Ingredients in the soil

Soil structure is distorted by many human activities. When plowing the air with the cows, we were only stirring the three feet of soil above. After tractor plowing, we dig up to almost six feet of soil. Not only digging too deep but also driving a heavy tractor on it breaks the soil structure. Thus its natural character is affected and the soil hardens. Air and water cannot enter it. As a result, operating materials such as microorganisms inside the soil are affected and the soil loses its health. What if we climbed on an aluminum plate? The soil is like that. When the loose soil takes a handle and presses it by hand, it hardens, while loading heavy vehicles such as tractors will make the construction more efficient. Although the tractor is inevitable in today's agro-economic environment, we must understand that it is also a cause of soil erosion. However, the comforting news is that this degenerate soil can be repaired with organic matter (humus leaf, foliage ....).

Ingredients in the soil!

Minerals 45%

25% of air

25% of water

Organic Products 5%

The purpose of this series is to introduce the basic knowledge of the science, the wonders, and the millions of microbes that are embedded in it, to change the way we think about the soil that is ‘dust under the feet, to find out why the land that yielded when it was sown in the early days is now pinching. What a realistic poem. It's okay if we do not worship the basic soil of all, we are committing massacre or not. What we give for crop growth should be given in the soil. Mandana is the medium for crop growth. But, forgetting this basis, we apply the poison directly to the crop. Many people, due to excessive use of chemicals, the internal organs are affected and the soil becomes diseased.

‘This is the same cow that dragged Asalta up to 50 bundles last month. Those who lament, "Breathe in these 10 bundles" forget to think that a cow can pull a cart only if it is physically strong. The same story happens in the case of soil. In the 1950s, only one kilogram of chemical fertilizer was applied per hectare of land in India. Today we use an average of 133 kg. Now you know what we did wrong!

Science is essential folks!

Soil is good only if the chemical, physical and biological properties of the soil are right. The balance of these properties is disturbed due to improper feeding of crops and chemicals exceeding the recommended levels. We, who feel that ‘fertilizer does not grow the crop ... or the expected yield does not come’, do not even think to explore the scientific reasons behind it. Sweet, let's get down to cultivation knowing the nature of the soil.

Chemical nature!

The chemical nature of the soil is studied in soil testing stations. Soil pressure test (PH) is the same as testing a human being for high blood pressure. As the pressure increases or decreases, some recommendations are made at the Soil Research Center according to the level of alkaline acidity, as it is corrected by some tablets.

Alkaline acid to watch out for!

An example to make it easier to understand the alkaline acid status .... If we eat too much there will be chest irritation. If not eaten, the stomach will secrete acid. If there is chest irritation, salt ... if secreted in the stomach, acid. This is the alkaline acid state. The amount of alkali and acid in soil is very important. This property is called the alkaline acid level of the soil. The nature of the soil is known by the degree of alkaline acidity. Alkaline acid level 7 is a code for very good soil. 7 is not exactly ... 6 to 8.5 can be kept as suitable soil for cultivation. If it goes below 6, that soil is high in acid. If it goes above 8.5, it means that the alkali is high. Therefore, proper cultivation can be done only if the alkaline acidity of the soil is known. If it is below 6, lime and gypsum above 8.5 should be added to level the alkaline acid.

Organic compost to fix salt!

In addition to the alkaline acidity in the chemical properties of the soil, we should note that salt. The amount of salt in the soil is important. When the rice is drained, only a handful of salt is added to a pot of rice to make it edible. Conversely, if too much salt is added, it cannot even be put in the mouth. That is what is happening in the soil. The amount of salt in the soil is determined based on how much electrical energy it conducts. If the conductivity of the salt is less than one decimal/meter then that soil is good. If it's one to three, it's OK. If more than 3, the proper yield will not be available if cultivated on that land. This can only be remedied with natural inputs called organic fertilizers.

Soil science says that when natural inputs are used in high salinity soils, the organic acids released from organic fertilizers reduce the number of salts in the soil and improve soil quality. So, in high salinity soils, when chemical fertilizers like urea are applied, the amount of salt does not decrease in any way except that it does. The third important chemical property is organic matter. Good soil is one in which the amount of organic matter in the soil is at least 2.5 percent. But the bitter truth is that to date there is no such soil in Tamil Nadu. A few natural way farms may have this size. However, the average nutrient content of Tamil Nadu soil is less than 0.5.

The real engineer

The earthworm who calls himself the ‘friend of the farmer’ is called the ‘Real Soil Engineer’ in English. The soil structure is modified as it rises and falls below and above the soil. The holes in the middle are widened, allowing air and water to enter the soil more easily. Thus the hard soil also becomes brittle. That is why natural agronomists say that the number of earthworms in the soil should be increased.