Soil texture influences on soil health scoring functions in Ontario agricultural soils: a possible framework towards a provincial soil health test

Since soil health is impacted by inherent properties, it is, therefore, challenging to apply the same frameworks across multiple regions and types. Here, we examined effect of textural group (coarse, medium, fine) on four indicators soils sampled from diverse agricultural systems Ontario. Scoring functions were developed calculating cumulative normal distributions, using mean standard deviation each indicator, for three or five groups. For scoring values provided “more better” approach, where greater scores implied better health. Soil significantly affected but not all Evolved NH 3 CO 2 , potentially mineralizable N had stronger associations with other as revealed correlation principal component analysis. Our results also suggested that separation tested was more consistent groups than (clays, clay loams, sandy sand); recommend develop functions. The findings this study lay a groundwork future assessment involving larger number samples Ontario indicators, which will facilitate regional interpretation