Most farmers and people in general do not give much thought as to what is under their feet – in most cases they see it as dirt and they would be right as the life has in many cases has gone from the living soil and what is left indeed is simply just dirt.
To many the difference between soil and dirt is not apparent but there is a fundamental difference – Dirt is void of actively living productive animals which covers a complex mix of microbes be it bacteria and fungi to more complex organisms such as protozoa and earthworms and so in essence is dead or at best in limbo waiting for regeneration by us the custodians of the earth.
You will be asking yourself so why did soil become dirt and so what?
Well so a lot – nature is the most incredible ecosystem which has evolved over millions of years to a highly sophisticated balanced living planet where each and every material and living organism plays its small part in the special place we call mother Earth – from the soil to the towering trees standing on it there is a science behind it where we must understand the basics of this science to explain the journey from soil to dirt and why we must reverse this as farmers/humanity in order to safeguard our planet by sequestering/taking carbon back into soil but at the same time use the resulting rejuvenated soil to be our partner to produce healthier foods and develop more productive regenerative cropping systems which will support nature and its critical all too often forgotten citizens from the busy bee to the engine of the soil the earthworm – as the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle stated the earthworms are the “intestines of the soil!”
So now to explain in a nut shell the what/why the regeneration of our living soil from dirt and the value to the farm and humanity.
Given the complex nature of the planet’s ecosystem for the purposes of this article we will focus on the aspect of the symbiotic relationship of plants/animals/soil which includes farmers crops and livestock.
Plants/crops take CO2 (carbon) from the atmosphere and through the process of photosynthesis make complex sugars which they use for growth/production but they invest 30% or more of this sugar/carbon back into the soil as exudates to the soil via their roots – the plant kingdom do this to feed their friends in the living soil the microbes (bacteria/fungi) who in turn gather nutrients for the plants as well as protect the plants from disease/pests – the bacteria/fungi proliferate and in turn feed the other community workers in the soil the protozoas, earthworms etc who all go about their business turning the soil into the largest living and breathing organism that processes/recycles organic waste (manure/organic waste/dead plants-animals) from above into carbon key to our planet but also key to sustain the living soil with the carbon cycle.
So we can see why the soil is key to mother earth and why it supports farmers by keeping their crops/livestock productive as the nutrients are made available to grow and produce healthy-productive crops/animals but why do we have so much dirt and so little soil?
We have for generations abused our soils with mechanical intervention ploughing/turning our soils as well as spraying toxic chemicals which have depleted significantly the beneficial animals in the soil converting it in many cases from a productive active supportive ecosystem into dirt.
So what next – well the good news is there are now biological solutions where the leading Agrobusinesses are now switching to provide farmers with natural solutions/products to pests and diseases which encourage the rejuvenation of the living soil as well as introduced new systems to reduce tillage and incorporate animals/plants in an inclusive way to build soil health leading to better yields/quality outputs as well enhanced capture of carbon and more importantly the reverse of dirt back to the Living soil!
Crops just like human beings and indeed all animals needs a balance diet to thrive. Yet this truism has not been appreciated by some farmers, leaving the soils poor and unable to sustain crop and they in turn do not get enough reward for their investment.
The Andermatt Root Health program combines increased growth-promoting microbes with nutritional support to optimize root health and development, nutrient uptake, and disease tolerance. The Andermatt Root Health Program incorporates a suite of different products, used in combination to enhance soil, root and ultimately plant growth.
By establishing a strong foundation for a crop, the ability of those plants to use what is available, cope with abiotic and biotic stresses, reduce the impact of pests and disease, and importantly recover from these, a better crop and larger yield is more likely.
Healthy roots and soil are essential for the production of nutrient-dense food.
The Andermatt Root Health program combines increased growth-promoting microbes with nutritional support to optimize root health and development, nutrient uptake, and disease tolerance. The Andermatt Root Health Program incorporates a suite of different products, used in combination to enhance soil, root and ultimately plant growth.
By establishing a strong foundation for a crop, the ability of those plants to use what is available, cope with abiotic and biotic stresses, reduce the impact of pests and disease, and importantly recover from these, a better crop and larger yield is more likely.
Healthy roots and soil are essential for the production of nutrient-dense food.
Plants grown with Andermatt Root Health Program are stronger, exhibiting increased pest and disease resistance. Ideally, treatment should start in the nursery and continue into the field, with repeat applications throughout the crop’s lifetime. The Andermatt Root Health Program incorporates a suite of different products, used in combination to enhance soil, root and ultimately plant growth. The program is also successfully being implemented in Cereal crops e.g Maize and Sorghum.
The Andermatt Root Health program contains different product such as Eco-T, Rhizovital, Agrisil K50 and V12 Initiate.
Eco-T ® is a fungicide containing active spores of Trichoderma asperellum that controls root disease causing organism such as Fusarium spp, Rhizoctonia spp, Pythium spp and Phytophthora spp. It also promotes growth of healthy root systems.
V12 Initiate ® Specially formulated nutritional support for early growth phases and maintenance of healthy plants. Balanced nutrition, ideal for early growth stages, improves rate of seedling emergence and produces a more even crop stand. Nutrient platform with slow release of calcium and silica.
Fulvic Acid
A powerful natural chelator and plant growth regulator, improves absorption and utilization of available nutrients. Fulvic Acid can be used as an additive to foliar applications as a natural chelator and growth promotor. Fulvic Acid enhances cell division and elongation, improving root development, also breakdown and removes toxic elements hence acting as detoxifying agent.
Healthy yields start with healthy soil & roots.
At Andermatt in Africa, we believe a mind-set change in IPM programs is needed, if a farmer’s goal is to maximize their crops’ potential. Rather than focusing on the above-ground plant and pest control, growers should prioritise and understand the below-ground environment, to ensure root and plant health are maximized.
In terms of the 80:20 principle, 80% of ‘farming’ takes place underground.
Written by: Keziah Ndinda
Regulatory Affairs Officer
Andermatt Kenya