Very articulatively placed question . In command area , depending upon geomorphology , soil tilth is perhaps most important and then let the its cascading effects on soil fertility be realised on crop production . Conservation agricultuitre coupled with organic farming could also be one component , besides adopting conventional agriculture . And more importantly , a robust mechanism to identify the soil fertility constraints is seriously needed to sustain the agriculture in commend areas.
Definitely soil depth is a major concern in the command area. However, in general, soil fertility evaluation can be carried out using a range of field and laboratory diagnostic techniques and empirical technical models that quantitatively relates indicators of soil fertility to crop response. The diagnostic technique includes chemical and biological soil tests, visual observations of plant growth for nutrient deficiency or toxicity symptoms and chemical analysis of plant tissues. New approaches includes passive or active optical sensing technologies and geographical information systems that facilitate land-scape scale site-specific assessment of soil fertility and can better describe and address the temporal and spatial variability of soil fertility.
Parent material , Organic matter, Humidity, Temperature, Climate & others.
Conservation of natural resources in a given command area needs first priority ..soil fertility will automatically be addressed
Geography , acquifers capacity , land use pattern, length of growing period , pattern of changes in soil carbon pool etc also contribute towards success of commend agriculture
Soil organic matter content should be considered as a best friend of soil and a promoter of good soil behaviour and environment- friendly. Organic matter leaves soil safe and healthy. Invariably, organic matter is a strong factor in capacity of the soil to hold nutrients
What mechanisms shall we follow to monitor the changes in soil fertility / health and other resources being used for agriculture of a command area.
command
As noted the soil has geological, physical, chemical and biological aspects. To get a good assessment of this we need to employ a diverse array of assessment methodology and technology to understand it. This needs to employ a set of goals a baseline of an original condition and an ongoing assessment of the changes from the baselines under intervention technology. let me give an example most soils are limited currently on their soil carbon content. If your soil is less than 1% soil organic carbon you will need to assess a goal of targeting its improvement. Start with a complete soil analysis as possible and then project a change in your farming practices which can mitigate your soil condition. The next step is to have some sort of ongoing record keeping of the ledger to overtime assessing the improvement of your soil conditions. What you can start to understand this requires a long-term plan and perseverance in it. It als requires an investment in the monitoring and following of data. Besides limitations in soil carbon, you will probably want to look at soil pH, the Nitrogen content and dynamic, soil P, the content of K secondary nutrients and minor nutrients. A good thing about starting like this is that as pH and soil organic matter are addressed the whole gamut of other conditions such as soil structure and biological activity as well as the chemical state. Some thoughts on command agriculture.
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