Understanding carbon and its pivotal role in soil and planetary health is paramount for Australian farmers navigating the complexities of modern agriculture. Here, we delve into the facts, shedding light on the crucial interplay between carbon, stable humus, and soil health.
First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that carbon isn't an infinite resource that we can create more of. Rather, it’s quantity is fixed on Earth, and our actions influence the state in which it exists. In times past, a substantial portion of atmospheric carbon found refuge within the soil, primarily stored as stable humus—a critical reservoir that is essential for maintaining agricultural productivity and environmental stability. This process was facilitated through photosynthesis, where plants absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and stores it in their tissues. Over time, as a diversity of soil microbes help to decompose the organic matter, carbon is incorporated into the soil, forming stable humus. However, industrialised farming methods rarely prioritise the critical importance of getting organic matter back into the soil. Many conventional practices actively remove carbon from the soil at a rapid rate. Graeme Sait from Nutri-Tech Solutions explains that “we lose 100 kg of carbon for every 1 kg of nitrogen applied over and above what is required by the plant at the time,” which commonly occurs when adding large nitrogen-rich fertiliser applications to small seedlings (Sait, 2015). These practices result in the displacement of carbon from the soil to the atmosphere.
Central to this discussion is the concept of stable humus—an integral component of healthy, productive soils. Humus, formed through the decomposition of organic matter, acts as a repository for carbon. It’s presence in soils offers a myriad of benefits that are crucial for agricultural productivity and environmental resilience.
Humus plays a pivotal role in water management within the soil. Through its ability to enhance soil structure and aggregation, humus improves water retention, ensuring that moisture levels remain optimal for sustained plant growth. This not only reduces the need for high-water inputs, thereby lowering associated costs and alleviating the stress on water resources but also mitigates the severity of drought. The capacity of humus to retain moisture promotes crop resilience, enabling farmers to navigate through fluctuating climatic conditions with greater ease and consistency.
Soil quality and fertility are drastically improved with an increase in humus levels. The decomposition process releases essential nutrients for plant growth, thereby increasing soil nutrition and reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers. Humus is the storage medium for all minerals and microbes and acts as a natural buffer against soil contaminants. Increasing humus levels in the soils helps to safeguard both crop quality and reduce additional synthetic inputs.
Topsoil is declining at an alarming rate due to the loss of organic matter in the soil. Humus is essential for soil stability, preventing erosion and preserving topsoil integrity. By binding soil particles together, humus mitigates the risk of soil loss, ensuring sustained agricultural productivity.
Carbon and stable humus are indispensable components of soil health, critical for agricultural sustainability and environmental stewardship. As Australian farmers, it's imperative to recognise the significance of these elements and implement practices that promote their preservation and enhancement. By prioritising soil carbon management and adopting regenerative farming techniques, we can cultivate resilient and profitable agricultural systems that benefit both present and future generations.
