Soil Fertility, Conversation and Management

The goal in soil fertility management is to manipulate the soil to enhance its ability to continuously supply sufficient amounts of plant nutrients for optimum plant growth and yield. Agronomists’ primary focus in crop production, is to manage soil fertility at a level where the inorganic nutrition of plants is capable of sustaining optimum plant growth and yield. The soil in a particular area may be fertile but limited in productivity. Soil is a natural body comprised of solids (minerals and organic matter), liquid, and gases that occurs on the land surface, occupies space, and is characterized by one or both of the following: horizons, or layers, that are distinguishable from the initial material as a result of additions, losses, transfers, and transformations of energy and matter or the ability to support rooted plants in a natural environment. Soil conservation is the process of preventing erosion and loss of fertility in soil. Erosion is problematic because loss of topsoil equates to loss of nutrients that are required for plants to survive. There are additional negative environmental effects from loss of topsoil. Soil management and vegetation are crucial in the rehabilitation of degraded lands. Its management depends on soil capability, climatic conditions, plant species, infrastructure and local policies. Soil rich in organic matter and covered with vegetation minimize siltation and enhance the water yield in the catchment. This book will focus on addressing the ecological integrity and capacity of the soil to function productively as a medium of plant growth, capable of supplying adequate amounts of plant nutrients during a growing season.