What is soil fertility and
what steps are to be taken to improve soil fertility
Answers
Answered by
6
Soil fertility refers to the ability of a soil to sustain agricultural plant growth, i.e. to provide plant habitat and result in sustained and consistent yields of high quality.[1] A fertile soil has the following properties:[2]
The ability to supply essential plant nutrients and water in adequate amounts and proportions for plant growth and reproduction; and
The absence of toxic substances which may inhibit plant growth.
The following properties contribute to soil fertility in most situations:
Sufficient soil depth for adequate root growth and water retention;
Good internal drainage, allowing sufficient aeration for optimal root growth (although some plants, such as rice, tolerate waterlogging);
Topsoil with sufficient soil organic matterfor healthy soil structure and soil moistureretention;
Soil pH in the range 5.5 to 7.0 (suitable for most plants but some prefer or tolerate more acid or alkaline conditions);
Adequate concentrations of essential plant nutrients in plant-available forms;
Presence of a range of microorganismsthat support plant growth.
In lands used for agriculture and other human activities, maintenance of soil fertility typically requires the use of soil conservationpractices. This is because soil erosion and other forms of soil degradation generally result in a decline in quality with respect to one or more of the aspects indicated above.
The ability to supply essential plant nutrients and water in adequate amounts and proportions for plant growth and reproduction; and
The absence of toxic substances which may inhibit plant growth.
The following properties contribute to soil fertility in most situations:
Sufficient soil depth for adequate root growth and water retention;
Good internal drainage, allowing sufficient aeration for optimal root growth (although some plants, such as rice, tolerate waterlogging);
Topsoil with sufficient soil organic matterfor healthy soil structure and soil moistureretention;
Soil pH in the range 5.5 to 7.0 (suitable for most plants but some prefer or tolerate more acid or alkaline conditions);
Adequate concentrations of essential plant nutrients in plant-available forms;
Presence of a range of microorganismsthat support plant growth.
In lands used for agriculture and other human activities, maintenance of soil fertility typically requires the use of soil conservationpractices. This is because soil erosion and other forms of soil degradation generally result in a decline in quality with respect to one or more of the aspects indicated above.
Answered by
0
Answer:
Recall that bacteria are also used in the preparation of medicines . In agriculture they are used to increase soil fertility by fixing nitrogen .
Explanation:
Similar questions