Kategorie: Soil Data

Soil mapping is a critical tool for understanding the ground beneath our feet. It provides essential information for land use planning, soil conservation, and agricultural management. It helps us understand the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil and enables us to make informed decisions about land use and management.

Current food production techniques are far from sustainable. Intensive farming techniques and widespread chemical usage are draining our soil and poisoning our water. Furthermore, agriculture is responsible for a large portion of our water use; the World Bank estimates that agricultural use accounts for 70% of all freshwater usage globally.

Reports by the World Data Lab’s Water Scarcity Clock, indicate that around 2.3 billion people worldwide face water scarcity, and the trend is accelerating. To make matters worse, the global warming that is causing drought in many countries has increased the demand for water, particularly in Europe, which saw exceptional heat waves in the past year.

Sustainable development goals necessitate agriculture that is environmentally friendly while producing the best feasible yields. For encouraging sustainable agriculture with accurate inputs in amount, place, and time, detailed information on the soil profile and its geographical distribution is required. Accurate and up-to-date information on soil composition, in particular, enable better and more effective fertility management, boosting crop productivity and sustainability.

What is soil mapping?

Soil mapping is a process that involves the systematic observation and recording of soil types and their distribution within a particular area. It has several important applications. It helps farmers to make informed decisions about crop selection, fertilization, and irrigation.

It also assists land managers in developing strategies for soil conservation and restoration. Soil maps are also used by engineers and construction professionals to design buildings, roads, and other infrastructure projects that are compatible with local soil conditions.

Soils provide critical ecosystem services such as water filtering, flood control, plant growth medium, and habitat for soil biota. Agriculture covers around 38 percent of the Earth’s ice-free area, with croplands accounting for approximately 12 percent and pastures accounting for approximately 26 percent.

Soil information is thus essential for long-term soil management. The soil profile and its spatial distribution are two critical components for encouraging sustainable agriculture, which requires precise inputs in amount, space, and time.

The development of a numerical or statistical model of the link between environmental variables and soil qualities, which is then applied to a geographic data source to build a predictive map, is what digital soil maps (DSM) is all about.

Geocomputational technologies developed during the last couple of decades have enabled DSM. GeoPard technologies, for example, employ modern geographic information science, digital terrain modeling, remote sensing, and fuzzy logic to create extremely precise 3D soil survey maps.

However, one of the most significant challenges of soil mapping is the variability of soil types within a given area. Soil properties can vary greatly over short distances due to differences in topography, vegetation cover, and land use history. To overcome this challenge, soil scientists use statistical techniques to interpolate between sampling points and create a continuous map of soil types.

Soil mapping as a tool for agricultural management

GeoPard 3D soil maps can help agricultural businesses benefit from simplified and digitized soil management. They can learn about the soil characteristics beneath the ground’s surface over a vast area rather than only at certain locations.

This understanding enables farmers to implement the appropriate treatment methods. It can assist them in increasing fertility and consequently yields while minimizing water and fertilizer consumption.

How do the 3D soil maps help farmers and agricultural companies?

It has become common practice in so-called precision farming, which employs cutting-edge technology to acquire the most exact information about the condition of the soil, the weather, and the crops. Farmers benefit from this in the following ways:

• Composition of the soil. It is critical to understand which soil elements exist in order to determine which crops or varieties are best suited to each land parcel.
• CheckHumidity. It is critical to understand the humidity of each crop area. This allows for better irrigation management. This check is usually done using soil temperature maps.
• Soil texture. Knowing the texture of the soil allows farmers to determine which fertilizers they can apply at any given time and location.
• Ph and conductivity. It is critical to determine soil variables such as ph and conductivity in order to better select fertilizers and other nutrients.
• Fertility. Knowing what fertility may be expected from a land plot is essential for selecting the best periods to cultivate crops.

Impact of soil mapping on farming productivity

To begin with, as previously mentioned, farmers learn about soil fertility and production by visualizing the elevation, slope nutrients availability, organic matter content, and soil PH of their land.

Not just farmers, but policymakers, researchers, and technicians would benefit directly from these maps, as policymakers may implement appropriate policies depending on soil quality for specific locations, and technicians can apply effective technologies.

The government can utilize the maps to make more efficient management decisions on fertilizer import, distribution, and recommendation, including blended fertilizers. It aids in crop selection and the development of extension programs aimed at enhancing soil health and increasing agricultural yield while also protecting soil from deterioration.

Agriculture and other industries are expanding their demand for soil information. For example, horticultural development officials may need to determine how much land under their control is suitable for fruit crops and where it is located, whether it is spread or clustered, and so on.

The business sector can use the obtained soil information to create dynamic and user-friendly mobile apps that deliver soil qualities, fertilizer-related information, and other information to formers as part of commercial Agri-advisory extension services.

These soil maps will not only help to enhance crop yields, but also the nutritional value of these crops, which will help to tackle public health issues such as nutritional deficiencies in the American population.

How to collect data using soil maps

Several strategies can be employed to obtain several levels of information about the soil. Traditionally, works were created with open earth pits, but today we have access to far more sophisticated instruments.

These are the most important:

• Electrical and electromagnetic sensors. One of the most common methods of mapping soil is to assess its electrical and electromagnetic properties. These values will help us understand its composition as well as a variety of other helpful information. The equipment that creates these maps used to be terrestrial, such as a tractor outfitted with a gadget capable of measuring these electrical values.
• Optical sensors. In this situation, equipment is used that can detect color changes in soils, allowing for the interpretation of their features based on this information. Drones are increasingly being used in these treatments. They can take extremely accurate photographs of the earth from appropriate heights.
• Mechanical sensors. A common way of determining the composition of a land plot is to use equipment that, when clamped to the soil, allows you to discover which types of materials make it up and in what densities.
• Electrochemical sensors. These instruments can detect the presence of potassium, nitrates, and other elements, as well as their electrical properties.

The increase in farming productivity thanks to soil mapping

Climate, soil qualities, and the usage of production elements all influence agricultural productivity and yield quantity. Fertilizers, irrigation, seeds, insecticides, and farmers’ abilities all have an impact on farm output.

Precision agriculture is a new farming management strategy in which farmers collect and analyze data to optimize inputs and practices for the best results.

This information is then used to make decisions about which crops to sow and when and where to apply fertilizer, agrochemicals, or water. As a result, farmers can optimize their input use, making the most of their limited resources.

Our 3D soil maps could be useful to everyone who works in agriculture. However, the end consumers are the farmers themselves, who will save time and money while meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

Agricultural businesses profit as well, as they can cut their time spent on soil care by more than 80%. Soil management is currently done primarily by hand, which takes a long time.

Using GeoPard technologies, a number of job tasks can be handled remotely, from a distance, or they can be automated. The user is not required to travel to the field in order to collect soil samples and send them to the laboratory. The advance planning steps are likewise avoided, as are the accompanying administrative expenditures.

This allows farmers to reduce the number of manual steps in the process and thus the time required to complete them. Our method is distinct in several ways: We are not attempting to improve current processes and procedures. Instead, we intend to apply novel ways to completely rethink an antiquated system.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How will a contour map be useful for a farmer?

A contour map is a valuable tool for farmers as it visually represents the shape and elevation of the land. By using contour lines that connect points of equal elevation, farmers can identify the slope and drainage patterns of their fields.

This information helps in planning and implementing effective soil and water management practices, such as contour plowing, terracing, and installing drainage systems.

Contour maps also aid in preventing soil erosion, optimizing irrigation, and maximizing crop productivity by understanding the topographic features of the land.

2. Which of the following is not a common reason why soil maps are used?

They are commonly used for various purposes, including agricultural planning, land management, and environmental assessments. However, they are not typically used to determine the weather conditions in a specific area.

Instead, they provide valuable information about soil types, fertility levels, drainage characteristics, and nutrient distribution, enabling farmers to make informed decisions.

By understanding the spatial variability of soil properties, stakeholders can optimize land use and minimize environmental impacts.

3. What is soil productivity?

Soil productivity refers to the capacity of soil to support plant growth and provide essential nutrients for healthy crops. It is a measure of the soil’s ability to sustain high yields and maintain the desired level of agricultural production over time. 

4. Who uses soil maps?

They are used by a variety of individuals and organizations involved in agriculture, land management, and environmental planning. Farmers and agronomists use them to make informed decisions about crop selection, fertilization, and irrigation.

Land planners and developers utilize them to determine the suitability of land for various purposes, such as building infrastructure or conserving natural areas. Environmental scientists and researchers rely on them to study soil characteristics and their impact on ecosystems.

Additionally, government agencies and policymakers utilize maps for land-use planning and conservation efforts.

5. Which slope element is suitable for farming?

Gentle slopes are generally considered suitable for farming due to their favorable characteristics. These slopes provide adequate drainage, minimize erosion risks, and allow for effective water infiltration.

They also facilitate machinery operations and reduce the potential for soil compaction. Gentle slopes offer a balance between sufficient water retention and proper water drainage, making them conducive for various agricultural practices and crop growth.

6. What is soil management?

Soil management refers to the practices and techniques used to maintain and improve the quality and productivity of soil for agricultural purposes.

It involves strategies such as soil testing, nutrient management, erosion control, irrigation management, and crop rotation. Soil management aims to optimize soil health, fertility, structure, and moisture content to support sustainable and productive agriculture.

By implementing proper soil management practices, farmers can enhance crop growth, minimize soil degradation, and protect the long-term productivity of their land.

Soil testing is a process of determining the chemical, physical and biological properties of soil. It is used to determine the suitability of soil for different agricultural applications, such as crop growing and food production.

First, the soil sample is collected, weighed, and then placed in a container to preserve the moisture content. The sample is then taken to a laboratory where it is analyzed for pH, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels, among other things.

Soil samples are often taken from areas that have been affected by erosion or runoff from fertilizers. This can include areas near streams, creeks, and rivers, which can impact water quality if not addressed properly.

The data collected from soil tests are used to determine how much fertilizer should be added to an area to ensure proper nutrient levels are maintained throughout the growing season.

What Is soil testing?

Soil testing is a process that can help you determine the composition and fertility of your soil. Soil is made up of many different components, such as minerals, organic matter, and water. These elements interact with each other in a complex balance that affects how plants grow.

What does a soil test tell you?

The goal of soil test is to determine these balances so that you can adjust them to grow healthy plants. Also, soil tests helps you to find out what nutrients are missing from your soil. This allows you to add fertilizer or compost to supply those nutrients.

It can also tell you if you have too much of a certain nutrient and need to remove it from the garden. You can also test for pH levels, which will help determine whether plants need more acid or alkaline.

Different types of tests can be done on your soil. The most common test is for nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These are called NPK tests because they measure all three elements at once with one test kit.

Other tests include calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), and micronutrients such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu). Soil test is often done by a professional who can analyze the results and give you recommendations for what you need to do to improve.

This may include adding fertilizer or other nutrients, planting certain plants in certain areas, removing weeds, and more.

You can also do your soil tests at home by buying a kit from a gardening store or online. It will provide instructions on how to collect soil samples from different parts of your yard and then send them off for analysis. If you want more information about how these tests work and why they’re important, continue reading.

Why should farmers get their soil test?

It is a critical component of good farming. It can be one of the most valuable tools at your disposal. It can help you determine what nutrients are lacking in your soil, which plants would benefit from these nutrients, and how to best supply them.

There are several reasons why farmers should get their soil tested. Here are some of them:

1. To know the condition of your soil before planting or seeding so you can maximize yields and minimize costs.
2. Improve crop performance by knowing the nutrient levels in your soil so you can supplement as necessary.
3. Maximize profitability by making sure your crops are receiving all the nutrients they need to thrive.
4. Soil tests can help you determine whether your crop needs nutrients, and how much fertilizer to use.
5. Getting your soil tested can also show you what kind of crops you should grow in your soil, so you don’t waste time and money trying to grow things that won’t thrive there.
6. Soil tests also help farmers understand what nutrients are missing from their soil, so they can make sure their crops get everything they need for optimum growth.
7. Determining if your soil has toxic levels of heavy metals or other elements that can be harmful to plants.
8. Determining what crops grow best in your area. For example, if your soil tests low on nitrogen but high on phosphorus, then it’s probably best to plant grass instead of vegetables like carrots or tomatoes that need lots of nitrogen. But if the pH level is too acidic or alkaline for certain plants to grow well, then you can add lime or sulfur to adjust the pH level.
9. It is an important management tool that helps farmers make informed decisions about their land during every season of the year.
10. Identifying sources of contamination in your soil (for example, from nearby factories).

