Simple indicators of soil condition
One of the common features of field events involving Timac Agro is the analysis of soil outcrops. It was no different during this year's edition of the Timac Agro Field Panorama series of meetings, during which experts and farmers analyzed "what's going on in the soil" based on covers in various places in Poland.
During the Panorama of Fields in Minikowo (Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship) on June 18, 2024, Timac Agro expert – Piotr Kotowski – showed how to easily assess the condition of the soil using an open pit. According to our interlocutor, one of the first indicators worth paying attention to is the so-called soil life and biological activity, expressed for example by the presence of earthworms and the number of channels they hollow out, which contributes to the natural mixing of the soil. Important indicators also include soil moisture, the type of subsoil and the degree of decomposition of last year's crop residues.
– If you can find a lot of crop residues that have not decomposed since last season, there is a lot to do in such soil – says Piotr Kotowski.
read more
Timac Agro. The power of fertilization and biostimulation presented in the field
What information about soil surprises farmers?
After many analyzes of soil outcrops carried out with farmers, Piotr Kotowski noticed that what is often surprising to them is how biologically active the soil is and how strongly soil organisms depend on agrotechnology.
– The data on how many microorganisms and earthworms there are in the soil and how much we influence how they function are sometimes surprising. The issue of good agrotechnics, field management, ensuring the decomposition of organic matter and providing it in appropriate rotation can greatly influence the number of organisms in the soil, and it is they who actually decide on the structure of the soil, its pH and the amount of nutrients. plants will be able to benefit from it – says Timac Agro expert.
read more
Siliup technology will help in the fight against drought. Premiere of a new product from Timac Agro
A few simple rules for fertile soil
Indicating his "top 3" for fertile soil, Piotr Kotowski from Timac Agro selected: providing organic matter for building humus, regulating pH and adapted agrotechnics. What are the expert's tips on fertilization that improves the condition of the soil?
– The most important thing is to test the soil. When fertilizing, you need to pay attention to what is in the soil and do not fertilize "by eye", but choose effective fertilization according to your needs. In Poland we still have a problem with pH. Care should be taken to provide calcium – not only the one that will raise the pH, but also the one that affects the calcium nutrition of the plants. You also need to provide ingredients that are difficult to access, such as phosphorus, which quickly declines both at low and high pH. It is important to look at plant nutrition as a whole. Let's not focus only on nitrogen, as the most yield-generating ingredient, but all the elements that influence its effective use, such as potassium, magnesium and sulfur – said Piotr Kotowski.
Watch the entire conversation with the Timac Agro expert:
