🌿 Human Health Part 1 | Information

Human Health | Waternet

Soil Fertility, Crop Nutrition and Human Health Part 1

Introduction

This is the 1st part of the paper which was presented by NEIL FULLER at the Acres USA Conference, "Blueprint for Eco-Farming", St. Louis, Missouri in 1997.

Soil Fertility

Fertility is the result of a number of different soil factors and processes working together. These relate to the physical, chemical and biological components that make up the soil:-

Physical Soil structure, texture, and porosity will influence aeration, drainage, compaction, erosion and root penetration. This will also affect the efficiency of cultivations, crop rotations and irrigation. Physical limits stop plant roots from getting into the soil.

Chemical Acidity, soil nutrient composition and base saturation will influence nutrient availability, deficiencies and antagonistic lock-up. This will affect, and be affected by, the application of fertilisers and lime. Chemical limits stop plant roots from accessing and taking-up nutrients.

Biological Microbial activity, crop residue breakdown, humus and earthworms will influence soil formation, root development, the controlled release of soil nutrient reserves and the activity of pathogenic microbes. Biological limits stop plant roots from making good use of the soil.