Soil water retention: increase productivity

THE soil water retention is very important for the agricultural productivity. It affects plant growth. In southern Brazil, where droughts are more common, it is crucial that the soil conserves water. This article will show techniques for water retention that improve the soil's ability to retain water. This makes farming more efficient and less affected by climate change.

Using good practices to retain water in the soil not only helps plants. It can also increase the yield and quality of agricultural products.

What is soil water retention?

Soil water retention is vital for plant growth and sustainable agriculture. It depends on both physical and chemical factors. These factors affect the water available to plants, which in turn influences productivity.

Definition and importance

The water retention capacity of soil comes from the interaction between minerals, organic matter, air, water and microorganisms. Clay soils retain more water due to their structure. On the other hand, sandy soils retain less water.

Storing and distributing water in the soil is crucial for plant health and productivity.

Factors affecting water retention

Several factors influence the water-holding capacity of soil. Soil texture and structure are key, affecting pore size and water storage. Adding organic matter, such as compost, improves water retention.

Choosing plants with deep roots helps reduce evaporation and better retain moisture.

Studies show that no-till farming can increase soil water retention. It also reduces the energy required for water retention compared to traditional soil preparation.

How water retention influences productivity

Water retention is crucial for crop productivity. It is essential for evapotranspiration and to avoid production interruptions. Efficient irrigation management, considering water retention, prevents soil degradation and erosion.

Understanding and improving soil water retention is essential to increasing agricultural production and protecting ecosystems. Adopting practices that value water retention ensures stronger, more resilient crops.

Soil texture and its influence on water retention

THE soil texture is very important for retaining water. It affects how water is used in agriculture. This depends on the amount of clay, silt and sand in the soil.

Types of soil texture

There are several types of soil texture. Each one affects water in different ways. For example, sandy soils retain less water than clay soils.

Sandy soils have less than 18% of clay. They have a field capacity (CC) of -0.1 bar. Clayey soils, with more than 35% of clay, have a CC of -0.33 bar.

Micropores and macropores

THE microporosity and the macroporosity are key to retaining water. Micropores retain water for longer. They help the soil hold water for longer.

Macropores, on the other hand, allow water to drain quickly. This helps prevent excess moisture and keeps the soil well ventilated.

Understand the soil texture is crucial to improving water management in agriculture. The presence of organic matter and the structure of micropores and macropores are important for water use by plants.

Water in micropores is vital for plant growth. Macropores help drain excess water and prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged. Having a good ratio of macropores to micropores is essential for maintaining water and productivity in the soil.

Organic matter as a retention factor

Organic matter in the soil is very important for retaining water and nutrients. This helps to increase the productivity of the land. It also makes the soil more alive, increases its porosity and improves its structure.

The importance of organic matter

A 2015 FAO and EMBRAPA report showed that 33% of the world's soils are degraded. This is often due to a lack of organic matter. Without it, the soil loses nutrients and the land degrades.

Organic matter is a storehouse of carbon, nutrients and energy. It is vital for soil fertility and productivity. Farmers can improve soil by using compost and agricultural waste, such as straw.

How to increase soil organic matter

For more organic matter, it is good to use plant residues and the right fertilizers. A study by Duxbury et al. (1989) shows that soil has different types of organic matter. These include microbial biomass and partially decomposed plant residues.

Soil nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are in protected compartments. soil fertility depends on many factors, including organic matter and nutrient availability.

Best practices include:

• Composting of agricultural waste.
• Proper use of organic and chemical fertilizers.
• Application of straw for increase porosity.
• Crop rotation to diversify plant species and improve soil quality.

Organic matter helps provide essential nutrients to plants. It also improves soil health and increases its ability to retain nutrients. This is very important for soil quality.

Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and nutrient retention

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) measures how well the soil retains cations. This is vital for the nutrient retention and soil fertility. Organic matter and clay fraction influence CEC, as they have negative charges that attract nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium.

What is CTC?

CEC is measured in centimoles of charge per kilogram of soil (cmolc/kg). It shows the total amount of cations that the soil can hold at a specific pH. Soils with a high CEC hold more nutrients, which helps in soil fertility. There are two types of CEC: Permanent, more common in non-tropical soils, and Variable, in tropical soils.

