Soil Health is at the heart of a good crop
Soil is complex and requires constant care and attention in order to maintain what we’ll call the Four Pillars of Optimal Health: Biological health, Soil Organic Carbon, Physical properties, and Chemical properties. All equally important in supporting plant life, these properties combine living and non-living materials, water and air and form the basis of a two-way, holistic relationship between plants and the soil, the aim of regenerative agriculture.
Biological Health: microorganisms important in keeping balance
The importance of maintaining the biological health of soil is well documented and becoming more understood in mainstream production of fruit and vegetables. Restoring and maintaining thriving soil microbial communities is vital to grow and protect biodiversity and to protect commercial crops from pathogens. Predator versus prey, keeping nature's balance.
Mycorrhizal fungi: The first plants on earth formed a symbiotic organism called mycorrhizal fungi. This organism developed to allow plants to access and reach nutrients and water, in exchange for sugars secreted from plant roots. This symbiotic exchange is still vital for plant health today, with some plants simply unable to thrive without their symbionts. Mycorrhizal fungi provide many benefits, including protection from pathogens and nematodes, detoxification of soils, and a crucial role in the sequestration of carbon into permanent storage sinks in the soil.
Saprophytic fungi: Trichoderma spp. are another form of beneficial organism. Trichoderma are known to improve seed germination, enhance root growth, and protect plants from pathogens. They use a variety of mechanisms to provide protection, such as competition for space around the root zone. The victor takes all the sugars secreted by the plants if they are first to make a home there. Thus, the simple process of dipping plant roots in beneficial organisms or applying them with seed at planting can keep other organisms, potentially pathogens, away. Antibiotics are known for their powerful properties in human healthcare, so utilising organisms that secrete antibiotics is a smart pathway for growers. Trichoderma are predators that keep the natural balance in soil, much like sharks do in the sea. Secretion of antibiotics and microparasitism are common mechanisms used by these unseen and unsung heroes.
Beneficial bacteria: Bacillus subtilis or Pseudomonas putida improve soil fertility and crop health, breaking down leftover crop matter and offering protection from pathogens. They are commonly utilised in hydroponics as they have one or many tails for swimming.
These microscopic creatures work in different ways, with different food sources and generally three modes of action in providing protection to plants. The utilisation of different mechanisms is an important factor in prevention and one of the reasons why pathogens do not become resistant to these natural biological agents.
Soil Organic Carbon: feed the micro-organisms
Soil Organic Carbon, more commonly named Organic Matter, provides food for microorganisms and in turn to crops via nutrient cycling. Made up of active and passive organic matter, these substances provide a vast range of benefits to both soil and plant health. Active Organic Matter supports microbiology by feeding organisms, breaking down waste, aerating soil, and creating new topsoil. Passive Organic Matter is biologically stable and improves soil structure, water holding capacity, and mineral exchange.
Humic and fulvic acids, often called humates, make up the passive organic matter. These substances possess both negative and positive charges and greatly enhance soil CEC, ensuring the soil holds essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, reducing fertiliser loss and water eutrophication. They mobilise and transport minerals, water, and oxygen, whilst ameliorating soil toxicity.
Physical property requirements for soil health are well known to all growers.
Water, light, crop rotation, composting, minimum tillage, and similar practices are all important factors in regenerative agriculture. They ensure good root growth and increased productivity, improve drainage and soil aeration, and reduce water ponding and runoff.
Soil Chemical Properties: Achieving and sustaining proper soil chemistry, including optimum pH levels, soil CEC, high organic matter, and soil mineral balance, means crops have access to nutrients and promotes active soil biological communities.
These four pillars of soil health work together holistically to create an environment that is good for plants, and in turn plants provide mineral-dense food to support people.
Unfortunately, soil is very dynamic and complex. Even when all these factors are achieved, weather events can still cause crops to become deficient in various minerals. New technologies in bio-available foliar fertilisation allow a bypass mechanism for optimum crop health and production, ensuring profitability for those who work the land.
There are many products available for growing and maintaining soil and plant health, but it is important to know whether products are proven to provide benefits to soil, crops, and the environment.
Knowing what to look for in a product is simple and worth researching before purchasing. Look for manufacturers with a long history and proven field results. With specialised products such as biologicals, seek proven results and scientific understanding. Ask questions — not all biological products are created equal.
When it comes to humates, remember organic matter goes through around six stages of decomposition, the final stage being coal, which has no agricultural benefit. Leonardite contains quality humic and fulvic acid components, but it is important to verify the source. Oxygen is equally important as carbon in a quality humic acid product — high carbon with low oxygen indicates material close to coal and of little use.
Whilst the technical nature of these products may seem daunting, they are designed for everyone to use, not just organic or regenerative growers. Conventional growers can use these products knowing they deliver advanced technology with proven results, while remaining safe for crops, families, communities, and the environment.
Article supplied by Roots, Shoots & Fruits [Soil Health, Plant Health, YOUR Health]
