"Soil conservation is the prevention of loss of the topmost layer of the soil from erosion or prevention of reduced fertility caused by over usage, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination."
Discusses important factors affecting soil health and fertility, including soil types, nutrient availability, erosion control, and conservation practices.
Soil structure and texture: Involves the physical properties of soil and how they affect plant growth and nutrient availability.
Soil biology: Refers to the microorganisms that live in soil and their role in nutrient cycling, decomposition, and soil health maintenance.
Soil organic matter: Important for soil fertility and water holding capacity, and helps to improve soil structure and aeration.
Soil pH: Affects nutrient availability and plant growth, and must be managed in commercial agriculture.
Nutrient management: Encompasses soil testing, fertilization practices, and managing nutrient cycles for optimal plant growth.
Crop rotation and diversification: Helps to maintain soil health and fertility by reducing pest and disease pressure and improving soil structure.
Cover crops: Used to improve soil health by adding organic matter, reducing erosion, and improving nutrient availability.
Conservation tillage: Helps to reduce erosion and preserve soil structure by minimizing soil disturbance during planting and harvesting.
Irrigation management: Crucial for nutrient uptake and plant growth, and must be properly managed to prevent soil erosion and nutrient loss.
Soil physical properties: Includes the porosity, water holding capacity, and compaction of soil, which impact nutrient availability and plant growth.
Biological fertility: This type of soil fertility refers to the presence and activity of beneficial soil organisms like bacteria, fungi, earthworms, etc., which help in the cycling of nutrients and improve soil structure.
Chemical fertility: It refers to the ability of the soil to provide nutrients and minerals to plants to support their growth.
Physical fertility: This refers to the soil's ability to support root growth, water infiltration, and air movement, which is essential for plant growth.
Soil structure: It is the arrangement of soil particles, and a well-structured soil can improve water and nutrient holding capacities and reduce erosion.
Soil pH: It is a measure of soil acidity or alkalinity, and it can influence nutrient availability to plants.
Organic matter: The amount and quality of organic matter present in the soil play a vital role in soil health, as it can improve soil structure, water retention capabilities, and nutrient cycling processes.
Soil compaction: It refers to the density of the soil particles and the pressure they exert on each other, and it can affect root growth and water infiltration.
Soil texture: It is the proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles in the soil, which can influence the soil's water-holding capacity and nutrient availability to plants.
Soil salinity: It is the measure of the salt content in the soil, which can affect plant growth and reduce nutrient availability.
Soil erosion: It is the wearing away of the topsoil due to water or wind, which can lead to degradation of soil fertility.
"Slash-and-burn and other unsustainable methods of subsistence farming are practiced in some lesser developed areas."
"A consequence of deforestation is typically large-scale erosion, loss of soil nutrients and sometimes total desertification."
"Techniques for improved soil conservation include crop rotation, cover crops, conservation tillage and planted windbreaks, affect both erosion and fertility."
"When plants die, they decay and become part of the soil."
"Code 330 defines standard methods recommended by the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service."
"Farmers have practiced soil conservation for millennia."
"Policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy are targeting the application of best management practices such as reduced tillage, winter cover crops, plant residues, and grass margins in order to better address soil conservation."
"Political and economic action is further required to solve the erosion problem."
"A simple governance hurdle concerns how we value the land and this can be changed by cultural adaptation."
"Soil carbon is a carbon sink, playing a role in climate change mitigation."
"Prevention of reduced fertility caused by over usage, acidification, salinization, or other chemical soil contamination."
"A consequence of deforestation is typically large-scale erosion, loss of soil nutrients and sometimes total desertification."
"Techniques for improved soil conservation include crop rotation, cover crops, conservation tillage, and planted windbreaks."
"The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends standard methods through Code 330."
"Farmers have practiced soil conservation for millennia."
"Reduced tillage, winter cover crops, plant residues, and grass margins are practices that can better address soil conservation."
"Political and economic action is further required to solve the erosion problem."
"A simple governance hurdle concerns how we value the land, and this can be changed by cultural adaptation."
"Soil carbon is a carbon sink and plays a role in climate change mitigation."