Soil Fertility and Management

Definition and Importance

• Soil fertility refers to the ability of soil to provide essential nutrients and support plant growth.
• Soil fertility is crucial for agricultural productivity, ecosystem health, and environmental sustainability.

Factors Affecting Soil Fertility

• Physical factors:
  • Soil texture and structure
  • Water availability and drainage
  • Temperature and climate
• Chemical factors:
  • pH level (acidity/alkalinity)
  • Nutrient availability (NPK: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium)
  • Micronutrient availability (e.g., calcium, magnesium)
• Biological factors:
  • Microbial activity and diversity
  • Organic matter content and decomposition

Soil Fertility Indicators

• Soil pH: optimal range for most crops is between 6.0 and 7.0
• Nutrient levels: NPK levels, as well as micronutrient availability
• Organic matter content: percentage of organic matter in soil
• Microbial activity: indicator of soil biological health

Management Practices for Soil Fertility

• Crop rotation and intercropping: to maintain soil nutrient balance and reduce pests/diseases
• Organic amendments: adding compost, manure, or green manure to enhance soil fertility
• Fertilizer application: targeted use of synthetic or organic fertilizers
• Conservation tillage: reducing soil disturbance to preserve soil structure and organic matter
• Cover cropping: planting cover crops to add organic matter and reduce erosion