Rigas Karamanos & Soileos on Soil Health
Let's have a conversation on soil health. Soil health is a widely used, and poorly measured term. it can’t be a one size fits all measurement. It can be a relative gauge for the most under-explored asset on your farm. Soil has many physical, chemical and biological properties that contribute to its ability to support crop development and yield. The concept of soil health is a description of the ability of soil to function as a system within a larger environmental system.
Soil—a complex ecosystem where climate, organisms, parent material, relief, and micronutrients, intertwine over time to shape the very foundation of modern farming. Rigas Karamanos, PhD PAg FCSA, a distinguished authority in soil chemistry and fertility, offers a compelling exploration into this soil health.
“Soil health is the capacity of a soil to function within ecosystem and land-use boundaries, to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote plant, animal and human health.” Begins Rigas. “Since we will continue to use our soils for crop production well into the future, we should be concentrating on the best resource-conserving management practices, which contribute to both soil health, and soil quality, while we focus research on the development of sustainable agri-food systems. A healthy soil provides many functions that support plant growth, including nutrient cycling, biological control of plant pests, and regulation of water and air supply. These functions are influenced by the interrelated physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil, many of which are sensitive to soil management practices.”
Soil health, as defined by the Soil and Environmental Science Dictionary is an approach to soil condition analogous to human or community health by which the condition of a soil's properties and morphology are assessed against some optimum condition, or a soil’s function assessed against a functional state.
Our Soileos Team is proud to join Rigas on a journey across the Canadian prairies, bringing together growers, agronomists, and retail partners to unravel the mysteries of soil health and its implications for sustainable agriculture.
At the heart of Rigas' message lies a profound understanding of soil health as the cornerstone of agricultural productivity and resilience. Through his expertise, Rigas elucidates the nuanced complexities of soil health, dispelling myths and offering practical insights grounded in science.
Soil health is not merely a buzzword—it is a dynamic concept that encompasses a wide spectrum of factors, from soil properties and morphology to ecosystem functions and sustainability. Rigas draws upon decades of research and experience to illuminate the multifaceted nature of soil health, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions that benefit both the land and the bottom line.
“Resilience of any agronomic management option in terms of long-term sustainability and profitability is a key to successful farming operations.” Rigas asserts, “Today we are encountering greater incidence of micronutrient deficiencies because (a) we have a better understanding of micros through plant diagnosis and soil testing; (b) we are demanding higher yields through improved crop varieties, moisture conservation and better management; and (c) the use of increasingly pure macronutrient fertilizers, means we have less incidental nutrients.”
Join us as we kick off our conversations with Rigas Karamanos.
Learn more about soil health, Soileos, and micronutrients
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