Soil, Media for Growing Crops

By Frans Fredi Kalikit Bara

Soil is a natural media needed by farmers to grow crops. The first step that must be done by farmers before carrying out the planting process is preparation of the planting fields. In this process, the degree of soil acidity must be measured to ensure the level of soil fertility at certain fields. The good soil pH ranges from 6,5 to 7,5. Meanwhile, the soil at level six is not good media for growing plants. Soil as a growing media like a bed for plants to provide comfort, if the bed is uncomfortable then the plants will not grow well.

There are several characteristics that will be shown by plants if the soil is acidic or neutral pH. The characteristics of plants that grow on acidic soil are: (1) the plant will be stunted because the root growth is stunted, so unable to absorb nutrients optimally; (2) the leaves’ surface will looked pale yellow because the nitrogen element in the soil cannot be absorbed, (3) the level of immunity to pests and diseases will weaken so that the plant is vulnerable to disease. (4) production yields will decrease and even crop failure.

Whereas the characteristics of plants that are in neutral soil are: (1) The condition of the plant looked greenish because of the optimal absorption of nutrients, (2) the condition of roots and stems looked solid, the leaves are wide, thick and dark green, (3) have maximum production level,  and (4) have a high level of immunity against pests and diseases.

Several strategies that can be carried out by farmers if the soil acidity is below six are as follows (1) Do crop rotation with different types of plants or families, in order to neutralize the soil pH condition, or in other words, restore the macro and micronutrients of the soil that have been absorbed. An example of crop rotation with different families is the first phase of the fields is chilies, then in the following phase is legume crops; (2) Have agricultural lime or dolomite. The sown of dolomite on acidic soil will restore the soil into neutral condition; (3) Add the acidic soil with macronutrients, such as phosphate. It enables plants to grow in abnormal soil pH condition by stimulating the growth of new roots and maximize the stem growth, so that the crops are able to absorb nutrients for their growth and to produce optimally. ***