As gardeners and farmers, we understand the importance of healthy soil. Good soil is key to producing strong, healthy plants that resist pests and diseases.

But how do we maintain healthy soil in an age when soil is constantly being degraded by commercialised farming practices, development, and climate change?

It's important to regularly test your soil twice a year to determine its pH and nutrient levels. This will ensure that you use the right amount of fertilizers based on the current health of the soil. Precise amounts of fertilizers is critical to help your plants get the full nourishment they need to flourish. One way to help safeguard our soils is to raise awareness about their issues and work together to find solutions.

So join us as we explore ways to improve soil fertility and protect our precious resources! Here are four tips to help improve soil fertility:

Increase Organic Carbon Level And maintain Soil pH

You must know that healthy soil is essential for strong plant growth, and organic matter is key to healthy soil. Organic fertilizer like vermicompost consists of perfectly decomposed carbon-based organic matter essential for nutrient + water retention and enhancing soil structure.

Organic carbon is essential for soil structure and aeration, which means higher carbon content can ensure that the soil is healthy and oxygenated. Vermicompost contains more than 15% organic carbon, making it a super-dense source of organic carbon for all your soil needs.

The NRAA (National Rainfed Area Authority) has stated that the Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) levels in India have dropped down to 0.3% from 1% in the last 70 years. This calls for a soil saviour in the form of our Vermicompost.

Vermicompost improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Adding organic matter to your soil increases the amount of moisture and nutrients available to plants. In addition, it can help to improve soil structure by creating pore areas and improving drainage. Not only does this benefit plants, but it also helps to create a more favourable environment for beneficial microbes.

There are several ways to add organic matter to your soil, including using vermicompost, manure, or other organic fertilizers. Vermicompost is made with the help of worms and is the best source of nutrients and organic matter. Vermicompost can slowly release nutrients into the soil while increasing the level of nutrient density required to grow and sustain plants for a much longer period.

Conscious Use of Chemicals With Support of Organic Fertilizers & Soil Testing

Soil is one of the most important Natural Resources on Earth. Soil provides:

  • The foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems.
  • Vital role in water and air purification.
  • Plant growth.
  • Carbon sequestration.

For our soil to carry on these functions, it is vital to manage soil health through the conscious use of chemicals.

Combined with responsible chemical management, using organic fertilizer and biofertilizer can help ensure that our soils remain healthy and productive for generations. In a nutshell, organic fertilizers can also help in controlling the side effects of chemical fertilizers if used in a balanced way.

Avoid Digging The Soil Too Much

It's important not to dig the soil too much, as this can damage the structure of the soil and reduce its fertility. The structure of the soil is made up of tiny particles of earth, known as aggregates.

These aggregates are held together by plant roots and fungi, and they provide essential porosity and drainage qualities. If the aggregates are damaged, the porosity and drainage are reduced, leading to waterlogging and compaction.

Damaged aggregates can cause problems for plant growth and make it difficult for rainwater and air to penetrate the soil. Additionally, digging can damage or destroy the delicate network of plant roots and fungi that hold the aggregates together. Over-digging can lead to a decline in soil fertility and make the soil more susceptible to erosion.

Adding Beneficial Microorganisms/Cultures Into The Soil, Making It Diverse

Soil is a complex and vital ecosystem that supports all land-based life. It is home to a staggering variety of plant, animal, and microorganism species, all of which play an important role in the health of the ecosystem.

Therefore, it is essential to have a diverse group of microorganisms in the soil to improve fertility and soil health. There are many ways to achieve this, but one of the most effective is to add beneficial microorganisms/cultures into the soil with biofertilizers or bio-enriched organic fertilizers like vermicompost.

Adding bio-enriched vermicompost into the soil helps improve plant growth by providing them with the nutrients they need to thrive. In addition, these microorganisms help improve soil fertility by breaking down organic matter and making it available for plants to use.

Happy soil leads to happy farming/gardening and eventually into a greener and happier life…

To know more about how you can add fertility to your soil, visit us at information@sikrifarms.com or call us at (022) 49399848