FEATURESTORY
by Bill Baugh
Improving Soil Quality
using Management Practices
S
oil quality is the most important factor for long term agricultural productivity.
A good soil manager will monitor the organic content of the soil, water hold-
ing capacity, and a host of other soil quality parameters. Soil quality also re-
lies on the diversity of beneficial soil microorganisms.
Wise management practices could improve
soil quality
Surface soil produces our food and is vital for
life. This precious resource often is called “skin of the
Earth” and, just as skin, it is important to protect and
maintain its quality. Soil quality is the inherent capac-
ity of a particular soil to support human health and
habitation; maintain or enhance air and water quality;
and, most important, sustain plant and animal produc-
tivity. From an agricultural standpoint, soil quality is
vital for improving long-term agricultural productivity
and maximizing profits through sustainable productiv-
ity.
It is important for soil both to function optimally
for current needs and remain healthy for future use.
Soil organic matter, tillage, soil compaction, soil struc-
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ture, depth of soil, water-holding capacity, electrical
conductivity, pH, ground cover, microbial biodiversity,
carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and nutrient management are
some of the important parameters of soil quality.
Improving and maintaining soil organic matter
content is the most important quality parameter. In-
creasing organic matter improves soil structure as well
as water- and nutrient-holding capacity, supports soil
microbes, and protects soil from erosion and compac-
tion. Organic matter can be improved by using no-till
or minimum till methods, growing cover crops, leav-
ing crop residues and using rotations with crops that
balance optimal water and nutrient management prac-
tices.
Using reduced tillage practices helps protect the
soil surface, which decreases soil erosion and soil
www.GardenandGreenhouse.net
May 2019