Soil Quality : Silent Force In Achieving Food Security
Imagine improving crop yields by 10.3% just by enhancing soil quality. Fascinating, isn’t it? A recent study covering the vast majority of China’s cereal production proved it’s possible.
With food demand set to increase by 70% by 2050, we must get more from our farms. Better soil equals bigger harvests — it’s that simple and that essential.
In this article, we will be discussing 6 benefits of soil monitoring in Agriculture.
Understanding Soil Fertility
By keeping an eye on soil health parameters, such as pH level, temperature, moisture content, and nutrient content (like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), we can assess the fertility of the soil. Fertile soil has the right conditions and nutrients that crops need to grow abundantly.
Precise Fertilizer Application
Soil monitoring allows for the precise application of fertilizers based on the soil’s specific nutrient deficiencies. This not only optimizes crop yield but also reduces wastage and environmental pollution from excessive fertilizer use.
Preventing Soil Degradation
Regular soil monitoring can help detect early signs of soil degradation, such as nutrient depletion, salinization, or erosion. Early detection allows for timely interventions, preventing further degradation and maintaining the soil’s productivity.
Climate Resilience
Quality soil is more resilient against climate variability. Soil monitoring can reveal how soil properties change under different weather conditions, helping farmers prepare and adapt their practices to ensure stable yields.
Crop Suitability
By understanding the soil’s properties, farmers can choose the crops that are best suited to those conditions. This not only improves yield but also promotes biodiversity and sustainable farming practices.
Informed Decision-Making
Enhanced soil quality and constant monitoring offer farmers reliable data, which they can use to make informed decisions about crop rotation, intercropping, and other farming practices that can increase crop yield.
We have seen how paying close attention to the health of our soil can secure not only higher crop yields today but a more food-secure future for all of us. Whether we’re farmers, gardeners, or conscious consumers, let’s all do our part in understanding and protecting our soil, the silent hero of our food production.
References
1. S. K. Singh and A. K. Singh, “An AI solution for Soil Fertility and Crop Friendliness Detection and Monitoring,” *ResearchGate*, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349788961_An_AI_solution_for_Soil_Fertility_and_Crop_Friendliness_Detection_and_Monitoring.
2. J. G. Davis and D. L. Karlen, “Soil Quality Monitoring: A Practical Guide,” *Oklahoma State University*, 2001. [Online]. Available: http://soilwater.okstate.edu/CCA/StudyGuide%20pdfs/PSS-2262_Soil_Quality_Monitoring.pdf.
3. “What is yield monitoring and mapping,” *GeoPard Agriculture*, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://geopard.tech/blog/yield-monitoring-in-precision-agriculture-importance-and-basic-components/.
4. “Monitoring the condition of the soil resource,” *DAFF*, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/natural-resources/soils/monitoring.
5. “Yield Monitoring and Mapping,” *CropWatch*, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/ssm/mapping.
6. M. A. Sanderman et al., “Soil quality both increases crop production and improves resilience to climate change,” Nature Climate Change, vol. 12, no. 7, pp. 636–641, Jul. 2022. [Online]. Available: Soil quality both increases crop production and improves resilience to climate change | Nature Climate Change
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