A guest post by HEC supporter, John Luc.
In 1986, the Indiana Association of Professional Soil Scientists (IAPSC) voted to designate Miami as the state soil. Miami soil drains moderately well and is known for its fertility, making it great for growing corn and soybeans. Nearly 795,000 acres of Miami soil mapped in the state of Indiana. It’s no wonder that we are one of the highest-ranking states for agricultural production! Keeping this in mind, it is important that we do our best to protect this vital natural resource.
So why does soil health matter?
With 95% of the food we eat coming from soil, soil health is essential to feeding the world’s growing population. Soil quality prevents erosion while promoting water absorption and retention. When soils cannot effectively absorb and retain water, it becomes a major problem. Water runoff from rain and irrigation can carry pollutants from pesticides and manure into rivers, lakes, and drinking water supplies. In Indiana, E. Coli, which can come from livestock operations and inadequate treatment of sewage, is one of the most common water pollutants. Soils also play a vital role in the fight against climate change by promoting plant growth that sequesters carbon from the atmosphere.
What Can I Do?
Soil health is influenced by a variety of factors that work together to enhance productivity and water retention while reducing erosion and pollution. Read below about four key principles to keep in mind while working to build healthier soil.
Minimize Disturbance
No-till farming practices can increase water filtration and storage by preserving natural pathways created by roots, worms, and other organisms. Chemical disturbances such as the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides can disrupt the vital relationships between fungi, microorganisms, and plant roots. To minimize chemical inputs, consider introducing native plants near crops. This can help attract pollinators and beneficial insects that will prey on nuisance insects.
Soil Armor
Maintaining plants and plant residue on the soil surface helps to reduce erosion and evaporation. The ideal soil temperature for promoting plant germination and growth is between 50- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit for most plants. Soil cover helps keep soil temperature in this range and prevent extreme fluctuations that can harm roots and other organisms.
Enhance Diversity
I we want to increase biodiversity in farming operations, we must more closely mimic the environment before we began cultivating it for corn and soybean monocultures. Consider incorporating a diverse mixture of forbs, legumes, and grasses with corn and soybean rotations to enhance nutrient cycling while increasing profitability. Don’t forget – the historic prairie ecosystem in North America was enhanced by the presence of bison, deer and other animals. Mimick that ecosystem by incorporating animal grazing in crop rotations to further compound the benefits of biological diversity.
© 2012 Nature Education 1995 Conservation Research Institute, Heidi Natura. All rights reserved.
Maximize Living Roots
The rhizosphere is the region of soil near plant roots that contains bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. The rhizosphere region has an important function: it is responsible for nutrient and water cycling. Thus, maximizing the amount of time each year that living roots are in the soil ensures an active rhizosphere and a healthy population of essential soil microbes. Consider diversifying crop rotations and planting diverse mixes of cover crops that include annuals, biennials, or perennials to help extend the growing season and keep living roots in the soil.