Tag «Soil»

Calcareous Soils: The Influence of Calcium Carbonate in Agriculture

Roca caliza descompuesta formando suelo calcáreo blanco con vegetación seca alrededor

In the diverse spectrum of soil types, calcareous soils are distinguished by their remarkable calcium carbonate ($CaCO_3$) content. This fundamental characteristic significantly influences their physical and chemical properties, presenting both opportunities and challenges for agriculture. From their characteristic whitish color to their tendency towards alkalinity, understanding the peculiarities of calcareous soils is crucial for successful …

Histosols: The Wealth of Organic Matter in Soil

Perfil de un Histosol en un humedal, mostrando capas oscuras de materia orgánica y vegetación sobre su superficie.

Histosols are characterized by their abundance of organic matter. These unique soils, often referred to as organic soils or peats, form in environments where the decomposition of plant and animal material is slower than its accumulation. This fundamental characteristic gives them very particular properties that influence their use and management, especially in agriculture and ecology. …

Saline-Sodic Soils: The Double Challenge for Agriculture

Suelo agrícola salino-sódico con costra blanca de sales y grietas profundas en clima árido

In the complex tapestry of soil types, **saline-sodic soils** present a particularly challenging hurdle for agriculture. These soils combine the adverse characteristics of saline soils (high concentration of soluble salts) and sodic soils (excess exchangeable sodium), creating a hostile environment for the growth of most plants. Understanding the dual nature of these soils is fundamental …

Decoding the Earth Beneath Our Feet: A Complete Guide to Soil Types for Farmers

Diverse soil types for successful agriculture.

The foundation of all thriving agriculture lies in a fundamental element, often taken for granted: soil. Understanding the different types of soils and their unique characteristics is crucial for making informed decisions about what to grow, how to manage the land, and ultimately, maximizing your crop yields. In this comprehensive article, we will explore in …

Sodic Soils: A Structural Challenge for Agriculture

Comparación entre suelo sano con buena estructura y suelo sódico con costras, raíces débiles y compactación.

Within the diversity of soil types found in agriculture, sodic soils present particular challenges that directly affect the structure of the terrain and, therefore, the health and productivity of crops. Unlike saline soils, where the main concern is the high concentration of salts, in sodic soils the central problem lies in the excessive presence of …

Antagonistic Fungi: The Biological Defense Against Crop Pathogens

Raíces protegidas por hongos antagonistas en un cultivo saludable.

Antagonistic fungi represent an effective and natural solution for disease control in agriculture. These microorganisms have the ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi that affect plants, improving soil health and promoting sustainable crop management. In this article, we will explore what antagonistic fungi are, their benefits, main species, and how to implement them …

Beneficial Soil Fungi: Protect Your Crops Naturally

In the soil surrounding our plants lives a vast community of microorganisms, some of which can be pathogens that negatively affect crop development. However, not everything in the underground world is harmful; there are beneficial fungi that play a fundamental role in the protection and growth of plants, especially those found in the rhizosphere. In …

Crop Rotation and Melon: Benefits for Soil and Yield

DALL·E 2025 01 09 12.11.11 A highly realistic close up of a ripe melon (Cucumis melo) on the vine. The image captures the detailed texture of the melon’s skin, showing its net l

Implementing crop rotation with melon is an agricultural strategy that offers multiple benefits for both the soil and crop productivity. In this article, we explore how crop rotation positively impacts soil fertility, pest and disease reduction, and melon yield increase, providing technical and practical advice based on recent research. Importance of Crop Rotation in Agriculture …

Fulvic Acid as a complement in the management of saline soils.

Humic substances or humus are complex molecules of black or dark brown color, with high molecular weight, colloidal and hydrophilic properties, ionic adsorption and desorption capacity, release of nutrients in the medium and long term. These humic substances are classified based on the solubility of their components in solutions of different pH. This results in …

Chemical-Oxigenation of the soil

Soils often have poor oxygen levels on farmland. Poor performance in the field and reduced plant yield. Therefore, to aid cultivation in soils with optimal water use, the application of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is efficient in imparting oxygenated environments. Plant roots like plants obtain oxygen from the gaseous phase of the soil and from dissolved …