What is the importance of soil fertility in agriculture and fertility of agricultural soil depends upon and farmers maintain the fertility of their lands?
The main function provided by a fertile soil is the provision of food, which is very important. A fertile soil also provides essential nutrients for plant growth, to produce healthy food with all the necessary nutrients needed for human health. Among features of climate, temperature and rainfall are the ones that affect the soil fertility. Crops yield obtained from fields depends on rainfall and temperature. Greenhouse gases have a great impact on climate which in turn has an effect on temperature and rainfall. The two types of substances which are added two the fields by the farmers to maintain the fertility of soil are manure and fertilizer.
The main meaning of soil fertility in agriculture is to obtain the maximum possible yields of agricultural crops that the farmer grows. Proper selection of crops will provide the grower with such a profit that it will be possible to invest part of it in maintaining the level of soil fertility. Soil fertility can be potential and actual. Potential fertility is provided by natural factors of fertility and climate, as well as the level of application of agrochemicals and melioration techniques. Actual fertility is the harvest in each particular year, which depends on a complex of factors. In doing so, one should remember the law of the minimum in agriculture.
Soil fertility can be further improved by incorporating cover crops that add organic matter to the soil, which leads to improved soil structure and promotes a healthy, fertile soil; by using green manure or growing legumes to fix nitrogen from the air through the process of biological nitrogen fixation. Among features of climate, temperature and rainfall are the ones that affect the soil fertility. Crops yield obtained from fields depends on rainfall and temperature. Greenhouse gases have a great impact on climate which in turn has an effect on temperature and rainfall. Soil pH helps in maintaining the nutrient availability of the soil. A pH range between 5.5-7 is optimum for soil fertility. Land fertility is proportional to the amount of humus present. Humus contains nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, necessary for most plants. Humus increases soil fertility, creating an ideal microclimate for crop development with a favorable temperature, adequate moisture, and air. The plains generally have deep and fertile soil. As they have a flat surface, the means of irrigation can be easily developed. That is why plains are called as the 'Food baskets of the world'. By replacing inorganic matter with organic matter, you can avoid the negative impacts of artificial pesticides and fertilizers that slowly contaminate and deteriorate your soil. The main function provided by a fertile soil is the provision of food, which is very important. A fertile soil also provides essential nutrients for plant growth, to produce healthy food with all the necessary nutrients needed for human health. Loamy-textured soils are commonly described as medium textured with functionally-equal contributions of sand, silt, and clay. These medium-textured soils are often considered ideal for agriculture as they are easily cultivated by farmers and can be highly productive for crop growth.
Let me add the answer of the respected professor Rk Naresh. I think, first of all, you need to know the natural fertility, the properties of the soil that were originally there when it was formed. These are pH, humus, mechanical properties, particle size distribution, colloidal properties, and so on. Based on this, it is necessary to plan a system for preserving and increasing soil fertility, based on the conditions of the area, climate, and the degree of fertility decline. The system includes a set of agrotechnical measures (tillage, selection of crops, legumes, use of stubble and intermediate crops), agrochemical measures (fertilization, green manure, organic fertilizers, melioration) and others. I completely agree with professor Rk Naresh, that the plains are the most fertile territories on Earth, because historically soil fertility was formed there.
Soil plays a vital role in the Earth's ecosystem and without soil; human life would be very difficult. Soil provides plants a foothold for their roots and holds the necessary nutrients for plants to grow. Soil filters the rainwater and regulates the discharge of excess rainwater, preventing flooding. The main function provided by a fertile soil is the provision of food, which is very important. A fertile soil also provides essential nutrients for plant growth, to produce healthy food with all the necessary nutrients needed for human health. Among features of climate, temperature and rainfall are the ones that affect the soil fertility. Crops yield obtained from fields depends on rainfall and temperature. Greenhouse gases have a great impact on climate which in turn has an effect on temperature and rainfall. Soil pH helps in maintaining the nutrient availability of the soil. A pH range between 5.5-7 is optimum for soil fertility. Soil fertility can be further improved by incorporating cover crops that add organic matter to the soil, which leads to improved soil structure and promotes a healthy, fertile soil; by using green manure or growing legumes to fix nitrogen from the air through the process of biological nitrogen fixation. A soil's natural fertility depends largely on the parent materials from which the soil has developed and the original vegetation. Nutrients are held in the soil as electrically charged ions that can be positive or negative.
