Akamai Mahi’ai
Amber Moniz
Morgan Brailo
Leilehua High School
Table of Contents
Page 2: Table of Contents
Page 3: Abstract
Page 4: Organic Farming Practices
Page 5: Conventional Farming Practices (Non Organic)
Page 8: Conclusion
Page 10: Citation
Abstract
Centuries ago, ancient civilizations learned how to take plants that they found flourishing in nearby areas and grow them conveniently for their own use. The advancement of technology, and the evolution of farming practices has created a great variance from the simplistic idea of putting a seed in the ground, adding some water, and hoping it will grow. Currently, a debate amongst the farming community has caught the attention of people even living hundreds of miles from the nearest
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By rotating crops, studies have shown that it can increase the yield, lower the cost of crop production, and decrease the amount of additives needed to make a strong crop. Rotation has also been known to benefit physical properties of the soil like tilts, and bulk density, and also contribute to efficient use of plant nutrients found in soil.
The organic practice of using cover crops, also known as green manure, is done to feed and provide micro flora and fauna in the soil with nutrients. Cover cropping prevents the growth of problematic bacteria, diseases, and insects by supplying beneficial organisms the foundation they need to thrive in the soil. For centuries farmers have used green manure, but in recent times it has been replaced by the use of herbicides and fertilizers. This practice has multiple benefits for the soil including soil tilth, water infiltration, and reduction of sealing. It provides erosion control, adds to the fertility of
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the soil, suppresses the growth of weeds, and encourages the growth of beneficial insects.
There are two main types of green manure, legumes and non-legumes. Legumes benefit the soil by adding much needed Nitrogen, it does this by fixing atmospheric Nitrogen into a form plants can use. Non-legumes recycle excess Nitrogen into Phosphorus and
Potassium, two other highly need nutrients for the success of crops. The use of a cover crop does require a little planning
Manure contains bacteria and is very high in nitrogen. The excess nitrogen can also cause nutrient-related problems in the area.
Soil, which is the layer of earth on the top where plants and vegetation grow, contains a pH balance, everything does. The pH, acidity, or alkalinity balance of each type of soil that is being observed can affect the plants, because it determines how many nutrients are being deposited to them. It
Soil organisms carry out nutrient cycling, the pathway of nutrient minerals or elements from the environment through organisms and back to the environment.
The pH of soil is important for the absorption of nutrients into the plant. Of the 17 needed plant nutrients 14 of them are acquired through the soil. Acidity is needed to break down and dissolve these nutrients. The nutrients are able to dissolve into the soil faster when the acid is acting as a solute. Another way the pH affects the soil is by influencing microorganisms. The bacteria is crucial in the growth and development of the plant, the bacteria’s role is to break down and decompose organic matter in the soil. If the pH of the soil is too high the acid will slow down and eventually stop the microorganisms. Most plants ideal pH is between 6-7, slightly acidic. Many plants are outliers and thrive in pH such as carrots and corn, which can withstand pH as low as 5.5. If the pH of the soil is too high for the desired crop farmers can add material such as limestone, and wood ashes to raise the pH to the desired level. The pH of the soil can also be changed naturally through the leaching of calcium, magnesium and sodium by rainwater. Carbon dioxide from rotting organic matter can also increase the pH of the soil. Acids can also be created organically in the form of sulfuric and nitric
Soil turnover - as soil is moved around by digging animals, organic matter is mixed through which distributes nutrients throughout the soil
Some farmers have witnesses great benefits from transitioning their crops from wheat. One benefit has been that farmers retain more corn per acre in comparison to wheat.
The microbes found in soil go hand in hand with the microbes found in our bodies, especially the gut microbiome. Soil is used to grow various plants and crops which we then ingest. As stated in Healthy Soil Microbes, Healthy People, we have completely destroyed soil microbes by overusing fertilizers and pesticides just like how we have destroyed our gut microbes by ingesting processed foods and large amounts of antibiotics. Soil microbes, including bacteria and fungi, form symbiotic relationships with plant roots to help provide the plant with many nutrients needed to survive. In order to restore and improve the soil once again, we need to reintroduce bacteria and fungi that are capable of repairing the damage. Through recent technological advances, the soil microbiome was genetically sequenced. This allows farmers and other scientists to understand which microorganisms are
Today, in the United States, farmers and ranchers produce a wide variety of commodities for food, fuel, and fiber in response to markets. These farmers understand and recognize the significance of managing their soil as well as their plant productivity. America’s farmers are true professionals because crop production is a very complex business.
On the one hand, there is the effect of water content in the soil: due to its ability to store
Farming for our food causes many issues. Growing our food is causing a major decrease in finite resources, like fertile soil and water (Clemmitt 555). Fertile soil and water are being wasted on crops that are not successfully growing. The decrease in finite resources is caused by old, non-efficient techniques, like the throw-and-grow (Clemmitt
Households can recycle and reduce their amount of waste by taking certain biodegradable materials and start a compost bin. It is here that the common wastes such as food scraps, coffee grounds or anything that has a high organic matter can be put together and let nature take its course. “Using composts in agriculture to minimize organic wastes and to reduce the addition of fertilizers and fungicides in crop production is highly effective”. (Stan, Virsta, Dusa, Glavan, 2009 pg 1) So the compost that is produced can be used to help fertilize the ground in which crops even flowers are grown cutting down on pesticides and fertilizers. The organic component, in materials, can be used in compost recycling to help to promote a healthy soil. By having a healthier soil this provides a healthier plant. This
The capability to withstand water shortages and the havoc caused by the harvest passes makes the plants to mature early with its productivity level being high. Regions suffering from food shortages can only undergo starvation for short period before it can start to enjoy the food. On the other hand, the abovementioned advantages make farmers engage in profitable farming business with the low level of costs of farm inputs and high outputs. This aspect benefits not only the farmers but also the population that stands to enjoy a large variety of food stuff at their disposal.
resistances. It allowed farmers to farm easier. It turned the soil easily he said it could be used by to small horses or a
Compost is a valuable resource for lawns and gardens. When used, compost improves the soil's moisture management, regulates the soil's pH, provides nutrients on a slow-release basis and suppresses certain plant diseases. In addition, it can bind and degrade some pollutants in the plant's growing environment, reduce the need for pesticides and help control erosion. Compost restores soil structure after natural soil microorganisms have been reduced by the use of chemical fertilizers; compost is a soil innoculant. More compost use means less chemical fertilizers; less chemical fertilizers means less run off into the water table. Not only that but it also minimizes odors from agricultural areas. Along with being a valuable alternative to chemical fertilizers, it provides another way for schools to save money and a better understanding of certain aspects of