SOIL PREPARATION, BIO

TURBATION

To establish farming systems on designated land, it is advised to

initiate farming with "No till/zero till) farming system/practices. it is
essential to consider increasing the organic matter content to
enhance microbial activity and improve soil biota. This will also
facilitate the growth of mycorrhizal fungi, which can help retain
water and nutrients from the soil's sustainable nutrient pool.

The initial stage of the project requires some mechanical

interventions to optimize water use, carbon sequestration, and heat
capacity in the root zone. The procedures are detailed below and
will be performed only once.

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MECHANICAL WORK

1. Land topography survey: This is a necessary step to assess the land surface level and identify
any irregularities. The uneven areas will be marked and prepared for further interventions.

2. Bulk soil shifting: Bulk soil shifting: This is a procedure that follows the topographical survey
and involves relocating soil from higher to lower areas if the level difference exceeds two
inches. This is done to achieve a uniform land surface.

3. Laser levelling: This is a process that is applied if the land level is below 2 inches. It uses a
laser beam to create a flat and even surface. This will ensure optimal water use and crop
uniformity. It will also facilitate subsequent mechanical work.

4. Deep ploughing: This is an operation that involves ploughing the levelled land up to 17 inches
deep to break the hardpan below the soil surface by using Sub-soiler. Breaking the hardpan will
improve root penetration and development. It will also help leach salts and conserve water in
the root zone. There will be more space for microbial activity under normal temperature, which
will ensure maximum nutrient availability to plants.

5. Water wash to leach-down salts and lower pH: This is a step that follows deep ploughing and
involves applying high-volume irrigation along with acids to leach salts from the surface to
below the root zone. This will help lower the pH and increase nutrient availability by breaking
the bonds between nutrients and soil particles with the help of acids.

6. Making permanent raised beds: This is a step that occurs after irrigation and when the soil is
at its optimum moisture level. It involves creating permanent raised beds with a minimum width
of 42 inches and a height of 11 inches. These beds will be permanent because they will help
improve soil quality by providing a stable habitat for aerobic microorganisms. They will also
help reduce the costs of machinery, fertilizers, labor, water, and increase the quality of food
once the microorganism colonies are established.
• Advantages of Permanent Raised Beds
- No-Till planting operation
- Bigger root net - more catchment area
Provides moist soil to plants NOT
saturated for consistent growth
- Control traffic _ reduced compaction
- Biota fosters in raised beds which is like
a food factory for plants
- Soil cover reduces requirements of other
inputs to zero after few crops
- Reduce water requirements by 70% due
to little evaporation resulting - NO
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accumulation of salts in soil - Concentrated nutrient-water solution for
higher uptake
MECHANICAL WORK

7. Planting cover crops for regeneration of soil organics: This is a step that follows the
making of raised beds and involves growing cover crops such as rye, alfalfa, oats,
sorghum, peas, and millet before planting the main crops. Once the cover crops reach
their optimum maturity, they will be crushed by a machine above the raised beds, which
will serve as an organic mulch. This will help retain moisture for a longer period of time
and prevent direct sunlight from heating the soil surface, which will reduce the root
zone temperature. The roots of the cover crops will also help retain soil particles, absorb
water, especially in sandy soil, and provide food for soil microbes. They will also help
aerate the soil, which will create a favorable environment for the growth and
multiplication of aerobic microorganisms and nitrogen fixation and other minerals.

8. Planting cash crop with no-till planter: This is a step that involves using a special
planting machine called a precision planter to sow seeds in a specific manner. The
precision planter avoids shattering and compacting the soil and plants the seeds at a
specific distance without damaging them. It also saves seed quantity. For example, for
wheat, in traditional farming, 50 kg of seeds are required per acre, while on raised beds
with precision planting machine, 5 to 8 kg of seeds are enough for one acre. It also
avoids soil damage such as compaction and disturbance of the soil biota.

Why use this technique.

1. All the above mentioned practices needed only once in life time.
2. It saves water around 60-70% as compared to traditional farming. Because Soil
moisture management systems will be practiced rather than periodic irrigation system
3. It saves energy cost
4. It saves fertilizers cos upto 50%.
5. It saves labor cost
6. Eco friendly practice
7. Improves soil biota
8. Drain water in case of heavy rainfall
9. Minmize insect pest infestation
10. Doubles the yield after a year or two
11. Low running cost once the land parameters developed
12. And other countless benefits due to natural practices.