Course: SLF 150 Pasture Management

Reading & Audio Visual

Soil Management
Soil Management

Soil management includes operations, practices, and treatments used to protect soil and enhance its performance.

Examples of soil management practices
- Controlling traffic on the soil surface to help reduce soil compaction (which in turn reduces aeration in soil and water infiltration)
- Using cover crops to keep the soil anchored and protected in off seasons, so that the soil is less eroded by wind and rain
- Rotating crops to increase the amount of plant residue left on the soil surface (which also protects the soil from erosion).
- Nutrient management helps improve soil fertility and increase organic matter content, which improves soil structure and function.
- Using reduced- or no-tillage options when planting forage mixes or crops limit the amount of soil disturbance and help maintain plant residues on the surface, improving both erosion protection and water retention.

Soil management by fertilizer application and other agricultural practices has been instrumental in the establishment of modern society.Throughout history, mismanagement of soil has had adverse environmental effects. A notable example includes the American Dust Bowl. Poor soil conditions as a result of chemical contamination, mineral deficiency, acidity, salinity, and improper drainage, leads to reduction of farmland productivity.

Sustainable agriculture (the practice of farming using principles of ecology, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment) can be achieved by application of a variety of farming methods that are safe for environment, profitable, and conserve resources.

Sustainable options for replenishing nitrogen in the soil could include:
1. Recycling crop waste and treated or untreated animal manure
2. Growing legume crops that form symbioses with nitrogen-fixing bacteria thus producing nitrogen in the soil
3. Industrial production of nitrogen
4. Genetically engineering non legume crops to (like regular legume crops that contribute important nitrogen into the soil)