Abstract:
Quality of soil is critical for plant growth, and hence, important to
agriculture. Management practices that are appropriate to improve soil characteristics
and climate can enhance soil quality and its fertility. Natural soil management is a
sustainable way of managing soil that benefits from recycling of natural resources. A
field experiment was conducted at the Crop Farm, Eastern University, Sri Lanka to
study the effects of natural and inorganic soil management practices during Yala 2010.
Two separate plots having 50 square meter extent were selected for this experiment.
One plot was managed naturally (natural soil) with mulching, green manuring and
application of soil amendments (Jiwamirta and Amutha karaisal) whereas other plot
(inorganic soil) was managed based on the recommendations of Department of
Agriculture, Sri Lanka including chemical fertilizers. Five soil samples from each plot
were analyzed for soil properties namely moisture content (MC), pH, electrical
conductivity (EC), total nitrogen, available potassium and phosphorus and organic
matter (OM). Statistical analysis was carried out using SAS. Natural soil consisted
significantly (P < 0.05) higher MC than the inorganic soil. The natural soil had a neutral
pH while the inorganic soil was acidic. OM content, EC, total nitrogen and available
potassium were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in natural soil. However, available
phosphorus was significantly lower in natural soil. Therefore, it could be concluded that
natural soil management practices improved soil properties better than inorganic
practices which could be environmental friendly and economically beneficial for the
farmers.
