Soil Health Sustainable Management

Soil health is the capacity of a specific kind of soil to function within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality and support human health and habitation. Soil health is a concern worldwide and affects matters of food security, environmental protection, water quality, and infrastructure. Thus, the eco-friendly site specific use of organic manure and fertilizers, optimum tillage practices and cover crops, crop rotation helps to improve soil health. There have been many changes in agricultural management in recent decades, and while these have resulted in very positive soil health outcomes, there is still a need to broaden the adoption of practices that protect and improve soil. In particular, reduction in tillage, retention of organic residues and control of traffic play key roles in improving soil structure and hydrological properties as well as maintaining or increasing yields.