SOIL IMPROVEMENT TO MATCH 21ST-CENTURY AGRICULTURE

Biotechnology and genetic engineering promise a new explosion of agricultural productivity going into the twenty-first century. But according to reports from the United Nations and others, the soils of the world are continually being seriously degraded, some beyond repair, and others repairable only at high cost. It is doubtful if a superlative new agriculture can be successfully launched on seriously damaged soil. We must have soils worthy of the coming new agriculture. Success will be directly proportional to the quality of soil. Programs outlined in other papers of this series, if followed, can result in the kind of soil needed. Increasing the soil organic matter, more precision in the use of fertilizers and other inputs, promoting water conservation, correctly using gypsum (calcium) and water-soluble polymers together with careful conservation of crop residues and other wastes with ideal tillage, and making smart choices of crop rotations, all together can create biologically, physically and chemically quality soil to grow crops that are extremely productive.