Protecting the soil is equally important for everyone

(Photo: Pixabay)

There is enormous potential in proper agricultural and forestry practices. By applying already proven good practices, the condition of the soil can be restored, and the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can be reduced, which can be used to increase the soil’s organic matter stock. It is important for farmers to be able to adapt to changing conditions by using the agrotechnics that are most suitable for them, protecting their soil, soil water management, and fertility.

The short film series aims to help with this

The 10-15-minute professional videos, colored with graphic elements and the presentation of good farming practices, present soil-destroying processes such as erosion damage, the process of humus loss, and point out the importance of proper nutrient management and the rationalization of the use of input materials. It illustrates that on sloping arable land, the water practically carries away the valuable humus-rich soil along its flow path every year. In order to prevent this, it is important to use appropriate agricultural techniques, to break the force of the water, and to keep the water in place. One of the possible ways to do this is to create a grassy erosion protection strip, thereby preventing the further deepening of gullies and soil erosion, since the roots of plants bind the soil and their leaves slow down the movement of water, and they can also play an important role from an ecological point of view, providing a living space for many useful for an arthropod species. Another possibility to keep our soils in place and to protect the humus soil cover is if the farmer tries to disturb the soil only to the extent necessary, leave as many stem residues as possible on the surface, ensure plant cover for as long as possible, which also stimulates soil life. It is also a good solution if the plants are sown in a direction perpendicular to the slope, since this way the cultivated plant also prevents the soil from being washed away.

AM