Types of soil testing

1. Soil moisture testing

Water is necessary for plant growth because plants cannot develop properly if there isn’t enough moisture in the ground. Although it is visible when the field’s surface is dry, correct water rates are measured in the laboratory.

A soil moisture content test determines if plants have enough water or are dehydrated. The usual soil moisture test involves high-temperature moisture evaporation from samples. The moisture rates in the samples are calculated by comparing their mass before and after evaporation.

To produce excellent yields, it’s critical to keep track of the moisture in the field before seeding and during the season. EOS Crop Monitoring allows you to check the moisture levels on the surface and in the root zone from afar.

Furthermore, historical data demonstrates the moisture level at each stage of crop development. Farmers can forecast moisture deficits and make informed judgments based on this information.

Furthermore, the NDMI index on EOS Crop Monitoring aids in the identification of important zones, and soil moisture analysis of these areas will reveal whether they are dehydrated.

2. Soil salinity test

Plants in salty fields experience osmotic stress as a result of poor water absorption. Soil salinity testing aids in determining if a piece of land is suitable for agricultural use. The following methods can be used to determine the salinity of a field:

• total soluble salts (TSS) evaporation from groundwater extract.
• A saturated paste extract or a distilled water-earth dilution’s electric conductivity (EC) is measured.
• A test for electric conductivity can be done in the field or a laboratory.

3. Soil nutrient testing

Within precision agriculture installations, useful advice on nutrient content enables accurate fertilization to fulfill plant needs. This is why the most frequent soil nutrient test is a chemical test.

Soil tests are primarily used to determine the levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), the three most critical nutrients for crops.

Calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and magnesium (Mg) are the secondary nutrients to look at (Mg). Minor elements such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mg), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), and others are included in an extended test.

To determine the nutritional content of the soil, a sample is combined with an extractant solution (usually by shaking). The liquid content is then strained and tested for the presence and concentrations of chemical components (converted to dry matter). The soil-test index is the result of the calculation.

4. Testing soil for pesticides and contaminants

Pesticides aid in the management of any harmful organisms that wreak havoc on crops. Weeds are efficiently suppressed, crop diseases are managed, and pests are effectively combated with chemicals. Simultaneously, similar toxins poison non-target creatures and damage the environment.

Highly aggressive compounds leak into groundwater, persist in the environment for many years, and cause harm to humans and animals by accumulating in food.

Chemical pollutants lower yield quality, thus it’s critical to test soil for pesticides before sowing and schedule subsequent crop treatments depending on previous field operations and productivity.

5. Soil acidity test (pH)

In the field, proper pH is critical for plant productivity, and either too high or too low pH will harm crop growth. One calculates the hydrogen ions in soil by testing its pH. The pH scale can go from 0 to 14.

The neutral value is 7, with lower values indicating acidity and higher levels indicating alkalinity. Fields that are acidic or alkaline are treated differently. Lime, for example, can be used to elevate pH, and an accurate pH test can assist estimate how much is needed.

6. Physical soil testing for texture and structure

Agricultural soil test examines the soil type as well as physical features such as texture, structure, and wetness, in addition to the chemical content.

Clay, sand, and slit are the key components, and their quantities determine the texture of the ground and its ability to hold nutrients and moisture. Sandy fields, for example, dry faster than clay fields, thus a soil texture test might aid with irrigation and fertigation planning.

The size of its portions and pore spaces, which affect the passage of water and air in the ground, are described by soil structure. Clay fields are finer, with smaller pore spaces. As a result, they are prone to compaction and require aeration regularly.

How to test soil quality by Yourself? Tips

1. pH Test

Your soil’s pH (acidity level) has a big impact on how well your plants develop. pH is measured on a scale of zero to 14, with zero indicating extreme acidity and 14 indicating extreme alkalinity.

The pH of most soils should be between six and seven for most plants to thrive. Plants will not grow as well as they should if the pH level is lower than five or higher than eight.

pH test kits are available at every home and garden center. Most of these kits are reasonably accurate, but you must follow the testing instructions to the letter. You can start correcting the problem after you know whether or not your soil pH is a problem.

2. The Worm Test During Soil Testing

Worms are excellent indicators of your soil’s general health, particularly in terms of biological activity. If you have earthworms, you’re likely to have all of the helpful bacteria that help your soil stay healthy and your plants grow strong. To do the worm test, follow these steps:

• Make sure the soil has reached a temperature of at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit and is moist but not dripping wet.
• Make a one-foot-wide, one-foot-deep pit. Using a tarp or a piece of cardboard, place the soil.
• As you return the soil to the pit, sift through it with your hands, counting the earthworms as you get further.
• Your soil is in good shape if you detect at least ten worms. Less than that suggests that your soil may be lacking in organic matter, or that it is too acidic or alkaline to maintain a robust worm population.

3. The Percolation Test

It’s also crucial to figure out whether or not you have drainage issues. If the roots of some plants, such as culinary herbs, are too damp, they will eventually die. To check your soil’s drainage, do the following:

• Make a six-inch-wide and one-foot-deep hole.
• Fill the opening halfway with water and let it drain.
• Fill it up with water once more.
• Keep track of the amount of time it takes the water to drain.
• You have poor drainage if it takes more than four hours for the water to flow.

4. The Squeeze Test

Take a small amount of moist (but not wet) soil from your garden and squeeze it firmly to ascertain your soil type. After that, extend your hand. There will be one of three outcomes:

It will keep its shape, but it will collapse if you touch it lightly. You’re in luck because this indicates you have rich loam! When probed, it holds its shape and sits stubbornly in your hand. This indicates that you have clay soil. As soon as you open your hand, it will fall apart. This indicates that your soil is sandy.

You can focus on enhancing your soil now that you know what type it is. If your plants are still failing after you’ve completed all of these tests and amended the soil as needed to fix the problems, the next step is to call your local cooperative extension agency.

They will instruct you on how to take a soil sample and send it to their laboratory for analysis. They’ll provide you with a report that details any mineral shortages in your soil as well as how to address them. These tests are simple and cheap techniques to make sure your garden has the finest possible foundation.

Testing your soil is one of the best ways to ensure that you are growing healthy plants. It can also tell you how much fertilizer to add, whether or not your soil needs lime, and where there’s a problem with pests.

Soil tests can also help you figure out whether there are any nutrient deficiencies in your soil, and what steps you need to take to correct them.

You can easily test your soil at home with a simple kit. There are two types: the kind you mail away for and the kind that you get at the store. The former can be more accurate, but both methods will give you a good idea of what type of nutrients are in your soil.

When testing your soil, it’s important to know that levels of nutrients vary from year to year as well as from season to season. You should test it every three years or so if you’re using organic methods or annually if using chemical fertilizers. We hope this guide was able to help you figure out how to test your soil.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How can a farmer determine the nutrient content of a field?

To determine the nutrient content of a field, a farmer can collect soil samples from various locations across the field. These samples can then be sent to a testing laboratory for analysis.

The laboratory will provide detailed reports indicating the nutrient levels in the soil, including essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

2. Which of the following would be used to test for minerals in a soil sample?

To test for minerals in a sample, various methods can be employed. One common technique is using chemical extraction methods, where specific reagents are added to the soil sample to extract and quantify the minerals of interest.

Another approach is using spectroscopic techniques like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) or inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, which provide detailed elemental composition information.

Additionally, the kits that utilize colorimetric assays or test strips can also be used to assess mineral content qualitatively. These methods help farmers assess the mineral composition of their soil, aiding in proper nutrient management for optimal plant growth.

3. What are five things that a soil sample report will tell you?

A soil sample report provides valuable information to farmers and gardeners. Here are five things that a soil sample report typically reveals:

• Soil pH: The report indicates the acidity or alkalinity of the soil.
• Nutrient levels: It shows the levels of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other micronutrients.
• Organic matter content: The report indicates the amount of organic material present in the soil, which influences soil fertility.
• Soil texture: It describes the soil composition, whether it is sandy, loamy, or clayey.
• Recommendations: Based on the analysis, the report provides recommendations for soil amendments, such as lime, fertilizer types, and application rates.

4. How to tell if soil is good?

Good soil can be identified by its balanced texture, adequate moisture retention, presence of organic matter, and active soil life such as earthworms. These indicators suggest a fertile and well-structured soil that supports healthy plant growth.

5. How to test soil for nutrients without a kit?

To test for nutrients without a kit, you can perform a simple DIY soil test using vinegar, baking soda, and water. Start by collecting soil samples from different areas of your garden.

Mix a small amount of soil with vinegar, and if it fizzes, it indicates the presence of carbonate. To test for acidity, mix it with water and baking soda, and if it bubbles, it suggests acidic soil.

Additionally, observing plant growth, conducting a visual soil assessment, or consulting with local agricultural extension services can provide insights into soil nutrient levels.

6. Which soil has the finest texture?

The soil with the finest texture is called clay soil. Clay particles are the smallest among the three main soil types, which also include sand and silt. Clay soil has a smooth and sticky texture when wet, and it can hold moisture and nutrients well.

However, its compact nature can lead to drainage issues and make it challenging for plant roots to penetrate.

7. How to determine NPK of soil?

To determine the NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) levels, you can conduct a soil test. Soil testing kits or sending samples to a laboratory are common methods.

The results will provide you with the NPK nutrient levels in the soil, allowing you to adjust fertilizer application and meet the specific needs of your crops.

8. How to test soil salinity at home?

To test soil salinity at home, you can follow these steps: 1) Collect a sample from the desired location. 2) Mix the soil with distilled water to create a saturated soil extract.

3) Use an electrical conductivity meter or a soil salinity testing kit to measure the conductivity of the soil extract. 4) Compare the measured conductivity value with a salinity chart or consult with a local agricultural extension office to determine the salinity level of the soil.

This simple test can help you assess the salt content in your soil and make informed decisions regarding irrigation and crop selection.

9. Does soil need to be dry for testing?

It generally requires a slightly moist soil sample rather than a completely dry one. It is recommended to collect the soil sample when the soil is at field capacity, meaning it has enough moisture that it holds together when squeezed, but is not overly saturated.

This allows for better mixing and analysis of the soil sample, providing more accurate results for nutrient and pH levels.

10. How to measure soil composition?

To measure soil composition, you can use a few simple methods. One approach is to perform a visual inspection, observing the color, texture, and organic matter content of the soil.

Another method is using a soil test kit or sending a sample to a laboratory for analysis.

Additionally, soil composition can be assessed through measuring its moisture content and conducting a sedimentation check to determine the percentage of sand, silt, and clay particles.

11. What weeds tell you about your soil?

Weeds can provide valuable insights about soil conditions. Different types of weeds thrive in specific soil conditions, such as nutrient deficiencies, compaction, or pH imbalances.

By observing the types and abundance of weeds in a field, farmers can gain indications of underlying soil issues. Weeds can also serve as indicators of poor soil fertility or inadequate management practices.

Analyzing weed presence and characteristics can help farmers tailor their soil management strategies and address underlying soil health concerns.

12. How to check soil moisture by hand?

Checking soil moisture by hand is a simple and effective method. Start by inserting your finger or a small garden trowel into the soil about 4 to 6 inches deep. Then, feel the soil texture and moisture content. If it feels moist and forms a loose ball, the soil has adequate moisture.

If it feels dry and crumbles easily, the soil is likely dry and needs watering. Regularly checking soil moisture helps ensure plants receive the right amount of water for optimal growth.

One of the geographical protective measures in the farming industry is the use of green manure. This is a result of achieving sustainability by conserving supply and fulfilling food demand.

As a result of looking for efficient and more sustainable ways to produce, present-day farmers experience a vast number of issues of which one of which is soil fertility conservation without making use of chemicals and the most obtainable solution is manure crops.

