Table of Contents
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8 1 Laboratory Methods for Soil Health Assessment: An Overview How Can a Farmer Assess Soil Health in the Field? What Do Researchers Need, and Can They Reach Consensus? What Do Commercial Analytical Laboratories Need? Summary and Conclusions References
9 2 Sampling Considerations and Field Evaluations for Soil Health Assessment Introduction Soil Variability Sampling Considerations Sample Collection, Processing, and Archival Field Evaluations Summary Acknowledgments References
10 3 Soil Organic Carbon Assessment Methods Summary Introduction References
11 4 Water‐Stable Soil Aggregate Assessment Introduction Soil sampling and preparation Water‐stable aggregation (WSA) Materials and Procedures Aggregate Sieving Apparatus Construction Supplies Water‐stable aggregate size distribution with the slaking method Sand‐Free Water‐Stable Soil Aggregates Supplies and procedure for sand content determination Aggregate mean weight diameter Summary References
12 5 Determination of Infiltration Rate and Bulk Density in Soils Soil Infiltration Soil Bulk Density Acknowledgments References
13 6 Chemical Reactivity: pH, Salinity and Sodicity Effects on Soil Health Introduction Natural Soil Salinization Processes Salt Accumulation and Solute Transport Mechanisms Anthropogenic Soil Salinization Processes Chemical Characterization of Salinity Sources Soil Chemistry, Biota and Ecosystem Services Chemistry Effects on Soil Biota Habitat Heterogeneity and Soil Microbial Diversity Agricultural Ecosystems: Degradation Prevention and Conservation Soil Health Indices Technological Advances in the Study of Soil Biogeochemical Interfaces Conclusions References
14 7 Nutrient Availability: Macro‐ and Micronutrients in Soil Quality and Health Introduction Conclusions References
15 8 Assessment and Interpretation of Soil‐Test Biological Activity Introduction Literature Review of Indicator and Method Method Interpretations References
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