The healthier the soil, the more it supports plant growth and development, meaning, how our soil is managed can enhance or degrade the quality of our yields/output, these functions are influenced by the soil management practices we put in.
However, the only way to improve and maintain soil health is by understanding how the soil operates to support plant growth and put in the appropriate management practices to enhance its operation.
4 WAYS TO IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH;
1.BY PLANTING COVER CROPS
One of the most important benefits of cover crops is the conservation of nitrate and other nutrients that are likely to be forfeited as a result of erosion or leaching.
Cover crops render loads of benefits to soil by enriching organic matter levels, increasing the population of beneficial organisms in the soil, and by adding nitrogen to the soil through nitrogen fixation.
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BY PRACTICING CROP ROTATION
One of the surest means of breaking up soilborne pest and disease life cycles is by adopting crop rotation as this will give no room to pests and diseases that exist within a certain crop to live on or increase in population.
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BY NOT ALLOWING SOIL TO BE COMPACTED.
Soil compaction takes place when soil particles are clasped together and when this occurs, it reduces pore space meant to transport water and air. As a result, this can hinder root development, cause oxygen deficiency, and give rise to an intense decrease in yield. To avoid this, don’t till when the soil is too wet.
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BY ADDING ORGANIC MATTER TO THE SOIL
Incorporating the likes of compost ( garden waste), manure(animal droppings), cocopeat(pith from a coconut husk), and wood chips will help in promoting the actions of beneficial microorganisms in the soil which could at the end of the day result in disease control.
