Soil Management for Organic Farming

When it comes to managing soil fertility in organic farming systems, there is a different approach that has to be taken than when it comes to conventional farming systems. Organic producers and many other members of the sustainable agriculture community use practices and inputs that promote biologically healthy soils capable of sustaining fertility differently from conventional farming practices.

To ensure that plant nutrients are made available to plants, they promote the decomposition of plant and animal residues. Using biologically-created inputs, organic production in the form of organic crops is ensured to be a dynamic biological process through soil fertility management. Consequently, organic farming systems are more complex regarding nutrient management than conventional farming systems.

Soil Management for Organic Farming

Factors Affecting Soil Fertility

Natural Factors

Parent Material
Soil Age
Topography
Soil Erosion
Climate
Physical Condition of Soil

Artificial Factors

Use of manures and fertilizers
System of growing crop
Water logging
Method and time of plowing the soil
Weeds control

Methods to Improve Soil Fertility Management by Organic Farming

Bare Fallow

A fallow period between harvesting crops may be used with bare fallow. In temperate zones, fallow periods occur in winter, while in Mediterranean and tropical zones, they occur during the dry season. Using bare fallow to accumulate water and control weeds only works to improve the soil where resources are concentrated enough to increase overall crop productivity. It is important to prevent soil erosion when using bare fallow.

Application Vermicompost

Vermicompost contributes greatly to soil fertility management through organic farming. As a result of vermicomposting, soil structure, and fertility can be improved by improving porosity and aeration, and soil moisture can be retained, increasing crop yields. Microorganisms can multiply 20 times faster in vermicompost than in soil alone, improving soil structure and promoting healthy, fertile soil when added.

In case you missed it: Frequently Asked Questions About Vermicompost

Applying Farmyard Manure

It is highly beneficial for the soil to have green manure crops as part of soil fertility management in organic farming. Soils are upgraded, weeds are controlled, nutrients are supplied, and organic matter is added to increase soil fertility. Dung manure generally improves the soil’s condition, and its application reduces bulk density and compaction in the soil while increasing overall stability, water infiltration, and soil retention.

In case you missed it: How to Make Organic Manure from Kitchen Waste: DIY at Home, Step-by-Step Methods for Preparation

The nitrogen content of fresh, non-composted manure will generally be higher than that of composted manure. Composted manure will, however, contribute more to the soil’s organic matter content. There are two nitrogen forms in manure: the organic form, which releases slowly, and the inorganic form (ammonium, NH4+, and nitrate, NO3-), which is readily available. The release of organic nitrogen is slower and more stable.

Crop Rotation

For organic farmers, crop rotation is an important strategy for varying plant species over time and space. Keeping the soil surface covered with a growing crop for most of the year is important. As part of rotations, disease and pest cycles are broken, and soil-building cover crops or fallow periods are included. Cover crops or perennial crops can be used to increase or maintain soil organic matter content and nutrient availability when cash crops are not grown. Fertility is mainly determined by rotation, not amendments, for most organic farmers.

Growing Cover Crops or Green Manure

A cover crop is an annual, biennial, or perennial herbaceous plant that grows in a pure or mixed stand. During part of the year, annual covers occupy the rotation. A perennial crop may be referred to as a ley, pasture, or plant-fall phase. In addition to providing soil cover, cover crops can loosen compacted soil through the growth of roots. In addition to improving the soil’s physical condition, they also improve water filtration.

Non-legumes can increase nutrient availability to future crops by capturing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that would otherwise leach out or become unavailable. Grass mixtures and legume plants are examples of green manure crops. Ryegrass, vetch, clover, peas, winter wheat, alfalfa, and vetch are the most commonly used cover crops. The following benefits are obtained using green manure in the soil.

The soil structure is improved
Provision of nutrients and organic carbon of soil
Erosion prevention
Enhancing aeration in rice soils by stimulating the surface film of algae and bacteria
Keeping soil soluble nutrients from leaching
It increases the water-holding capacity of light soils

By Implementation of Crop Diversification

Rotation and the use of ley crops can reduce crop insect pests and diseases. Coverage plants and perennial leys help maintain or increase soil organic matter when allowed to grow long enough to produce sufficient biomass. In addition, they prevent soil erosion caused both by water and wind, and they suppress weeds as well. Residue management within rotations can be quite complex.

Application of Biofertilizer

Bio-fertilizers are fertilizers made from living microorganisms. Plant growth is promoted by increasing primary nutrients available to the host plant in the field. Soil fertility is increased as a result. Autotrophic cyanobacteria, such as Anabaena, Nostoc, and Oscillatoria, fix atmospheric nitrogen in aquatic and terrestrial environments, increase soil fertility, and add organic matter.

By Using Commercial Organic Fertilizers

Many commercial organic fertilizers are available for organic crop production, both dry and liquid. Most of these products are byproducts of fish, livestock, food, and other processing industries. Fertilizer suppliers and distributors offer a variety of single-source and blended organic products.

Plasticized poultry manure, seabird guano, pelleted guano, feather meal, and blood meal are some examples of organic fertilizers. There are several advantages to commercial organic nitrogen fertilizers over compost, including better handling, nitrogen placement, and availability of nitrogen.

Benefits of Soil Fertility Management by Organic Farming

This improves the soil’s chemical properties, including supplying and retaining nutrients, reducing nutrient loss into water bodies, and promoting favorable chemical reactions.
Improving soil physical characteristics such as granulation, tilth, aeration, and root penetration increases the soil’s water-holding capacity, reduces erosion, and improves water-holding capacity.
Agricultural production costs are reduced, and soil health is improved.
The use of manures on a farm allows nutrients to be transferred (and fertility to be maintained).
Stimulation of algae and bacteria activity on rice soil surfaces improves aeration.
It provides soil with nutrients and organic carbon.

Conclusion

One of the most important benefits of organic farming is the maintenance of soil fertility. Many concerns are associated with managing soil fertility under an organic farming system. Organic producers must account for each nutrient source to determine current and future nutrient availability. Nutrient management is just one component of integrated crop and soil management.

Soil Management for Organic Farming