National Agronomy Manual National Agronomy Manual Issued February 2011 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all pro- grams.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for commu- nication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). 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(190–V–NAM, 4th Ed., February 2011) National Agronomy Manual Contents Part 500 Authorities, Policies, and Responsibilities 500–1 Part 501 Water Erosion 501–1 Part 502 Wind Erosion 502–1 Part 503 Crop Production 503–1 Part 504 Water Management 504–1 Part 506 Plant Attributes 506–1 Part 507 Cropland Conservation Management Systems 507–1 Part 508 Soils 508–1 Part 509 Data Management 509–1 Glossary G–1 (190–V–NAM, 4th Ed., February 2011) i National Agronomy Manual ii (190–V–NAM, 4th Ed., February 2011) Part 500 Authorities, Policies, and Responsibilities Contents Subpart 500A Authority 500–1 500.00 Description of authorities ...................................................................500–1 500.01 Purpose of the National Agronomy Manual .....................................500–1 Subpart 500B Agronomic policies 500–1 500.10 Location of policy.................................................................................500–1 500.11 Amendments to NAM...........................................................................500–1 Subpart 500C Responsibilities of agronomists 500–2 500.20 Responsibilities of national, State, area, and field agronomists ....500–2 500.21 Technical information—preparing, transferring, and training .......500–2 500.22 Certification ..........................................................................................500–3 500.23 Affiliation with professional organizations .......................................500–3 (190–V–NAM, 4th Ed, February 2011) 500–i Part 500 Authorities, Policies, and National Responsibilities Agronomy Manual 500–ii (190–V–NAM, 4th Ed, February 2011) Part 500 Authorities, Policies, and Responsibilities Subpart 500A Authority Subpart 500B Agronomic policies 500.00 Description of authorities 500.10 Location of policy The U.S. Department of Conservation (USDA) Soil Conservation Service (SCS) was renamed the Natural Agronomic policies are contained in specific parts and Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by Secre- subparts of the NAM as appropriate. tary’s Memorandum 101–1 of November 20, 1994. This action was authorized by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103–354). The SCS had been 500.11 Amendments to NAM created in USDA by the Soil Conservation and Domes- tic Allotment Act of 1935 (Public Law 74–46). The NAM will be amended as additional research is completed, existing methods or procedures are updat- Public Law 74–46 authorized a broad program of soil ed, or new technology is developed and approved for and water conservation, and it is still the basic author- use in the NRCS. The national agronomist is respon- ity for the Agency’s work with farmers and conserva- sible for updating this manual. tion districts. 500.01 Purpose of the National Agronomy Manual The National Agronomy Manual (NAM) contains policy for agronomy activities and provides technical procedures for uniform implementation of agronomy tools and applications. This manual is meant to com- plement all established USDA and NRCS policies and guidelines. (190–V–NAM, 4th Ed, February 2011) 500–1 Part 500 Authorities, Policies, and National Responsibilities Agronomy Manual • maintaining working relations with research Subpart 500C Responsibilities centers and other cooperating agencies of agronomists • developing and revising of all aspects of Field Office Technical Guides related to agronomy • providing assistance in interdisciplinary tech- 500.20 Responsibilities of national, nical reviews of project plans, environmental State, area, and field agronomists impact statements, and other technical materials • coordinating agronomy functions with other The national agronomist, nutrient management spe- States in the region and across regional bound- cialists, and pest management specialists at the na- aries as appropriate tional level and agronomists on the center staffs and the National Technical Support Centers provide staff Area, zone, or field level agronomists provide staff assistance in all NRCS programs and provide national assistance in all NRCS programs. They are responsible leadership on NRCS agronomy-related activities. They for carrying out the requirements of conservation are responsible for: agronomy consistent with technical proficiency, train- ing, interdisciplinary action, and quality control within • assisting upper management in formulating and their administrative area. In some cases, these agrono- recommending national policies, procedures, mists may carry out some of the responsibilities of the and standards State agronomists, if so delegated. • technical leadership and guidance; quality con- trol Agronomists in the mentioned positions may provide specific functions through team or ad hoc assignments • national coordination of agronomy