The Basics of Soil Fertility
Dieses Dokument beschäftigt sich mit den Grundlagen der Bodenerträge und des nachhaltigen Umgangs mit der Bodenfruchtbarkeit, insbesondere im Kontext des ökologischen Landbaus. Es verfolgt das Ziel, das komplexe System des Bodens als lebender Organismus zu verstehen, seine vielfältigen Funktionen zu fördern und Maßnahmen zur Pflege und Verbesserung der Bodenqualität zu entwickeln, um die ökologische Stabilität und Produktivität langfristig zu sichern. Die Zielgruppe umfasst Landwirte, Berater, Wissenschaftler und politische Entscheidungsträger, die an nachhaltiger Bodenbewirtschaftung und ökologischer Landwirtschaft interessiert sind.
Summary
Introduction and Context
This section emphasizes the importance of soil fertility in organic farming and introduces the holistic approach to understanding soil as a vital, living organism. It discusses historical roots, key figures, and the foundational principles of soil health, stressing that soil fertility is more than just physical or chemical properties but includes biological processes and ecosystems.
The Basics of Soil Fertility (en)
Number of pages: 32
Target countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Key takeaways
- Soil fertility in organic farming is primarily a biological process
- Organic farming emphasizes the importance of soil organisms, organic matter, and ecological balance over chemical nutrients, highlighting the soil's self-regenerative capacity.
- Restoring soil organic matter is crucial for sustainable soil fertility
- Both crop rotation with green manures and addition of compost or manure are essential strategies to maintain and rebuild organic matter, which directly influences water retention, soil structure, and microbial activity.
- Gentle soil cultivation techniques support soil health and reduce erosion
- Practices such as reduced tillage, shallow cultivation, and avoiding soil compaction foster soil structure, earthworm populations, and overall fertility, especially in organic systems.
- Soil life indicators are key for assessing soil health
- Observations like soil crumb structure, earthworm activity, smell, and root development provide practical insights into soil vitality, guiding management decisions without reliance solely on chemical tests.
- Climate considerations are integral to soil and organic matter management
- Organic systems can sequester more carbon, buffer climate extremes, and improve resilience through practices that boost soil organic matter and biodiversity, actively contributing to climate change mitigation.
- Crop rotation and cover cropping are vital for preventing soil fatigue and maintaining fertility
- Diverse crop sequences, especially with green manures like grass-clover, help preserve organic matter, suppress pests/diseases, and prevent soil exhaustion, ensuring long-term productivity.
Sources
- The Basics of Soil Fertility - - https://www.fibl.org/fileadmin/documents/shop/4002-soil-fertility.pdf
