Blog 006

Soil and plant health



The health of soil can impact the health of plants and the wider environment. In this activity, we will look at 3 common soil health issues, and the management practices farmers can use to manage them.


1: Soil erosion

Health issue

Bare, loose soil can be carried away by wind and water.




Management practice

Grow another plant in amongst crop plants to prevent soil from becoming loosened by the wind. This practice is known as intercropping.




2: Loss of biodiversity

Health issue

Invertebrates, like earthworms, and beneficial microorganism populations can decrease if there is not enough organic matter available for them to survive. This reduces the amount of nutrients available for plants to use.


Management practice

Introducing organic matter improves soil structure and can encourage populations of soil invertebrates and microorganisms, helping plants to grow through their natural processes.




3: Overuse of fertiliser

Health issue

Overuse of fertilisers can contaminate nearby waterways, when excess fertiliser is carried into the water by rain or reaches underground water sources.

When carried into nearby water sources by the rain, the leached nutrients can increase the amount of plants and algae growing in the water.

When these plants and algae die due to overcrowding (competition for light and nutrients), they start to decompose. The microbes that break down the plant materials use up the oxygen in the water that is needed by fish and other aquatic life to survive. Some algal blooms pose an additional threat because they produce toxins that contaminate the water. 

Incorrect use of fertilisers can also damage plants through an over or undersupply of nutrients.


Management practice

Use the correct type and amount of fertiliser to meet the nutritional needs of the crop.










Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

  Blog 001 Advising farmers Agricultural extension workers Extension workers usually work for government agencies. They work with local communities to offer advice and deliver information to farmers about input products. There are technology extension units in national research institutes and local agricultural universities. Extension workers often have good access to government-level advice about products, their availability, registration and the regulations farmers should be aware of around their use. Agro-input dealers Agro-input dealers sell input products directly to farmers. They are often an important source of information for farmers about what products are locally available, how they should be applied and the interpretation of results in the field. Agro-input dealers are well-placed to share local knowledge among farmers, as they are likely to sell input products to many local farmers. This is especially helpful for bioprotection products, as their level of effectiveness d...
Read more
Image
  Blog 005 Functions of the soil Soil is essential for food production and life on earth. Soil functions include: Support of plant growth Soil supports plants through the provision of water, nutrients and air, which are all needed to allow plants to grow. Plants, in turn, provide food, fibre and fuel, which are essential for feeding people and making their lives comfortable. (Plants growing in Figure 1). Climate control The global carbon cycle is the never-ending movement of carbon going from the air to plants, animals, oceans and underground, then back to the air. Soil can store carbon and let some of it go into the atmosphere. Allowing too much carbon to escape into the air through continuous ploughing and leaving the soil bare (and other practices besides these) can, and does, contribute to changes in the planet's climate. The process of carbon being trapped in the soil is known as carbon sequestration. This means that good soil management is very important. Clean water Water dr...
Read more
Image
  Blog 002 Soil health and management  The value of soil How important is soil to agriculture and the wider environment? Soil materials include: Tiny pieces of  rocks and minerals  (about 45% of volume) Organic matter  (about 5% of volume) Soil solution, which is  water  that fills the spaces between soil particles. It is where the dissolved elements or nutrients are found (about 20-30% of volume) Air  (about 20-30% of volume) Healthy soils are sometimes described as having good tilth, which means that the soil: Is loose and crumbly Has plenty of air pockets Drains water well Can hold nutrients Is easy to dig Other characteristics of healthy soil: Has good depth to allow plant root systems to develop Contains a high population of beneficial organisms Is free of chemicals that are harmful to plants and beneficial organisms
Read more