with other at a National, regional, or State level. Each agrono- NRCS technical fields mist has the responsibility to develop a training needs • promoting and maintaining relations with inventory and to work with their supervisor to obtain groups and agencies that have common interest technical training to improve the overall agronomic in agronomy expertise. • technology transfer and direct technical sup- port to States and State staff 500.21 Technical information— State agronomists provide staff assistance to the State preparing, transferring, and training conservationist for all agronomy and related functions. They are responsible for: Agronomists at all levels use technical information that has been developed by researchers, universities, • assisting in developing State policies, proce- institutes, and private sources to maintain techni- dures, and instructions, and coordinating them cal materials for the administrative area they serve. with other States within the region Agronomists at all administrative levels develop and review field office technical guide materials and en- • providing technical leadership and guidance to sure materials are technically correct, comprehensive, other agronomists and appropriate personnel and useful to the end user. within the State • collaborating with other State staff members NRCS policy on preparing and maintaining technical to ensure interdisciplinary action in all NRCS guides is in General Manual (GM) Title 450, Part 401. programs In addition, State agronomists are responsible for tech- nical notes and other agronomy technical materials • training field personnel that are applicable to the State. • participating in agronomy components of ap- praisals and reviews 500–2 (190–V–NAM, 4th Ed, February 2011) Part 500 Authorities, Policies, and National Responsibilities Agronomy Manual Agronomists issue technical information at the area, 500.22 Certification State, or national level. This may include original in- formation, research notes, papers, or excerpts of such Agronomists at all levels of the Agency are encouraged material. All agronomists are encouraged to submit to obtain professional certification(s). Examples of cer- articles for publication or presentation at professional tification programs include the Certified Crop Adviser meetings. Technical information presented or pre- (CCA), Certified Professional Agronomists (CPAg) pared for publication shall have an appropriate techni- under ARCPACS of the American Society of Agronomy, cal and or administrative review and include crediting and Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment of appropriate references per GM450 Part 410, Subpart Control (CPESC) of the Soil and Water Conservation B, Scientific and Technical Publications Review Pro- Society. Continuing educational requirements of most gram. certification programs provide excellent opportunities to stay abreast of advances in technology. Agronomists receive and provide training necessary to maintain technical competency at all administrative levels. Training includes, but is not limited to, National 500.23 Affiliation with professional Employee Development Center courses, workshops, conferences, university courses, and on-the-job training. organizations Agronomists at all levels are encouraged to be active members of professional scientific societies, such as the American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Soci- ety of America, Crop Science Society of America, the Soil and Water Conservation Society. These organiza- tions provide opportunities to interact with research- ers at the national and State level and to stay current on the latest technology. (190–V–NAM, 4th Ed, February 2011) 500–3 Part 501 Water Erosion Contents Subpart 501A Introduction 501–1 501.00 Overview of water erosion .................................................................501–1 Subpart 501B Water Erosion 501–1 501.10 Forms of water erosion ......................................................................501–1 501.11 The water erosion process .................................................................501–1 Subpart 501C Estimating sheet and rill erosion 501–2 501.20 How, why, and by whom water erosion is estimated .....................501–2 501.21 Methods of estimating sheet and rill erosion ..................................501–2 501.22 The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation version 2 (RUSLE2) ....501–3 501.23 Limitations of the equation ................................................................501–3 501.25 Data needed to support RUSLE2 ......................................................501–4 501.26 Tools for using RUSLE2 .....................................................................501–4 Subpart 501D Principles of water erosion control 501–4 501.30 Overview of principles ........................................................................501–4 501.31 Relation of soil loss values to RUSLE2 factors ...............................501–4 Subpart 501E References 501–5 (190–V–NAM, 4th Ed, February 2011) 501–i