U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURESECTION III-1

Natural Resources Conservation ServiceQuality Criteria

Tennessee – Rev. 1 – May 2002Technical Guide

PLANT

D.PLANT

Plant resource includes all plants (native, introduced, and domesticated) and the plant communities occurring on rangeland, forest land, native pasture, pastureland, hayland, cropland, and other land uses, including wildlife areas, recreation land, and urban land managed in a manner to meet the needs of the soil, water, air, and animal resources as well as the objectives of the land user.

Plant resources consist of three major considerations:

1.Suitability

2.Condition

3.Management

RESOURCE CONCERNS /

DEFINITIONS

/

QUALITY CRITERIA

/ ASSESSMENT TOOLS

D. PLANT

1. Suitability
a. Plants are not
well Adapted to
Site / Plants are not adapted to soil and climatic conditions of the area. /
  • Modify the site to better suit the plants.
  • Plants selected are suitable for the site and are not on the state list of noxious weeds or invasive plants.
/
  • 1/ FOTG
  • Visual Observation
  • 2/ NRPH
  • UT Recommended Varieties
  • Soil Survey

b. Plants are
Unsuitable for
Intended Use / Plants do not meet the needs and objectives of the landowner or may not sustain the resource. / Plants that will be suitable for the planned use and contribute toward achieving the quality level as stated for the land use. /
  • Interview Client
  • FOTG
  • NRPH

2. Condition
a. Productivity / Plant selection and/or management does not meet reasonable yield expectations and other objectives of the landowner. / Productivity equals or exceeds reasonable landowner objectives, while the resource base is protected. /
  • Comparison to Similar Crops or Forages in the Area Under Different Management
  • NRPH

b. Health and Vigor / Plants show evidence of stress, and growth is impaired due to lack of management or water. /
  • Nutrient application and pest management are applied.
  • Water management issues are addressed.
/
  • FOTG
  • UT Nutrient Requirements

c. Threatened and
Endangered
Species / When threatened and endangered species are identified on a site, action and procedures do not conform to laws and established policy. /
  • Plant resources are identified, and state and local procedures are followed.
  • Criteria will meet federal and state laws.
/
  • FOTG – Section II

3. Management
a. Establishment,
Growth, and
Harvest / Proper techniques and timing to meet the plant needs and producer objectives for establishment, growth, and harvest are not achieved. /
  • Productivity and management equals or exceeds reasonable landowners’ objectives, while the resource base is protected.
  • Match plant selection to producer management.
/
  • FOTG
  • NRPH

b. Nutrient

Management

/ Incorrect amounts of plant nutrients to meet the plant needs. / Apply plant nutrients in accordance with a nutrient or soil test recommendation. /
  • FOTG
  • UT Soil Test
  • TN Phosphorus Index

c. Pests / Pests are not properly managed for the desired plant community. / Pest management methods for any land use are based on scouting, pesticide label instructions, environmental considerations, production requirements, soil, climate, and other planned practices. /
  • FOTG
  • 3/ WIN-PST

d. Threatened and
Endangered
Species / Plant community is improperly managed to support threatened and endangered species. /
  • Species are managed to meet their needs.
  • Criteria meet federal and state laws.
/
  • FOTG-I

1/ FOTG – Field Office Technical Guide

2/ NRPH – National Range and Pasture Handbook

3/ WIN-PST – Windows Pesticide Screening Tool