Soil Health Evaluation for Sustainable Farm Management

Martin Banov; Viktor Kolchakov; Dimitre Nikolov; Krasimir Kostenarov; Ekatherina Tzvetanova

doi:10.61308/BCHB4739

Authors

Martin Banov Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnology and Plant Protection “Nikola Pushkarov”, Agricultural Academy – Sofia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4491-5646
Viktor Kolchakov Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnology and Plant Protection “Nikola Pushkarov”, Agricultural Academy – Sofia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7155-5594
Dimitre Nikolov New Bulgarian University – Sofia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4030-4645
Krasimir Kostenarov New Bulgarian University – Sofia, Bulgaria Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0563-4032
Ekatherina Tzvetanova New Bulgarian University – Sofia, Bulgaria Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0788-8295

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61308/BCHB4739

Keywords:

agroecological conditions, assessment, soil characteristics, soil health

Abstract

The approach developed by us adheres to the limitation methods recommended by the FAO, and more precisely to those that take into account the number and degree of existing limitations for a certain set of soil characteristics, and is tailored to the specifics of agricultural production at the farm level. The research enables dynamic monitoring of changes in soil quality in accordance with measures taken to improve its health. This study presents a methodology that combines a limited set of soil characteristics specific to each farm. The aim is to make it easier for farmers to provide the necessary information and to make data-driven decisions, taking into consideration soil health and ensuring sustainable farm management. The suggested methodology will be used as a backbone of software that will be developed for profit optimization at the farm level. The soil features selected for work are grouped into four large groups, complying with the rule to work with the smallest possible number of characteristics that describe as fully as possible the agroecological conditions in relation to the requirements of the plants, while at the same time not allowing double and triple evaluation of the same characteristic.
The degrees of restrictions (from L0 to L4) are determined for each soil feature separately using the developed scales, and based on this, the suitability for agricultural use of the farm is assessed. A comprehensive assessment and classification of farms by suitability for agriculture is carried out.

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Soil Health Evaluation for Sustainable Farm Management

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