Soil is very much like some other living life form. It's helpless to infections, destructive growths and terrible microbes, particularly when it's out of equilibrium. On the off chance that your dirt gets one of the infections recorded beneath the absolute generally common and inescapable soil-borne issues in horticulture today-whole harvests can be annihilated, and at times, the illnesses cases be extremely challenging to cure. The way to keeping your dirt and yields solid is counteraction. Regardless of whether your ranch right now have one of these illnesses, utilize the tips beneath to keep it that way.
1. Soil Testing- Soil testing is a crucial part of disease prevention or soil disease treatment. Soil test kits are cheap and easy to use, allowing you to monitor your soil's pH level and nutrient content so that plants can receive the precise mix of nutrients they need at all times. Soil tests also check for dangerous levels of salts, lead, arsenic, or other toxins in your soil which could be harmful to both plants and humans.
2. Soil Hygiene- Soils with low microbial activity have been shown to drastically increase plant susceptibility to diseases such as Blight. Fortunately it is easy keep your soil healthy by amending it with compost or manure every few years. Many commercial fertilizers contain chemicals that lower the microbial activity in the soil; using these fertilizers can be harmful to your plants and expensive for you! Soils high in organic matter are usually healthier because they provide a good environment for the microbial organisms that suppress disease. Soil fungi, such as Glomus, have been shown to help plant growth. Soil microbes break down chemicals in the soil, making them safer for plants and animals, while also producing nutrients that plants need to grow.
3. Soil Diversity- Soil diversity can help prevent disease by discouraging damaging changes to the microbial population of the soil. One way this works is by discouraging other pathogenic fungi from growing in your soil when non-pathogenic fungi are present. Soil pathogens feed on living or dead tissues which brings them into close contact with non-pathogens. Soil fungi also produce antibiotics that suppress pathogen growth.
4. Soil Buffering- Soil buffering helps prevent disease by keeping harmful salts from accumulating in the soil. Soils with a high pH level have low buffering capacity, so adding humus to your soil can help it retain nutrients and protect plants against diseases such as Blight.
5. Soil Composting- Soil composting is a good way to keep organic matter levels up in your soil which, as previously stated, will improve microbial activity and disease control. By composting dead plant material you are returning nutrients to the soil instead of allowing them to be washed away by rain or irrigation where they cannot be by plants even if the salts are leached from the soil. Soil composting also reduces the chance of plant diseases by reducing plant debris on the surface of the soil.
6. Soil Aeration- Soil aeration helps prevent soil disease by increasing air and water circulation in moist soils and inhibiting anaerobic conditions which encourage pathogens to grow. Soils with low organic content or high clay content tend to have higher disease incidence because air pockets between large particles are very limited. Adding compost to these soils, besides improving microbial activity, will increase pore space and allow for better airflow and water drainage.
7. Mulching- Soil mulching is a good way to keep weeds at bay while protecting your plants from soil-borne diseases such as blight, fusarium wilt, and root rot. Soil mulches can provide a barrier between plant roots and pathogenic fungi in the soil. Cloches, coldframes, and plastic mulches all work well as protective soil covers to enhance disease control while also conserving moisture.
8. Soil Stability- Soil stability has been shown to help prevent soil disease by discouraging air-borne pathogens from blowing into your garden. Soils that are friable (easy to dig), well aerated, and full of organic matter tend to be more stable. Soils with low levels of added nutrients or high levels of salts have lower soil stability. Soiling hardpan soils will increase their stability because the compost will fill small voids around stones allowing for better air and water movement.
9. Soil Management- Soil management helps prevent soil disease by discouraging common diseases such as root rots that can result from poorly managed soil. In addition to composting, soil management includes using mulches to keep weeds at bay and adding nutrients when needed. It also refers to understanding your soil type so you know how it will behave in certain conditions. Sandy soils drain water very quickly, while heavy clay soils hold a lot of water but drain slowly. Knowing the basics about your soil will help you maximize its health and disease resistance.
10. Soil Testing- Soil testing is one of the most important steps in soil management because it tells us if we need to add nutrients or change soil pH. It tells us where we are now and what soil amendments will help improve our soil health. Soils with a low carbon to nitrogen ratio tend to be more susceptible to root diseases because they have less energy available for the plants that live there. Using compost as a soil amendment can increase microbial activity in your soil, which will provide more energy for these plants so they can fight off soil disease.
Soil with a high soil health index have been shown to reduce soil diseases by up to 36%. Soil health is determined by the type and amount of organic matter in your soil, its microbial activity, soil pH, and nutrient levels. Soils with a healthy level of organic material are better at feeding plants when they need it , releasing nutrients only when the plant needs them.
Prevention is key when it comes to keeping your soil healthy and free of disease. By following the tips we’ve outlined in this blog post, you can keep your trees and plants healthy and flourishing for years to come. Have any questions about how to prevent disease on your soil? Contact Tree Doctor today for more information or a consultation from our team of experts – we would be happy to help!
