Key Components of Soil Management
a. Soil Physical Properties
- Maintain soil structure through addition of organic matter, compost, and biochar.
- Prevent compaction by raised beds and controlled traffic.
- Ensure proper drainage to avoid waterlogging.
- Use soil solarization or sterilization for pathogen management.
b. Soil Chemical Properties
- Maintain pH between 5.5 – 7.0 depending on crop.
- Monitor and manage electrical conductivity (EC) to prevent salt stress.
- Regular soil testing for macro and micronutrients.
- Apply balanced fertilizers (dry or liquid) based on soil test recommendations.
- Use gypsum or organic amendments to correct sodicity.
c. Soil Biological Properties
- Encourage beneficial microorganisms through organic amendments, biofertilizers, and microbial inoculants (e.g., Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium).
- Suppress harmful pathogens using solarization, steaming, or biofumigation.
- Practice crop rotation or grafting on disease-resistant rootstocks when possible.