Elements that affect soil fertility

Land as an integral part of ecosystems

When we talk about land, it is necessary to emphasize that it is an integral part of the ecosystem. The soil is subject to the influence of climatic conditions as well as the living world. It is divided into different layers that have their physical, chemical, and biological properties. The most important soil property is soil fertility, on which the method of cultivation also depends. For the needs of well-cultivated land, there are a large number of mechanical aids on the market, and we present you with Irgot Tools, a domestic manufacturer of quality blades and specially designed garden tools.

 

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The soil is subject to the influence of atmospheric and biological conditions such as temperature, water, airflow. Also, the process of soil creation is influenced by living organisms and animals, so the remains of dead animals enter the composition of the soil through the processes of decomposition and mineralization.

 

Soil texture

When it comes to soil, we distinguish it by texture, so there is also sandy soil, soil with loam clay, clay, and the like. Soil fertility is therefore directly conditioned by soil texture. Soil fertility is also affected by properties such as porosity and aeration, soil water level, soil heating, etc.

 

Fertile soil consists of solids (mineral and organic) as well as water and air.

 

The constituent substances are present in the soil in the following percentage:

• mineral matter (up to 45%)
• organic matter (5%)
• water (30%)
• air (20%)

 

Mineral fertilizers

Mineral fertilizers are inorganic substances that can be of natural or industrial origin and contain an element necessary for the development of plants. Their importance for soil fertility is in the fact that they feed plants with the help of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as secondary elements of sulfur, calcium, and magnesium, as well as microelements (Fe, Zn, Co, Mo).

 

Mineral fertilizers enable the smooth development of plants and are necessary for their normal development.

 

Lack of mineral fertilizers affects the development of the plant

 

With mineral fertilizers:

• the promotion of natural nutrients from the soil is achieved
• and the chemical and microbiological properties that affect soil fertility are improved.

 

The most important nutrients that contain fertilizer are nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as small amounts of potassium.

 

Artificial fertilizers

According to the chemical composition, artificial fertilizers are mostly inorganic salts. Fertilizer exists in a solid and liquid state.

According to the primary element that they contain, artificial fertilizers are divided into:

• Nitrogen (Chile saltpeter, NaNO3 (KAN), KNO3, Ca (NO3))
• Phosphorus,
• Magnesium
• Potassium,
• Calcium.

 

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Organic or humus matter in soil

Organic matter contains biological substances, which decompose during mineralization and turn into an inorganic form. The process of synthesis of new organic compounds that are part of humus also continues.

 

Humus matter

Humus is formed due to humification, microbiological decomposition, and synthesis of organic matter. The decomposition of organic matter produces CO2, H2O, NH3, and other inorganic compounds. The decomposition rate depends on the chemical composition of organic matter and the conditions in which microorganisms develop (pH, water, oxygen, etc.)

 

Microorganisms participate in the decomposition of organic matter

 

Soil fertility also depends on the humus in the soil, which increases its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Humus enhances the biological activity of the soil thanks to microorganisms.

For proper land use, it is essential to know the optimal level of humus, so if the humus content is higher than optimal, organic fertilizers should be avoided, and mineralization should be increased, and if the soil has a lower humus level than optimal, organic fertilizers should be increased. You can read more about natural soil improvers here.

 

Soil porosity

Soil fertility is also affected by porosity, that is to say, water and air soil conditions. Soil pores enable the passage and growth of plant roots, the decomposition processes of microorganisms take place in them, plant nutrition takes place, and the like. It should be noted that soil compaction increases the bulk density, that is to say, it reduces the porosity of the soil. In such compacted soils, aeration is slower while the level of oxygen is reduced. In addition, in such conditions, carbon dioxide content is increased, the water level is reduced, etc. That is why it is necessary to grind and cultivate the land, which is also possible with the help of the Broadfork.

Air in the ground

Soil fertility also depends on the gases that come into it from the atmosphere, and gases are formed in the soil itself due to biochemical processes.

Air participates in the decomposition processes of organic matter contributes to oxidation, humus mineralization, and the like.

 

Also, aeration of soil pores is performed by exchanging gases between atmospheric and ground air. In fact, the temperature differences between the atmospheric and the air in the soil create a continuous circulation of gases from the earth to the atmosphere. In addition, the speed of aeration is affected by soil moisture and wind.

 

Air is a source of oxygen and nitrogen in the soil

 

The air consists of:

• up to 80% nitrogen,
• up to 3% oxygen,
• over 20% of hydrocarbons and long compounds.

 

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Water in the soil

When it comes to the influence of water on soil fertility, it is important as a soil solvent.

Soil water has several properties:

• Filtration ability is the ability to leak water from the surface into deeper soil layers. The larger the soil pores, the greater the water leakage. Clay, e.g., has tiny pores and retains more water, and has low filtration capacity.
• The ability of the soil to retain water is also an important feature of the soil because humid soils are not suitable for building residential houses, and in addition, there are a large number of pathogens in such soils.
• The capillarity of the soil, if expressed, creates unfavorable conditions for construction because moisture enters the walls of buildings.

 

Therefore, the land is a complex system that is directly conditioned by various factors. Soil fertility is an indicator of the “health” of the soil and can often determine its purpose. Whether it is about building facilities, making greenhouses, growing crops, the quality and texture of the land are always taken into account.