It has been discovered that this method has a more lasting impact on the soil than in ancient times. It is a more priceless method for farmers who want to minimize the adoption of damaging chemicals for the fertility of the soil.

What is green manure? How it is made?

Green manure refers to crops that are grown and then plowed or tilled back into the soil while still green and actively growing. The purpose is to improve soil fertility, structure, and nutrient content.

When it is incorporated into the soil, it decomposes, releasing nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that were taken up by the plants. These nutrients become available to other plants, improving soil health and fertility. It also helps to increase soil organic matter content, which in turn helps to improve soil structure, water-holding capacity, and aeration.

Examples of plants that are commonly used for green manuring include legumes like clover, vetch, and alfalfa, as well as non-legumes like rye, oats, and barley. However, the specific type used will depend on the needs of the soil and the crops that will be planted in the future.

They have been used for a while in the United Kingdom by non-organic farm producers but have been desired and accepted by organic farm producers. This in return has increased their delivery and productivity.

How do green manure cover crops improve soil fertility?

These crops are highly advantageous to the soil and future crops. They are grown mainly for the benefits they offer and not for grazing or harvesting. They are widely used for upgrading the soil, weed control, nutrients, and various organic matter.

It is best left on the exterior of the soil and allowed to absorb its way into the soil rather than harvested or grazed with the farm produce. It is integrated and rotated thereby adding remarkable benefits at a lower cost addition.

The advert for green manuring has been in existence for years but they were replaced with the invention of chemical fertilizers. As a result of a new understanding, we have realized that these crops are highly advantageous in terms of the nutrients that they add back to the soil.

Apart from feeding the soil which in turn feeds the plant instead of the other way round, these crop feeds all soil organisms and also increases the fertility of the soil. Genetically fertile soil produces healthy plants that are able to fight diseases and pests in addition, healthy soil is more resistant to drought.

When growing green manures, the soil microbes are provided with a boost as well as food and suitable conditions they can thrive in. These microbes then convert the nutrients in the manure into accessible nutrients for the crops.

By restoring these soil entities and providing a food source, they are also converting the unavailable nutrients in the soil into accessible nutrients. This in turn improves the biological activity of the soil and in general, improves soil conditions.

Why use green manuring?

Green manures are products produced within a rotation with the purpose of:

1. Enhancing the structure of the soil and their organic matter
It is very popular to rear green manures, especially for the aim of land conversion to upgrade the fertility of the soil and structure.
2. For weed control
It is an efficient tool for the control of weeds. If they are in the middle of crops, these crops will choke weed seedlings and with the required cultivation, this will reduce the weed burden.
3. Damage prevention thereby supplying ground cover to the structure of the soil.
4. Supplying supplements for the next crop
5. Leach prevention of dissoluble supplements from the soil
6. Making use of crop supplements from lower soil profiles

How do green manuring cover crops work?

The preparation of the soil for the following crops is the main aim of ensuring green manure cover crops. They absorb supplements from the soil and accumulate them.

During harvest time, these crops are not tampered with or removed from the land as this would be the removal of the supplements but they are cultivated into the soil while they are still green.

When they are returned back into the soil, the plants gradually decay and in turn release supplements for the following crops.

Concurrently, it is seen as a medium of food for countless soil microbes and organisms. The health of the soil is very crucial due to unlimited soil fauna. A good structure of the soil is built as a result of their motion and the feeding on the organic matter.

This allows for soil distribution. They are an easy way to achieve outstanding results but there are quite a number of things to bear in mind.

These crops need to be buried before the maturity of plants. This enables the decomposition of the plants faster and easier as they are not too woody. This in turn prevents the seeds from being released which gets rid of undesired regrowth of the green manure when the actual crops are planted.

It is not advisable to bury them too deep into the soil. The best way to carry it out is to turn plants a maximum of 15cm or at most 6 inches into the ground. This is for the fact that the soil microbes are more active in the upper soil layer just below the surface, thereby increasing the decomposition process.

It is not recommended to use it as the main crop especially if they are from the same specimen. The aim is to plant crops that are not similar this is because crops from the same specimen make use of the same supplements and they tend to accommodate the same pests and diseases.

It is advisable to allow the soil to rest for about 20 days after use, this gives room for the organic material to properly decompose thereby offering the best conditions for planting the following crop.

Types of green manure crop

There are mainly two types

1. Legumes (clover family)

They are developed on their roots with the aid of a special bacteria nodule which has the ability to absorb nitrogen from the air and turn it into a medium that can be used by plants. This is known as nitrogen fixating and it is assisted by a treatment method to help legumes work.

This treatment method is known as inoculant and it is available at garden centers in powder form it will improve yields drastically. It can then be made use of by crops that are produced after the legume has been harvested and added to the soil.

2. Non-legumes
They do not fix nitrogen however they produce useful amounts of organic matter and keep the nutrients that would have been lost. They grow very quickly and can be added within spaces in production during the growing season.

There are green manures that work well for Northern Ireland, however, there are some that are not going to be successful in Northern Ireland as a result of soil and climatic factors.

Brassicas as Green manures

They are liable to clubroot and this can increase the level of infection. They should not be planted close to brassica crops.

The method can be adopted easily on large farmlands and also in small home gardens. The most important factors are to know the benefits attached to sowing green crops. The following section points out the benefits

The benefits of green manure cover crops include

1. Soil Structure Improvisation

There are certain green manures with penetrative roots that are deep and as they grow the soil opens up. Heavy soils benefit largely as it creates room for drainage to happen freely.

These allow organic matter to be stored up in the soil and for lighter soils, the remnants of the soil can better hold water together thereby leaving the organic matter in the soil.

2. Suppression of weed

With their rapid growth, their very leafy growth enables the suppression of weeds. The more growth, the more weeds are suppressed and increase the retention of moisture in the soil.

It is good to make sure that the soil is freed from weeds. This is highly important especially when the grounds are left fallow mostly during winter

3. Nutrients addition

Various things come to play that bring about certain minerals that can not be used by plants and leguminous crops that attract nitrogen from the air and add it to the root nodules making it available to the following crop when dug.

There are certain soil bacteria that are needed to be present but are only available in healthy soil. One of which is Nitrogen, plants need it as it gives room for healthy stem and leaf growth.

4. Protection of the soil

Green manuring aid the soil from being crushed as a result of heavy rainfall, thereby preventing the loss of nutrients and keeping the soil together. During summer, it will also prevent the soil from the harsh weather conditions of the sun and wind making it dry easily.

5. Control of pest

The damp cover serves as a home for frogs and other natural predators that live on pests such as snails and slugs. Certain insects are also confused when green manure is planted in the middle of food crops, especially carrot fly flies.

6. Soil resting

Certain soils need to be left for a while to recover from continuous planting and cultivation. It aids the prolific structure of the soil with little or no effort. They can be left on the soil for a year or more depending but in the case of most home gardens, this ct is carried out during winter.

These cover crops are permitted to grow and then occasionally cut down before flowering so as to avert seeds from growing. The plant material can be compounded in a compost bin. They can be left to grow and later buried and left for decomposition.

It is advisable to give a thirty days spacing before the following crop. This can be very tasking and a lot of care must be put in place so planting is not carried out too early as certain green manures such as Grazing Forage Rye emancipates a certain chemical that prevents seed development.

The dug systems enable its use, it is best to eradicate the crop. The foliage is allowed to deteriorate on the ground. One has to be careful with perennial green manures and Grazing Forage Rye as they tend to re-grow even after being cut down.

These cover crops are created by adding plant materials into the soil while it is still green. When they decay, they add nutrients to the soil with organic matter. It is necessary that a lot of time is allocated between when the green crops decomposes and when it is allowed into the soil following the new crop.

Their adoption as a means of crop rotation enables the maintenance of the fertility of the soil. However, there are a vast number of benefits attached to their use. They include protection of the soil, fertilization of the soil, and improving the organic content all of which are important to get rid of the threat of the land degrading.

More healthy soil means an increase in the production of food as a result of less chemical and tillage usage. Making use of fewer chemical-based fertilizers and heavy-duty machines during crop cultivation has a huge impact on the depletion of air and water pollution. Therefore, the growth of green manure cover crops helps farmers have an organic farm.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Is there an unlimited supply of fertile soil?

No, there is not an unlimited supply of fertile soil. Fertile soil is a finite resource that takes centuries to form naturally.

Human activities such as deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and urbanization can lead to soil degradation and loss of fertility.

It is essential to practice sustainable soil management techniques to preserve and enhance the fertility of existing soil and prevent further degradation.

2. How long does green manure take to decompose?

The time it takes for green manure to decompose can vary depending on several factors such as the type of plant material used, environmental conditions, and management practices.

Generally, it can decompose within a few weeks to several months. Factors like temperature, moisture, and microbial activity play a role in the decomposition process.

3. How old was alfalfa when he died?

Alfalfa is a perennial plant and does not have a fixed lifespan like humans or animals. Under ideal growing conditions, alfalfa can live for several years and continue to produce high-quality forage.

However, the lifespan of individual alfalfa plants can vary depending on various factors such as climate, management practices, disease, and pest pressures. With proper care, alfalfa stands can be productive for several years before needing to be rotated or reestablished.

With poor soil health, it will be impossible to meet the constantly rising demand for food. Soil quality can be boosted organically, through the use of legumes, manures, compost material, and some planting methods.

It can also be boosted inorganically, by adding chemical fertilizers. However, this has resulted in an increased rate of production. Also, chemical fertilizer doesn’t enhance soil value eventually. It only helps the plants grow by boosting soil minerals.

And they have to be added repeatedly to uphold this standard. Therefore, improving it by employing organic matter is now a growing trend in Agriculture.

Now, agriculturists need to know how to improve soil health naturally if they want better yields. The concept of soil health, soil fertility, structure, pH, and type of soil are discussed exponentially in this article.

What is soil health?

All living things need soil for their advancement. Plants directly depend on soil for their growth while animals depend on soil, indirectly, via the food they consume for their growth.

Therefore, the potential of soil to function properly, that is, “soil health” is a great concern to everything that lives. It is the potential of soil to perform its role as a pillar for the advancement of living creatures.

This is just its peripheral meaning, there are many other definitions of the term. It is difficult to determine it without using a measure.

Therefore, agronomists and other professionals have put together some pointers that serve as a measure to determine soil quality. The Soil Health Institution declared the universal pointers of Soil health in 2017.

The pointers are categorized into physical, biological, and chemical criteria. Other pointers include color, texture, tilth, drainage, and the appearance of weed. After planting, the yield obtained also determines the soil starts.

What is organic matter?

Organic matter refers to the remains of dead plants and animals or their waste products, which have decomposed and formed a complex mixture of carbon-based compounds. Organic matter is a crucial component of healthy soil, as it provides nutrients and helps to retain moisture.

It is also an important part of the carbon cycle, as it plays a significant role in carbon sequestration and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Examples of organic matter include leaves, grass clippings, food scraps, manure, and other decomposing plant and animal materials.

Different Approaches For Effective Soil Fertility Management

Boosting the status of the soil is a useful approach to the practicable management of its fertility. Organic approaches have been propelling waves in recent years.

Soil fertility simply implies the aptitude of soil to be a favorable housing for plants and support them. This theory intends to enhance soil nutrients by maximizing agronomic activities and increasing yield.

Organic approaches include planting crops (precisely legumes), manures, cover crops, and other natural farming methods. While inorganic methods include using chemical fertilizers.

Legumes are plants having an abundance of nitrogen, and they are needed for plants to boost the soil’s well-being. Legumes undergo “Nitrogen fixation” when planted.

Nitrogen fixation is the cycle of converting nitrogen in the atmosphere to ammonia. However, not all legumes perform this task. Legumes, which draw nitrogen from the atmosphere to give off ammonia are called ” Nitrogen-fixing legumes”.

Manures are waste of animals, such as feces and urine that can be used to boost soil, organically. Humans, cows, poultry, e.t.c. produce this material through excretion. Spreading cover crops, or practicing intercropping can also boost soil.

Planting cover crops also bolster organic substances in the soil. Additionally, preventing the loss of nutrients has also been a decent approach to managing soil well-being. Loss to erosion or leaching should be prevented or avoided.

