Basic Knowledge in Agriculture #68

I welcome you all to my blog 😊.

Source

What is Soil Testing?

Soil Testing is simply termed as the scientific method of analyzing soil to determine physical, chemical and biological aspects of the soil. It involves sampling of the soil (a field or an area and analysing it to establish the quantity of important factors such as; nutrient content, soil pH, moisture level, soil texture, salinity and organic matter.

Soil testing is also identified to determine the presence of adequate nutrients that are essential to the growth of plants such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Through knowledge of the state of soil, farmers, gardeners, engineers and land managers can make good decisions on crop selection, application of fertilizer and use of land. Soil testing is a major practice that is done in agriculture to enhance productivity and sustainability in the management of soil.

What are the importance of soil Testing?

Source

Soil testing is extremely crucial particularly in the fields of agriculture and environmental management. The significance of soil testing is one of its greatest significance because it aids in identifying nutrient requirements of the soil. This will enable the farmers to add the appropriate kind and quantity of fertilizer that will enhance the harvest and avoid wasteful usage of inputs. The other significant advantage is that soil testing allows the sustainability of the soil health as it avoids the over-fertilization of the soil that may damage crops and also pollute water sources through runoff and leaching.

The quality of crops is also improved through the soil testing. Plants perform better when they are provided with the appropriate nutrients based on the soil test results and produce better. Further, problems in soil such as high acidity, salinity or deficiencies can be established through soil testing in order to take relevant corrective measures, i.e. through mechanisms such as liming or soil amendments.

Source

In addition, soil testing facilitates environmental protection. It reduces soil degradation and environmental pollution through the minimization of excessive use of fertilizers and chemicals. It is also useful in construction and engineering works because soil testing can be used to ascertain the strength of soil and its appropriateness in building foundations.

To sum up, soil tests are mandatory procedures giving useful data regarding the state of soils. It facilitates effective utilization of resources, boosts productivity in agriculture, conserves the environment as well as sustainable management of land.

Thanks for reading my post I'm inviting @pea07 @bela90 and @abdullahw2 to participate.