Mankind is dependent on the soil for its needs for food and fibre for humans, feed for livestock, and, of late, contributing to our energy supply with crops grown primarily for biofuels. Soil is a dynamic and multifunctional living system that exists as a relatively thin layer on the Earth’s crust. (Singh & Ryan 2015).  Soil is not an inert growing medium – it is a living and life-giving natural resource. It is teaming with billions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that are the foundation of an elegant symbiotic ecosystem (USDA).

Soil health is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans (USDA).

As world population and food production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive is of paramount importance. By farming using soil health principles and systems that include no-till, cover cropping, and diverse rotations, more and more farmers are increasing their soil’s organic matter (SOM) and improving microbial activity. As a result, farmers are sequestering more carbon, increasing water infiltration, improving wildlife and pollinator habitat—all while harvesting better profits and often better yields (USDA).

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) found in the living matter in soils acts as a sink that traps and stores CO₂ – a major contributor to global warming. Soils represent the largest terrestrial pool of carbon: each hectare can store up to 50 – 300 tonnes of carbon (UNCCD 2014).

By increasing crop yields and productivity on available arable land, fertilisers help protect carbon-rich forests, peatlands, wetlands and grasslands by minimizing land use changes. Increased productivity through fertiliser use has spared 1 billion hectares of virgin land from cultivation between 1961 and 2005 and saved the equivalent of 317 – 590 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions (the same as total global pre-1800 CO₂ emission levels) (Burney et.al. 2010).

With better management, farmland soil could also store up to an extra 1.85 billion tonnes of carbon each year (7 billion tonnes of CO₂): around the same amount of CO₂ emitted every year by the global transport sector (Zomer et. al. 2017).

The best way to capture more carbon on farmland is to use fertilisers to optimize plant growth and yields and leave crop residues in the field after harvest.

For every 2 – 3 tonnes of carbon stored above ground in plants, one (1) or more tonnes of carbon are generally stored below ground in the roots and root exudates.

Applying fertilisers following the 4R nutrient stewardship principles (Right nutrient source at the Right rate, at the Right time and in Right place) enhances nutrient use efficiency, which reduces nutrient losses to the environment, including in the form of greenhouse gases. Effective and efficient fertilization is a vital part of the climate-smart agricultural practices that could reduce global emissions by 5.5 to 6 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year: around the same as removing 1,500 coal-fired power plants from the energy sector (Smith et. al. 2007).

To help fight climate change we need to use fertilisers globally to grow more crops on existing farmland to protect carbon stored in wild ecosystems and increase the carbon stored in our agricultural soils (IFA 2018).

References:

• Bijay Singh and John Ryan 2015. Managing Fertilisers to Enhance Soil Health. First edition, IFA, Paris, France, May 2015. Copyright 2015 IFA.
• International Fertiliser Association (IFA) 2018. Integrated Plant Nutrient Management
• Jennifer A. Burney, Steven J. Davisc, and David B. Lobella, 2010.  Greenhouse gas mitigation by agricultural intensification.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), June 15, 2010 107 (26) 12052-12057.
• Smith, P., D. Martino, Z. Cai, D. Gwary, H. Janzen, P. Kumar, B. McCarl, S. Ogle, F. O’Mara,  C.  Rice, B. Scholes, O. Sirotenko, 2007: Agriculture. In Climate Change 2007: Mitigation. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [B. Metz, O.R. Davidson, P.R. Bosch, R. Dave, L.A. Meyer (eds)], Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.
• UNCCD (2014) The land in numbers: Livelihoods at the tipping point. 2014. Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification ISBN: 978-92-95043-90-9
• United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service: Soil Health.
• Zomer, R.J., Bossio, D.A., Sommer, R., & V. Verchot, (2017). Global Sequestration Potential of Increased Organic Carbon in Cropland Soils. Sci Rep 7, 15554.

Author: Graham Peddie from Kynoch Fertilizer

Soil Health in Sustainable Agriculture

The post Soil Health and Fertiliser first appeared on Kynoch Fertilizer.

