Preparation of soil for Agriculture, Definition, Types, Importance

Preparation of Soil: Soil formation results from a confluence of physical, chemical, and biological processes under specific environmental conditions. Both biotic and abiotic components are present in the soil. The study of soil and edaphic conditions about food and fiber production falls under the purview of agricultural soil science. Life on earth is supported by soil, a complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and other elements. Before planting a seed or developing a crop, the soil must be properly prepared.

The foundation of agriculture is the soil. Therefore, understanding soil is crucial before farming. There are many types of soil; some are loamy and rich, while others are sandy and unproductive. Not every crop is suited to every type of soil. Because soil preparation is crucial for higher quality and yield, crops planted in fertile soil may only sometimes produce a yield. 

Preparation of soil

To prepare the soil for growing crops with higher yields and higher quality, several tools, including a hoe, cultivator, and plow, as well as a variety of processes, including plowing, leveling, and manuring, are used in soil preparation. Because soil is the foundation of agriculture, it should be able to produce high-quality plants and a range of crops. Let’s examine the most crucial stages of soil preparation.

Soil Profile

Under specific environmental circumstances, physical, chemical, and biological processes work together to generate soil. Abiotic and biotic elements coexist in the soil. The soil is rich and a source of nutrients because of the microbes, worms, minerals, humus, and elements like water and air that are present in it. Three types of soil predominate in the area: sandy, clayey, and loamy. Loamy soil among these is better suited for cultivation. Good agricultural soil should have the following qualities:

• An excellent capacity to store water
• Adequate aeration
• Decent consistency (texture)
• Balanced amount of acids and bases
• Plenty of nutrients (micro and macronutrients)

Components of Soil:

There are many different sorts of elements in the soil. These are the primary components of soil:

1. Inorganic Components: Soil is composed of minerals, water, and air.

(a) Minerals: The rocks from which the soil is created contain minerals, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and others. Different types of rocks include a variety of minerals.

(b) Water and Air: Air is trapped within the soil. Roots and soil organisms can breathe easier thanks to this air. Both irrigation water and rainwater permeate the soil. For utilization by plants in their essential processes, water is absorbed by roots and transmitted through stems.

2. Organic Materials: These are created when dead plants and animals decompose. Humus is another name for it. It is an essential nutrient that plants need. Humus is mostly to blame for the soil’s fertility and healthy texture.

3. Soil Organisms: Many microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, live in the soil. They support the breakdown of biological materials and hence aid in the production of humus. The earthworm is referred to as a farmer’s friend since it helps to loosen and till the soil.

Preparation of soil for Agriculture

Since no soil is perfect, preparing it before and after cultivation is necessary. Continuous farming can reduce soil fertility. Thus, it is prepared before seeding to replace the soil’s nutrients. In agriculture, the three processes of soil preparation are plowing, leveling, and manuring.

Ploughing

Loosening and excavating the soil are both parts of plowing. When the soil is loosened during plowing, the aeration of the soil is improved, allowing roots to enter the soil and breathe. The development of earthworms and microorganisms depends on the loosened soil. They further churn and loosen the soil by decomposing the organic waste and adding humus. Additionally, plows raise the nutrient-rich soil to the surface. Other benefits of plowing include the incorporation of manure and eradicating weeds and other undesirables, such as insects and contagious pathogens. For this, iron or wooden ploughs are employed. A tractor or a bullock is used to draw this plough. Another instrument for removing weeds and loose dirt is the hoe.

Value of Ploughing

(A) It aids in soil loosening, allowing roots to delve deeply into the ground and aiding in root aeration.

(b) Loose soil encourages the development of soil bacteria and the “farmer’s friends” earthworms.

(c) The soil contains various nutrients, including air, water, minerals, and decomposing organisms.

(d) It also digs up and buries weeds still growing in the field.

Levelling

After plowing, dirt is leveled for even distribution, sometimes called irrigation. For this, a wooden or iron board is utilized. Additionally, leveling aids in water distribution during irrigation without logging.

The significance of levelling

(a) To stop heavy winds from carrying away the top fertile soil or rains from washing it away.

(b) To distribute water evenly throughout the fields during irrigation.

(c) To aid in stopping the soil’s moisture loss.

(d) To enhance weed management.

Manuring

Manure is used in later farming stages after leveling and plowing. Manuring is done to add nutrients to the soil, which aids in the crop’s appropriate growth.

An agricultural field is made productive and ready for farming through soil preparation. Farmers can produce a superior product by manuring and eliminating weeds regularly.

The Value of Manuring:

(a) The soil and crop yield fertility increase by manuring the agricultural area.

(b) Manure improves soil texture and adds necessary microbes in addition to recycling nitrogen.

(c) The right manure and soil mixing nourish the seeds. Manuring replenishes the soil’s nutrients and aid in the crop’s appropriate growth.

The significance of soil preparation

1. Loosening the soil and eliminating weeds are two benefits of soil preparation.

2. Spreading the seed out over a small area is beneficial.

3. Manuring the soil improves its quality by adding to its nutritional content.

4. Soil preparation creates a suitable surface for direct seeding and a soft soil mass for transplanting.

Conclusion

Agriculture heavily relies on soil preparation. Due to ongoing cropping, the soil may lose its fertility. The soil must be prepared to regain its fertility. To keep the soil’s nutrients intact, we should till the ground before spreading the seed to get rid of weeds. Hoes, cultivators, and ploughs are a few instruments we use to prepare the land.

Plowing, leveling, and manuring are the three main techniques for preparing soil. The nutrients in the deep soil are helped to surface by the soil digging. Leveling aids in keeping the soil at a constant level. Farmers who manure their fields produce better crops.