The soil is the basis of agricultural production. When certain environmental conditions are present, the creation of soil is the result of a confluence of processes that can be classified as either physical, chemical, or biological. Both living and nonliving components combine to form the soil in its entirety.
Agricultural soil science is a subfield that focuses on investigating soil and edaphic conditions with the cultivation of food and fibre crops. The complex combination of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and other elements that make up soil is what makes it possible for life to exist on earth. Before beginning to cultivate crops or plant seeds in the ground, it is necessary first to prepare the soil.
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See also: Everything about pH of soil
The term soil preparation refers to the process of preparing the soil to grow crops that have higher yields and quality. This process involves the use of a variety of tools, such as a hoe, plough, and cultivator, as well as a variety of techniques, such as ploughing, levelling, and manuring. Since soil is the foundation of agriculture, it ought to be capable of producing high-quality plants and fostering the growth of a wide variety of crops. Let’s look at the most crucial stages of the soil preparation process.
Preparation of soil: What exactly is soil?
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The soil is a natural resource that is highly important. Soil refers to the thin layer of the earth’s surface composed of mineral particles. These particles were created when rocks, dead organic matter, live creatures, water, and air combined to break down, a process known as weathering. Pedogenesis is the name given to the process by which soil is formed.
What are the types of soil?
In India, the terrain features a diverse range of soil types. There are many distinct types of soil, some examples of which are as follows: alluvial soil, loam soil, red soil, regur (black earth) soil, laterite soil, mountain soil, etc.
Alluvial soil
Loam soil
Red soil
Regur soil
Laterite soil
Mountain soil
The best type of soil that may be used for agricultural purposes is loam soil. Clay, sand, and silt are the three components that make loam soil. Sugarcane, cotton, wheat, jute, legumes, and oilseeds are only a few of the important crops that may be grown with its help. This soil is excellent for the growth of vegetables.
Preparation of soil: Components that make up soil
The ground is made up of a wide variety of different kinds of components. The following are the primary components of soil:
Inorganic components
The minerals, water, and air in the soil make up the inorganic components of the soil.
(a) Minerals: The rocks that the soil is made from contain minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus, among other minerals. Soils contain these minerals. The many varieties of rocks each have their unique assortment of naturally occurring minerals.
(b) Air and water: The soil has pockets of air within it, and it also holds water. Roots and the creatures that live in the soil may better breathe thanks to this air. Both precipitation and irrigated water will eventually seep through the soil. Roots are responsible for water absorption, which is then carried up the plant’s stems and utilised by the plant’s various important processes.
Organic materials
This material is produced when bacteria break down dead plants and animals. Humus is another name for this substance. It is an extremely rich nutrient that plants need to survive. The presence of humus is the primary factor responsible for the fertility of the soil, as well as its favourable texture.
Organisms found in the soil
The soil is home to various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and others. They contribute to the breakdown of organic materials and, as a result, help produce humus in the environment. Since earthworms aid in aeration and tilling the soil, they are sometimes referred to as a farmer’s best friend.
Preparation of soil: What does it mean to prepare the soil?
The first thing that must be done before planting a crop is to prepare the ground for planting. Turning the soil, rotating it, and letting it loosen up are three of the most critical duties in agricultural production. Because the dirt is turned over periodically, the roots can reach deeper into the ground. Even when buried to a great depth, the roots can easily absorb oxygen thanks to the porous dirt.
While preparing the soil, it is possible to eliminate any undesired plants and weeds. Creating rows and leaving space in between each plant makes it easier for the plant to grow.
Preparation of soil: Equipment used for preparing soil
Ploughs, hoes, and cultivators or discs are the three primary types of implements that are utilised in the process of soil preparation.
The plough
The plough was a straightforward piece of farm equipment that farmers utilised in days gone by. It has a pointy corner and is in the shape of a triangle. Ploughing is typically done by animals like oxen, bulls, and other similar creatures. Beam, ploughshare, and plough shaft are the three primary components of this tool.
Hoe
A hoe is a straightforward instrument used to clear away weeds and break up the soil. It consists of a long handle made of wood that is coupled to a variety of blades made of iron. When used in agricultural areas, it is also sometimes dragged by animals.
Cultivator
An agricultural cultivator is a sophisticated tool that farmers utilise. It helps save a significant amount of time, effort, and energy. When used for ploughing, it is attached to a tractor.
What are the steps of soil preparation?
Before beginning any work on the soil, the first thing that needs to be done is to have it analysed in a laboratory to determine whether or not the soil in a specific piece of land or region is appropriate for agricultural use. Before tilling the field, the parched ground ought to be irrigated first. Irrigating a piece of land helps to loosen the roots of invasive plants, which makes it easier to pull them out of the ground when the soil is being prepared.
There are three primary phases involved in the process of soil preparation, which are as follows:
Preparing the soil by ploughing or tilling the soil
The first and most crucial stage in soil preparation is tilling or ploughing the soil. The act of turning over and breaking up the soil is referred to as ploughing. Another name for this activity is tilling. When ploughing, a bull is used, and it is linked to a beam, which is then connected to either a wooden or an iron plough. Tractors can also be used to till the soil during ploughing.
The value of working the land:
(a) It helps loosen the soil, which allows the roots to penetrate deeper into the ground, and it assists the roots in taking in oxygen.
Earthworms, sometimes known as “farmer’s buddies,” and the bacteria that live in the soil both benefit from having the soil loosened up.
(b) The soil contains a wide variety of nutrients, including dead and decomposing organisms, minerals, water, and air, among other things.
(c) In addition to this, it will uproot and bury any weeds that are standing in the field.
Levelling the soil following the ploughing
The next step is to level the ground using a levelling tool. There is a possibility that the tilled area will include large pieces of dirt known as crumbs. It is essential to use a leveller made of iron or wood to break up the lumps in the soil. The land is levelled not only to plant seeds but also for irrigation.
The importance of getting everything even:
(a) To stop the top layer of productive soil from being blown away by high winds or washed away by rains.
(b) To assist in the equitable distribution of water throughout the fields during the process of irrigation.
(c) To reduce the amount of moisture drawn out of the soil.
(d) To achieve better weed management.
Fertilising the soil
Fertilising the soil, also known as manuring, is putting manure into agricultural land. The process of fertilising the soil is critical to the development of plants. It is common to practise incorporating manure into the soil before tilling. The organic matter that is used to produce manures includes dead plants and the waste products of animals (cow dung, goat waste, etc.).
The importance of manure in agriculture:
(a) A higher crop yield and more fertile soil may be achieved by fertilising and manuring agricultural land.
(b) Manure improves the soil’s texture, recycles nitrogen, and adds microbes necessary for plant growth.
(c) The seeds are nourished by properly combining manure with the soil in the appropriate proportions. The purpose of manuring is to replenish the soil with nutrients and, as a result, to assist in the healthy development of the crop.
The importance of getting the soil ready for planting:
- Getting rid of weeds and aerating the ground is made easier by properly preparing the soil.
- Planting the seed at a specific distance apart is beneficial.
- The addition of fertilisers to soil helps to enrich both the soil itself and the nutrients that are already present in the soil.
- The process of preparing the soil creates a surface that is ideal for direct sowing and a pliable soil mass that may be used for transplantation.
FAQs
Why should the soil be prepared?
The preparation of soil begins with turning and loosening. In addition to helping the roots penetrate deep into the soil, it also provides nutrients to the top layer of the soil by enabling bacteria and earthworms to thrive.
What equipment is utilised to prepare the soil?
The three main tool types used in soil preparation are the plough, hoe, and cultivator or disc.