Soil Management in Organic Agriculture

Soil Management is the most important consideration in Organic Agriculture because the health and fertility of the soil is indispensable in supporting sustainability. Organic farms are not allowed to use synthetic substances such as industrial fertilizers on their crops. They are required to maintain fertility of the soil by empowering the five necessities of plant life namely nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, microorganisms, and healthy symbiotic relationships. Among these five needs nitrogen management is considered the most difficult. Not only should enough nitrogen be allowed to interact with the crops, the amounts should also be manipulated to match the current needs of the crops. There are stages when the plants need excessive nitrogen and there are times when they only need moderate amounts.

The primary means used in Organic Agriculture to facilitate the production of nitrogen are crop rotation and green manure. Both these methods regulate the population of legumes which are the natural nitrogen fixers of the environment. The plant parts used in green manure also contain nitrogen. Adjusting the quantity of green manure therefore is the best way of facilitating synchronization between the crops and nitrogen. It the case of potassium, animal manure can be the best source. There are also several processed fertilizers that are designed to provide potassium in the soil such as seed meals and mineral powders. Both substances also help slow down the rate of erosion in the soil.

Organic Agriculture gives utmost importance to the population of beneficial microorganisms and fungi in the soil because they are the primary agents responsible for restoring the nutrients in the land. These microorganisms and robust enough to survive and multiply on their own as long as they are not exposed to harmful substances. This is why it is often enough to maintain a healthy microorganism population that no toxic chemicals such as those found in pesticides and herbicides be spilled on the soil. A healthy population of microorganisms is able to keep the land fertile for around a decade even after human activity has stopped plowing it.

Organic Agriculture also requires that the soil is maintained in a state that facilitates biodiversity and a balanced ecosystem. Crop rotation greatly helps promote biodiversity because different kinds of plants attract different kinds of organisms such as bugs and insects. These bugs and insects in turn attract various types of predatory birds. The biodiversity in turn helps retain the balance in the biosphere surrounding the farm.