Summary
This comparative evaluation of soil health metrics across five long-term agroecosystem trials in the inland Pacific Northwest assessed 13 different soil organic matter properties and a composite soil health index against seven practical criteria for effectiveness. Permanganate oxidisable carbon emerged as the most sensitive and useful metric, correlating strongly with more stabilised organic matter pools whilst maintaining cost-effectiveness and logistical feasibility. The authors propose that POXC, used in combination with ion exchange membrane nitrogen, should be prioritised for soil health monitoring within the region.
UK applicability
The methodology and seven-criteria framework for evaluating soil health metrics are transferable to UK conditions, though POXC's performance should be validated across UK soil types and climate regimes before universal adoption. The findings on metric sensitivity and stability may inform UK soil monitoring protocols under environmental stewardship and net-zero farming programmes.
Key measures
Soil organic carbon (SOC), total N, acid nonhydrolysable C and N, acid-hydrolysable C and N, microbial biomass C and N, carbon mineralisation, permanganate oxidisable C (POXC), ion exchange membrane N, potential N mineralisation, and the Haney soil health index
Outcomes reported
The study evaluated 13 soil organic matter properties and the Haney soil health index across five long-term field experiments (2–30 years old) representing diverse agroecosystems in the inland Pacific Northwest. Permanganate oxidisable carbon (POXC) was identified as the most effective soil health metric based on seven evaluation criteria: evidence-based, sensitive to change, logistically sensitive, cost-effective, accurate and precise, performed in situ, and valued for management decisions.
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