Soil Science and Fertilizers

Monoculture decreases the fertility of the soil. As same crop is grown every year which leads to decrease in organic matter and CEC due to which soil fertility decrease. Also it has some negative impacts on its structure, in the aeration and in biological activity among other phenomena. 

Leaching is the process by which water soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable salts.

Crop rotation is the most effective method of returning minerals to the soil. Crop rotation is the practice of growing a series of dissimilar types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons. Crop rotation confers various benefits to the soil. A traditional element of crop rotation is the replenishment of nitrogen through the use of green manure in sequence with cereals and other crops. Crop rotation also mitigates the build-up of pathogens and pests that often occurs when one species is continuously cropped, and can also improve soil structure and fertility by alternating deep-rooted and shallow-rooted plants. 

Mesofauna, such as earthworms, mites, and springtails, are primarily responsible for aerating the soil through their burrowing activities. Microfauna are generally too small to create significant aeration channels.

Phosphatic  fertiliser is necessary for growth of roots and formation of seeds.

Nitrogen is a primary component of many fertilizers, such as urea and ammonium nitrate, which are essential for plant growth.

Humus is the rotting matter of soil

Liming is the application of calcium and magnesium rich materials to soil in various forms, including marl, chalk, limestone, or hydrated lime. This neutralises soil acidity and increases activity of soil bacteria. However, oversupply may result in harm to plant life. Lime is a basic chemical and  the effect of it makes the soil more basic, thus making acidic soils neutral.

Bone meal is a mixture of finely and coarsely ground animal bones and slaughter-house waste products. It is used as an organic fertiliser for plants and as a nutritional supplement for animals. As a slow-release fertiliser, bone meal is primarily used as a source of phosphorus.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium are all present in soil.

Plant nutrients and organic matter in soil can be increased by adding manures and fertilisers to the soil.

It cannot be easily made by using animal and plant waste. 

 Any nutrient, which is to be absorbed by the plant is absorbed in the soluble form in water and this function is performed by the roots of plants. 

Although nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere, plants cannot absorb it directly as gas. They absorb nitrogen primarily in the form of nitrates or ammonium ions from the soil.

The loss of water-soluble plant nutrients from the soil is called as leaching.