minerals replenished in the soil using biological waste
Answers
Human beings eat their food that help them re energize and replace the nutrients that has been lost while working. But ever thought how the soil replenish its nutrients that helps the plants to grow? We use several techniques to do that. Let’s read further to find out.
There are a number of ways the soil can be leached of their nutrients and move downward in the soils profile or groundwater. One reason can be – The composition of the rainwater can affect this process. Acid rain when falls on the soil cation exchange can occur and mineral such a calcium, magnesium and potassium get stuck to soil particles are released by the acid and are washed out of the soil into the deeper layer where the plants cannot reach. In natural environment the nutrients can be replenished by the decaying of plants that will help in contributing the humus and other nutrient content of the soil. But if deforestation is practised in some area, then by continuously being exposed to acid rain and lack of organic matter into the soil, the soil nutrients are decreased and may not be replaced.
So can the nutrients from soil get replaced and help in healthy growth in plants?
Cycle for Soil Replenishment
Generally, we use these two important methods to replenish the nutrients in soil:
Organic material: Organic materials like compost and other decaying matter adds structure to the soil, improves drainage and also it helps for stave off the disease and pests from the plants. People can use tilling or layering compost, and planting crops on crops which are most popular methods used to replenish nutrients in soil. Considering the soil’s composition, this could take from weeks to years.
Compost: Compost is the best and the most effective way to replenish the nutrients in the soil than organic materials. The decomposition that initiates the process of creating composts with the help of many insects and microorganisms. It reintroduces the living organisms that can range from centipedes, who are also know as the farmer’s best friends’ as they help make the soil lose; bacteria that help fixing the nitrogen in the environment and provide healthy environment to the plant roots. Thus, the household wastes can be of use to the plants by turning the soil into black gold, that would also eliminate the dependency on chemical fertilisers.
Crop Rotation: Crop Rotation is the technique that is used to plant the seasoned plants according their season on the same soil. When this technique is applied, it can further help in decreasing soil depletion and help ensuring a lasting healthy soil environment. Crop rotation is helps increase the yields and prevents crop loss due to pests or diseases.Planting different genera of plant on the same place is an effective method to practise in order to replenish the nutrients in soil.
Cover crops: Cover crops are planted next to food crops in the middle of their growing season that help cover the weeds (plants that take the essential nutrients of the soil) and attract the beneficial insects. These crops grow fast to compete the weed for which it is important to cut down and kill the weeds, before the set the seeds and spread. Usually, planted in the late fall after harvest, and then cut down into the soil before planting in spring. Once the dear leaves turn brown, they can be tilted into the soil.
A mixture of decayed or decaying organic matter used to fertilize soil. Compost is usually made by gathering plant material, such as leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable peels, into a pile or bin and letting it decompose as a result of the action of aerobic bacteria, fungi, and other organisms.