Soil Health
Sources: Manual de producción de insumos orgánicos by MAOES (2022)
Soil health is the foundation of Organic Farming. A healthy soil is understood as a living system with the sustained capacity to function within ecosystem limits, maintain biological productivity, promote air and water quality, and support plant, animal, and human health. (source: MAOES ∙ Manual de producción de insumos orgánicos.pdf)
The 3M Framework
Soil health can be summarized as the balanced relationship between three basic components:
- Minerales (Minerals)
- Microorganismos (Microorganisms)
- Materia Orgánica (Organic Matter)
Minerals
Minerals are available to plants through the metabolic activity of microorganisms, which secrete acids that dissolve rock and release minerals for plant absorption. A practical way to remineralize soils, food, and the human body is through rock flours (harinas de rocas). El Salvador’s volcanic (basaltic) rocks are particularly complete in mineral composition, containing up to 50 types of minerals. Recommended application: 30–50 quintals per manzana every two years. (source: MAOES ∙ Manual de producción de insumos orgánicos.pdf)
Microorganisms
A handful of fertile soil contains more microorganisms than living beings on the surface of the planet. The soil microbial community includes macrofauna, mesofauna, microfauna, algae, fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, and viruses. Key functions include: decomposing organic matter, making nutrients available to plants, producing polysaccharides that aggregate soil particles (increasing porosity), and suppressing harmful microbes. Some phototrophic bacteria can also break down agrochemical residues.
Mycorrhizas (“root fungi”) are symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots that fix atmospheric nitrogen and aid phosphorus absorption. See Mountain Microorganisms (MM) for cultivation methods.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is any matter formed by the carbon element, and is the optimal medium for microorganism development. It is the precursor to humus — the final state of organic matter produced by soil microbiological activity.
Key Indicator
Microorganisms require a minimum of 3% organic matter in the soil to function effectively. No organic inputs should be applied if the soil is still exposed to toxic agrochemicals, as these will kill the beneficial microorganisms.
Building Soil Health
The primary inputs for building and maintaining soil health are:
- Mountain Microorganisms (MM) — microbial inoculant
- Bocashi — fermented solid compost, main source of organic matter
- Biofertilizers — liquid fertilizers including mineral-enriched bioles
- Rock flour — mineral remineralization