After seed, soil is one of the foundations of agriculture. If the soil is not suitable, that is, if the soil is not rich in the nutrients required for the crop, the desired crop cannot be obtained. The amount of cultivable land in Bangladesh is very small compared to the population. Therefore, in order to meet the food needs of this population, it is very necessary to make efforts to cultivate more crops by increasing and conserving the fertility of the land. The steps that need to be taken for this are-
1. Prevent soil erosion
The topsoil usually contains crop nutrients up to a depth of 6 "-7" inches. Due to excess rainfall, water flow, wind gusts, etc., the surface soil is shifted and the stored nutrients are lost and the soil fertility is reduced. Therefore, care should be taken to ensure that the surface soil is not removed and drains and ditches are not created during the flow of rain and flood water.
2. Apply fertilizer in balanced doses
Since the soil receives the necessary nutrients for crop nutrition, the fertility of the soil gradually decreases as a result of planting different crops. Different crops receive different amounts of nutrients from the soil. Therefore, to meet the deficit, a balanced dose of organic and chemical fertilizers should be applied to the land.
3. Use of organic matter
The role of organic matter is very important for the development of physical and chemical condition of the soil. It provides plant nutrients, protects against soil acidity and alkalinity, and enhances chemical efficacy. Therefore, efforts should be made to increase and preserve soil fertility by applying adequate amount of dung manure, compost, farm manure etc. in the land. The amount of organic matter can be increased by mixing green manure and various crop residues in the soil. Ideal soil should contain at least 5% organic matter. But the amount of organic matter in our soil is very low. So organic manure should be applied to the land as much as possible.
4. Follow proper cropping pattern
When the same crop or the same type of crop is cultivated in the land every year, a certain level of certain nutrients are absorbed and the fertility is lost. Therefore, soil fertility can be increased and preserved by planting the main root crop after cluster crop, dicotyledonous crop after monocotyledonous crop and low food consuming crop after high food intake. Appropriate cropping pattern should be followed depending on the soil, etc. and geographical location.
5. Cultivation of legumes
Different types of crops absorb more nitrogen from the soil. As a result the soil quickly lacks it. This deficit can be largely filled by cultivating pulses in the land from time to time. This is because the bacteria called Rhizobium live in the root pods and store the cocoons by extracting nitrogen from the air and ultimately increasing the fertility of the soil.
. Resting the land
Intensive cultivation without any rest for a long period of time degrades the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. So after a few years it is necessary to rest the land for at least one season. However, the cultivation of green manure or regular grazing of animals at this time increases the fertility of the land.
. Controlling soil acidity and alkalinity
Excessive increase in soil acidity and salinity reduces fertility and in that case many food crops are not suitable for cultivation. Therefore, if necessary, the application of organic manure should reduce the acidity and alkalinity.
. Development of farming methods
Defective farming methods destroy soil fertility. But it is possible to preserve and develop the fertility of the land by following advanced farming methods. When the land is plowed at the same depth all the time, a hard layer is formed below that depth and food cannot be extracted from below that layer. Therefore, changing the depth of land tillage and other cultivation processes from time to time is helpful for conservation and development of fertility.
9. Proper water irrigation and drainage system
Lack of proper irrigation and drainage system damages the fertility of the field. Therefore, it is essential to give moderate irrigation to the land and make arrangements for quick drainage of excess water.
10. Control of harmful diseases and insects
The soil is often infested with harmful diseases and pests or eggs and they have a detrimental effect on crop production. When the land is plowed upside down and the soil is dried in the sun, they are destroyed and the soil is improved. If necessary, appropriate pesticides should be used at the right time and in the right technique.
11. Weed control
Weeds reduce the fertility of the soil by taking food from the soil and disrupt crop production. Therefore, weeds should never be allowed to grow on the land and it should always be kept clean.
12. Soil germ preservation
The soil contains a number of beneficial
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