Knowing the strategies to manage soil fertility is not enough. It is also key to know that each type of soil, sandy, loamy, and clay has a unique approach that works for them to improve their status.

How to Improve Soil Health and Structure? Enrich poor soil

The configuration of soil contributes largely to its characteristics. This configuration can boost the well-being of the soil, its productivity, and health. The discussion of the ways to enrich the soil will be based on the varieties of soil and how to boost each of them.

1. Sandy Soil

This type has big particles and big pores. These pores allow indiscriminate permeability of air into the soil. It also. allow permeability of water. Therefore, sandy soil can’t conserve water and other nutrients for a long time. They are also not uniformly shaped. Some particles are big and some are small. Sandy soil is not sticky even when wet.

The unhindered permeability of air in sandy soil encourages microbial activities. These microorganisms deteriorate organic material easily. Due to these reasons, sandy soil is not suitable for planting, but it is suitable for particular plants.

To improve health of sandy soil:

• Add organic materials, droppings, or compost. (About three to four inches or its equivalent)
• Cover the plants with any part of plants, such as bark, leaves straws, e.t.c. Mulching helps water retention of soil
• Yearly, add about organic materials (about two inches)
• Plant some cover crops on the soil

2. Clay soil

Clay soil has many opposing characteristics with sandy soil. Clay soil has smaller particles and tiny pores. Its particles are closely arranged, thus water retention is facilitated. Clay soil is very vulnerable to waterlogging. When wet, clay soils are muggy and moldable.

And it becomes hard and crumbly when dried. Clay soils are not only used for agrarian purposes, they can also be used to mold various objects.

Clay soils do not allow free and unhindered permeability of air, so they have low microbial activities. Also, plants grown on clay soil find it difficult to penetrate deeply due to the hardness and compact arrangement of the soil.

Not all plants can ordinarily thrive on clay soil. However, clay soil has an abundance of minerals and will do better if it is enhanced organically.

To Improve Clay Soil:

• Add organic materials, manures, or compost materials. (about three inches to the soil)
• Always top it with a little quantity each year (about 1 pound or its equivalent)
• Grow plants on raised beds to improve the drainage system
• Reduce tillage activities on the soil

3. Silty soil

This type of soil has some advantages over sandy and clay soil. It contains rock particles and minerals in small particles. It is denser and has bigger pores compared to clay soil, but its pores are smaller when compared to sandy soil.

Silt soils also retain water for a long time and are susceptible to waterlogging. They are the growth of plants than the two types of soil mentioned above. This shows that they are the most fertile and they are rich in organic matter.

To improve silty soil:

• Top the soil with a small amount of organic matter once a year (about one inch). Focus more on the topsoil
• Reduce tillage and other activities that disturb the soil
• Use raised bed to grow crops, to facilitate drainage

4. Soil pH

This is a metric that indicates the level of hydrogen and hydroxyl in the soil. The scale for measurement pH level is number 1-14. PH of 1-6.9 indicates acidity, pH value of 7 shows neutrality while oH value of 7.1 to 14 shows alkalinity.

When hydrogen ions of the soil are higher than hydroxyl, it shows that the soil is acidic. When hydroxyl ions present in the soil are higher than hydrogen ions, it shows that the soil is basic.

When hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in the soil are in equal amounts, it shows that the soil is neutral. Soil pH level tells a lot about the quantitative and qualitative properties of the soil. A pH that is too high or too low may affect soil fertility.

5. Soil pH Tester

Adjusting the pH level of the soil is part of the approach to the management of soil fertility. However, it should be done gradually and correctly. Organically, the pH level of soil can be moderated by adding organic matter, manure, or compost material. It can also be improved by adding chemicals.

We may wonder why it is important to moderate soil pH levels. This is because most plants have a range in which they can thrive.

Most plants grow at a pH range of 6.5-6.8 and nutrients are not easily at a higher or lower pH value. Thus, the nutrients in the soil are rendered useless to the plants. And this will affect soil health and fertility.

6. Acidic soil

Although some plants grow well in acidic soil, most plants don’t. Examples of plants that grow well in acidic soil are blueberries and azaleas. A pH that is less than 6 5 is detrimental to the growth of green plants.

So there is a need to increase the pH of acidic soil so that it can become diluted and accommodating for plant growth. Environment and topography also determine the level of acid in the soil. For instance, soils in the United States are mostly acidic.

The PH value of the soil can be heightened by adding limestone and wood ash. Limestone increases the pH value gradually by adding manganese to the soil. And this helps to increase the hydroxyl ions. But wood ash produces a different effect. It is faster and more effective.

However, the excessive use of wood ash on the soil can be disastrous. So, it is recommended to measure the quantity to be added to the soil. Wood ash is better applied to the soil during winter. About two pounds of it or its equivalent should be added once every two or three years on 100 square feet of land.

• To raise the pH value of sandy soil by one point; add limestone. About three to four pounds or its equivalent for every 100 Square feet of land should do.
• To raise the pH of loam soil by one point: Add limestone. About seven to eight pounds or its equivalent for every 100 Square feet of land should do.
• To raise the pH of clay soil by one point; Add limestone. About eight to 10 pounds or its equivalent for every 100 Square feet of land should do.

7. Alkaline soil

Just like too high acid soil is bad for the soil, too much alkaline is likewise bad. Although some plants such as lavender, tomato, and cabbage thrive well in alkaline soil, most green plants don’t. Climate also plays a role in the alkaline level of the soil. In arid lands, the soil is usually alkaline.

So, if the pH value is higher than 6.8, it is important to lower the pH to accommodate most green plants. The addition of sulfur to the soil increases the pH level.

That is, the higher the sulfur in the soil, the higher the alkalinity. Also, the accumulation of materials such as sawdust, oak leaves, peat moss, and other organic acid substances will increase the amount of alkaline present in the soil.

• To drop the pH level of sandy soil by one pound; add a pound of grounded sulfur or its equivalent. (for 100 square feet of land).
• To drop the pH of sandy soil by one pound; add about two pounds of sulfur or its equivalent. (for 100 feet of land).
• To drop the pH of clay soil by one pound; add about two pounds of grounded sulfur or its equivalent. (for 100 feet of land).

Soil health and soil quality can be used interchangeably. Both terms mean the ability of soil to execute its tasks and support the growth of plants. The health pointers are categorized into three measures.

Organic approaches to practical soil management comprise planting “nitrogen-fixing legumes”, using manures, and adopting some planting methods. The different types of soil have different structures and these structures have an impact on the soil.

The pH of the soil is also a determinant of its health and fertility. Too high or too low acidity or alkaline will affect the growth of plants. So, this factor should also be monitored.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How does organic farming improve soil and water quality? What organic farmers use?

Organic farming practices prioritize the use of natural fertilizers and avoid synthetic chemicals, which helps to improve soil and water quality. Organic farmers focus on building healthy soil through practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, and composting, which enhance soil fertility and structure.

2. What type of soil is good for organic farming?

Organic farming can be successful in a variety of soil types, but certain characteristics are preferred. Well-drained soils with good water-holding capacity are beneficial for organic farming, as they promote proper root development and nutrient uptake.

Loamy soils, which have a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, are often considered ideal for organic farming due to their ability to retain moisture while allowing for adequate drainage.

3. What color are soils that contain plenty of organic material?

Soils that contain plenty of organic material often have a dark or black color. The high organic content contributes to the darkening of the soil, as organic matter, such as decomposed plant and animal residues, adds rich organic compounds to the soil.

This dark color indicates the presence of nutrients and the overall fertility of the soil, making it desirable for agricultural purposes. The dark color also helps the soil retain moisture and promotes healthy plant growth.

Healthy soil is the pillar necessity for profitable, productive, and also environmentally fit agricultural systems. Investing time in learning about soil processes and methods to improve soil quality through effective techniques can lead to a sustainable soil management system that enhances plant growth and environmental quality over time.

This piece of information is mainly for farmers, gardeners, and farming enthusiasts who want to get to know more about the biological, physical, and chemical components of healthy soil and also how to handle them.

Soil is a precious and essential resource and how it is handled can adjust or reduce its quality. Apart from that, the soil is considered a complicated ecosystem where living microorganisms and even plant roots bring together mineral particles and also organic matter into one dynamic structure that controls air, water, and also nutrients.

In agriculture, soil health is usually known as the ability of the soil to maintain agricultural yield and also conserve environmental resources. Healthy soils offer several functions that aid in plant growth, biological control of pests and diseases, water control, air supply, and also nutrient cycling.

All the above-mentioned functions depend on the interrelated biological, physical, and chemical properties of the soil whereby many of them are sensitive to soil management techniques.

Techniques to improve soil quality

Add organic matter

In the beginning, we always use soil that is not suitable for growing crops. But we are always anxious to get going, so we continue regardless. At this time we are asking the soil to offer nutrient-full food from nutrient-deficient soil. There are higher chances of this activity resulting in poor harvests or even pests and disease challenges.

Reviving the soil is very crucial even when one starts with healthy soil since you will have harvested all the nutrients at the end of the season. There is a related connection between you and the soil in organic gardening – this is simply a give and take.

Seasons such as fall and winter are a great moment for replenishing the soil and allowing it to rest if there is a need. Introduce organic matter in the fall to begin each spring garden at peak levels.

Adopt no-till practices

Tillage takes away the soil and leads to a poor soil structure that does not let the roots spread freely to exploit nutrients and moisture. Getting rid of or limiting tillage activities by shifting to cover crops to till the soil even without the use of machines or any sort of mechanical equipment. This further invites several benefits such as lowering the production cost, lowering soil erosion, and also adjusting the soil productivity.

Mulch for big benefits

Mulching supports healthy soil by holding moisture and nutrients. Besides that, it also saves on time by lowering the need for doing activities such as fertilizing, weeding, and watering. How you mulch your garden should also be based on your climate.

For instance, heavier mulches are best for hot or dry climates where moisture evaporation is higher. As opposed to that, lighter mulches are mostly preferred in rainy or cool climates where the soil needs warmth from the sun but also needs to be protected against erosion.

As for several gardeners, heavy mulches in the off-season offer cover that is important to the soil organisms from the elements and also lowers soil erosion from heavy rainfalls. After a pest invasion, you need to abandon the affected plant material and also not put so much mulch in the winter to avoid giving cover to overwintering pests.

Plant cover crops

Cover crops are the best to include in your soil improvement techniques. This is because they can offer organic matter and nutrients, adjust drainage and aeration, support important soil organisms, and also as overwintering mulch.

As much as cover crops are planted mostly with other crops any time across the year, they are also commonly grown during the late summer or even early fall to germinate over the winter.

Several of them are always killed by the winter cold making spring planting simple, and others are buried before planting. You can use a digging fork or chickens to bury or turn cover crops within a timeline of three weeks before planting in the spring.

Grow chop-and-drop nutrient accumulators

Nutrient accumulators are a type of plant that are at some times merged and used in permaculture farms. Accumulators have roots that are perceived to be capable of gathering given nutrients from the soil. These nutrient-rich plants can then be cut multiple times throughout the year to be used as mulch.

Adopting this method also limits the cost of spending on other several amendments. Planting these plants also increases biodiversity. Even though no research has been done about this kind of plant, it has remained to be the best plant for this.

Maximize soil carbon

Getting to know the carbon-to-nitrogen (C: N) ratio is the key. It involves the mass of carbon to the mass of nitrogen in the soil. According to NRCS, microorganisms operate best at the ratio of a 24:1 C: N, and the 16 parts of carbon are consumed for energy and eight parts for maintenance.

Here, you need to understand that the higher the nitrogen, the faster you deplete the carbon. Again, excess nitrogen leads to more soil bacteria at the expense of fungi. It is the soil fungi that build the glues that hold soil components together. Based on the NRCS chart, wheat straw contains a higher C: N ratio. It simply means that the soil microbes must locate extra nitrogen to consume the wheat straw.

And this must only be found from excess N in the soil. It can also lead to a temporary N deficit if there is a low supply of N in the soil. This continues up to the time that some of the microbes in the soil die and let go of N held in their bodies. Have you ever imagined why soybean Stover does not last for a longer time on the soil surface?

