Question.
Explain the natural process of soil enrichment and its impact on food production.
( UPSC Geography 2023 PAPER 1)
Answer.
Soil Enrichment:
The gradual accumulation of nutrients and organic matter in the soil is known as soil enrichment.
Organic Matter, microorganisms, rocks, and climatic factors [ temperature and precipitation] are important components of the natural process of soil enrichment.
Natural Process of Soil Enrichment:
There are mainly two processes:
- Biological process [ Nutrients Cycle]
- Geological Process [ Weathering, erosion, and deposition]
The combination of biological processes and geological processes is mainly responsible for soil enrichment.
The nutrient cycle means the movement of nutrients [ nitrogen, phosphorous, potash, etc] from the lithosphere[ soils] to the biosphere [ plants, animal] to microorganisms [ bacteria, fungi] to lithosphere [ soils]. This ensures that nutrients remain available for plant uptake over the long term.
Impact of soil enrichment on food production:
- Ensure Essential Nutrient Availability[ Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium, etc]
- Soil fertility reduces fertilizer cost
- It increases the water retention capacity of soil and avoids crop failure.
- It reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pests, which makes agriculture environment-friendly
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon