The Soils of Brant County - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Procedure for Using Tables for Soil Capability Classeswith Brant County Soil Maps1 . Determine the map unit symbol from the delineation onthe soil map for which the soil capability classification isrequired, e.g .BRT1/C, BF07/B, BFO1/d>c2. Determine the components ofthe map unit in thenumeratorby referring to the legend of the soil map, e .g . BRT1 iscomposed of Brant soils, BF07 is composed of Brantfordand Toledo soils, BFO1 is composed of Brantford soils .3 . Determine the approximate proportions and slopes of themap unit components from the denominator of the mapunit .Example 1 : BRT1/Chas Brant soils on simple C (6-12%) slopes . Reference tothe following table indicates this combination of soils andtopography are capability class 3 T.Example 2 : BF07/Bhas dominant Brantford and subdominant Toledo soils inapproximately 70:30 proportions on simple B (3-6%)slopes . The table indicates this combination of soils andtopography are classes 2DE and 3W respectively. Applyingthe proportions for the soil components as statedabove, the area on the soil map is classified as 70% class2DE and 30% class 3W.Example 3 : BFO 1/d >chas Brantford soils on slopes which are dominantly d(12-20%), and subdominantly c (6-12%) . Reference to thetable indicates a combination of capability classes 4T and3T, i .e . 70% class 4T and 30% class 3T.B. AGRICULTURAL SUITABILITY RATINGSFOR SPECIAL CROPSThe CLI soil capability classification system rates land forits ability to produce common field crops such as forages, smallgrains and corn . Less commonly grown field crops and horticultural crops are known as "special crops" . Special cropsrequire amore detailed method of rating soil which is providedby suitability ratings . Agricultural suitability ratings evaluatethe suitability ofthe soil to support productionof specific cropsor cropgroups . For the most part, the suitability ratings for thesoils ofBrantCounty weretaken from either the suitability ratingsfound in the Niagara Region soil survey report (in progress)or the Haldimand-Norfolk soil survey report (16) .Suitability ratings were done for the following specialcrops : potatoes, tobacco, ginseng, peppers, strawberries,beans, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, sweet corn, and apples .The crops were grouped into four main groups based mainlyon their response to soil conditions . Each crop group wasdivided into subgroups made up of one or more crops as shownin Table 9 .Table 9 .Organization of special crops into crop groups andcrop subgroups forthe Brant County regionCrop Group Crop Subgroup Special CropsSoil Suitability ClassesThe soil suitability classification for special crops consistsof seven classes . The best soils, with no significant limitationsfor crop use, are designated as good . Soils designated with theratings fair to good, fair, poor to fair, poor, and very poor, havedecreasing suitability for special crops . Soils with an unsuitablerating have no potential for special crops .Good (G) Soils with slight, if any, limitations togrowth and yields .Fairto Good (F-G) Soils with moderate to slight limitations togrowth and yields .Fair (F)Poor to Fair (P-F)Poor (P)Very Poor (VP)Unsuitable (U)Soils with moderate limitations to growthand yields .Soils with severe to moderate limitationsto growth and yields .Soils with severe limitations to growth andyields .Soils that have very severe limitations forcrop growth .Soils that have very severe limitations andare considered unsuitable for crop growth,even ifdrainage or irrigation are applied .AssumptionsBefore using the soil suitability tables, it is important thatthe user has an understanding of the following assumptionsupon which the classification is based . Although the followingassumptions have been adapted from those outlined in TheCanada Land Inventory Soil Classification for Agriculture(13), they also apply to the suitability ratings .(a)A 1 potatoes2 tobaccoB 1 ginseng2 peppers3 strawberriesC 1 beans2 cabbage, cauliflower,tomatoes, sweet cornD 1 applesGood soil management practices that are feasible andpractical under a largely mechanized system of agricultureare assumed . Thesepractices include a proper fertility program, management practices that result in good soil structureand crop growth, and management programs thatresult in minimum damage or risk of damage to the soil .