Soil is not just a passive medium for plant growth, but a dynamic, living ecosystem that requires careful stewardship.
That was the message from Semeton Amosu, a research associate and soil scientist in the crop research and environmental stewardship departments at Olds College.
Amosu spoke to attendees at the school’s AgSmart Expo in July, emphasizing the importance of a holistic view of soil health.
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“A living soil responds to everything done to it,” Amosu explained, drawing attention to the often-overlooked complexity of soil systems.
“There are many things we do that we are not even aware of with regard to the soil, and that’s why we might think we’re getting a good deal in the field. But if we pay attention to our data, we may realize the soil is actually undergoing decline.”
Throughout the seminar, Amosu highlighted the importance of keeping soil covered to protect it from environmental hazards.
“The first level where you want to keep your soil alive is to ensure that the soil is covered. If you are not growing anything, don’t open it up. Cover it with grasses or stubble,” he advised.
This simple practice, he noted, can prevent erosion and maintain the soil’s vital functions.
Amosu also addressed the growing use of technology in agriculture, such as laser beams and UV lights for rapid soil testing.
“While technology is beautiful, we must ensure it doesn’t harm beneficial soil microbes. If these tools kill the bacteria and fungi that support soil health, we may be doing more harm than good.”
A key theme of the seminar was the distinction between soil fertility and productivity.
“A fertile soil is not necessarily productive, but a productive soil is always fertile,” Amosu said.
He explained that nutrients must be available to plants, not just present in the soil, and that factors like moisture and soil structure play a critical role in crop success.
To help farmers and agronomists better assess their soil, Amosu is developing a comprehensive soil health scorecard. This tool will allow users to evaluate their soil based on physical, chemical and biological indicators — ranging from earthworm populations and biodiversity to pH levels and soil texture.
He said the scorecard would allow farmers to quantify those indicators in their soil, and then do a simple calculation to rate the health of their soil. This would be an initial diagnosis of the soil’s vital signs before diving deeper into an analysis.
“It’s like a medical checkup for your soil,” he said.
“You need to know the vital signs before you can treat any problems.”
