Soil Fertilityby Kushal Naharki | 01-12-2018 21:29 |
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 We need food to eat. We can't survive without food. Where does the food we eat come from? Some may give funny answers saying Shops or market. The food we eat is grown on soil by our farmers.The amount of the production on the land is directly related to the fertility of the soil. Soil fertility is the key to sustainable agriculture. December 5 is celebrated as World Soil Day. Soil fertility is the ability of the soil to supply essential plant nutrients during growth period of the plants, without toxic concentration of any nutrients. i.e ¡°the capacity of soil to supply nutrient in available to crop¡±. Soil productivity is ability of soil to produce a particular crop or sequence of crops under a specified management system i.e the crop producing capacity of soil. Sometimes even if the soil is fertile, they are subjected to drought or other unsatisfactory growth factors or management practices. Plant absorb every thing from the soil. Soil fertility is affected by several factors such as climate, rainfall, soil biological, chemical and physical properties, etc. Factors affecting soil fertility 1. Availability of minerals and nutrients 2. No. of microorganisms present 3. Amount of precipitation 4.Topography 5. Level of acidity Ways to maintain Soil Fertility 1. We mustn't pollute the soil. Soil pollution decreases fertility. 2. Soil test must be carried out to know the fertility of the soil. Plant require minerals from soil to grow. 3. Fertilizers can be added to maintain the fertility of the soil but they should be added after knowing the required quantity. Excessive use of fertilizer degrade the land and decrease the fertility. Organic fertilizers should be preferred over synthetic and chemical fertilizers. 4.soil texture, soil structure etc. should be studied and maintained. |
