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Does soil science really matter?

The study of soil is an important branch of science. It allows us to vastly improve both the quantity of crops we grow while preserving our environment for future generations. Understanding how plants interact with soil enables us to better conserve and replenish our lands year after year. By learning how plants absorb nutrients from the soil, we are able to grow more crops on less land, helping us feed the world’s growing population. The study of soil is a driving force behind our entire global food production system. Beyond that, a working knowledge of soil can also be beneficial for a personal flower bed, a vegetable garden, or a health green lawn. Luckily, we have it down to a science.

Plants need 17 essential elements to flourish. Three of these they get from air and water while the other 14 come from the soil. Soil scientists then break those down into three major categories based on how necessary they are for plant life: primary nutrients, secondary nutrients, and micronutrients.

One of the most vital primary nutrients is nitrogen. Nitrogen is necessary for the creation of protein, which makes up the majority of tissue in most living things. Despite our atmosphere being made up of 78 per cent nitrogen, plants get theirs from the soil in a process known as the nitrogen cycle.

Phosphorus is the second major primary nutrient and key building block for plant life. Phosphorus is important in many of the key processes that allow plants to grow and flourish. It is especially important for photosynthesis, where plants convert sunlight into energy. It is also necessary for respiration, cell division, energy storage. Similar to nitrogen, phosphorus is common in soil, but most of it is unavailable for plants to use. In fact, studies have shown that phosphorus deficiency is one of the most common culprits for below optimum crop yields. Soil science helps us address this and create sustainable solutions.

The third major primary nutrient is potassium, also known as “potash”. Potassium means higher quality and more resilient crops. It’s critical in carbohydrate and starch synthesis, making it extremely important in potato crops, for example. It also makes plants less likely to wilt quickly while helping year-round crops survive the winter. Like nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium is plentiful in soil but plants can’t necessarily access what’s currently available. Soil science allows us to determine the amount of extra potassium needed in the soil in order to grow healthy crops to feed our growing communities.

There is a finite amount of land on our planet. Through innovation and hard work, we are developing sustainable methods for utilizing this land and growing crops with the nutrients they require. That’s why Nutrients for Life Foundation Canada is committed to raising awareness about soil science and educating our youth on its importance through our learning garden program. Learning gardens are outdoor, educational environments allowing students to discover soil science and agricultural sustainability through hands-on practice. Through learning gardens, students explore how modern agriculture, gardening, and plant growth play a valuable role in food production, health, and sustainability.

During Canadian Environment Week, June 5 to 11, make soil science a priority. By involving youth in soil science and environmental sustainability, society’s soil, water, and air are protected for generations to come.