Introduction

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) has a rich history dating back to 9600 BC and is a staple cereal grain cultivated worldwide. It symbolises development, advancement, abundance, and wealth. Wheat is metaphorically associated with growth, hard work, love, and charity and is frequently mentioned in the Bible.

Wheat is grown on more land area than any other food crop (220.7 million ha in 2021) and dominates world trade among crops. In 2021, global wheat production reached 771 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice. The increasing demand for wheat is driven by its unique gluten properties, essential for processed foods. Nutritionally, wheat is a significant source of carbohydrates, vegetable protein, essential nutrients, and dietary fibre, while being low in fat.

Climate change has created global challenges for wheat production, affecting yields in South Africa’s irrigated and dryland areas. To address this, Kynoch has developed strategic management practices to maintain and increase yields under stressful environmental conditions.

Stress Management Practices for Weather-Sensitive Wheat:

Wheat is generally hardy, with a fine root system that efficiently utilises soil. It thrives in cool weather and is adapted to winter conditions during its initial vegetative phase. However, critical life cycle stages, particularly flowering and grain filling, are sensitive to extreme weather. The optimal temperature for wheat flowers during anthesis and pollination is 23°C, with a tolerance of ±1.75°C, while the optimal temperature during grain filling is 26°C, with a tolerance of ±1.53°C. Terminal heat stress, occurring when temperatures exceed 31°C during grain filling, can reduce yields by up to 18.1%. In the Northern Cape, temperatures often surpass 40°C.

Basic agronomical practices such as planting date, cultivar selection, seed depth, seeding rate, soil tillage, seedbed preparation, pest management, soil water scheduling (irrigation), and salinity control are essential for mitigating environmental challenges. Fertility and nutrition come into play after these factors are managed. Technology-driven granular planting and topdressing products, including KynoPlus®, Miracle, CASUMA®, and the ULTRA® Ranges, provide stabilised nitrogen, improved potassium with zinc and silicon, and stress-relieving elements to enhance plant potential. Healthy plants handle stress better, so it is crucial to support the crop from the start.

The intricately beautiful and delicate wheat flower (photo credit) by Jason Brian Sparrow

KYNOCH Stress Solutions:

Heat stress generates reactive oxygen species (free radicals) that damage plant cells, causing leaky cells and impairing photosynthesis. Kynoch offers high-quality products with scientific stress management formulations. Notable products include Kynoch Wheat OEMFF®, KYNOFULVATE YELLOW®, and KYNOKELP®, which enhance photosynthesis and stress tolerance.

Wheat OEMFF® is a foliar product containing a balanced nutrient combination and a specialised enhancer to stimulate photosynthesis. It can be applied early in the vegetative phase and later at the vital flag leaf stage, which is crucial for wheat health. KYNOFULVATE YELLOW® can be combined with Wheat OEMFF® or liquid fertilisers to enhance nutrient uptake and mobilise nutrients within the plant and soil, increasing drought tolerance. KYNOKELP® is a natural product rich in bio-stimulating compounds that promote root development and activate metabolic processes to alleviate stress. These products are part of the KYNO STRESS KIT concept designed to manage crop stress and improve yields and quality.

Conclusion:

Wheat is still the best crop since sliced bread, and an article that was published on the 4th of May 2020 in the Times Now News referred to wheat as an “auspicious grain crop!” Wheat remains a favourable cash crop with the potential to bring prosperity and signal future agricultural success. In an ever-changing climate, Kynoch focuses on mitigating and managing stress on agronomical and plant physiological levels. Kynoch is committed to being solution-driven to keep our farmers successfully farming.

For more information, contact Kynoch: 011 317 2000

KYNOCH: Enhanced efficiency through innovation.

Jason Sparrow Pr.Sci.Nat

SACNASP Nr: 400202/11

KYNOCH Agriculturalist (Northern Cape area)

The post Stress management strategies for wheat first appeared on Kynoch Fertilizer.

