Soil

 World Soil Day

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    World Soil Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy soil. Soil degradation persists as a significant issue, with processes such as salinization threatening soil health and ecosystems. Proper soil health is pivotal for healthy agriculture and crops, food security, and environmental sustainability. This includes minimizing the amount of nutrients lost from soil, and ensuring that it is well balanced as an essential resource. Soil hence has several key functions intertwined with agriculture, including:

• the support and structuring of plants
• the regulation of water and air
• nutrient cycling
• pest control
• the maintenance of microhabitats

 Microorganisms in soil such as fungi and bacteria, along with other ground-dwelling organisms are important to the processes that sustain soil, including decomposition, nutrient dispersion, and nutrient cycling. 

What can we do to ensure that our soil is healthy?

• Reduce Soil Compaction

This might involve not walking or placing heavy pressure on wet soil. Densely compacted soil limits the flow of water and air through the soil, and further hinders root growth. This might be achieved through implementing raised garden beds, or having designated walking paths that avoid roots as much as possible. Composting and adding organic matter can also reduce compaction.

• Use Organic Matter and Fertilizers

Using fertilizers that meet the needs of specific soil as required can assist in maintaining a healthy balance of essential substances. Likewise, adding organic matter and using methods such as composting can encourage nutrient diversity, soil quality, and water and air availability through natural processes of decomposition. 

• Add Mulch or Cover Crops

Mulch can be used to protect topsoil from erosion, limit the growth of weeds and pests, and reduce the risk of loss of soil and spread of soil-borne pathogens or plant diseases from movements such as rainfall. Mulch can likewise increase the amount of organic matter and nutrients within the soil as it is broken down.

• Consider Alternatives to Harmful Pesticides

The chemicals used in some pesticides can sometimes do more harm than intended from their use. As an alternative, individuals can consider using water to wash pests away, adding deterrents and medications made from natural oils, or planting disease or pest resistant strains of crops. 

• Engage in Restorative Agricultural Practices

 This might include incorporating practices such as crop rotations which assists in maintaining the nutrients present within soil, and limiting the spread of harmful microbes that cause plant diseases. This can also be done through planting a diverse variety of plants as opposed to monocropping.