The ability of the soil to supply plants with the necessary amounts of nutrients during the growing season depends on its fertility. In the rhizosphere, 2 mm from the root system, very dynamic processes of mineralization and immobilization take place, in which microorganisms in the soil transfer nutrients from inaccessible forms into accessible ones and vice versa.
What is the role of microorganisms?
Microorganisms in the soil have several responsibilities. They:
- mineralize fresh organic matter and (harvest residues) transfer it into a mineral form,
- participate in the processes of humus synthesis,
- release microelements Fe, Mn, Mo, Al, B, Zn, S from sparingly soluble compounds,
- perform nitrogen fixation,
- affect the creation of a favorable soil structure,
- produce plant hormones that stimulate plant growth.
Microbiological biomass makes up 1–5% of total nitrogen and 0.5–1% of total phosphorus in the soil and is considered to be a very important source of plant assimilants that is available to plants very fast.
Knowledge of these processes in the plant-microorganism-soil system is the basis of proper plant nutrition. However, inadequate application of various agrotechnical measures (tillage, fertilization, application of pesticides, irrigation) can have a depressing effect on populations of microorganisms in the soil as well as on the processes in which they participate.
Consequences of inadequate application of various agrotechnical measures
The application of larger amounts of mineral fertilizers often results in insufficient utilization of fertilizers by plants due to the process of immobilization, evaporation, denitrification.
These processes permanently or temporarily cause a loss of a significant amount of available nitrogen from the soil, which is unfavorable both from the aspect of plant nutrition and for economic reasons.
The application of inadequate types and amounts of fertilizers increases pH, salt, and heavy metal content in the soil, blocking the uptake of certain macro and microelements.
Over time, the natural fertility of the soil decreases, which has a long-term effect on agricultural production because yields decrease, although large amounts of mineral fertilizers are still used.
How does UNISTART help your land?
UNISTART microbiological fertilizer affects the maintenance of natural soil fertility. (Boldovati o u srpskoj verziji) UNISTART contains strains of bacteria that participate in the processes of mobilization and immobilization of nutrients in the soil, prevents soil salinization, and affects the availability of nutrients in the amount and form that is optimal for plant nutrition.
