Manage Your Soil Health to Produce a Higher Yield
When it comes to achieving a high crop yield, few things are more important than the health of your soil. There are several factors that determine the overall health of your soil, including nutrient cycling, control of pest organisms, regulation of air and water, and organic matter content. The right soil management practices will help balance these important factors so you can achieve higher yields.
Minimize Tillage
Excessive tillage can harm soil health by causing the decomposition of organic matter, disrupting soil aggregates, and making soil more vulnerable to erosion. Tillage can also compact the soil, which impedes root growth. Because of this, many farms have adopted no-till or micro-tilling methods to preserve soil health and improve water retention and drainage.
Improve Organic Matter
Organic matter in soil will decrease over time due to decomposition. You can improve soil health by returning crop residues to the soil, and adding compost and animal manure as needed. The additional nutrients will provide the fuel your crops need to achieve a higher yield.
Rotate Crops
Rotating crops on your fields can help manage weeds and prevent pest and disease issues. Because different crops require different nutrients, this also helps balance the soil’s nutrient content. This can also be achieved by planting cover crops when your primary crops are not growing. Cover crops have the added benefit of reducing erosion risk and increasing the presence of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi.
In addition to these factors, farmers can also improve soil health by reducing pesticide use and maintaining proper soil pH for the types of crops they wish to grow. Soil health management may require a fair amount of effort, but the resulting crop yields are well worth it.