This is simply due to the low C: N ratio of 20:1 it has. This is according to Purdue University data. As opposed to that, high-carbon stover crops such as wheat (80:1) or corn (57:1) aid balance the C: N ratio throughout a two-year planting season.

Growing cover crops aids balance the C: N ratio at a faster pace and also aids to support soil microorganisms’ population. This is one of the reasons why cover crops blends are very common.

Farmers can use several species to alter the C: N ratio and attain several goals, be it adjusting the soil health and even providing grazing.

How can we help in improve soil quality?

Our history in farming is diverse so we know the right solution to your problems. GeoPard helps farmers to estimate and improve soil quality by allowing them to upload soil sampling files into GeoPard Agriculture and then it offers an easy-to-read heatmap visualization of all of the attributes in the soil sampling file among other several operations such as comparing layers and even building variable rate fertilizer prescription files.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How should soil be tilled to preserve and enhance soil quality?

To preserve and enhance soil quality, it is recommended to practice minimal tillage or no-till farming methods. This involves reducing the frequency and depth of soil tilling.

By minimizing soil disturbance, organic matter is preserved, soil erosion is reduced, and soil structure is maintained.

This approach promotes better water infiltration, nutrient retention, and microbial activity, leading to improved soil fertility and long-term soil health.

2. What farming practice can help improve and maintain soil quality?

Implementing cover cropping is a farming practice that can help improve and maintain soil quality. Cover crops are grown between main crop seasons to cover and protect the soil. They help prevent erosion, reduce weed growth, and improve soil structure.

3. Can soil health improve all types of crop farms?

Yes, soil health can improve all types of crop farms. Regardless of the farming system, maintaining and improving soil health is crucial for sustainable and productive agriculture. Healthy soil provides a favorable environment for plant growth, nutrient uptake, and water retention.

Implementing soil conservation practices and adopting soil-friendly management techniques can benefit all types of crop farms and contribute to long-term agricultural sustainability.

4. How can we improve the soil using crop remains?

One way to improve soil is by incorporating crop remains or plant residues into the soil. This practice, known as crop residue management or crop residue incorporation, helps to increase organic matter content and improve soil structure.

Crop remains, such as stalks, leaves, and roots, break down over time, releasing nutrients into the soil and enhancing its fertility.

5. How to measure soil quality?

Soil quality can be measured through various methods. One common approach is conducting a soil test to analyze its chemical composition, including pH, nutrient levels, and organic matter content.

Physical characteristics such as soil texture and structure can be assessed through visual observation and feel. Soil biodiversity and microbial activity can be evaluated through biological indicators like earthworm counts or microbial biomass assessments.

6. What country has the richest soil?

Several countries are known for having rich and fertile soil, but one country often recognized for its exceptional soil quality is Ukraine. With its vast agricultural lands, Ukraine benefits from the chernozem soil, which is considered one of the most fertile types in the world.

This dark, rich soil is high in organic matter and nutrients, making it highly suitable for agriculture. However, it’s important to note that soil quality can vary within regions and is influenced by various factors such as climate, topography, and management practices.

Due to its unparalleled importance, the repercussions of loss in soil fertility are disastrous. Just like humans derive nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for healthy growth from a balanced diet, plants obtain the necessary nutrients to improve their yields and sustain their growth from highly fertile soil.

What is Soil Fertility?

Soil fertility refers to the ability of soil to provide essential nutrients to plants for growth. This concept is a measure of a soil’s capacity to support plant life not only by providing all necessary nutrients in adequate amounts but also by maintaining an appropriate pH level, offering a good soil structure, and keeping a satisfactory water-holding capacity.

Although soil productivity (fertile soil + management-related factors, climatic factors, etc) determines crop productivity, the relationship between fertility methods and crop productivity is direct – that is, the higher the soil fertility, the higher the likelihood of better yield.

Not only does high fertility enriches crop yield, but it also minimizes erosion, and flooding, controls pests and diseases and absorbs enough water to boost soil structure.

Components of Soil Fertility

Soil comprises 45% inorganic salt, 25% air, 25% water, and 5% organic matter. A soil is said to be fertile when it contains a perfect blend of the elements above. Fertile soil is the one that coordinates and supplies the nutrient, air, water, and heat needed for plant growth in an appropriate manner.

Fertile soil provides the following:

• A favorable environment that allows soil microorganisms to operate appropriately.
• All elements of micro and macronutrients are beneficial to the plant’s growth.
• A good ventilating system.
• Has a good water holding capacity and an effective drainage system.
• Low compactness.

Factors making the soil fertile

Soil pH

It indicates the accessible nutrients for plant use. The soil PH scale ranges from 0-14 and there is no fixed Soil PH for all crops – each crop has its suitable PH for its perfect growth. Any soil PH above 7 is alkaline, anywhere below 7 is acidic and 7 itself is neutral.

Soil PH shows how acidic or alkaline a soil is and it estimates the population of hydrogen ions (H+) in the soil solution. While some crops attain maximum growth at the acidic level(blueberries and azaleas), the majority of the plants prefer neutral soil PH or PH closer to a neutral level (6.0 – 7.0).

Presence of Organic matter

Organic materials contain biodegradable or recyclable substances which are needed for the subsequent growing cycle. Increasing organic matter content implies improving soil fertility.

Moisture Content

Moisture content refers to the quantity of water absorbed by the soil. Not all absorbed water is accessible for plant growth. A large proportion is stored in the soil as a thin layer which later dissolves salt and forms a soil solution needed as a nutrient for plant growth.

When the moisture content of the soil is at the optimal level, it grants plants easy access to nutrients. The moisture content has a positive relationship with soil fertility. When it is high, the fertility is high and vice versa.

Incompatibility or Hostility of Some Nutrients

The availability of some nutrients inversely affects the others. That is, more of one leads to less of the other. For example, the higher the potassium in the soil means the lower the magnesium.

Bulk Density

Soil density measures the thickness of the soil and it differs among soil types. It determines the soil’s ability to support the growth of the crops.

Soils that are highly compacted are undesirable for growing crops because the soils hinder the root from going deeply into the soil which restricts plants from absorbing enough nutrients. Therefore, plant growth will be poor.

The high Soil density is a sign of poor porosity which may be caused by administrative policies like tillage, grazing, etc. It obstructs root growth, deters the constant flow of water and air within the soil, and exposes soil to erosion. High bulk density is minimized by adding a substantial amount of organic components into the soil.

Clay Content

Aside from the type of clay minerals and organic matter content available in the soil, the clay content is also one of the factors to consider when verifying the soil CEC.

It explains the citation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil. Soil CEC relies on the quantity and kind of soil colloids available.

Through leaching, soils with low clay content may lose their nutrients which is not the case with high CEC. A soil with higher CEC stores enough nutrients for plant uptake compared to soil with Lesser CEC.

How to make the soil fertile?

There are two ways – organic or inorganic.

Organic Methods

Organic ways such as crop rotation, bush fallowing, no-till farming, growing cover crops, use of manures, weed control, etc. These are some of the organic measures that are used to preserve the fertility of the soil.

1. Coverage

Also called mulching, it consists of covering the ground using leaves or other organic material. Thus, moisture is retained for longer, and erosion is reduced. As there are more living beings aerating and facilitating the generation of nutrients, the fertility of the soil increases.

2. Use of Cover Crops

Cover crops help to aerate the soil and by decomposing their leaves, they provide nutrients. For example, legumes generate nitrogen, while grass improves structure.

3. Use of Organic Matter

Decomposed manure provides nutrients immediately, which favors greater soil fertility, but it is vitally important to avoid spreading some disease-causing agents when using homemade manure.

4. Tillage Minimization

Continuous tillage exposes the lower layers, usually those with moisture, causing the water to evaporate and lowering the moisture level in the soil; In addition, it also favors greater soil erosion and, therefore, lower fertility. By tilling as little as possible, existing organic matter can break down and provide nutrients.

5. Soil Analysis

Carrying out a soil analysis helps to understand what nutrients are necessary for it. Since soil types are different, the amounts to maintain fertility may vary.

Depending on the type, some crops may be planted and depending on what types of chemical products may be used to eliminate pests and diseases.

A healthy and balanced soil in nutrients favors the growth of crops and the existence of microorganisms.

6. Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is a planned chronological cycle of crops in one field over several years. If it is properly done, it provides positive individual and cumulative effects, such as positive previous crop effects, the regulation of harmful organisms and weeds and the improvement of soil fertility through humus increase, nutrient fixation and mobilization.

Another advantage of diverse crop rotations is the improvement of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Also, it shapes and enriches locations, habitats and landscapes. The organic method has proven to be the most effective and beneficial to the soil and the farmer.

However, a major setback is that it takes a substantial period for the results to be apparent. For example, crop rotation extends for a minimum of three to four years before the soil regains its lost nutrients or annihilates the pests and diseases on the soil.

We want to improve our soil nutrients yet we don’t want to wait for eternity. Then what can we do? This is where the inorganic method comes in.

Inorganic Methods to Make the Soil Fertile

Inorganic methods include using fertilizers and some other man-made products to make our soil productive within the shortest amount of time( within a year). Below are proven and tested products that you can use on your soil to boost its fertility.

1. Smart Use Of Fertilizers

The use of fertilizer eliminates the microorganisms in the soil that aerate it and provide nutrients. Therefore, it is advisable to use only the necessary amount, this is usually known after carrying out a soil test.

There is a common myth that the more the application of fertilizers to the soil, the higher the soil vitamin. This is wrong. Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides(inorganic method) degrades soil fertility.

2. Compost Tea (Black Liquid Gold)

This is an environmentally friendly, non-polluting, and economical fertilizer favored by farmers to harbor the plant from certain microbes. It’s purely organic and easy to make. That is, you can do it yourself provided you have compost.

Advantages

• It doesn’t infiltrate soil nutrients. Hence, soil health is improved.
• Good tea boosts the water holding capacity of the soil, thus the watering of foliage is minimized.
• It loosens clay soil by assisting water and air to penetrate. Also, it empowers sandy soil to conserve water and nutrients.
• Compost Tea contains beneficial microbes that fight off pests and diseases.

3. Alfalfa Meal or Pellets

It is a commonly used soil-nurturing meal that has existed for years. It’s a two-purpose meal – beneficial to animals and plants. Alfalfa meal is highly proteinous which makes it an adept buffet for soil pathogens.

Advantages

• Alfalfa has a hormone called triacontanol that triggers plant growth and supports photosynthesis which impedes phytoparasitic pests.
• It helps the soil to retain enough water which the plants will absorb during drought times.

Crop Monitoring provides a zoning feature that allows farmers to create a field productivity map. This map presents the least and most productive areas by grouping fields according to NDVI values and displaying information using a dynamic color or palette.

You can do all this with GeoPard’s cloud-based analytics for agricultural data. It helps you implement bioprospecting methods, recommending areas of the farm that make sense to use for special crops, trees, and flowers. And then the farmer gets subsidies from the government.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How do primary consumers make the soil more fertile?

Primary consumers, such as herbivorous animals, play a crucial role in making the soil more fertile through their feeding and waste deposition. As they consume plant material, they break it down into smaller particles, aiding in the process of decomposition.

Their waste, rich in organic matter and nutrients, gets deposited on the soil surface or incorporated into the soil through burrowing. This organic matter nourishes the soil, improves its structure, and enhances nutrient cycling, ultimately promoting fertility and supporting plant growth.

Understanding different soil types are key to their sustainable management, and this article will break down everything you need to know about types of soils and stewardship so that you can make the most of your soil.

Responsible farming is all about growing and building healthy soils in addition to crops. Soil fertility and biodiversity are directly related to crop productivity and nutrition, and determine the long-term agricultural productivity of a piece of land.

Farming communities around the world are experiencing the effects of poor soil management caused by industrial agriculture, where continuous soil degradation and erosion have created infertile dust bowls that are near impossible to cultivate.

What is soil?

Soil is a natural resource that forms on the Earth’s surface through a combination of weathering processes and the accumulation of organic matter. It is a complex mixture of minerals, organic material, water, air, and organisms.

