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Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming. Mäder, P.,
A. Fliebach, D. Dubois, L. Gunst, P. Fried, and U. Niggli. May 2002. Science.
31:1694-1695. (Journal article)
If you REALLY want to know your soil, you’ll need to entertain
some information on nutrient inputs, pH levels, and believe in the difference
between crop yields that are grown in poor soils versus those grown in soils
with compost. It is a well known and substantiated fact that higher crop yields
grown in a range of soils are teeming with organisms and mycorrizal
relationships (see the “Secret Life of Fungi”). Earthworms and other organisms
ensure fertility which in turn ensures that diversity below the ground is
maintained.
Feedback on Fertilizer. Rocchia, A. June 25, 1989. The
Oregonian (Portland, Oregon). (Newspaper article)
This article provides a short education on fertilizers and
when to use them. Rocchia begins with a discussion on fertilizer labels and uses
Rhododendron, fuchsias, zinnias, Nasturtium, dahlias, Geranium, and petunias
(plants around the average Portland home) as examples for what fertilizers
suffice for optimum growth. Sustainable suggestions for purchasing tools include
garage and estate sales to help with budget strains for new gardeners.
Worldwide Portal promotes audio-videos, slideshows, and
PowerPoint presentations on sustainable farming practices with a visual library
that includes cover cropping designs, to allow the ecosystem to maintain a rich
and diverse structure below and above the ground; basic soil quality
information; wind erosion; azotobacter (nitrogen fixing bacteria) information;
ethnobotany, people and plants; and virtual tours on current nutrient management
strategies which include dry and liquid manure uses. Check it out.
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