Spotlighting the critical importance of soil health and research for sustainable agriculture.
The United Nations has declared Dec. 5 “World Soil Day,” placing a spotlight on the crucial issue of soil health under the theme, “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage.”
But as demands for food production grow and climate change continues to pose unprecedented risks, it’s imperative to recognize that soil health is more than a one-day affair — it’s a daily commitment for farmers and researchers alike.
“Soil health should be a priority because soil is the lifeblood of every farm on this planet,” says Dale Overton, CEO of Overton Environmental Enterprises. This is particularly true for potato farming.
“Let’s face it — growing potatoes is very hard on soil,” he says. “Tillage, heavy soil work, fertilizers, and pesticides can all diminish soil vitality. That’s why non-potato years in a crop rotation are vital for recovering some of that damage.”
As Canada progresses in prioritizing soil health in agriculture, Overton believes that government initiatives are increasingly recognizing its value. Positive momentum is evident, with growing discussions on the importance of soil health leading to the emergence of practical approaches that farmers can easily implement. “Change is hard, so it needs to be easy,” he says.
As researchers develop innovative strategies for soil management, farmers are increasingly presented with options that fit seamlessly into existing practices.
“Some companies and agencies are prioritizing research that enables farmers to use various practices and products that will provide more predictable outcomes in an ever-changing and often volatile climate.”
At Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists are paving the way in this field with innovative research that underscores the importance of soil health for agricultural sustainability and resilience.
Watching the Soil: A High-Tech Approach
Dr. Xiaoyuan Geng, manager and head scientist of Canadian Soil Information Service, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, leads a team dedicated to collecting and analyzing soil data that has set the standard for more than 50 years. Their methodology has evolved from hand-collected samples to employing radar and satellite imaging technologies.
“With more readily available geospatial data from satellites, and high-performance computing resources, doing predictive soil mapping with machine learning techniques is cost-effectively filling the gaps where we lack up-to-date soil information for agricultural production systems at various scales,” Geng says. This transformative technology allows growers to monitor soil organic carbon levels, enabling better soil management practices.
The influence of climate change on soil health is pressing.
“With detailed soil information generated from cost-effective predictive soil mapping, growers can now know how much soil organic carbon is stored on their land,” Geng says. This critical insight empowers farmers to implement strategies tailored to enhance soil resilience while addressing the challenges posed by climate variability.
Fingerprinting the Future of Soil
In the Prairies, researchers Dr. Mervin St. Luce and Dr. Stephen Crittenden are utilizing spectroscopy — shining visible and infrared light on soil samples — to analyze critical soil properties rapidly and affordably. This innovative approach allows them to create digital “fingerprints” that capture vital data, including organic carbon and nitrogen levels, pH, and more.
“The hope is that plant nutrients will be better predicted along with other soil properties like carbon and clay content,” Crittenden says. This pioneering work, encapsulated in the Prairie Soil Spectral Library, aims to provide actionable insights to farmers, particularly in regions dedicated to potato production.
“Soil spectroscopy is nothing new to the field, but advancements in machine learning have taken it to the next level,” Crittenden says.
The integration of this technology not only streamlines the analysis of soil health but also democratizes access to information, making it easier for farmers to make informed decisions about their practices.
Understanding Biodiversity’s Carbon Connection
Dr. Louis-Pierre Comeau leads the Canadian Soil Biome Survey, exploring the relationship between soil biodiversity and carbon capture. His findings reveal a surprisingly strong link between microbial diversity and soil health.
“The dynamics of micro-organisms help promote soil health and better cycling of carbon,” Comeau says. His ongoing research seeks to identify soil organisms that are most effective in carbon storage, thereby providing crucial data to inform sustainable agricultural practices.
Implementing Change for Sustainable Practices
Ongoing concerns around soil health illustrate the need for continued research into solutions that are affordable, consistent and predictable — and that’s the hard part, Overton says.
“We need to consider that soil is not just dirt — it is alive and has real tangible value in large-scale agricultural production. But our research and the research of other companies and institutions are leading the way to make these practices a reality for the industry — ultimately making farmers more profitable.”