It serves as a vital medium for plant growth, providing nutrients, water retention, and anchorage. It also plays a crucial role in filtering and storing water, supporting ecosystems, and cycling nutrients in the environment.

Types of soils and their characteristics with key features

Soils are typically grouped into six categories depending on their chemical composition, which determines how water and nutrients are retained and dictates which crops are most suitable for growing in them.

Soil composition can be sand, clay, loam, chalk, peat, or silt-based, and many soil systems will have fluctuations throughout them with patches that have higher concentrations of one component than another.

Let’s break each soil type down into its key features and characteristics, and how this translates in an agricultural context.

1. Sand

Sandy types of soils are, as you may have guessed, highly concentrated with sandy particles that create a very grainy but light growing medium. Characteristics include the quick drainage of water and other fluids, easy workability, and being soft and malleable for digging.

Since water drains efficiently through these soils, they are often noted for their lower nutrient availability and tendency to heat up and dry out quickly. Sandy soils also often have a lower average pH, making the most appropriate for plants that appreciate slight acidity in their soil profile.

Crops that appreciate well-draining soil and hot, dry conditions thrive in sandy soils. This includes herbs native to Mediterranean regions like rosemary, thyme, and oregano, as well as several species of tree such as bay laurel, fig, and olive trees.

The loose texture and lightness of the soil also make it easy for root vegetables to grow and expand without being impeded, so carrots, beetroot, parsnips, radish, and turnips are also compatible with this soil type.

2. Clay

Clay soils are just about the polar opposite of sandy soils, being very heavy with poor drainage capabilities. Since clay particles are so minuscule, the soil texture becomes much firmer and easily compacted, leaving few pathways for water to drain out.

Although the poor drainage of clay soils often makes them undesirable for agricultural purposes, they do typically contain high levels of nutrients and minerals that can be beneficial for certain crops.

Certain fruiting trees and vegetables in the Brassica family can tolerate clay soils but will grow best in a combination of clay/loam soil where they can uptake nutrients but also benefit from improved drainage.

3. Silt Type of Soil

Silty soils have a distinct silky and soft feeling, are typically quite fertile, and have the ideal balance of decent nutrient density without terrible drainage. Silt soils are usually easy to grow most crops in, although amendments for drainage may be needed for optimal crop performance.

Silty soils don’t compact as easily as clay soils and they are softer and lighter, however, they do lack a robust structure in their soil profile that can be improved through the planting of perennial crops whose root presence holds them together.

Perennial bushes and trees that enjoy moistly, fertile conditions are often the best option for silty soils.

4. Loam

Loamy soils are described as a balance between different combinations of the aforementioned soil types of sand, clay, and silt.

This is one of the most desirable and fertile soil types due to its ‘best of both worlds’ characteristics which means it contains the benefits of all three soil types it is made up of.

Loamy soils have good drainage, high nutrient availability, a well-structured profile, and are slow to heat up and cool creating a relatively temperature-stable environment for crops.

Most fruits and vegetables will grow very well in loamy soils, however since its composition is a somewhat delicate balance of three other soil types, it needs to be well maintained to prevent one component from taking over and tipping the scales.

Crop rotation is one of the best things for this soil, as it prevents the repeated planting of one single heavy feeder from depleting the soil of all of its beneficial traits.

5. Chalk

Soils that are chalky or rich in lime are characterized by their alkaline pH, due to the high concentrations of calcium carbonate present.

These types of soils and their characteristics usually originate from being on top of limestone or chalk bedrock and are often most arable when amended with organic matter and sulphuric fertilizers to improve nutrition and lower pH.

Chalky soils do tend to have excellent drainage due to the presence of larger particles and rocks, but these can also impede the growth of certain root vegetables.

6. Peat Type of Soil 

Peat soils present the opposite characteristics to chalk, as the presence of peat- which is decaying organic matter- creates acidic conditions that need to be alkalized for the successful growth of most crops.

Peat soils are light and fluffy and have a springy texture that soaks up water like a sponge.

Drainage is the main issue in peat soils, but they can be amended with lime or chalky soils (and vice versa) to balance out the acidity and improve drainage.

Determining Soil Types and Their Characteristics 

Since the six soil categories are distinguished by particle size, testing where on the spectrum your soil lies is all about feeling the grittiness versus smoothness of your soil, how easily it falls apart or glues together, and leaving it in a medium of water to see how the particles settle.

Soil test kits can provide detailed breakdowns of your soil profile, so for a conclusive diagnosis of the characteristics of your soil, you should purchase a professional testing kit.

The color of your soil can also be indicative of certain soil types, for example, peat soils are dark in color and can be almost black depending on the percentage of peat content.

Chalk soils, their opposite, will often have a white layer of dust or obvious chalk particles in the soil that make it instantly recognizable. Aside from this, there are two main tests you can do yourself to figure out what kind of soil you have:

See how it holds its shape

Grab a small handful of soil and squeeze it tightly with your hand for a few seconds before release. Observe the soil to see how it maintains or does not maintain its shape after squeezing.

Clay soils will be very mouldable and will keep the shape they have been squeezed into for a long time after release. Sandy soils will typically fall apart upon squeezing or become very crumbly.

Peat soil may release moisture upon squeezing, and bounce back a little upon release, like a sponge. Loam and silt soils will feel similar, very smooth and silky, and will keep their shape for a short period after release until they fall apart.

Observe how the particles settle in water

Place a good scoop of your soil in a large container of water, stir it, and then let it sit for around 10-12 hours. Afterward, observe how the particles have settled or dissolved in the water, as this indicates particle density and can be used to assess soil type.

Sandy soils have heavy particles that will settle at the bottom of your container in a thick layer and leave the water almost completely clear. Both clay and silt soils have the opposite effect, leaving cloudy water with just a thin layer of residue at the bottom of the container.

Loamy soils will also leave a thin layer of particles at the bottom of the container, in addition to a layer of very light particles at the surface, and the water will be mostly clear but just a little cloudy.

Peat soils look similar to loamy soils except they will have more of the lightweight particles floating on the surface of the liquid and only a very fine layer of heavy particles at the bottom.

Chalk soils will leave the water tinged with grey, and the particles settled at the bottom of the container will likely be white or grey in appearance.

How to Make the Most of Your Soil By Knowing Types and Their Characteristics 

Utilizing your specific soil type to your advantage is dependent on what crops you are trying to grow and their preferred conditions, but no matter the type of soil you have you should make sure to steward it by employing good and healthy soil management techniques.

Usually, soils that have an even balance of good drainage, nutrient availability, and robust structure are ideal for crops, like loam or silt-based soils, and if you are planning to grow a variety of frequently rotated crops then a fairly neutral pH is best.

If you have clay-heavy or super sandy soil, you can add amendments to balance out their undesirable characteristics or grow crops that are well-suited to your soil type. You are never 100% limited by the type of soil you have, but amendments will need to be consistently added in order to maintain a type that is opposite to yours – like clay to sand.

Soil is also not monogamous over large areas, so try to grow well-adapted crops wherever they are expected to thrive the most to save yourself time and money trying to permanently change conditions.

However, for cases when you do need to amend your soil to better suit your needs: lime can be added to very acidic soils, like peat-based ones, to raise the pH and make them more alkaline. Conversely, aluminum sulfate will lower your soil pH and create more acidic conditions in very alkaline or chalky soils.

Organic matter can be consistently added to chalky soils over time to create a build-up of nutrients and minerals that will gradually make them more hospitable to more crops.

In fact, organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure is a very productive addition to most soil types to improve their structure and balance them out.

Clay soils that suffer from poor drainage will become more aerated and loose with the addition of organic matter, and sandy soils will benefit from the nutrient addition and moisture retention they offer.

Aside from the addition of organic matter, key techniques for maintaining great soil health include mulching around crops and covering cropping beds in the winter.

Mulching with straw, wood chips, dead leaves, or using a living mulch-like clover benefits your soil by cooling the soil surface, retaining moisture, and suppressing weed growth.

Exposed soils are more likely to be eroded by wind and rain, or to become baked and deserted by the sun, neutralizing beneficial microorganisms and reducing their overall fertility.

For this same reason planting a cover crop, like clover, alfalfa, or legumes, in exposed soil beds after you have harvested your crops at the end of the season ensures that the soil is protected during the winter.

Cover crops offer the same benefits as mulches, but also support good soil structure and drainage with their root systems and can be harvested in the spring for use as green manure.

Another key component of healthy soils is their richness in organisms and life-like mycorrhizal fungal networks, beneficial bacteria, and a diversity of insect species.

These are often at high risk of being destroyed through excessive applications of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, or through the consistent disturbance of soil through practices like rototilling.

Employ responsible practices and use sustainable inputs that will encourage biodiversity in your soil ecosystem, so that your land can be farmed for many years to come and that the crops grown in it will be highly nutritious.

Making the best use of your specific soil type is all about maintaining good soil health and growing region-appropriate crops, whilst adding amendments when needed.

Consider what crops are native to your area and how they might be well suited to both your soil and climate and conduct soil tests to better understand the specifics of your soil chemistry.

Whatever your soil may be, build on it constantly by mulching, adding organic matter, and sowing cover crops and you will see the benefits it offers your crop quality and yields over time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What type of soil is generally most preferred for agriculture? 

The type of soil that is typically most preferred for agriculture is loam soil. Loam soil is a well-balanced soil type that consists of a mixture of sand, silt, and clay particles.

It offers good drainage capabilities while retaining sufficient moisture, providing an optimal environment for plant root growth and nutrient absorption. 

2. How many types of soil are there?

There are generally five main types of soil: sandy soil, clay soil, silt soil, peat soil, and loam soil. Each type has its own characteristics based on the proportion of sand, clay, silt, and organic matter present.

3. What type of sand holds its shape the best?

The type of sand that holds its shape the best is known as “sharp sand” or “angular sand.” Unlike rounded sand particles, sharp sand particles have rough edges and interlock with each other, providing better stability and cohesion.

This characteristic makes sharp sand ideal for construction purposes, such as creating stable foundations, as well as for enhancing soil drainage and aeration in gardening and landscaping applications.

4. Which two characteristics are important for soil or land that is used for farming?

Two important characteristics for soil or land used for farming are fertility and drainage. Fertility refers to the ability of the soil to provide essential nutrients and support plant growth. It is crucial for healthy crop development.

Drainage, on the other hand, refers to the soil’s ability to allow excess water to move away, preventing waterlogging and promoting aeration. Proper drainage is essential to maintain optimal soil moisture levels and prevent water-related issues in agricultural fields. 

5. Which type of soil holds the most water?

Silty soil typically holds the most water among different soil types. Silty soil has a fine texture and is composed of small particles, allowing it to retain more water than sandy or clayey soils.

The fine particles create small spaces that can hold water for longer periods, making it beneficial for crops that require consistent moisture.

This water-holding capacity of silty soil helps to sustain plant growth and minimize the risk of drought stress in agricultural fields.

6. Is sand a soil?

Sand is a component of soil, but it is not considered soil on its own. Soil is a mixture of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air.

Sand is a type of mineral particle that is larger in size compared to silt and clay particles. When sand is combined with other soil components, it contributes to the overall texture and composition of the soil, influencing its fertility and drainage properties.

7. How to make loam soil?

To make loam soil, you can start by combining equal parts of sand, silt, and clay. Mix these components thoroughly to create a well-balanced soil texture.

Additionally, incorporate organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to enhance nutrient content and improve soil structure. 

8. What are three characteristics of the agricultural revolution?

The agricultural revolution is characterized by three key aspects. Firstly, it involved the transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to settled farming communities which highlighted the importance of soil.

Secondly, it introduced the cultivation of crops and the domestication of animals for food production. Lastly, it led to the development of agricultural techniques and tools, enabling increased food production and population growth. 

Crop monitoring is a crucial tool that allows crop growers to detect problem areas and mitigate the risk of yield losses.

Easily monitor your crop development by relying on the latest satellite imagery. Add your field boundary to the system and access the complete satellite imagery archive on one screen:

• Assessment of crop development conditions.
• Detection of vegetation anomalies in near-real time.
• Scout spots with different levels of crop development.
• View through the clouds.

