What Are the Components of Soil Health?
Healthy soil is vital to successfully growing crops. While there are several components that can go into soil health, they are all ultimately affected by proper drainage. With quality drainage solutions in place, it becomes much easier to maintain the following vital components of soil health.
Minerals
Healthy soil contains important minerals such as carbon, calcium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. These minerals promote photosynthesis, healthy cell growth, water management, and more. While many farmers will add some of these minerals to the soil, proper drainage is essential to keep these nutrients from getting washed away.
Organic Matter and Microorganisms
Crop growth also relies on natural organic matter and microorganisms in the soils. Soil bacteria, fungi, and worms break down plant and animal matter to create a material known as humus, which contributes nutrients such as nitrogen and sulfur. Proper soil drainage creates an environment where microorganisms can thrive.
Air and Water
Water and air are essential for plant’s metabolic processes. After water passes through the soil, the open pores are then filled with air, which promotes healthy root growth. Quality drainage ensures that soils never become overly saturated or too dry, which could negatively impact the health of roots and soil microorganisms.
If you need help improving soil drainage to enhance these components of soil health,
contact Richland Micro Drainage today. With surface, subsurface, and GPS grading solutions that can be custom-tailored to your property and farming style, you can enjoy the healthy soil your crops need to thrive.









