How to plant in non-fertile soils

Research on soil fertility and technological innovations are very important for the development of agriculture and the increase in productivity, as they allow more efficient management of correctives and fertilizers.

Despite the importance of soil, problems with soil fertility are advancing worldwide. A study carried out by FAO, involving 600 researchers from 60 countries, showed that more than 30% of the world’s soils are degraded, facing problems such as erosion, compaction, and loss of organic matter. If the problem continues at this rate, a total reduction of more than 10% could happen by 2050.

But do you know how important soil fertility is for agricultural productivity? What are the causes of soil infertility? How to fix it and recover your productivity? See below how to assess the richness of your property, correct problems, and manage it properly.

Know what fertile soil is

For agriculture, we can think that fertile soil is a productive soil, that is, one that contains essential nutrients in adequate and balanced amounts for the normal development of cultivated plants.

The presence of nutrients is one of the fundamental aspects of good soil quality and its good use and management in agriculture. After all, the soil supports the cultivation, providing it with the basis for access to water, oxygen, and the nutrients necessary for its development.

Good soil quality is also important for the preservation of other essential environmental services, such as water flow and quality, biodiversity, and the balance of atmospheric gases.

Understand what causes soil infertility

The model of intensive agriculture, prevalent in the country, directly impacts physical, chemical, and biological properties, requiring corrective actions.

Inappropriate practices, such as excessive use of agrochemicals and cultivation without adequate nutrient replacement, can affect soil properties. They result in increased compaction and erosion, loss of beneficial microorganisms, organic matter, and the ability to retain water or changes in natural fertility and pH levels.

Another problem that threatens the soil is its compaction, caused by the trampling of the herds, by the insufficient coverage of the soil by the natural vegetation or by the inadequate planting of the crops. Besides, soils that are exposed to rain and sun for a long time, as in the tropical climate, are also poorer in nutrients.

See what natural or human-made causes are

The low fertility of soils can have both natural and human-made causes – caused by inadequate soil management. Among them, erosion, deforestation, burning, and desertification and intensive agriculture stand out.

Among the natural causes, the genesis of the soil and the weathering are the main factors that cause low fertility, particularly in large part of the tropical and subtropical regions, where the removal of nutrients from the soil is faster, due to the high-temperature conditions. and rainfall.

In addition to natural causes, anthropic causes can also cause low soil fertility. It is caused by the exhaustion of nutrients from the soil removed by the crops, without adequate replacement using fertilization.

In Brazil, the main problems encountered are erosion, loss of organic carbon, and nutrient imbalance. In addition, there are imbalances such as salinization, pollution, and acidification.

Avoid problems with erosion

A significant problem related to the causes of falling soil fertility is erosion. It is the largest cause of soil degradation in the world and sometimes has permanent consequences.

Rainfall is the main cause of erosion. During heavy rains, floods can form that drag the topsoil. This phenomenon is particularly harmful in soils that are not covered by vegetation. In addition, deforestation, fires, and mining are also factors that facilitate the occurrence of erosion.

One of the worst consequences of erosion is the loss of soil organic matter (MOS), considered the simplest indicator and one of the most important indicators for measuring soil quality. Inadequate management practices, such as the adoption of intensive cultivation instead of minimal cultivation or no-till, can lead to a rapid drop in MOS content.

See how to correct soil fertility

The good news is that these causes of soil infertility – whether natural or human-made – can be corrected by replacing nutrients with mineral and organic fertilization. The management of soil fertility, through the efficient use of correctives and fertilizers, is responsible for about 50% of the increase in crop production and productivity, according to a study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

To identify problems, the farmer must do a soil and plant analysis to diagnose possible issues related to soil fertility, such as lack of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic inputs. Parameters of fertility (soil organic carbon, pH, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium) and physical conditions of the soil (clay, sand, and silt) must be analyzed.

The analysis of the soil and the evaluation of the chemical fertility of the soils are fundamental for the definition of the quantities and types of fertilizers, the corrective treatments, and the general management that must be applied to the soil.

The application of fertilizers and fertilizers of mineral or organic origin in balanced amounts allows you to restore in a balanced way the lack of nutrients in the soil. These inputs must be applied correctly, in the correct dose, place, and time, to increase agricultural productivity and maintain the sustainability of the environment.

As we have seen, the health and balance of the soil are vital to ensure adequate productive conditions for crops. For this reason, detailed knowledge of the chemical and physical characteristics and properties of soils is essential, aiming at their proper management, the most appropriate use of more valuable inputs and production. Using the knowledge and technologies available today, rural producers can quickly detect fertility problems on their property and seek the most appropriate solutions.