What are some features of good soil? Any farmer will say that a good soil; feels soft and crumbles easily, drains well and warms up quickly in the spring, does not crust after planting, soaks up heavy rains with little runoff, stores moisture for drought periods, has few clods and no hardpan, resists erosion and nutrient loss, supports high populations of soil organisms, has a rich, earthy smell, does not require increasing inputs for high yields and produces vigorous, high-quality crops. All these criteria indicate a soil that functions effectively today and will continue to produce crops long into the future.

 

Good soil characteristics can be created through management practices that optimize the processes found in native soils. How do virgin soils in their native condition function? How do forests and native grasslands produce plants and animals in the complete absence of fertilizer and tillage? Understanding the principles by which native soils function can help farmers develop and maintain productive and profitable soil. The soil, the environment, and the farm will benefit when the soil’s natural productivity is managed in a sustainable way.

 

BioFlora has a three-step approach for developing soil fertility that is similar to that found in virgin soils. Look at the balance of soil minerals, the quality of the soil humus or organic matter and the diversity of the soil’s microbial life. First, take an in-depth look at the soil nutrient base saturation levels and make sure they are in the proper balance. Next, look at soil carbon. Specifically, the percent organic matter, since this is the soil component that holds moisture, increases the soil CEC rating, and provides food for soil biological life. The third component is the diversity and quantity of soil microorganisms that are essential to plant nutrient uptake, nutrient storage, pathogen inhibition, and are the main indicators of soil tilth.

 

Sustainable programs also often have a favorable cost-benefit ratio. There are many cases where a sustainable fertilizer program has greatly reduced the amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides while producing better quality and higher yields. It is possible to grow first-rate crops and still protect the environment; one way to achieve this is to begin blending a program of synthetic chemistry and organics into a sustainable agroecological program through the use of BioFlora organic and organic-based products.