Soil Cultural Techniques affecting Soil Structure - Jonathan Williams (Agri) (1)

Increased soil fertility

Reduced soil erosion

Decreased water retention

Improved soil structure

Adding organic matter

Increasing irrigation

Applying chemical fertilizers

Using pesticides

Improves plant health

Develops symbiotic relationships with plants

Reduces soil erosion

Increases soil acidity

Enhances soil structure and provides nutrients

Increases soil acidity and reduces water retention

Promotes pest growth and decreases plant health

Decreases microorganism activity and increases erosion

To ensure the pH remains in the ideal range for crops

To increase the amount of organic matter

To reduce earthworm activity

To promote pest control

Ploughing

Subsoiling

Min Till

Direct Drilling

Exposes soil microorganisms to pests

Increases risk of soil erosion

Reduces soil carbon capture

Reduces organic matter on the surface

Keeps organic matter on the surface

Aeration of soil

Increases risk of soil erosion

Reduces earthworm activity

Increases soil compaction

Limited ability to alleviate compaction

Reduces soil moisture

Decreases organic matter on the surface

Heavy rainfall

Planting cover crops

Late harvesting

Using subsoilers

Planting cover crops

Cultivating fields on a slope

Late harvesting of crops

Using minimum tillage techniques

Improving soil fertility

Increasing soil erosion

Reducing soil biodiversity

Promoting soil compaction