Yes, the soil is the key for future agriculture to function sustainably. The expanding population of the globe raised a question for agriculture to ensure food security. The only way to secure enough population to feed is to improve yield and production. Besides, the current agriculture has vivid input activities on raising crops to manage the duration of crops to get early yield. This intense activity damages the mother earth barrier called soil. This fertile layer is repeatedly depleted by applying pesticides and fertilizers to get good yields.
Role of soil health in prominent agriculture.
There is global attention on retaining soil health. soil fertility is composed of physical, chemical, and biological. The live-in microbes interact with other components and result in plant growth and health. soil quality is a major factor that determines sustainability, the impact of various physical and chemical characteristics of soil in taking external inputs, and changing climate. The beneficial organisms in the soil are nutrient providers for the plant. The biological fertility of the soil is maintained by microbes. The soil microorganisms which are beneficial to plant kind are vanishing by the overuse of pesticides for instance production. The intense use of fertilizers can not only disturb plant growth but also intense air and water pollution and effects human health. this imbalance can be handled by maintaining the soil microbes like bacteria and fungi, mycorrhizal fungi, and nematodes interactions involved in Nitrogen cycling. Numerous research revealed that key indices of soil quality include the microbial community, abundance, variety, activity, and stability.
For future sustainable agriculture, there is keen importance on soil stability and quality. Sustainability can be possible by maintaining soil fertility by following proper activities and inputs.
List of Activities to maintain soil stability.
i. Soil can be disturbed in many ways, and lessening the disturbance of soil can be primary practice. Optimal provision of chemicals, limited tillage.
ii. Cover the soil as much as possible, you can cover the soil by cover crops, or by straw mulch or organic mulch to ensure soil moisture.
iii. To reduce soil erosion by growing cover crops so that microorganisms can be fed, and hence the nutrient cycle will provide nutrition to the plants.
iv. Ensure to involve diversity in your crop operations to maintain stability.
By Sreevalli Maheshwaram
My name is Sreevalli Maheshwaram, am currently studying for my Bachelor of Sciences in Agriculture final year at a reputable, Lovely professional university.