and disease organisms. These problems may be worse
The choice of a practice or combinations of practices
in monoculture with no-till practices than with conven-
depends largely on specific soil health problems and
tional tillage.
possible constraints imposed by the farming system. We
discussed in chapter 21 how traditional (chemical) soil
WHAT MAKES SENSE ON YOUR FARM?
tests are used to provide quantitative nutrient and lime
We strongly advocate a holistic management approach.
recommendations. As discussed in chapter 22, newly
As with human health, we have the ability to diagnose
available soil tests, as well as careful attention to your
problems through observations and testing. If prob-
soils and crops, can help target management practices
lems are identified, the patient and physician develop
related to specific limitations. We cannot be quite as pre-
strategies to address them. This may include a change in
cise for making recommendations regarding physical and
diet, exercising, a pill, or even surgery. There are often
biological constraints as we can be for nutrient problems,
multiple ways and combinations to reach the same goal,
because these systems are more complex and we don’t
depending on personal preferences and circumstances.
have as strong a research base.
Similarly for soil health, what makes sense on any indi-
General management guidelines for specific con-
vidual farm depends on the soils, the climate, the nature
straints that may have been identified from soil health
of the farm enterprise, the surrounding region, potential
tests or field observations are presented in table 23.2.
markets, and the farm’s needs and goals. The tests and
They are listed in terms of two time lines: short term or
observations provide useful guidance to help target con-
intermittent, and long term. The short-term recommen-
straints, but there is rarely a simple recipe. We wish it
dations provide relatively quick responses to soil health
was that easy. Holistic soil health management requires
problems, and they may need to be repeated to prevent
an integrative understanding of the processes, which is
recurrence of the problem. The long-term approaches
basically the purpose behind this book.
focus on management practices that don’t provide quick
Start with regularly testing your soils, preferably
fixes but address the concern more sustainably. You will
using comprehensive soil health analyses, and apply-
probably note that the same practices are often recom-
ing amendments only when they are needed. Testing
mended for different constraints, because they address
soils on each field every two or three years is one of the
multiple concerns at the same time.
best investments you can make. If you keep the report
Note that many of the management solutions listed
forms, or record the results, you will be able to follow
in table 23.2 involve improving organic matter. As you
soil health changes over the years. Monitoring soil test
probably realize at this stage of the book, we believe that
changes will help you fine-tune your practices. Also,
improved organic matter management is key to sustain-
maintaining your pest scouting efforts and keeping
able soil management. But keep in mind that simply
records of those over the years will allow you to evaluate
bringing in any type of organic material in any amount is
improvements in that area.
not necessarily the solution. For one thing, organic addi-
tions that are too large may create problem nutrient sur-
PRAcTIcES TO HElP REMEDY SPEcIFIc cONSTRAINTS
pluses. Second, some organic materials reduce disease
Building soil health can help prevent problems from
levels, but others can increase them (see chapter 11 on
affecting the environment and the growth of plants.
rotations and chapter 13 on composting). Third, some
However, as good a job as you might do, specific prob-
constraints, like acidity, sodicity, and extremely low
lems may arise that require some sort of remedial action.
nutrient levels, are often more effectively approached
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Building SoilS for Better CropS: SuStainaBle Soil ManageMent