 One need only look at the high incidence of scurvy, rickets, beriberi and pellagra in the world’s poorest countries to spot the connection between dietary deficiencies and these heart-rending manifestations of human malnutrition. Similarly, a field of wilting and discoloured maize clearly indicates that something essential is missing from the soil. Studies have shown conclusively that numerous elements are crucial for plant nutrition. Consequently, shortfalls can lead to growth anomalies, increased vulnerability to disease, pests and drought, and low yields.

Extreme weather conditions, erosion and pH changes can leave soil lacking nutrients. Animal manure and vegetable compost are rich sources of nutrients and can help overcome such deficiencies in the growing area. However, their composition is random, inconsistent and unknown. These natural solutions can be helpful. But, their overall benefits are no match for those of the precisely formulated granular and liquid commercial fertilizers designed to optimise plant nutrition.

In South Africa, where agricultural productivity is crucial for food security and economic growth, understanding plant nutrition is vital. The country’s diverse soil types, climate, and crop varieties require tailored fertiliser solutions to optimise yields.

In South Africa, where agricultural productivity is crucial for food security and economic growth, understanding plant nutrition is vital. The country’s diverse soil types, climate, and crop varieties require tailored fertiliser solutions to optimise yields.

Fulfilling the Complex Nutritional Requirements of Plants

Although maize, cabbages and potatoes might appear to be relatively simple lifeforms, their physiology is complex. They all depend on access to air, water and selected minerals in their immediate environment. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is plentiful, and irrigation systems can compensate for water shortages during periods of limited rainfall. However, fertilisers remain the only effective way to ensure the required balance of the many essential elements in the soil. Furthermore, a plant’s needs vary at different stages in its lifecycle. For example, phosphorus is crucial to plant nutrition to promote the rapid root growth essential for establishing seedlings. Later it is necessary to aid flowering while also helping to withstand harsh weather and environmental stress.

While phosphorus is the main ingredient of suitable starter fertiliser, additional elements are essential to meet the seedlings’ immediate needs. Naturally, they require nitrogen and potassium. However, magnesium and sulphur and traces of the micronutrients zinc, copper, boron and molybdenum are also necessary at this stage. Chelation can help to ensure that zinc and copper are readily available for plant nutrition.

In South Africa, maize, sugarcane, and soya beans are among the most widely cultivated crops. Each has unique nutritional requirements, making it essential to choose the right fertiliser blend. For example, maize requires adequate nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, whilst sugarcane benefits from added micronutrients like zinc and copper.

Offering Crops a Healthy and Balanced Diet

Other mixtures with different elements in various concentrations may be necessary as the growing crop’s needs vary. Thus the best option for farmers is to follow a fertiliser application programme that best suits a given crop. When planting in previously uncultivated or well-used ground, it might pay to conduct a preliminary soil analysis. The results will indicate which elements may most need replenishing to create the ideal balance. Like humans, crops also require a balanced diet to remain healthy.

Kynoch offers farm visits, in-depth soil analysis and a wide range of fertilisers to cover every aspect of plant nutrition. We invite you to download the profile sheets for these leading products that may interest you.

In South Africa’s varied climate, soil analysis is crucial to determine nutrient deficiencies. Kynoch’s expert soil analysis services help farmers identify areas for improvement, ensuring optimal fertiliser application. Additionally, Kynoch’s range of fertilisers is designed to address specific regional needs, such as:

– High-phosphorus fertilisers for maize in acidic soils
– Zinc-enriched fertilisers for sugarcane in coastal regions
– Balanced NPK fertilisers for soya beans in dryland areas

By understanding the complex nutritional requirements of crops and addressing regional soil challenges, South African farmers can optimise yields, improve crop quality, and contribute to the country’s agricultural prosperity.

Kynoch – Enhanced efficiency through innovation

The post Adequate Plant Nutrition is Cruicial For Healthy Growth first appeared on Kynoch Fertilizer.