SOIL MANAGEMENT

It is well known that one of the chief factors responsible for obtaining satisfactory crop yields is the presence of essential plant nutrients in the soil in adequate quantities and in readily utilisable for maximum and rational soil management, a knowledge of the fertility status and psical properties of a soil is essential. Soil testing is one of the methods of determining the fertility status of the soils, so that recommendations in regard to deficient nutrients or soil amendments can be made. In fact, soil-testing forms an essential part of any scheme of agricultural development.

Successful farming does not merely depend on the knowledge of physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. It is a matter concerning both soil and soil management.The most important consideration in soil managment is the correct application of the relationship between the soil and the crops to be grown. Although the problems of soil management vary according to the soils and their situations the climatic conditions and the crops to be grown, yet there are fundamental factors which govern the choice of a soil managment practices. Good soil tilth is the first feature of good soil management. It means a suitable physical condition of the soil and implies, in addition, a satisfactory regulating of soil moisture and air. The maintenance of soil organic matter which encourages, granulation is an important consideration of good tilth. Tillage operations and timings should be so adjusted as to cause the minimum destruction of soil aggregates. Good tilth minimizes erosion hazards.
Land, water, climate, flora and fauna are the basic natural resources for agricultural development, which are subject to various kinds of deteriorating influences. Production of more food require new agricultural technologies and management system and providing increased productivity per unit of plant, water, energy, labour and investment by suitable location, specific crop production technology, tillage operations, seeding, weed control, water and fertilizers application and crop management. Because of continuous cultivation over centuries and intensification of agriculture in recent years, there has been progressive and substantial depletion of the soil reserves. Of late, secondary and micronutrient deficiencies are also emerging and the crop response to these nutrients is increasing. The factors responsible for higher yield are high soil productivity, supply of balance crop nutrients are the most important. Soil productivity is based on the mineral composition and structure of the soil, depth and drainage facilities, organic matter, intensity of earthworm and microbial activities. Fairly well productive soil in combination with assured irrigation and optimum supply of nutrients can enhance the crop yields by 200-300%. Despite increasing use of chemical fertilizers over the years, there has been continuos nutrient mining of the soils. The nutrient remove from the soil for production of foodgrains and other agricultural crops far exceeds the nutrient applied. The threat to long term sustainability of agricultural is not due to alleged excessing use but primarily due to under use of fertilizer and the resultant nutrient mining of the soils. This is necessary for maintaining soil and ensuring sustainable agriculture.