Translate the satellite imagery crop monitoring insights into fieldwork actions and benefit from making the data-driven decisions:

• Detect the difference in crop vegetation between the latest images and scout the focused areas for tissue sampling.
• Create Variable Rate Application maps for crop protection and in-season fertilization based on near-real-time field assessment and collect the execution report.
• Mark the damaged field areas after a weather disaster or a disease or a pest attack and send reports to the insurance.

Learn more

What exactly is soil conservation, and how can we become involved? Soil offers the firmament on which we live and develop. It gives nutrients to trees, plants, crops, animals, and a hundred million microorganisms, all of which are required for life to continue on Earth.

If the soil becomes unsuitable or unstable, the entire process comes to a halt; nothing else can grow or break down. To avoid this, we must be aware of the beautiful ecosystem that exists beneath our feet. 

What is soil conservation?

Soil contains nutrients that are necessary for plant growth, animal life, and millions of microorganisms. The life cycle, however, comes to a halt if the soil becomes unhealthy, unstable, or polluted.

Definition: Soil conservation refers to the practices and strategies implemented to prevent soil erosion, maintain soil fertility, and ensure a healthy soil ecosystem.

It’s about managing the soil to prevent its destruction or degradation, which could be caused by a variety of factors, including agricultural activities, industrialization, urbanization, deforestation, and natural events like floods or landslides.

It is concerned with keeping soils healthy through a variety of methods and techniques. Individuals who are committed to conservation assist to keep it fertile and productive while also protecting it from erosion and degradation.

Why are soil conservation practices important?

Conservation cropping systems rely heavily it. There are numerous advantages for producers who opt to use soil conservation methods on their farms.

Profit Enhancement:

• Yields are comparable to or higher than traditional tillage.
• Cut down on the amount of fuel and labor used.
• It requires less time.
• Lowering the cost of machinery repair and maintenance.
• Potential cost savings on fertilizer and herbicides.

Improved Environment:

• Increased soil productivity and quality.
• Less erosion.
• Increased infiltration and storage of water.
• Better air and water quality.
• Offers food and shelter to wildlife.

Soil Formation Factors

• Parent material refers to the rocks and deposits that formed the soil.
• The climate in which the soils formed.
• Living organisms that altered soils.
• The land’s topography or slope.
• The geological time span during which the soils have evolved (age of the soil).

Ten good reasons to adapt soil conservation practices

The following are the top 10 reasons:

1. Soil is not a renewable natural resource. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), forming a centimeter of soil might take hundreds to thousands of years. However, erosion can cause a single centimeter of soil to be lost in a single year.
2. To maintain a steady supply of food at economical rates. It has been shown to boost agricultural output quality and quantity over time by retaining topsoil and preserving the soil’s long-term productivity.
3. Soil serves as the basis for our structures, roads, homes, and schools. In truth, the soil has an impact on how structures are constructed.
4. Beneficial soil microbes live in soils; these creatures are nature’s unseen helpers. They develop synergistic interactions with plants, among other things, to protect them from stress and nourish them with nutrients.
5. Soils remove dust, chemicals, and other impurities from surface water. This is why underground water is one of the purest water sources.
6. Farmers benefit from healthier soils because they increase agricultural yields and protect plants from stress.
7. To enhance wildlife habitat. Techniques for conservation of soil such as establishing buffer strips and windbreaks, as well as restoring soil organic matter, considerably improve the quality of the environment for all types of animals.
8. For purely aesthetic grounds. To make the scenery more appealing and gorgeous.
9. To contribute to the creation of a pollution-free environment in which we can live safely.
10. For our children’s future, so that they will have adequate soil to support life. According to legend, the land was not so much given to us by our forefathers as it was borrowed from our children.

Soil conservations methods and techniques

There are a variety of useful measures and methods for conservation of soil available, some of which humans have used since the dawn of time. The following are some of the most common examples of such practices:

1. Conservation tillage

Conservation tillage is an agro management method that seeks to reduce the intensity or frequency of tillage operations in order to realize both environmental and economic benefits.

Conventional tillage refers to the traditional way of farming in which soil is prepared for planting by thoroughly inverting it with a tractor-pulled plow, followed by tilting further in order to level the surface of the soil for crop cultivation.

It, on the other hand, is a tillage approach that reduces plowing intensity while keeping crop residue to conserve soil, water, and energy resources. Planting, growing, and harvesting crops with as little disturbance to the surface of the soil as feasible is what conserved tillage entails. 

Soil tillage promotes microbial decomposition of organic matter in the soil, resulting in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. As a result, reducing tillage encourages carbon sequestration in the soil.

Many crops can now be produced with minimal tillage thanks to advances in weed control technology and farm machinery over the previous few decades. There are several types of conservation tillage: 

It necessitates the management of crop remains on the soil surface. Crop residues, a renewable resource, are important in conservation tillage.

When crop residues are managed properly, they protect soil resources, improve soil quality, restore degraded ecosystems, improve nutrient cycling, increase water and availability, enhance pest suppression, such as weed and nematode suppression, reduce runoff and off-site nutrient leaching, and sustain and improve crop productivity and profitability. 

It can be used in conjunction with other measures to maximize the soil benefits of reduced tillage and increased surface coverage. 

2. Contour farming

Contour plowing lowers runoff while also assisting crops and soil in maintaining a steady altitude. It is accomplished by furrowing the land with contour lines between the crops. This strategy was used by the ancient Phoenicians and has been shown to retain more soil and enhance crop yields by 10% to 50%.

3. Strip cropping

Strip cropping is a farming technique used when a slope is too steep or too long, or when there is no other way to prevent soil erosion.

It alternates strips of closely planted crops like hay, wheat, or other small grains with strips of row crops like maize, soybeans, cotton, or sugar beets. Strip cropping helps to prevent soil erosion by providing natural dams for water, thus preserving soil strength.

Certain plant layers absorb minerals and water from the soil more efficiently than others. When water hits the weaker soil, which lacks the minerals required to strengthen it, it usually washes it away.

When strips of soil are strong enough to restrict the flow of water through them, the weaker topsoil cannot wash away as easily as it would ordinarily. As a result, arable land remains fertile for much longer.

4. Windbreaks

Windbreaks are an excellent approach for conservation of soil and reducing soil erosion in flat farming settings.

This is made easier by planting rows of dense trees between the crops — evergreens are a wonderful year-round solution for this — or by planting crops in an unconventional fashion.

Deciduous trees may also function if they can stand vigil all year.  

5. Crop rotation

Crop rotation is a fantastic strategy to combat soil infertility and has been used with great success for as long as there have been crops to grow. Crop rotation is regarded as excellent practice in organic farming by the Rodale Institute.

Crop rotation is the technique of cultivating a variety of crops in the same location over the course of a growing season. The nutritional requirements of various crops vary.

Because the crops are rotated each season, the approach decreases reliance on a single source of nutrients.  

6. Cover crops

Cover crops are an essential component of the stability of the conservation agriculture system, both for their direct and indirect effects on characteristics and for their ability to encourage enhanced biodiversity in the agro-ecosystem. 

While commercial crops have a market value, cover crops are mostly produced for soil fertility or as fodder for livestock. Cover crops are beneficial in areas where less biomass is produced, such as semi-arid (dry) areas and eroded soils, because they:

• Protect the soil during fallow periods.
• Mobilize and recycle nutrients.
• Enhance soil structure and break compacted layers as well as hardpans.
• Allow for rotation in a monoculture.
• Can be used to control pests, weeds, or break soil compactness.

To make use of the moisture that is residual in the soil, cover crops are frequently grown during periods of fallow, such as the period between crop harvest and the next planting.

Their growth is stopped before or after the next crop is planted, but prior to the rivalry between the two types of crops commences. Another excellent soil conservation practice that reduces erosion from runoff water is the use of cover crops.

7. Buffer strips

Buffer strips are permanently vegetated zones that safeguard water quality between a canal and a farm field. Buffer strips aid in soil retention by slowing and sifting storm flow. As a result, the amount of hazardous phosphorus that enters our lakes may be minimized.

A buffer strip begins at the edge of the water and extends at least 30 feet inward towards the land, providing aesthetic surroundings and a habitat for wildlife.

Buffers aid in the retention of soils and can also be used to grow plants that can be gathered and used as animal feed. Buffers exist in a variety of shapes and sizes, including:

• Harvestable buffer strips –These are crop buffers that can also be harvested later on for forage by farmers.
• Contour buffer strip – utilized in sloped agricultural areas to prevent erosion and limit downhill precipitation velocity.
• Shoreline gardens – a buffer between a manicured residential lawn and a lake.

Benefits of buffers

• Less soil erosion – They aid in the retention and conservation of soil.
• Wildlife habitat – provides food and cover for wildlife.
• Protect and extend stream health – prevents loose silt from filling drainage ditches and streams.
• Streambank integrity – more vegetation stabilizes the stream bank.
• Aesthetic appeal.

8. Grassed waterways

Grassed waterways are shallow, broad, saucer-shaped pathways that carry surface water over fields without causing any erosion to the soil.

The river’s plant cover tends to slow the flow of water and protects the channel surface from erosion forces induced by runoff water. If left alone, runoff and snowmelt water will drain into a field’s natural draws or drainage pathways. 

Grassed waterways securely move water down natural draws through fields when appropriately scaled and created.

Waterways also serve as outlets for terrace systems, contour cropping patterns, and diversion channels. When the watershed area generating the runoff water is quite big, grassed rivers are a good solution to soil erosion caused by concentrated water flows. 

How it helps

• Grass cover protects the canal from gully erosion and captures sediment in runoff water.
• Vegetation can also filter and absorb some of the pollutants and nutrients in runoff water.
• Vegetation serves as a safe haven for little birds and animals.

9. Terrace

Terracing is an agricultural process that involves rearranging cropland or converting hills into agriculture by building particular ridged platforms. Terraces are the name given to these platforms. 

Terrace farming is an efficient and, in many cases, the only solution for hilly farmlands. Terraces are a fantastic water and soil conservation structure to use if you have sloping fields in your operation to decrease erosion and conserve moisture on steep slopes.

The types of terraces that can be employed (narrow-based, broad-based, or terrace channels) are adaptable to your demands and soil type, and they can be spaced based on erosion possibilities and equipment considerations. 

Terraces play a significant role in minimizing soil erosion by delaying and lowering the energy of runoff. Some terraces collect drainage water and redirect it underground rather than overland as runoff.

If erosion is a major problem on sloping terrain, one option to explore is a terrace system to slow and manage surface runoff and prevent soil erosion.

Once created, a terrace, like any conservation technique, demands hands-on monitoring and upkeep to ensure peak effectiveness. 

10. Drop inlets and rock chutes

A drop inlet, also known as a shaft spillway, is made up of a vertical intake pipe and a horizontal underground conduit pipe.

Water enters the vertical pipe at ground level and descends below, where it is safely channeled through a massive concrete, metal, or plastic pipe into a spillway such as a stream or ditch. 

A rock chute spillway is a construction that allows surface water to flow safely into an exit. This type of spillway aids in bank stabilization by reducing retrogressive erosion of waterway bottoms (furrows and ditches) and the production of erosional gullies in fields.

This adaptable, low-cost, and effective construction is easily altered to the location and has minimal disadvantages for agricultural techniques. However, unlike a building with a sedimentation basin, it does not allow for water retention or the sedimentation of soil particles in runoff water.

The rock chute spillway is used to alleviate erosion problems at the bottom of fields, at the outlet of a furrow, an interception channel, a grassed waterway, or anywhere water flows into a stream. 

Drop inlets and rock chutes are frequently used to “step” water down where there are abrupt elevation changes, thus protecting soil from erosion.

Livestock dung, mulch, municipal sewage, and legume plants such as alfalfa and clover are examples of natural fertilizers. Manure and sludge are put to the field by spreading it out and then kneading it into the soil.

Timing applications must adhere to strict restrictions, as both sludge and manure can cause significant water contamination if managed improperly. Grown legumes like clover or alfalfa are subsequently tilled into the soil as “green fertilizer.”

