Soil organic matter (SOM) is the mix of plant and animal matter in different stages of decay. Soil organic matter plays a key role in biological, physical, and chemical function in soil. Soil organic matter is the organic component of soil, consisting of three primary parts including small (fresh) plant residues and small living soil organisms, decomposing (active) organic matter, and stable organic matter (humus). Organic matter serves as a reservoir of nutrients and water in the soil, aids in reducing compaction and surface crusting, and increases water infiltration into the soil.
Scientific Farming
What is the importance of soil pH?
Soil pH is of utmost importance in plant growth as it influences nutrient availability, toxicities and the activity of soil organisms. Soil pH regulates plant nutrient availability by controlling the chemical forms of the different nutrients and also influences their chemical reactions. As a result, soil and crop productivities are linked to soil pH value. Though soil pH generally ranges from 1 to 14, the optimum range for most agricultural crops is between 5.5 and 7.5. However, some crops have adapted to thrive at soil pH values outside this optimum range. Soil pH is affected by the mineral composition of the soil parent material and the weathering reactions undergone by that parent material.
What is intercropping system?
Growing more than one crop in the same area in rows of definite proportion and pattern. The most common goal of intercropping is to produce a greater yield on a given piece of land by making use of resources that would otherwise not be utilized by a single crop. Intercropping strategies include planting a deep-rooted crop with a shallow-rooted crop, or planting a tall crop with a shorter crop that requires partial shade .Numerous types of intercropping are mixed intercropping, row cropping, relay cropping, etc.
What is surface irrigation?
Various methods can be used to supply irrigation water to the plants like surface irrigation. Surface irrigation is the application of water by gravity flow to the surface of the field. Either the entire field is flooded (Basin Irrigation) or the water is fed into small channels(furrows) or strips of land (borders).