Soil health is described as the soil’s capacity to support crop growth without becoming degraded or otherwise harming the environment. Physical, chemical and biological indicators can help determine relative soil health. Physical indicators include aggregate stability, available water holding capacity, soil structure and soil compaction. Chemical indicators include soil pH, and soil nutrient content. Biological indicators include soil organic matter/soil organic carbon, microbial respiration, soil life populations. A healthy soil will:
- have good structure, minimal compaction and can resist crusting.
- have good drainage, water movement and water-holding capacity.
- have nutrient levels, pH and organic matter in the optimal range for crop production.
- be resistant to wind, water or tillage erosion.
- produce uniform crops growth with uniform seedling emergence and root growth.
- have an abundance of soil life and microbial activity.
- readily decompose crop residue.
Most of the characteristics of a healthy soil have a direct or indirect link to other aspects of crop management.