Natural fertilizers, like chemical fertilizers, replenish the soil with important elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They do, however, have the added benefit of contributing organic matter to the soil. 

 11. Bank stabilization

Bank stabilization is another method of soil conservation. It refers to any technique used to keep soil in place on a bank or in a river. Here, the soil can be eroded by waves, stream currents, ice, and surface runoff.

Advantages of bank stabilization are decreased soil erosion, increased water quality, and a more aesthetically pleasing setting.

Gabion baskets, re-vegetation, and rip rap are three typical methods for controlling erosion at a stream or riverbank. The first two options rely on loose rock to preserve the underlying loose soil surface by cushioning the impact of stream water on the bank.

The term “rip-rap” refers to loose rock on a steeply sloping bank. Riprap, on the other hand, can survive the rigors of ice and frost, whereas concrete may fracture.

Gabion baskets are usually wire baskets filled with rocks. The wire baskets hold the rock in place. They are frequently used on steeper slopes and in regions where water flows quicker.

Planting along the shoreline might also help to stabilize stream banks. Shrubs, natural grasses, and trees slow the flow of water across the soil and trap silt, keeping it out of the water. 

12. Organic or ecological growing

Organic farming is a farming practice that includes ecologically based pest treatments and biological fertilizers obtained mostly from animal and plant wastes, as well as nitrogen-fixing cover crops.

Modern organic farming evolved in response to the environmental damage caused by the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in conventional agriculture, and it offers significant ecological benefits.

Organic farming, when compared to conventional agriculture, utilizes fewer pesticides, lowers soil erosion, reduces nitrate leaching into groundwater and surface water, and recycles animal feces back into the farm. 

13. Sediment control

Similar to how agricultural soil erosion affects yields and plant growth, urban soil erosion reduces the possibility of healthy landscape plantings. This is especially true during urbanization when mass grading alters the natural soil profile and results in a large loss of topsoil. 

When soil is subjected to the effects of rainfall, the volume, and velocity of runoff increase. This causes a chain reaction that results in sediment movement and deposition, lower stream capacity, and, eventually, increased stream scour and floods. 

Though temporary, erosion and sediment control methods safeguard water resources from sediment contamination and increases in flow caused by active land development and redevelopment activities. Sediment and related nutrients are kept from leaving disturbed regions and polluting waterways by keeping soil on-site. 

Erosion control measures are primarily aimed to minimize soil particle detachment and transportation, whereas sediment control are designed to confine eroding soil on-site. This method of soil conservation is thought to be a more practical approach. 

14. Integrated pest management

Pests are a huge nuisance for farmers and have been a major difficulty to deal with, while pesticides damage nature by leaking into the water and the atmosphere.

It is critical to replace synthetic pesticides with organic ones wherever possible, to build biological enemies of pests whenever possible, to rotate crop types to avoid expanding insect populations in the same field for years, and to use alternative strategies in complex situations. 

Integrated pest management (IPM) employs a number of strategies aimed at reducing the usage of chemical pesticides and, as a result, environmental hazards.

Crop rotation is the foundation of IPM. Pests are starved out and less likely to establish themselves in harmful numbers the next year when crops are rotated from year to year. Crop rotation has been shown to be an effective pest management approach.

To control pest populations, IPM also employs pest-resistant crops and biological measures such as the discharge of pest predators or parasites.

Although IPM takes more time, the benefits of soil conservation, a better environment, and lower pesticide expenditures are undeniable. 

15. Soil health by region

Farmers can utilize a range of measures to maintain the health of their soils. Some of these techniques include avoiding tilling the land, planting cover crops in between growing seasons, and switching the crop variety grown on each field. 

According to a recent study, soil health information is commonly oversimplified. Farms don’t all yield the same outcomes. While one technique may be advantageous to one person, it may be problematic for another depending on where they live. 

More specific trends in soil health are best observed and evaluated at the regional to the considerable diversity in landscape, inherent soil quality, and farming practices. Let’s take a look at the soil specifics of Canadian provinces.

a. British Columbia

The need for soil protection varies substantially in British Columbia due to the wide range of cropping intensities. The greatest danger to soil conservation is posed by high-value specialty crops, as well as the heavy tillage and mechanical traffic that goes with them.

The bulk of BC’s agricultural land is under high to severe risk of water erosion when the soils are bare.

In the Fraser Valley, this is due to heavy rainfall and some steep cultivated slopes; in the Peace River region, it is due to easily eroded silty soils and vast fields with lengthy slopes at the foot of which melted snow runoff collect and washes soil away.

Conservation efforts, however, have considerably reduced these dangers over the previous several decades.

b. Prairie Provinces

Many arable soils on the plains and grasslands are subject to wind erosion and salinization as a result of the strains of a dry climate. Vulnerable soils are also prone to water erosion, especially following summer storms or spring runoff.

Severe wind erosion prompted the establishment of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration in 1935, which took quick and extreme measures to address the problem.  

When wind erosion became more widespread, efforts were reintroduced to encourage the use of conservation practices from the mid-20th century onwards.

Improvements can be attributed to reduced use of summer fallow and increasing use of conservation tillage and other erosion controls, such as permanent grass cover and shelterbelts.

The risk of soil salinity has decreased in some areas due to greater use of permanent vegetation cover and less frequent use of summer fallow.

c. Ontario and Québec

Crops such as corn and soybeans are abundantly cultivated in central Canada. These crops are planted early and harvested late because they require the longest growing season possible. The soil is frequently moist while these processes are carried out, resulting in the compaction of the soil.

Moreover, these plants may lead to inadequate soil protection from rain and snowmelt erosion for prolonged periods of the year.

Soil conservation methods like minimum and no-tillage retain crop residues on the surface of the soil and reduce heavily loaded mechanical activity.

Crop rotation and the regular use of clover or alfalfa hay crops increase soil organic matter, culminating in a better soil structure and less stress.

Manure and an adequate amount of fertilizer have a similar impact. Seeding places where runoff water collects to generate grassed streams also helps to reduce soil erosion.

Wind erosion is rarely a problem, and it is usually restricted to locations where the soil is sandy or contains organic material (e.g., cultivated marshes).

Windbreaks can be established in these sites by planting rows of trees or bushes, and agricultural leftovers can be retained on the surface of the ground to protect the soils from wind erosion.

d. Atlantic Canada

The soils in none of the four Atlantic Provinces are very productive. The soils are frequently depleted by nature and are often acidic. The intensive cultivation of vegetable crops and potatoes has further lowered organic matter levels, harmed soil structure, and resulted in severe soil erosion on sloping grounds.

Farmers are combating these concerns by utilizing conservation techniques. Terraces, which are regular canals created across hills, are becoming more popular in the potato-growing areas of New Brunswick.

By decreasing the length of the slopes, the terraces limit runoff water buildup. They transport the water to the field’s edge. They also encourage farmers to plant crop rows across the slope rather than up and down the hill, which ultimately reduces soil erosion caused by runoff.

Crop rotation is another method of soil conservation in which potatoes are planted alternately with cereal crops (such as clover and barley). Grassed rivers are also employed in regions where water pools naturally, decreasing the danger of erosion and carving gullies through the soil.

In this region, the usage of significant amounts of fertilizer for the potato crop frequently raises soil acidity. Farmers apply ground limestone to the soil and mix it using plowing tools to regulate soil acidity. 

To Sum Up

Conserving soil is a major concern for individuals, farmers, and businesses because it is critical not only to use land productively and provide high yields but also to be able to do so in the future.

Even though its impacts might not be visible in the short term, they will be beneficial to future generations.

By integrating various methods of pest and weed control, different ways of conservation help to prevent erosion, maintain fertility, avoid deterioration, as well as reduce natural pollution caused by chemicals. Therefore, conservation initiatives provide a great contribution to the long-term viability of the environment and its resources.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What are the 4 methods of soil conservation?

There are four primary methods of soil conservation. The first is contour plowing, second is terracing, the third is windbreaks, and the fourth method is cover cropping,

2. Which of the following best explains why soil conservation is important to human agriculture?

It is crucial for human agriculture because it helps maintain soil fertility, prevent erosion, and preserve the health of ecosystems. By implementing conservation practices, farmers can ensure that their land remains productive and sustainable in the long run. It also helps to protect water quality by preventing soil erosion and the runoff of harmful chemicals into water bodies.

3. Which farming strategy conserves soil?

One farming strategy that helps conserve soil is the implementation of cover cropping. Cover crops, such as legumes or grasses, are planted during fallow periods or after harvest to cover the soil surface. They protect the soil from erosion, improve soil structure, and add organic matter when incorporated.

4. Why do we conserve soil from erosion?

Conserving soil from erosion is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, soil erosion leads to the loss of valuable topsoil, which is rich in nutrients necessary for plant growth.

Additionally, eroded soil can clog waterways, negatively impacting water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

Moreover, erosion reduces soil’s water-holding capacity and diminishes its ability to support plant roots.

5. Which agricultural practice involves planting crops after the cash crop is harvested to protect soil from runoff?

The agricultural practice that involves planting crops after the cash crop is harvested to protect the soil from runoff is known as cover cropping. Cover crops are typically planted during the off-season or between cash crops to help prevent reduce nutrient runoff.

6. How is soil polluted and how soil can be conserved?

Soil pollution can occur through various human activities such as industrial waste disposal, improper use of pesticides and fertilizers, mining operations, and improper waste management.

These activities introduce harmful substances and contaminants into the soil, negatively impacting its quality and fertility. It involves adopting practices to prevent soil degradation and contamination.

7. What is the main mechanical method used by farmers to control soil erosion?

The main mechanical method used by farmers to control soil erosion is the implementation of various types of soil conservation structures.

One common method is the construction of terraces, which are horizontal platforms built on sloping land to slow down the flow of water and prevent erosion.

Farmers also use contour plowing, where they plow parallel to the land’s contours to minimize the length and speed of water runoff.

8. Which is the best way of conserving soil on steep slopes?

The best way of conserving soil on steep slopes is through the implementation of terracing. Terracing involves creating level platforms or steps across the slope, which help to slow down water runoff, reduce erosion, and retain soil moisture.

9. Which of the following is an example of using technology to help conserve soil?

One example of using technology to help conserve soil is the implementation of precision agriculture. Precision agriculture involves the use of advanced technologies such as GPS, sensors, and remote sensing to gather data and make informed decisions regarding soil management.

This allows farmers to apply fertilizers and irrigation more accurately, minimizing waste and reducing the potential for soil degradation.

10. How does no till farming help conserve soil fertility?

11. Which soil conservation technique involves plowing and planting crops in rows across the slope of the land rather than up and down?

The conservation technique that involves plowing and planting crops in rows across the slope of the land is called contour farming. By following the contour lines, water runoff is slowed down, reducing the risk of soil erosion.

12. How can buffer strips have a positive impact on waterways?

Buffer strips can have a positive impact on waterways by acting as a natural filter and reducing water pollution. These strips of vegetation, such as grass or trees, are planted alongside rivers, streams, or other water bodies. They help to trap sediment, nutrients, and pollutants that may otherwise enter the water, improving its quality.

13. Can plants stop soil erosion?

Yes, plants can play a significant role in preventing soil erosion. The roots of plants help bind the soil particles together, creating a stable structure that is less prone to erosion. The above-ground parts of plants, such as leaves and stems, act as a barrier that slows down the force of wind and water, reducing their erosive power.

14. How to prevent soil salinization?

To prevent soil salinization, several measures can be taken. Proper irrigation management is crucial, including the use of saline-tolerant crops and efficient watering techniques that minimize waterlogging. Implementing proper drainage systems helps to flush out excess salts from the soil.

Applying organic matter and amendments can improve soil structure and reduce salt accumulation. Lastly, practicing crop rotation and maintaining proper soil pH levels can help prevent soil salinization.

15. What causes soil to be acidic?

Soil acidity can be caused by several factors. One common cause is the presence of acidic parent materials, such as certain types of rock. Acidic rainfall, high levels of organic matter decomposition, and leaching of basic minerals can also contribute to soil acidity.

Human activities, such as excessive use of acidic fertilizers or pollution from industrial emissions, can further acidify the soil. These factors can affect the pH balance of the soil, leading to increased acidity.