Manage Insects On Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies

	Qualities of a Healthy Soil A healthy soil: Accommodates active and diverse populations of beneficial organisms, with plant pest populations minimized by beneficials Contains high levels of relatively fresh residues that provide beneficials with food Includes high levels of decomposed organic matter, which help it retain both water and readily leachable nutrients Contains low levels of such toxic compounds as soluble aluminum and only low to moderate concentrations of salt Supports adequate levels of nutrients because excessive nutrients can make the crop more attractive to insect pests or can increase the threat of surface or subsurface water pollution Has a sufficiently porous surface, with many pores connected to subsoil to permit easy entry by rainfall or irrigation water Has good tilth that allows plant roots to easily penetrate large volumes of soil   Previous Section | Top | Next Section