Farmers often struggle with a decrease in soil fertility as a result of improper tillage, fertilization or low organic matter content. This is a serious problem that directly affects the growth, development and yield of plants, causing farm owners to suffer significant production and even economic losses. For this reason, every farmer should constantly monitor the condition of the soil environment, because only then will he be able to counteract its deterioration, maintaining the natural balance. In this article we will try to list the most important factors that help maintain and increase soil fertility on a farm.
- Humus as a factor shaping soil fertility
- Maintaining proper plant succession
- Fertilization using natural and organic fertilizers
- Soil liming
- Which tillage should you choose to increase soil fertility?
Humus as a factor shaping soil fertility
Content soil humus is a basic indicator determining the degree of soil fertility. Namely, it constitutes about 70% of all organic substances found in the soil, which is why it is so important for its fertility. Caries arises from the decomposition of organic residues, in particular the mass of crop residues remaining in the field. Soil microorganisms take part in this process, so it is worth limiting the use of intensive crops that threaten biodiversity.
To the advantages of high content caries in the soil include improving the structure of the substrate, increasing water retention, preventing the loss of nutrients and erosion, aeration, better soil heating, and an increase in the multiplication of beneficial soil microorganisms. However, when it comes to how to take care of its content, first of all, you should use proper plant rotation, systematically fertilize the soil with natural and organic fertilizers, and carry out liming on acidic soils.
Maintaining proper plant succession
Rational rotation taking into account a number of factors that improve the value of a site for plants, it allows each farmer to create optimal conditions to achieve high-quality crops. More specifically, it helps you achieve good results crop rotation characterized by a large number of cultivated plants, approximately 5-7. Today, however, their reduced number is more common, which means that the soil structure is significantly deteriorating.
Therefore, plant rotation should not be reduced, but increased crop rotation. Because legumes, legumes and their mixtures with grasses will constitute a beneficial forecrop for any other crop, thus leaving an environment rich in nutrients.
Fertilization using natural and organic fertilizers
All natural fertilizers, organic i mineral They are a very important source of nutrients that rebuild humus losses in the soil. Which is why fertilization This is one of the most important care treatments that are crucial for shaping the properties of soil. Typically, this procedure is performed by agricultural machines, which are effective in mixing fertilizers with the soil. These machines include primarily: cultivation and sowing aggregates, which have a universal nature of action.
It is also worth noting that straw, when crushed and distributed evenly over the field, can be used as a valuable fertilizer for soil microorganisms and more. It is a very rich source of carbon, so instead of using it for your own benefits, it is sometimes better to use it as an alternative source of soil fertilization.
Soil liming
In turn, in the case of acidic soils, it is quite important to eliminate the acid reaction through systematic irrigation liming soil. The treatment should be performed in autumn or winter, before fertilization, because then there is high humidity, which facilitates the dissolution of calcium and at the same time delivers it to the deeper layers of the soil.
Which tillage should you choose to increase soil fertility?
Of course, the selection of agrotechnical treatments also has a huge impact on creating appropriate conditions for plant development. Without appropriate activities using agricultural tools, we would not be able to aerate the soil well enough, accelerate the process of decomposition of organic matter or reduce weed infestation.
It is currently accepted that no-plough cultivation brings greater benefits related to improving the structure and porosity of the soil by limiting the frequency and depth of treatments. As a result, tillage operations are reduced to the necessary minimum, which allows farmers to focus on other problems, including increasing the humus content, preventing wind and water erosion and reducing water evaporation.
Do simplified cultivation agricultural machines are used that do not turn over the topsoil during operation. Plows used to be great for this, but now they are disc harrows. They also deserve special attention plowless aggregates created with just such a solution in mind. They are distinguished by greater functionality than ordinary plates. Therefore, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the offer PORTO no-plow cultivator produced by the manufacturer AMJ AGRO to learn more about its capabilities.