I do agree with you all, but I have to add that convetional agriculture also destroy soil fertility.. they use humus and organic matter that was created in centuries, their primary function is to keep the nutrients and water into the soil, avoiding the run off processes such as nutrient leaching and soil erosion. Then they try to replace organic matter etc with mineral fertilizers, just from bad to worst.. with pesticides they kill a huge part of microbical live in the soil that, with the ruminants, was the one who had created the soil fertility that we are destroying and that as you said before is necessary to increase the yields. It is not only about organic matter, it is also the age and composition of the soil organic matter, it's not the same to keep the natural soil fertility without extruding it and keeping it healty with organic fertilisation, cover crops and good agricultural practicies, tryingg not to destroy what there was before.
In my personal opinion I don't think this can be reached in conventional agriculture, because their fields are yet a state of illness for the soil and without pesticiedes nature try to reestablish a balance, and this balance doesn't include 20 ha of the same variety (and we have a lot of worst agricultures in the world).
I also have to add that a conventional agricolture that includes good agricoltural praticies and that fix the losses of N C and so on in the soil with a proper quantity and management of manure can maintain the fertility of their land in a long term period.. I am not sure what can happen with the climate change, it is sure that there are a lot of possibilities to grow food in a more resilient way even if it is less productive but is really another type of product.
(excuse me for my bad english if something is not clear do not esitate to ask me)
The opinion of Vera Pezzuolo (I welcome you!) touches upon important questions of understanding the problem. It seems to me that when discussing the issue, social and national characteristics should be taken into account. For example, in Ukraine there are agricultural holdings that have 10-20 thousand hectares of land in cultivation. If we compare them with small producers who own 20-200 hectares, then the possibilities and tasks are completely different. I agree that it is necessary to take into account the timing and age of the soil in order to properly regulate fertility issues. In our country, more and more farms are gradually understanding the problems of intensive agriculture and are switching to environmentally friendly and organic technologies. How to stabilize and improve fertility is well understood and there are different models depending on soil and climatic conditions. It is only necessary that those who own the land want to use these models.
Soil organic matter significantly improves the soil's capacity to store and supply essential nutrients and to retain toxic elements. It allows the soil to cope with changes in soil acidity, and helps soil minerals to decompose faster. Commonly, the uppermost horizon remains dark in colour because of the presence of minerals and humus. The humus remains responsible for the fertility of the soil and it provides nutrients to the growing plants. The most effective technique to improve soil fertility is to incorporate a variety of organic matter. To begin with, manure must be added to give nitrogen, which is a necessary component of productive soil. Fertility of the soil can be maintained by practicing crop rotation, using manure and leaving the land fallow. Soil fertility can be further improved by incorporating cover crops that add organic matter to the soil, which leads to improved soil structure and promotes a healthy, fertile soil; by using green manure or growing legumes to fix nitrogen from the air through the process of biological nitrogen fixation. Soil pH helps in maintaining the nutrient availability of the soil. A pH range between 5.5-7 is optimum for soil fertility. Among features of climate, temperature and rainfall are the ones that affect the soil fertility. Crops yield obtained from fields depends on rainfall and temperature. Greenhouse gases have a great impact on climate which in turn has an effect on temperature and rainfall. Land fertility is proportional to the amount of humus present. Humus contains nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, necessary for most plants. Humus increases soil fertility, creating an ideal microclimate for crop development with a favorable temperature, adequate moisture, and air. By replacing inorganic matter with organic matter, you can avoid the negative impacts of artificial pesticides and fertilizers that slowly contaminate and deteriorate your soil. Soil organic matter significantly improves the soil's capacity to store and supply essential nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium), and to retain toxic elements. It allows the soil to cope with changes in soil acidity, and helps soil minerals to decompose faster.
