Soil fertility

22-08-2018
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96-soil fertility
The value of soil for agriculture depends on its characteristics such as fertility. What does it mean? Soil fertility is the ability to meet the needs of plants in nutrients, water, heat and air.

Types of fertility

Soil fertility can be 4 types:

Artificial

Artificial soil fertility is created by human intervention. Land reclamation, fertilizer use and other methods contribute to giving the soil characteristics suitable for the rapid cultivation of crops.

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Moreover, such fertility is associated with the natural. The soil initially possesses certain characteristics of a natural character, but due to human intervention it changes its composition somewhat.

96-soil fertility

Potential

Potential fertility is the ability of the soil for a long time to provide the plants with everything they need to live. So, chernozem soils will have significant potential fertility, and podzolic soils will have the lowest.

We also recommend reading: Do-it-yourself fertilizerHow to make humus at a dachaUsing sideratovGrowing cilantro and coriander from seeds

96-soil fertility

Natural

Formed without human intervention. Basically it is inherent in virgin soils and is calculated based on the number of plant mass, which is created on any area during the year.

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Economic

It is a combination of artificial and natural fertility, measured by yield. Simply put, this is what happens when embodying potential fertility. The role played by many nuances - the weather, the choice of crops, processing technology, care of plants and much more.

96-soil fertility

Fertility assessment

Have you ever wondered why soil fertility depends? In fact, the amount of humus that is in it. The more humus, the more fertile the soil. It is he who makes the soil loose, able to absorb moisture well and have excellent air permeability. Humus is obtained as a result of the activity of microorganisms that combine soil particles with organic substances, and as a result lumps are formed. It turns out that there are rich, medium or poor humus soils.

Evaluation of soil fertility is based on what plants grow on it. As a rule, clean soils are not found, for the most part they are mixed.

96-soil fertility

For poor soil is characterized by the presence of such plants as:

  • cranberries;
  • plowed clover;
  • small sorrel;
  • blueberries

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Average soils:

  • buttercup anemone;
  • the bedstraw is real;
  • marsh marigold;
  • clover medium.

Rich soils:

  • nettle;
  • raspberries;
  • hop;
  • spiraea.

Soil fertility restoration (video)

Fertility restoration

Improving the fertility of the soil - the actual question due to the fact that often gardeners themselves make the soil poor. How? Collect residues in the form of leaves, which could become a good organic fertilizer, and burn them.

Moreover, then there is a "persecution" of the soil by chemicals in the form of various non-natural fertilizers.

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To restore fertility in the following ways:

  • Use mixed planting plants.
  • Do not dig the soil deeper than 10 cm, it is better to use cultivators.
  • Switch to spraying from a hose instead of abundant watering.
  • Fertilize the ground for the winter and cover it.
  • Sow siderite.
  • No - to toxic chemicals, yes - to biological preparations.
  • Use microorganisms and run earthworms.
  • Do not fight with weeds, and stop on mulching.
  • You may be interested in an article about cultivators and motoblocks.

    The main methods of improving soil fertility

    Restoration of soil fertility is an important issue, since as fertility decreases, plants not only do not grow as they would like, but also undergo the appearance of various diseases.

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    So, how to improve soil fertility?

  • Correctly organize crop rotation. This means that perennial and annual crops can not be planted in the same place, if not 5 years have passed. Every year it is necessary to change the crop seeding.
  • Use different types of medicinal plants (marigold, nettle, garlic, shepherd's bag).
  • Heat or heat treatment. In this case, under the action of heat pests die and weeds are destroyed. The only disadvantage of the method is the inability to use them on large areas. Mostly used in greenhouses.
  • Rest of the soil. The soil also needs to rest, for this try at least a year to plant nothing. At this time, you can do weeding and mulching. In the fall, dig up the soil so that the top layer is at the bottom.
  • Place a satellite plant next to each main plant. In this case, the incidence will decrease, and cultures will grow much better. As satellite plants used marigold, rosemary, chamomile. They not only do not allow the soil to deplete, but are also very attractive to bees.
  • Do not give up the old proven organic fertilizer - compost, ash, manure. You can also make fertilizer with your own hands.
  • Application of Californian worms. The presented worms differ from the usual ones in that they live long and perfectly digest the soil. As a result, the yield increases several times. Worms are very prolific.
  • A great way to rectify the situation is sowing green manure. These are plants rich in nitrogen, starch and protein. It is about oats, sunflower, mustard. Sowing is done in September, after the harvest has already been harvested. Next, wait until the siderats grow up and mow before flowering. They are left right in the soil for the winter.
  • Soil fertility is the main factor influencing the growth and development of plants. If the soil does not provide enough nutrients, there will be no good harvest! There are various types of soil fertility enhancements: the use of worms, microorganisms, mixed plantings, the application of organic fertilizers. But before you start decisive action, it is necessary to estimate how much humus the soil contains.