Soil Fertility and Nutrient management (1+1)

II. Edaphic factors or Soil management factors

 
• II. Edaphic factors or Soil management factors : Includes the entire soil conditions and their management practices that are concerned with addition or removal of plant nutrients.
  1. Physical conditions of soil

     a. Texture of soil: Fine textured soils (clay rich) are having greater surface area, greater CEC and so better soil fertility than the coarse textured soils (sand rich).
     b. Structure of soil: Well aggregated soils are more productive compared to non aggregated soils or loose soils..
     c. Soil water: Clayey soil store more water than sandy soils, hence they are more productive
     d. Soil aeration: Soil air containing oxygen is essential for root respiration, decomposition of soil organic matter and uptake of nutrients by plants. Higher CO2 content in the soil restrict the uptake of nutrients. Soil aeration decides oxidation and reduction process of soils.
     e. Soil temperature: It is required for metabolic activity of plants, microbial activity and decomposition process. Temperature variations also affect the nutrient absorption and nutrient conversions in soil and ultimately plant growth.
     f. Soil compaction and tillage operations: Compactness will decide the aeration status of soil and root penetration. It has direct effect on the ability of plant roots to absorb both nutrients and moisture from the soil. Tillage operations using heavy implements will destroy the good soil structure, make more compact soil which intern affect the soil fertility status.
     g. Soil reaction (pH): Availability of nutrients in soils is greatly influenced by increase or decrease in soil pH. The neutral pH of 6.5-7.5 is optimum for good productive soils.
     h. Microorganisms: Soil microorganisms improve the soil fertility as they help in decomposition of organic matter and nutrient mineralization in soil. They also involve in nutrients cycling by mineralization, fixation, absorption and solubilization of nutrients in soils.
  2. Root growth and extension: Root performs absorption of water and nutrients needed for the plant. Root metabolism creates a nutrient demand. Dense and extensive root system helps better nutrient availability to plants.
  3. Organic matter content of the soil: Higher the organic matter status higher will be the fertility status. Organic matter increases humus content hence, more CEC of soils. It acts as store house of various nutrients; it improves the physical properties of soil like structure, good aggregation of soil particles, aeration, and water holding capacity, solubility of the minerals and supplies “energy” for the growth and development of microorganisms.
  4. Cropping system: Cultivation of same crop continuously in the same field without replenishment decreases the soil fertility. Thus, inclusion of various crops and cropping systems like double, mixed , relay, multiple cropping and crop rotation increases the soil fertility.
  5. Soil erosion: Erosion is the physical removal of top soil by water and wind. As such it decreases the soil fertility and promotes soil degradation due to nutrients are being lost by erosion continuously along with soil.

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