Rk Naresh gave a great answer. Organic matter is necessary but what happens to it?? It contains nutrients that the organisms in the soil break down and consume - think earthworms and nematodes and single celled organisms, bacteria and fungi. These organisms also predate and die and consume each other. The plants consume breakdown products of organic matter, assisted greatly in this via the rhizophagy cycle (bacteria "vacuumed up" by root apical meristems, coats removed intracellularly and spit out again...) and also, via the exchange of nutrients and micronutrients between peri-cellular mycorrhizal extensions and root cells via the mycorrhizal web. The fungi need the sugars that plant roots provide. However, too much added nitrogen is a problem - it interferes with a plant's "motivation" to exchange sugars for nutrients, and the excess washes into the waterways and oceans. Theoretically, bacteria could fix much more nitrogen than they do (our atmosphere is 80 % nitrogen...) and make fertilizers unnecessary, in addition to manures (including "humanure") that should be considered recycling.
Soil fertility as the ability of the soil to provide an atmosphere that is in favour of plant growth. It refers to the soil's ability to support plant growth and maximize crop yield. This can be improved by applying organic and inorganic fertilizers to the soil. Farmers use traditional conservation methods like legumes, crop rotation, cover crops, fallow and agroforestry in addition to applying manure, ash, mineral fertilizers and concoctions to improve soil fertility. Loamy-textured soils are commonly described as medium textured with functionally-equal contributions of sand, silt, and clay. These medium-textured soils are often considered ideal for agriculture as they are easily cultivated by farmers and can be highly productive for crop growth. Soil provides a host of crucial services for both people and the planet. Soil puts food on our plates, purifies our water, protects us against flooding and combats drought. It's also key to tackling climate change as it captures and stores vast amounts of carbon. There is no food security without healthy soils. Soil is an essential part of successful farming and the original source of nutrients used in crop growing. The nutrients transfer from the soil into plants which make food healthier. Healthy soil produces the most nutritious and most abundant food supply. Soils offer plants physical support, air, water, temperature moderation, nutrients, and protection from toxins. Soils provide readily available nutrients to plants and animals by converting dead organic matter into various nutrient forms. Fertile soil has the following characteristics: It is rich in nutrients necessary for basic plant nourishment. This includes nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It consists of adequate minerals such as boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, sulphur and zinc. Alluvial soil is the most widely spread and important soil. In fact, the entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil. Alluvial soils as a whole are very fertile. Due to its high fertility, regions of alluvial soils are intensively cultivated and densely populated. A fertile soil also provides essential nutrients for plant growth, to produce healthy food with all the necessary nutrients needed for human health. Among features of climate, temperature and rainfall are the ones that affect the soil fertility. Crops yield obtained from fields depends on rainfall and temperature. Greenhouse gases have a great impact on climate which in turn has an effect on temperature and rainfall. An integrated soil fertility management aims at maximizing the efficiency of the agronomic use of nutrients and improving crop productivity. This can be achieved through the use of grain legumes, which enhance soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation, and the application of chemical fertilizers. Porous loamy soils are the richest of all, laced with organic matter which retains water and provides the nutrients needed by crops.
True soil is incomplete without a microbiome that is able to mobilize the micronutrients that are essential for both plants and humans. Fungal mycorrhizae are essential for the transport of micronutrients to plant roots, and are inhibited or killed by inorganic fertilizer and even too much organic fertilizer. Bacteria are essential for not only fixing but recycling nitrogen. Keeping living roots in the soil, and shady hard-working photosynthetic leaves above is essential. Avoiding tilling, inorganic fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides is essential for soil health...plus, they're expensive! Using the techniques of regenerative agriculture within a local circular food economy wherever one is on earth, is best for farmers, humans in general and our planet.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Phytochemistry
- Extracts