Dr Farrah Agustin-Bunch, MD, shares on Facebook her “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Resources” and says[1]:
As far as Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is concerned, we need to focus on prevention and strengthening our immune systems.
Same as in crops & livestock!
This is a UPLB Agriculturist speaking.
This is a UPLB Agriculturist speaking.
Thus, the USDA unit Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education, SARE, says, “Healthy Soils Produce Healthy Crops[2].” Here are 2 knowledge bits from SARE:
By adding cover crops and switching to no-till, Junior Upton drastically improved his habitually compacted soil. Photo by Dan Anderson, University of Illinois
Nitrogen-fixing symbiotic bacteria flourish in healthy soil. Photo by David Nance, USDA ARS
Note that Mr Upton has “cover crops” – plural, meaning the soil in his field is not exposed directly to sunlight. Plus he practices “no-till” – he does not cultivate his soil in any manner, which leaves the soil micro and macro organisms to contribute what they will to enriching the soil with moisture and plant nutrients.
The soil is “healthy” in terms of being able to provide for the nutrient needs of the crops to the fullest extent possible, without chemicals added in any way. “It contains favorable biological, physical and chemical properties.” When you have a soil rich in organic matter like that, your habitually compacted soil is habitually friable now.
As to the nitrogen-fixing symbiotic bacteria as observed by the USDA, they thrive in a healthy soil – and that means plenty of natural N for any crop that needs it when it needs it. Those bacteria are perpetually fixing that nitrogen!
And so, SARE says:
A healthy soil produces healthy crops with minimal amounts of external inputs and few to no adverse ecological effects. It contains favorable biological, physical and chemical properties.
Why does the soil need such organisms as bacteria, fungi, amoebae, paramecia, nematodes, springtails, insects, ants, earthworms and beetles among other creatures of the earth? SARE says they:
(1) Break down litter and recycle nutrients.
(2) Convert atmospheric nitrogen into organic form and then reconvert into inorganic for crops.
(3) Synthesize enzymes, vitamins, hormones and other important substances.
(4) Decompose weed seeds.
(5) Suppress and/or prey on soil-borne plant pathogens and parasitic nematodes – good food!
A soil’s physical condition – its degree of compaction, capacity for water storage and ease of drainage – is also critical to soil and plant health. Good soil tilth promotes rainfall infiltration, thereby reducing runoff and allowing moisture to be stored for later plant use. It also encourages proper root development.
What is usually thought of is that the irrigation canal does both – it carries the water for wetting the field and carries the water for drying the field. Note what is being neglected by aggie professors and farm technicians alike: A good soil serves as storage for water needed and drainage for excess.
Note also that SARE says that a good soil “encourages proper root development.” The root nourishes the shoot – the shoot produces and nourishes the grains.
A good soil is hard to find – you have to cultivate it!@517
[1] https://www.facebook.com/pg/DrFarrahBunch/posts/?ref=page_internal
[2] https://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Books/Manage-Insects-on-Your-Farm/Text-Version/Managing-Soils-to-Minimize-Crop-Pests/Healthy-Soils-Produce-Healthy-Crops
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