THE SOIL

SUMMARY of " SOIL COMPOSITION" page 74


Soil is one of the most important factors of all farming operations.

Soil is of paramount importance in all farming operation.

Soil is the basic factor in the food chain;

SOIL IS COMPOSED OF/ IS MADE OF:

• 45% parent mineral matter
• 5% organic matter (dead plants and animals, organic waste) and living organisms (worms, nematodes, bigger animals) 
• 25% water
• 25% air (gases)

WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT TASKS IN SOIL MANAGEMENT?

It is important to establish 

• the technical preconditions for the sowing of plants 
• the removal of unwanted plants 
• to create the optimum living conditions for every living thing in the soil; the organic farmers should recreate the conditions of INTENSIVE ROOTING in the soil and for LOOSENING UP COMPRESSION.

The roots are the key element to maintain the life in the soil.

• THE ROOTS absorb nutrients from the soil but at the same time they provide continuous secretions of minute particles/ substances to the soil

• Moreover, the intensive rooting in the soil makes the soil more friable and less compact. Thanks to the root action the compression in the soil is loosened up.

Introducing the rotation of crops,  intercropping, sowing green fallow or feed mixture crops, farmers can build up a friable, living soil.

CROP ROTATION integrates the maintenance of a good, fertile soil with the needs of farmers related to both crop production and livestock breeding, according to ecological principles and repecting the environment.