Clay soils are very sticky. The water will not percolate down the soil. The stagnet water will increase the vulnerability to various plant diseases. Hence here let us see few ways to increase the soil fertility of the soil.
The following steps are useful for improving clay soils:
• Reduce compaction, because once the soil becomes compacted it sticks together. This makes root growth difficult, as well as making it difficult for people to dig.
• Add sand to improve soil structure.
• Use green manure crops and crops which can improve soil structure over time. See legumes green manuring for more information on techniques. Green manuring techniques
• Planting trees will also help to improve the structure of clay soils. Trees provide mulch material and their roots will help to break up the clay soil. Trees can also be combined with other types of plants.
• Gypsum can help to improve the drainage and structure of soil. This technique will improve clay soil structure quickly, but is expensive. This technique will not work well if the soil’s pH is too alkaline.
The following steps are useful for improving clay soils:
• Reduce compaction, because once the soil becomes compacted it sticks together. This makes root growth difficult, as well as making it difficult for people to dig.
• Add sand to improve soil structure.
• Use green manure crops and crops which can improve soil structure over time. See legumes green manuring for more information on techniques. Green manuring techniques
• Planting trees will also help to improve the structure of clay soils. Trees provide mulch material and their roots will help to break up the clay soil. Trees can also be combined with other types of plants.
• Gypsum can help to improve the drainage and structure of soil. This technique will improve clay soil structure quickly, but is expensive. This technique will not work well if the soil’s pH is too alkaline.
