Amendments: the key to living soil

Soil is the most crucial production tool for a farmer. It ensures multiple essential functions for the optimal growth of crops. For the farmer, the challenge lies in maintaining functional and living soils: this is where amendments come into play.

Amendments are substances added to the soil to improve its structure, fertility, and health. Unlike fertilizers, which provide nutrients to plants, amendments are used to enrich and enhance the soil's structure. Derived from natural substances, amendments play a critical role in promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

Let's take a look at the main services provided by soil amendments :

Improvement of soil structure

Amendments help improve soil structure by promoting aeration, drainage, and water retention. For example, adding organic matter such as compost increases soil porosity, facilitating root penetration, and enhancing air and water circulation.

Enrichment with nutrients and organic matter

Organic amendments release essential nutrients that plants can assimilate, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. By making these nutrients available, amendments support healthy crop growth and contribute to sustainable increases in agricultural yields. They also enrich the soil with organic matter, improving its capacity to retain water and nutrients, and reducing the risk of leaching.

Ils enrichissent également le sol en matière organique, ce qui améliore sa capacité à retenir l'eau et les nutriments, et réduit le risque de lessivage.

Activation of soil microbial life l

Amendments encourage the development of beneficial microorganisms for crops, such as earthworms, certain bacteria, and fungi. This underground biodiversity aids in the decomposition of organic matter, soil formation, and the regulation of biogeochemical cycles.

Rebalancing soil pH

Soil pH, which measures its acidity or alkalinity, is crucial for plant health. Specific amendments can be used to regulate and stabilize soil pH, thus enhancing the efficient absorption of nutrients by plants. This stabilization also helps reduce the risks of toxicity or mineral deficiencies.

Reduction of dependence on chemicals

By improving soil fertility and health, amendments allow farmers to reduce their reliance on chemical products such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Judicious use of organic amendments can thus promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

For farmers concerned with the health of their crops and the sustainability of their practices, the appropriate use of amendments has become essential to preserving fertile and productive lands for future generations.

Germiflor, an innovative and committed family business, stands out for its expertise in the field of fertilizers and amendments for agriculture. With a focus on sustainability and performance, Germiflor offers a complete range of high-quality products, including Mazor, the base of many of the brand's fertilizers.