How CTC affects water and nutrient retention

CEC is linked to the retention of water and nutrients in the soil. Soil with a high CEC retains more water, helping plants during dry periods. Organic matter is crucial for CEC, improving soil fertility. Using organic matter, liming, and gypsum can increase CEC.

The FAO says we will need to produce 70% more food by 2050. This will be a challenge, especially in low-fertility soils, such as the tropics. Having a high CTC in soil is essential to meet this demand, guaranteeing nutrients and water for production.

Liming and gypsum application to improve water retention

Liming and plastering they are agricultural practices essential. They improve water and nutrient retention in the soil. By adjusting pH and correcting acidity, these techniques create an ideal environment for plants.

Influence of pH on water retention

A proper soil pH is crucial for plant nutrient uptake. liming adjusts the pH, making the soil less acidic and more fertile. This improves water retention and nutrient absorption.

The application of limestone neutralizes acidity, while plastering It provides calcium and sulfur. These substances are great for acidic soils. They promote deep root growth and increase the plants' resistance to drought.

Soil acidity correction

Correcting soil acidity is essential for healthy plant growth. Limestone and gypsum are effective methods for this correction. They reduce aluminum toxicity and create a favorable environment for roots.

Limestone should be applied about three months before gypsum application. This combination of liming and gypsum application makes soils more balanced and productive. It also improves environmental sustainability and plant health.

Using glauconite to increase water and nutrient retention

THE glauconite is a very important potassium mineral. It helps to retain more water and nutrients in the soil. This is possible thanks to the Glauconitic Siltstone fertilizer, which brings many benefits.

What is Glauconite?

THE glauconite is a green mineral found in marine sediments and rocks. It has the ability to retain water and nutrients effectively. Glauconitic Siltstone uses glauconite to improve soil.

Benefits of glauconite in soil

Glauconitic siltstone has many benefits for the soil. Glauconite helps to retain more water, which is great for plants. It also improves the soil’s ability to retain important nutrients such as potassium and iron.

In 2021, around 5 million hectares in Brazil used remineralizers, including glauconite. This shows that farmers rely heavily on it and Glauconitic Siltstone to improve the land.

Agricultural practices to improve soil water retention

Adopt agricultural practices sustainable is essential for the soil conservation and improved water retention. Techniques such as no-till farming, crop rotation and cover cropping not only reduce erosion but also promote a healthy environment for crop growth. Crop rotation can increase crop productivity by up to 20%, recent studies indicate.

THE soil conservation and water through terracing and soil cover can increase water retention by up to 25%, helping to prevent erosion. Additionally, efficient use of fertilizers and pesticides can reduce soil and water contamination by up to 15%, minimizing negative impacts on the environment and human health.

Another efficient approach is integrated pest management, which can reduce the use of chemical pesticides by up to 30%, preserving local biodiversity. In addition, precision agriculture, with advanced technologies, has the potential to reduce operational costs by up to 10%, reducing waste of inputs and increasing efficiency in agricultural production.

Products such as K Forte®, which contains Glauconitic Siltstone, are efficient in promoting water retention in the soil, since glauconite, which makes up more than 70% of this mineral, favors this retention. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) of glauconite allows the maintenance and fixation of important nutrients for plants. It is estimated that sugarcane, for example, requires up to 2500 mm of water per harvest, and management techniques Adequate measures can reduce water use by up to 30%, increasing productivity by between 10% and 30%.

Conclusion

Understanding how soil retains water is crucial to managing water resources well and maintaining sustainable agriculture. The 12th Water Resources Meeting in Sergipe showed the importance of this. It analyzed different land uses and found important differences.

Sustainable practices, such as adding organic matter to the soil, improve water retention. They also improve the soil quality. This helps soils to be healthier and more efficient at absorbing water.

In short, use agricultural practices Responsible, science-based practices improve soils. This makes agriculture more productive and sustainable. Adapting these practices to the soil of each region helps to make better use of water resources, increasing productivity and protecting the environment.