5 Ways by which soil looses it fertilization - Award6base Latest Nigeria And World News

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Monday 13 August 2018

5 Ways by which soil looses it fertilization


Ways by which soil looses itfertilization
*Bush burning: This kills many soil microorganisms such as bacteria and worms which are involved with nutrients production.
*Harvesting: When crops are harvested, the nutrients they contain are lost from the soil.
*Soil erosion: This is the loss of top soil and as such loss of soil nutrients.
*Continuous cropping: Planting of crops from year to year on the same portion of land which leads to loss of nutrient.
*Leaching: When the soil does not retain water well, percolating water carries nutrients beyond the reach of plant roots.
Different types of erosion
Erosion of land can occur in a variety of different ways which includes
1.Water erosion: The beating action of rain falling on wet soil destroys surface aggregate and also reduce the amount of infiltration of water. Once the infiltration rate is exceeded by rainfall, surface run off takes place down the slope.
The longer and steeper the slope, the greater the erosive power of the run off. As it flows down slope, water takes into suspension first the clay and silt and as it picks up speed, it takes up progressively coarse materials.
2.Wind erosion: Wind erosion starts with a process Known as saltation; which is a sort of jumping motion of the smallest ,most erodible particles or aggregate of soil.
Particles which becomes airborne in gusts of wind fall gradually back to the ground after covering a distance of three or four meters. The impact of these particles hitting the ground moves other particles of similar and larger size.
The larger particles slide and roll along the surface until stooped by ditches while the finer materials are projected higher into the air to form dust clouds.
3.Glacier erosion: Glacier are giant bodies of ice that pick up huge pieces of rock, some even as big as houses. A combination of the water, ice and picked up sediments creates a powerful eroding machine. As more sediment is picked up, the force of erosion becomes greater.
The erosion can smooth out areas that were once rugged and rocky. Glaciers are such a powerful force that they can carve out valleys or create land forms such as deltas.
4.Soil erosion: Flooding, wind etc, can carry the top soil away and make the soil fertile. When forest are cleared for timber or to make room for agriculture, the rate of soil erosion can increase dramatically because trees are no longer there to hold the soil in place. Increased erosion can cause streams and rivers to become clogged with silt, which harms or kill aquatic animals.
Also overgrazing by herbivores can lead to soil erosion because grasses are very efficient in holding down and stabilizing soil..
Measures to check soil erosion * Reforestation is the restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted. The tree roots serve to anchor the soil and prevent erosion.
* Contour plowing is the farming practice of plowing across a slope following its elevation contour lines. The rows formed slows water run-off during rainstorms to prevent soil erosion.
* planting of perennial plants which have deep, extensive root systems can help hold soil in order to prevent erosion.
* Terracing is used in farming to cultivate sloped land. Terraced fields decrease erosion and surface run off and are effective for growing crops requiring much water such as rice.
Ways to conserve soil fertility
* proper soil management involving an adequate soil conservation program.
* Adding of green manure
* Inclusion of leguminous plants to provide free nitrogen

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