Tag: Soil fertility

Globally, iodine deficiency remains a significant public health issue, impacting billions and leading to severe health problems. In many inland and mountainous regions, the natural iodine content of soil is low, affecting the iodine levels in food crops grown there. The use of iodised soil is therefore advisable as a strategic agricultural intervention, primarily for the biofortification of crops to increase the dietary iodine intake for human and animal consumption.

Native to Southeast Asia, the butterfly pea vine (Clitoria ternatea) has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, prized for its antioxidant-rich flowers. This versatile plant is not only a stunning ornamental but also offers a wide range of benefits for both human health and the natural environment.

Healthy plants can contain a significantly higher concentration of nitrogen than many other nutrients, sometimes making up 3 to 4 percent of their above-ground tissue. In nutrients, this essential element is a fundamental building block for life, playing a critical role in all stages of a plant's development.

Over two-thirds of the world's antibiotics originate from the *Streptomyces* genus, a group of prolific bacteria known for producing a vast range of bioactive compounds. These powerful microorganisms are now being explored as probiotics, revealing a multitude of benefits across diverse applications, from agriculture to animal health.

Over 70% of global food production increase is needed by 2050, but a substantial portion of soils worldwide lack accessible phosphorus, a crucial nutrient for crop yields. Understanding what is bioavailable phosphorus is key to improving plant nutrition, managing environmental impacts, and sustaining food systems for the future.

According to sources like Fresh Origins, some varieties of peanut leaves can offer up to ten times more protein and calcium than spinach, along with higher levels of vitamin C. Beyond their use in animal fodder, what are peanut leaves good for in human applications?

Did you know that an ideal calcium to magnesium (Ca:Mg) ratio in soil can vary significantly based on soil texture? Knowing how to calculate Ca Mg ratio is crucial for understanding nutrient balance, and this guide provides a clear roadmap for farmers, aquarists, and home gardeners to analyze their samples and interpret the results effectively.

Leucaena leaves, from the fast-growing 'miracle tree' *Leucaena leucocephala*, are a highly nutritious forage crop that can contain up to 34% crude protein in dry matter. Beyond their value as animal feed, these leaves offer significant benefits for soil enrichment and may even hold medicinal properties for human use.

While most people are familiar with the primary plant macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K), there are 17 total essential nutrients for plant growth. Among these are the secondary micronutrients—a classification that actually refers to the secondary macronutrients. These are calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

Inefficient nutrient application can lead to significant nutrient losses, which harm both crop potential and the environment. Effective nutrient management is a dynamic and science-driven process that integrates soil and crop data with sustainable practices to ensure optimal nutrient availability for crops while promoting long-term soil health.