Agriculture is fundamental to human life and, with the current scenario of growing world population - which is estimated to reach more than 9 billion people by 2050 -, producing more food, and with quality, is one of the main goals of Brazilian farmers.
In recent years, agriculture has faced several challenges, such as climate change, an increasing pressure exerted by pests and diseases, in addition to high production costs. Therefore, it has never been so important for producers to be assertive in the acquisition of inputs and in the care of the crop.
Thinking about assertiveness and productivity, we should start talking about the health of the soil, as it is a living ecosystem that works as the basis of agriculture. It is from it that plants extract nutrients and water, directly impacting the quality and quantity of food produced.
Follow the article until the end and discover how the health of the soil can be combined with the productivity and longevity of your crop.
The importance of soils
The understanding that the health of the environment – water, soil and plants – is intertwined with human health has been consolidated in recent decades. As a result, the way we interact and manage the environment has been considered relevant when we think about the sustainability and longevity of our natural resources.
Agriculture is one of the activities that makes constant use of soil, and therefore the concept of soil health began to be propagated in the environment in order to ensure that the soil is preserved and healthy, that is, balanced in its three pillars - physical, chemical and biological.
The Three Pillars:
physical pillar
When we look at our crops, this is the pillar that can be visibly identified.
The physical structure of the soil is directly related to the infiltration capacity, water and air retention, contributing to an environment conducive to the development of roots and microorganisms beneficial to the soil. The physical part of the soil is composed of:
Texture: contributes to the capacity to retain water and nutrients, as it is defined by the granulometric proportion of the mineral phase of the soil, that is, the percentage of sand, clay and silt. For example, sandy soils have a lower water and nutrient retention capacity than clayey soils.
Structure: is the organization of soil particles with other substances, such as organic matter, influencing the permeability of water and nutrients that reach the roots of plants.
Porosity: related to the pores that make up the soil, that is, the size and quantity present. This information is important for us to understand how air and water circulate in the soil.
These three physical attributes are determined based on the rock that originated the soil. By understanding them, it will be possible to establish the proper management to ensure the success of the plantation.
chemical abutment
The chemical pillar is the chemical elements and their interactions.
These elements are essential to ensure crop productivity and can be directly influenced by decisions taken during management – especially when we talk about nutrients, which plants constantly extract, depleting the soil.
We understand that without nutrients plants do not develop, their availability being dependent on physical factors (structure and texture), pH (acid, basic or neutral), the activity of microorganisms (such as fungi and bacteria) and also the presence of organic matter.
Among the factors, pH is a chemical characteristic of the soil essential for the maintenance of plants and life in it, because in certain ranges there may be inactivity of some types of microorganisms and unavailability of nutrients essential to the crop.
A soil with ideal pH has the activity of active microorganisms, available nutrients and, consequently, productivity and health.
biological pillar
This is the pillar related to the life present in the soil and its interactions.
In recent decades, many studies have been carried out to better understand this pillar and its relationship with the advancement and sustainability of agriculture. It was concluded that this understanding begins with the soil microbiota.
The present biodiversity is responsible for numerous essential processes, such as the mineralization of organic matter, which generates useful and essential elements for plants.
For example, nutrients can be released through this mineralization, which is carried out by the soil microorganisms themselves. Organic compounds are converted into mineral nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, among others, which are essential for the growth and development of crops.
How do the three pillars relate to plants? In other words, how can soil-plant synergy contribute to high yields and healthy soil?
Soil - Plant Ratio
Shortly after germinating, the plant emits the radicle, its embryonic root, establishing the first contact between the soil and the plant. The root is essential to absorb water and necessary nutrients from the soil, throughout the entire plant cycle.
Regarding the soil, for the root to develop properly, it is crucial that physical attributes, such as porosity and texture, are conducive to its growth, in addition to the availability of water, nutrients and an active microbiota to optimize its establishment.
The area of the soil occupied by the root is known as the rhizosphere, where several vital reactions occur for the soil and the plant, and it shelters several types of microorganisms.
Microorganisms and plants
Some types of microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, associate with the root, benefiting everyone involved:
Bacteria: rhizobacteria colonize the rhizosphere area, creating a protective network for the root system against attack by soil pathogens, such as nematodes. In addition, they also generate enzymes that directly contribute to the mineralization and availability of elements that help plant growth, such as nitrogen and sulfur.
Fungi: as essential as bacteria, when associated with roots they are called mycorrhizae and establish a symbiotic relationship. They become an extension of the root system, contributing to the absorption of water and nutrients, especially when they are farther from the root.
Microorganisms are fundamental for the plant to develop in a healthy way and reach high productive potentials.
challenge of the century
With the objective of guaranteeing the growing production demand in the harvests and dealing with the main adversities, such as climatic conditions, having a healthy soil - which has chemical, physical and biological balance - is essential. It is important that the management is carried out respecting the natural and living ecosystem of the soil, so that it can contribute to the mission of supporting the main current challenges.
How to do this?
Management and inputs are the answer to this question: perform crop rotation, ensure that the soil is always covered with straw and use products that take care of the biological pillar, in addition to the chemical one.
