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Soil Conservation

Soil is the most important resource on which agriculture is based. Proper

management of this valuable resource is vital to sustain long-term agricultural

productivity.

Soil conservation is a combination of all methods of management and land use that

safeguard the soil against depletion or deterioration by natural or man-induced

factors.

It is our duty to conserve the soil. We cannot control the natural forces like wind, rain

and floods which cause soil erosion. But we can adopt some methods to reduce their

effect on our soil.

1. In Plain Fields

i) By Growing Grass: If the field can be

covered with grass or some fast growing

plants, the loss of topsoil can be avoided.

Grass, plants, runners cover the soil fast Grass in a field

and hold the soil with their fibrous roots.

ii) Afforestation: To save the topsoil, trees or

small plants should be planted. Their roots

will hold the soil tightly and avoid soil

erosion. Planting trees is k n o w n a s a f - Bunds in crop fields
forestation.

2. In Forests and Grasslands: By avoiding overgrazing by animals and by replacing
the grazed grass, we can control soil erosion. Planting more trees can reduce
soil erosion.

3. In Crop Fields : Making high boundaries of mud in the large fields can prevent soil
erosion. These boundaries are formed in the form of bunds. Dividing
big farms into small field areas can reduce the risk of soil being flown away.

Space for Fast Fact: - Soil takes thousands of years to develop. It may take 500 years to
form one centimetre of new soil. But it can be destroyed in very short periods of time.
In effect, it is non-renewable.

Let’s
Revise

Ÿ Soil isn't just dirt - it holds many nutrients and organisms.
Ÿ Plants grow in soil.

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