What Is a Soil Conditioner?
A soil conditioner is a material used to improve the soil to make it suitable for growing crops.
Unlike fertilizers, they are used to improve the physical, chemical, and biological elements of the soil. As crops are grown in the field, the physical, chemical, and biological elements inevitably break down. This is why a soil conditioner is needed.
As the name suggests, soil conditioners are materials used to improve the soil.
Uses of Soil Conditioners
There are various types of soil conditioners, and their uses vary according to their characteristics. Typical applications of soil conditioners are as follows:
1. Humus
Humus is classified as a vegetable compost. Humus is created by piling up fallen leaves and allowing them to ferment over an extended period of time. Because of its high fiber content, humus is ideal for improving aeration and water retention. It creates a fluffier soil It also contains minerals, which can promote plant growth.
2. Cow Manure Compost
Cattle manure is made by adding rice straw and other materials to cow manure and fermenting it. Since cattle manure also contains a large amount of fiber, it is used to improve aeration and water retention.
It is also an organic fertilizer and contains nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphoric acid, which make it effective as a fertilizer. It is used when you want to improve soil conditions before the next cultivation, as it slowly becomes effective as a fertilizer.
When mixed between the end of one cultivation and the next, the nutrients are gradually mixed into the soil.
3. Slaked Lime
Slaked lime is made by adding water to powdered limestone and allowing it to mature. It is a substance known as calcium hydroxide, and because of its strong alkalinity, it is used to improve highly acidic soil to a neutral level.
4. Rice Husk Charcoal
Rice husk charcoal is an improver made by grinding rice husks into charcoal. It is rich in trace elements and is used to improve aeration and water retention while promoting plant growth. Other effects include the activation of microorganisms and deodorizing effects.
Characteristics of Soil Conditioners
Advantages
Advantages of soil conditioners include improving water retention and preventing root rot. If the soil has poor water retention properties, no matter how much water is applied, the water will not penetrate. Also, if soil aeration is poor, moisture in the soil will remain in the soil, which can lead to root rot. These problems can be remedied by incorporating soil conditioners into the soil.
Cons
One of the disadvantages of soil conditioners is they can be costly, as there are many different types of soil conditioners for different uses and purposes. Also, soil conditioners are available in large lots and may not be purchased in small quantities.
Types of Soil Conditioners
There are four main types of soil conditioners. The characteristics of each type are as follows:
1. Vegetable Compost
Vegetable compost is made by fermenting fallen leaves and other plant matter. Although it contains few nutrients, it improves physical properties, such as aeration and activates microorganisms in the soil, making it compatible with all types of soil.
2. Animal Manure
Animal compost is made by fermenting the feces and urine of livestock, such as cows, chickens, and pigs. Dung and urine are used as fertilizers because they contain high levels of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potassium, which promote plant growth. However, since the effects and characteristics vary depending on the type of livestock, it is important to select the right one for the intended use.
3. Lime Materials
Lime materials are used to adjust soil acidity (pH). Lime materials also contain calcium and magnesium, which are used to provide essential nutrients to the field.
Lime materials also come in a variety of types, including quicklime, slaked lime, calcium carbonate, shell fossils, and oyster shells.
Other Soil Conditioners
In addition to the soil conditioners described above, there are many other types of soil conditioners. Some soil conditioners can be used when the composts described above do not improve the soil. For example, soil conditioners made from rice husks that have been smoked into charcoal instead of fermented to improve poor soil drainage.