Farm owners should consider their soul as their most important resource: one that is infinite in neither size nor quality. Soil can lose its nutrition over time, so farmers must consider this as it is directly connected to their profits and overall livelihood.
When soil damage does occur, farmers must focus on restoration. Read on to discover five principles of soil restoration that farmers should keep in mind.
Green Is Good
Photosynthesis is the key process from which plants get their energy, and by which oxygen is created. The process is also responsible for bio sequestration of stable soil carbon.
The capacity of agricultural land can be improved in a variety of ways, such as multi-species cover crops, animal integration, multispecies pastures, and strategic grazing. In parks and gardens, plant diversity and mowing height are also important factors.
The overall goal is to increase the photosynthesis rate, and that can sometimes be done by choosing the right plants that can improve the soil on its own. Mycorrhizal fungi is one such example.
Microbes Matter
Over 95% of all lifeforms on Earth live in the soil. It’s obvious that these organisms play a big role in how that soil can be used. When microbes are in the vicinity of plant roots, the plants gain access to more minerals needed to help them thrive.
These microbes are also essential for creating resistance to pests and other damaging environments, such as droughts, waterlogging and frost. Soil with enough microbes in place is also less prone to erosion and compaction.
Diversity Is Essential
Crop diversity is key to keeping the soil healthy and restoring it after it starts to lose some of its quality. The natural environment is filled with diversity, and remained the case until humans began growing what are known as monocultures.
Some believe that monocultures are more profitable, but studies show that crop diversity is better for both the soil and your bottom line. Some farmers experiment with as many as 60 or 70 different plants on a single swath of land. There are additional costs in these cases, but the benefits outweigh the cons.
Fewer Chemicals
At this point, chemical use is the most damaging thing farmers can to do their soil. Chemicals can also lead to a loss in customers, as more people move toward organic shopping habits.
It is important to keep in mind that cutting down on chemicals may lead to some minor losses in terms of yields, as you will be more prone to pests and other related issues. This is something you’ll simply have to factor into your plans for the year. However, no profit can compensate for damaging the soil through long-term use of chemicals.
Tillage
Tillage is mistakenly used as a way to fix problems, when it often ends up making them worse. The process is often used when soil isn’t fertile, as it provides a quick fix to the problem. This does work in the short term, but causes additional damage in the long run.
When soil is subjected to aggressive tillage, the quality will progressively worsen over time, as the soil becomes more mineralized and less fertile as a result. Learn more about no tillage farming.
Conclusion
Farmers must care for their soil, as it is inarguably their most vital resource. This sometimes means repairing soil from pre-existing damage. This is not an easy thing to do, but there are five core principles that can make the process easier.