Temperature

What is Soil Temperature?

photo of two thermometers, one in bare soil and one in soil with residue cover

Comparison of bare and covered soil temperature. Photo Credit: Kenny Eck, Purdue University

Soil temperature is defined as the temperature measured at a specific soil depth. Soil temperature is a factor that influences the physical, chemical, and microbiological processes that take place in soil. Many biological processes, including seed germination, plant emergence, microbial activity, nutrient cycling and soil respiration are a function of soil temperature. Cropping practices including use of cover crops, crop rotations, grazing of crop residues or cover crops, removal of crop residues and tillage have an effect on soil temperature.

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Regional Educator ResourcesTechnical Resources
Title Source Resource type and date Short Summary
Measuring soil health: soil temperature NRCS NRCS Fact Sheet

Not Dated

Soil temperature is the factor that drives germination of seeds. Soil temperature directly affects plant growth. Most soil organisms function best at an optimum soil temperature. Soil temperature impacts the rate of nitrification.It also influences soil moisture content, aeration and availability of plant nutrients
Soil Health Assessment: Soil Temperature Soil Health Nexus How-to Video

May 2019

Gary Lesoing with University of Nebraska Extension discusses the importance of soil temperature with soil health.

Bare soil temperature Kenny Eck, Purdue University Image

Oct 2019

photo of a thermometer in bare soil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soil temperature can be measured with a basic thermometer. Photo Credit: Kenny Eck, Purdue University

Residue covered and bare soil temperature Kenny Eck, Purdue University Image

Oct 2019

two thermometers, one in bare soil and one in soil with residue cover

 

 

 

 

Comparison of bare and covered soil temperature. Photo Credit: Kenny Eck, Purdue University

Easing the soil’s temperature American Society of Agronomy Researcher Blog Post

Nov 2017

Every plant needs a certain soil temperature to thrive. If the temperature changes too quickly, plants won’t do well.
Title Source Resource type and date Short Summary
Importance of Soil Temperature for the Growth of Temperate Crops under a Tropical Climate and Functional Role of Soil Microbial Diversity Microbes and Environments Peer-reviewed Publication

Jun 2018

 

Soil temperature closely correlates with the growth of temperate crops, and affects plant processes and soil microbial diversity. The present study focuses on the effects of soil temperatures on lettuce growth and soil microbial diversity that maintains the growth of lettuce at low soil temperatures.

This page reviewed by Liz Schultheis, Joe Rorick, and Walt Sell.

Last reviewed 10/1/19