There are many methods are available to predict soil available nutrients such as soil testing, plant testing, nutrient deficiency / toxicity symptoms on plant foliage etc. and recommending fertilizers without assessing the existing natural minerals resources. In this connection, study on the identification and quantification soil mineral resources, release pattern and prevailing environment may be highly useful not only to recommend nutrients and forms of nutrients suitable for particular crop besides saving of cost on unwanted application of fertilizers.
The execution of pedological and soil mineral resource based fertilizer application may also pave way for organic farming to great extend. Soil Scientist, pedologist and geomorphologist may start new dimension of discussion on this topic.
Pedology is the study of soils in their natural environment. Pedology, in its broad sense includes soil survey, mapping, geomorphology, soil micromorphology, and soil and clay mineralogy with special reference to soil formation. Soil structure is an essential property of soil quality because it impacts the storage of carbon, inorganic phosphorus (Pi) availability, plant growth, and nutrient absorption. Soil aggregates, especially water-stable aggregate is a well-recognized part and an important index to evaluate soil structure . Fertilization has been proved to affect the formation of soil aggregates. Biofertilizers are now an effective way to increase crop yield and soil health in organic farming. The use of minerals that contain fertilizer nutrients in their native state is a very promising approach to reducing emissions associated with the processing chemical industries. Soil minerals serve as both sources and sinks of essential plant nutrients. Alteration in the pedological features by the plant community causes significant modification in the environment.
Pedological and soil mineral resource-based fertilizer application plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy plant products through organic farming. Here's how:
1. **Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) and Crop Yield**: Organic fertilizers, applied alone or in combination with mineral fertilizers, have a positive influence on soil organic carbon (SOC) and crop yield¹[1]. The intensive use of mineral fertilizers may harm the environment and destroy soil fertility due to the loss of soil organic matter¹[1]. Organic fertilizers can deal with these challenges, although farmers need to improve their knowledge for applying them in fertilization programs¹[1].
2. **Bio-Based Fertilizers (BBFs)**: BBFs have been promoted as a solution to help manage bio-waste problems and improve soil health conditions²[2]. Their potential is to replace mineral fertilizers due to nonrenewable energy dependency and the accumulation that threatens environmental issues²[2]. However, the implementation of BBFs needs more attention due to the contamination of heavy metals and pathogens²[2].
3. **Phosphorous Application**: Phosphorous application through organic amendments substantially improves the soil carbon retention resulting in higher crop harvests, preserving carbon in the surface soil, and increasing crop yields³[3].
4. **Liquid Organic Fertilizers**: These fertilizers are another sustainable agriculture option⁴[4]. They can provide essential nutrients to crops, improve soil structure, and enhance the biological activities of soils⁴[4].
In summary, the application of organic and mineral resource-based fertilizers in organic farming can significantly contribute to soil health, crop productivity, and environmental sustainability. However, it's important to consider the specific needs of the soil and crops, and potential environmental impacts when choosing and applying these fertilizers.
(1) Influence of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Soil Organic Carbon and .... https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/agriculture/agriculture-12-00464/article_deploy/agriculture-12-00464-v2.pdf?version=1648292062.
(2) Opportunities and challenges of bio-based fertilizers utilization for .... https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13165-023-00432-7.
(3) Organic Phosphorous as an Alternative to Mineral Phosphatic Fertilizers .... https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-16155-1_3.
(4) Liquid Organic Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture: Nutrient ... - PLOS. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0161619.
(5) undefined. https://doi.org/10.3390/.
(6) undefined. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161619.t001.
(7) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_fertility.
According to the right opinions of scientists; Dr. Prem Baboo and Raghad Mouhamad:
In general, agricultural soils are inherently unstable. For this reason, they change against human operational decisions (low awareness). These changes are directly related to the use of unnatural fertilizer components. Therefore, the use of natural or Bio-Based Fertilizers provides the basis for more sustainability and maintaining the health of agricultural products. In this regard, the following research can provide information in these fields.
Article The Vicious Circle of Climate Challenges with Soil in 5 Cont...
- Badges
- Science method