ANTHONY J. SILVA, soil conservation technician, Soil Conservation Service, prepared this section.

The major management concerns in the use of the soils for crops and pasture are described in this section. In addition, the crops or pasture plants best suited to the soil, including some not commonly grown in the survey area, are discussed; the system of land capability classification used by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) is explained; and the estimated yields of the main crops and pasture plants are presented for each soil.

This section provides information about the overall agricultural potential of the survey area and about the needed management practices. The information is useful to equipment dealers, land improvement contractors, fertilizer companies, processing companies, planners, conservationists, and others. For each kind of soil, information about management is presented in the section "Soil maps for detailed planning." Planners of management systems for individual fields or farms should also consider the detailed information given in the description of each soil.

In the paragraphs that follow, the chief management practices for the soils of Santa Cruz County that are suitable for tilled crops and pasture are briefly discussed. The chief concerns in farming the soils are choosing a suitable cropping system, irrigation, minimum tillage, providing drainage, controlling brush, and protecting streambanks.

Conservation cropping system.-A suitable conservation cropping system is one that includes soil-improving crops such as green-manure crops of grasses and legumes. In addition, all crop residue is returned to the soil to promote good tilth; proper tillage is used to minimize soil compaction; adequate amounts of fertilizers are applied to maintain optimum fertility; and weeds, insects, and other pests are controlled.

In choosing a cropping system, the kinds of soil on the farm, the type of crops to be grown, and the suitability of the system for the area should be considered.

Irrigation- Where water is available, irrigation is practiced. By properly timing and regulating its application, the irrigation water can be applied uniformly. Irrigation water should be applied only in the amount required by the crop being grown. The rate at which water is applied and the length of runs vary with soil texture. Sprinklers are best suited on steeper slopes.

Minimum tillage.- Keeping tillage to a minimum is effective in reducing erosion and the breakdown of the soil structure. An animal traffic pan or plowpan tends to form below the plow layer in many soils. Such a pan consists of a firm dense layer 2 to 4 inches thick. The pan limits permeability, and in places it restricts the penetration of roots. Subsoiling is needed periodically to break the tillage pan. Compaction occurs if soils are worked when they are too moist.

Drainage.-Tile drains are used in places to improve drainage of soils that are somewhat poorly drained. Onsite investigation is needed to determine the most feasible and efficient system for drainage.

Controlling brush.-A major concern to management is the control of encroaching brush and other unwanted plants to improve the quality and quantity of forage and to keep the brush away from mountain orchards. Spraying, burning, or chopping helps to eradicate some of these invaders; and if the plant material is left on the soil as mulch, it helps to control erosion. After the brush and other undesirable plants are eliminated, the seeding of improved plants produces forage of better quality.

Protecting stream banks.- Protection is needed along streambanks and drainageways that are subject to scouring by runoff during heavy rains. Use of properly designed structures helps to slow the velocity of runoff.