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Natural Fertilizers and No-Till Practices Boost Soil

Natural Fertilizers and No-Till Practices Boost Soil
Sep 19, 2024
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

New research shows how natural fertilizers store carbon and reduce pollution.

A recent study from Kansas State University highlights how using natural fertilizers like manure and compost, combined with minimizing tilling, can improving soil health.

This research, published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal, revealed that natural fertilizers significantly increase carbon storage and enhance microbial diversity in no-till cornfields when compared to synthetic fertilizers.

According to lead researcher Ganga Hettiarachchi, the study is the first to uncover the mechanisms behind how natural fertilizers contribute to better soil health and carbon sequestration. Sequestering carbon in soil is essential in the fight against climate change.

By improving soil carbon storage, natural fertilizers offer a sustainable solution to mitigate climate change.

The research was conducted on a Kansas cornfield that had been farmed for 22 years without crop rotation. Instead of disturbing the soil through tilling, researchers took intact samples for detailed analysis.

These samples showed that natural fertilizers not only enhanced carbon storage but also improved nutrient retention, which can help reduce harmful runoff leading to water pollution.

Hettiarachchi further explained that natural fertilizers help prevent the loss of nitrogen and phosphorus, which often contaminate water sources, contributing to toxic algae blooms.

As climate change worsens, these solutions are increasingly important for protecting both soil and water health.

The study, conducted in collaboration with Canadian and U.S. research facilities, offers crucial insights into the benefits of regenerative farming practices and their role in addressing global environmental challenges.

Photo Credit: pexels-pixabay-265242


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