Factors influencing soil formation and fertility in agro-ecosystems
(Edited)
Dear readers, an important component in agricultural production ecosystems is the soil, as it serves as a support for plants, in addition to containing the nutritional elements that plants need, The formation and fertility of soils involve a number of both biotic and abiotic factors that are enhanced above all in natural ecosystems. Therefore, the objective of this publication is to inform them what are those factors and how they intervene in the process of soil formation.
It is known that soils are composed of mineral material and organic matter, in agricultural ecosystems the organic material is of utmost importance because, Through its decomposition, it is possible to obtain nutritional elements and substances that allow maintaining its fertility, the decomposition of organic matter is carried out by the organisms that are in it and that will be mentioned more advanced. According to some researchers, tropical climates favor the accelerated decomposition of organic matter because it provides ideal conditions for soil microorganisms.
What was mentioned in the previous section has a lot of logic considering that the ideal microorganisms for the decomposition of organic matter proliferate in conditions with good humidity, relatively high temperatures and pH neutral, This type of habitat is found in tropical ecosystems, as for example in some areas of the south of Lake Maracaibo Venezuela. Under these conditions organisms increase their ability to decompose organic matter and transform organic compounds into inorganic ones through a process known as mineralization, these inorganic compounds can be easily absorbed by plants.
Based on these premises, we will then share what biotic factors we consider may influence soil formation.
- Trees and shrubs: this type of plants provide protection to the soil avoiding excessive erosion by wind and precipitation, as they avoid the direct effect on the soil; in addition, plants provide large amounts of organic matter (leaves) to the ground, which when decomposed favors the sustainability of the same, together with it the radical system allows influences a little on the aeration of the same, as well as the ability to maintain the groundwater levels.
- Macrofauna: macrofauna refers to certain animals that can be found in agricultural ecosystems such as, for example, iguanas, matos, cachicamos among others, these animals build burrows in the ground, looking for food or protection so as not to be affected by their predators or simply establishes their nests. This process helps to aerate and decompact the soil in some areas, as well as the contribution of organic matter through manure or organic material that accumulate in those places.
- Mesofauna: within this category earthworms and ants can be mentioned as being the best known, but there are also other mesoorganisms such as nematodes. In the particular case of earthworms when they move through the ground they form galleries that favor the circulation of oxygen in the soil, they are considered as excellent workers in the soil because they also help the decomposition of organic matter.
- Microorganisms: in the soil a variety of microorganisms can be found among which bacteria, algae, fungi among others, as some bacteria such as Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium help the fixing of atmospheric nitrogen to the soil, There are also some fungi such as mycorrhizae that help the solubilization of phosphorus in the soil and can be absorbed more easily by plants.
| final considerations |
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Dear readers, it can be evidenced that there are many processes that ensure the formation and fertility of the soil, in most organisms intervene, therefore, it must be ensured that these organisms are maintained in ecosystems, To do this, they must be applied manejos ensure the balance in these natural spaces, otherwise we would be in soils with excess of synthetic elements decreasing biotic activity and thus the low or zero decomposition of organic matter present in the soil.
Thank you for staying until the end.
| bibliographic references |
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- Molina, M.(2010). Fundamentals of natural factors and agricultural production. UNESUR. Venezuela.
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Thanks for the support dear friends
I have finally found the time to pass by your blog. Sorry for the delay! I however guess that you can imagine how busy I am those days ;)
That’s the natural cycle of life. For now, it still works ^^
I remember having read somewhere (cannot find the source anymore; it was long ago) that people threw away tons of reminders of oranges in one place in South America, and the place became a paradise of plants.
Thanks again for this interesting blog, especially on the animal part that I didn't think about initially :)
Cheers!
Greetings dear friend @lemouth, thank you for your valuable comment, in the torpical areas the decomposition of organic matter is very accelerated, at home for example we store the kitchen waste in a plastic tank mixed with the leaves of the trees that are at home, and we believe that they break down quickly, temperature and humidity enhance this process.
So long brother, have a great week.