Soil fertility can be defined as the characteristics and features of soil that assist in providing nutrients and water to plants so that they grow better and develop into fruitful yields. Soil fertility is essential for farming because it has a direct impact on the quantity and quality of crops that farmers can produce.
Soil fertility depends on many factors:
- soil texture,
- soil structure,
- organic matter,
- soil pH,
- microorganisms, and
- chemical composition.
Indian farmers improve soil fertility by several methods such as using organic or inorganic fertilizers and cover crops. Some farmers also opt for composting, crop rotation, and mulching to assure that soil health is refined, and they prevent erosion, salinization, compaction, and pollution. In this guide, we shall go through the role of cover crops in enhancing soil fertility.
Fertile soil and crop yields – the direct connection
Fertile soil is one of the most important factors for the best crop yields. Such soil provides nutrients, irrigation, air, and support for plants to develop and grow fully. Fertile soil also helps prevent any erosion, harmful microorganisms, and diseases that can damage crops.
The relation between fertile soil and crop yields is positive: the more fertile the soil, the higher the crop yields. However, this relation is not linear: there are other factors that also influence crop yields, such as climate, irrigation, fertilization, pest control, and crop variety. Hence, it can be said that just improving soil fertility may not be the only way to enhance crop yields, but it is a must-have condition for sustainable agriculture in India.
What are cover crops?
Cover crops are plants specially grown to cover the soil; thus, they provide numerous benefits for the agroecosystem. These crops help prevent soil erosion and also improve soil fertility.
Farmers practice cover crops to enhance the quality and manage irrigation. In Indian agricultural practice, some common examples of cover crops include legumes, radishes, grasses, turnips, and brassicas. Farmers in India plant cover crops in different seasons and they do it either alone or in mixtures of crops. These plants are incorporated into the soil as green manure or left as mulch. Cover crops are widely used in crop rotation, no-till, and organic farming practices.
What are the benefits of cover crops in keeping soil fertile?
Cover crops are plants that are grown between the main crops to improve soil fertility and prevent erosion. Cover crops should be chosen and managed according to the specific needs and goals of each farming system. They can be terminated by mowing, grazing, rolling, or herbicides before planting the next crop.
The benefits of cover crops to improve and retain soil fertility include:
- adding organic matter
- fixing nitrogen
- enhancing nutrient availability
- improving soil structure
- suppressing weeds and pests
Some examples of cover crops are:
- Clover: a legume that can fix nitrogen and attract beneficial insects
- Vetch: another legume that can fix nitrogen and improve soil tilth
- Rye: a cereal that can scavenge nutrients and prevent weed growth
- Oats: another cereal that can add biomass and suppress diseases
- Radish: a brassica that can break up soil compaction and reduce nematodes
What is the process to practice cover crops?
Cover crops are plants that are grown to cover the soil and provide various benefits for the agroecosystem. Depending on the objectives and the season, they can be grasses, legumes, or broadleaf non-legumes.
The process to practice cover crops involves choosing the appropriate species or mixtures, planting them at the right time and rate, managing them during their growth, and terminating them before planting the cash crop. As mentioned earlier, cover crops can help in the regulation of water and nutrients, prevention of soil erosion, improvement of soil fertility and quality, and suppression of weeds and pests. They also attract pollinators and serve as forage or green manure.
How to terminate cover crops?
Cover crops are plants that are placed between the main crops to improve soil fertility and prevent erosion. They can provide various benefits for the soil, such as:
- adding organic matter
- fixing nitrogen
- enhancing nutrient availability
- improving soil structure
- suppressing weeds and pests
Some examples of cover crops are clover, vetch, rye, oats, and radish. To choose the right cover crop for your garden, you need to consider several factors, such as:
- the climate and soil conditions of your area
- the goals and needs of your cropping system
- the timing and duration of cover cropping
- the equipment and labor available for planting and terminating
Terminating cover crops is important to prevent them from competing with the cash crop or becoming a weed problem. There are different methods of cover crop termination, such as:
- Natural: some cover crops die over winter or after flowering, such as oats, radish, or buckwheat
- Chemical: herbicides can be used to kill cover crops, but the effectiveness depends on the cover crop species, growth stage, herbicide type, rate, and environmental conditions
- Mechanical: tillage or mowing can be used to destroy cover crops, but the effectiveness depends on the cover crop biomass, residue management, and soil moisture
What is next after you successfully achieve fertile soil?
After you achieve fertile soil, you can start planting crops or seeds that suit your climate and soil conditions. Fertile soil provides nutrients, water, and oxygen to the plants, which helps them grow healthy and productive. Some of the benefits of growing crops in fertile soil are:
- Higher yields and quality of the harvest
- Reduced need for fertilizers and pesticides
- Improved soil structure and water retention
- Enhanced biodiversity and ecosystem services
- Increased resilience to climate change and pests
To maintain the fertility of soil, Indian farmers need to adopt agritech that helps them to achieve the best soil management techniques, organic farming, and other agricultural benefits.
Standard Indian agricultural practices can help farmers retain organic matter, essential nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms in the soil; plus, it can prevent erosion, compaction, and salinization. When you take care of your soil, you are assured of sustainable and profitable agriculture for yourself and future generations.
Buy organic seeds for fertile soil to get the best results
If you want to grow healthy plants, you need to start with good seeds and soil. One way to ensure that is to buy organic seeds for fertile soil. Organic seeds are not treated with chemicals or genetically modified, so they are more natural and safer for the environment.
Fertile soil is rich in nutrients and microbes that help plants thrive and resist pests and diseases. For the best results, you should choose organic seeds, pesticides, and nutritional products from a reliable online agriculture store like Badikheti. You can find a variety of organic seeds and soil online or at your local nursery.
