||
Soil Sampling: Shovel vs Probe Sampling | ||||||
5132581251 | 12/9/2016 | 128.123.242.75 | 100% | Farmer/Producer | Self Study | |
4967265291 | 9/12/2016 | 198.30.200.103 | 100% | Student | Self Study | |
Average | 100% |
Collaborators:
Extension Water Quality Specialist
Colorado State University
307 University Ave
Plant Sciences C127
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170
Office Phone: 9704914923
Website: http://waterquality.colostate.edu/
Associate Director, Media Productions
NMSU
MSC 3AI
Las Cruces, NM 88003-0003
Office Phone: 5756467214
Website: http://mediaproductions.nmsu.edu
Assistant Director/Associate Professor
Agricultural Communications / Media Productions
MSC 3AI
POB 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003-0035
Office Phone: 5756462848
Website: http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/bchamberlin
Professor
Plant and Environmental Sciences
MSC 3Q
POB 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003-3003
Office Phone: 5756462219
Professor
Irrigated Agriculture Research & Extension Center
24106 N. Bunn Rd.
Prosser, WA 99350
Office Phone: 5097869307
Website: http://css.wsu.edu/joan-davenport/
Professor, Extension Specialist
University of Arizona
P.O. Box 210038
Tucson, AZ 85721-0038
Office Phone: 5206263364
Department Head
New Mexico State University
286E Gerald Thomas Hall
MSC 3AI
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Office Phone: 5756465658
Website: http://aces.nmsu.edu/mediaproductions/jgleason/