SOIL IMPROVEMENT INTERVENTIONS

By- Jayesh Pathak, Sonu Ahirwar, Deepesh Verma

Dheeraj patel, Sumit Singh Parihar, Kuldeep Singh Goud

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 WHY SOIL NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED
➤ Water Retention:Improved soil structure aids in water retention,
reducing runo and enhancing water availability for plants.
➤ Root Development: Enhanced soil texture and structure provide an
optimal environment for root development, supporting healthier and
more robust plants.
➤ Minimizing Erosion:Improved soil helps prevent erosion, reducing
the loss of fertile topsoil and maintaining long-term productivity.
➤ Disease Resistance:Healthy soil contributes to disease resistance in
plants, fostering a more resilient and sustainable agricultural
ecosystem.
➤ Environmental Sustainability:Soil improvement practices contribute
to sustainable agriculture by maintaining ecosystem balance and
minimizing the use of synthetic inputs.
➤ Carbon Sequestration: Healthy soil plays a role in carbon
sequestration, helping mitigate climate change by storing carbon and
reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
➤ Biodiversity Support: Improved soil conditions support diverse
microbial life, contributing to a more biodiverse and resilient
ecosystem.
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 WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF
SOIL IMPROVEMENT
INTERVENTIONS?
A. Micronutrients in Crop Production
B. Natural Resource Management (NRM)
C. Soil Health Improvement
D. Green Manures and Soil Health
E. Water Management and Crop Rotation
F. Soil testing
 MICRONUTRIENTS IN CROP PRODUCTION
Micronutrients, though required by plants in smaller
quantities, play a crucial role in various physiological
processes, in uencing overall crop production.

➤ Importance:
These essential micronutrients, including iron, zinc,
manganese, and copper, are integral for plant growth,
development, and reproduction. Understanding their
signi cance is vital for optimizing crop yield and quality.

➤ De ciency Symptoms:
Visual cues such as leaf discoloration, stunted growth,
and poor owering can indicate de ciencies.
Recognizing and addressing these symptoms is key to
ensuring adequate micronutrient levels for optimal crop
performance.
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 NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (NRM)
Natural Resource Management (NRM) involves
sustainable practices to preserve and utilize natural
resources e ciently, promoting long-term agricultural
resilience.

➤ Principles:
➤ NRM principles encompass soil conservation, water
management, and biodiversity preservation.
Implementing these principles fosters a holistic and
environmentally responsible approach to agriculture.

➤ Bene ts:
➤ E ective NRM not only safeguards natural resources
but also results in improved soil health, increased
water-use e ciency, and enhanced overall farm
sustainability.
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SOIL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT
Soil health improvement is imperative for addressing
factors like nutrient depletion, erosion, and degradation,
ensuring the long-term productivity and sustainability of
agricultural land.

➤ Strategies:
➤ Strategies for soil health improvement include organic
matter addition, cover cropping, and crop rotation.
These practices enhance soil structure, fertility, and
microbial activity.

➤ Sustainable Practices:
➤ Highlighting sustainable soil management practices
emphasizes the importance of balancing agricultural
productivity with long-term environmental
stewardship.
 GREEN MANURES AND SOIL HEALTH
➤ Green manures, cover crops grown speci cally to
improve soil fertility, contribute organic matter
and nutrients when incorporated into the soil.

➤ Bene ts:
➤ Incorporating green manures enhances soil
fertility by increasing nitrogen levels, improving
soil structure, and suppressing weeds, ultimately
promoting healthier and more productive crops.

➤ Examples:
➤ Common examples of green manure crops
include legumes like soybeanand which add
nitrogen to the soil, bene ting subsequent crops.
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 WATER MANAGEMENT AND CROP ROTATION
➤ E cient water management practices are
essential for optimizing water use,
reducing runo , and maintaining
adequate moisture levels for crops,
especially in water-scarce regions.

➤ Crop Rotation:
➤ Crop rotation involves systematically
changing the types of crops planted in a
particular area over time. This practice
helps control pests, diseases, and nutrient
depletion, contributing to improved soil
health and sustainable agriculture.
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 SOIL TESTING
➤ Soil testing is a crucial step in understanding soil
health, providing valuable insights into nutrient levels,
pH, and other factors that in uence plant growth.

➤ Procedure:
➤ The soil testing procedure involves collecting
representative samples and analyzing them for key
parameters. This data guides informed decisions on
nutrient management.

➤ Bene ts:
➤ Bene ts of soil testing include e cient fertilizer use,
improved crop yields, and environmental
sustainability. This valuable tool empowers farmers
with data for precise and targeted agricultural
practices.
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Some glimpses of soil sample collection
 INFORMATION SHEET OF SOIL TESTING
Name of the
Jayesh Sonu Deepesh Sumit Kuldeep Dheeraj
student
Mr. Anand Mr. Laxman Mr. Mr. Mr. Govind
Farmer Mr. Suraj lal
Kushwaha Gujarati Mansingh Ambaram singh
Number of
1 2 1 2 1 2
soil samples
Date

Nature of
Alkaline Alkaline Alkaline Alkaline Alkaline Alkaline
eld
Previous
Soybean Soybean Soybean Soybean Soybean Soybean
crop
Wheat, Wheat, Wheat, Wheat,
Present crop Wheat Wheat
onion onion onion onion
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