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Food comes from soil, how much do you know about soil?   We all know that the 3 major elements that plants need to survive are sunlight, air and water. But for plants to grow smoothly, soil plays an important role as a medium. Plants absorb sunlight and convert carbon dioxide in the air into food for soil microbes, which in turn provide minerals to plants. Whether minerals can be transported smoothly is related to the moisture in the soil.   Without healthy soil, these processes cannot run smoothly. The growth state of crops is closely related to the state of soil. To understand soil, we must first understand the "agglomerate structure". The more well-developed the aggregate structure is, the more organic matter is usually composed of animal and plant remains. The humus, plant roots and microbial secretions formed by the decomposition of organic matter can cement the soil particles into a group of granular tissues, which not only help the soil to circulate air, but also drain, moisturize, maintain fertilizer and keep warm.   Healthy soil that effectively regulates water and nutrients Climate change often leads to prolonged drought without rain. When soils with well-developed granule structure encounter water shortages, they have a greater chance of being able to weather the storm. Jiang Zhifeng, an assistant researcher in the Agricultural Chemistry Group of the Agricultural Experiment Institute, who has specialized in soil research for many years, explained that farmers often rely too much on irrigation, but ignore the function of soil itself to retain water. “The granule structure preserves the excess water from the previous crop. Most farmers tend to think that the finer the soil is, the better the germination of the crop, but the granule structure is also destroyed, which is really a shame.”   In addition, the pellet structure prevents nutrient loss. Agglomerate structure can keep the nitrogen that was not used up by the previous crop in the soil, in addition to avoiding the emission of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, it can also be absorbed by the next crop.   Not only the fertilizer is preserved, but the granule structure can also help the absorption of the fertilizer. Chen Xingzong, curator of Dacheng Soil Crop Technology Museum, recalled that a baler farmer once asked him for help because the baler was not growing well. "The local people think that the land is not fertile, so even grass can't grow." When Chen Xingzong told the farmers that the soil was not lacking in fertility, the farmers couldn't believe it until they saw the analysis report of the agricultural improvement farm. At that time, the soil of that field was as hard as bricks, and a layer of salt crystals formed by fertilization accumulated on the surface. Chen Xingzong believed that the first task was to reduce the density of the soil, so he dispatched strange hands to turn the soil, and then planted green manure crops to build the soil. Agglomerate structure and healthy ecology were produced, and later guava was of good quality and high yield.   The soil should also be checked, the characteristics of the soil look like this Soil health is so important, how should soil health be checked? Chen Xingzong believes that "there is no such thing as good or bad soil, but to ask: what kind of soil can meet the needs of farmers?"   Chen Xingzong inserted the fertility sampling tube into the soil for sampling, and took out a tube of soil. "The black part is where the organic matter content is relatively high, and it is the trace left by all life in the soil throughout the ages." However, such sampling can only represent the condition of a small part of the soil, and he will also invite farmers who come to ask for advice to dig long Soil profiles with a width of 1 m 5 are used to compare the growth conditions of crops on the soil, and check the soil structure, density, and whether there is poor drainage. Some soil properties can be identified with the naked eye, while others require inspection for confirmation. Chen Xingzong explained that to understand soil, it can be understood from three aspects: physical properties, chemical properties and biological properties. Physical properties include: Is the soil soft enough for plants to take root? Will the soil temperature fluctuate too much? The chemical properties can depend on the pH value of the soil, the balance of nutrients, etc. Biological properties can be seen in soil organic matter, biodiversity and so on.   Jiang Zhifeng also said that the richer the organic matter in the soil, the more energy it can provide to the microorganisms or small animals in the soil. "The energy source of these organisms is organic matter. When biodiversity is improved, once pests or pathogens invade, they will be eliminated by natural enemies."   Precious soil needs to be guarded by all people Today, the whole world, including Taiwan, is facing the problem of soil degradation. "Soil acidification and soil erosion are two big problems." Jiang Zhifeng explained that excessive fertilization is one of the causes of soil acidification; soil erosion includes both natural and human-induced soil loss. Rainfall is easily lost by scouring. "It takes 800 years to form one centimeter of topsoil, and it is not easy to increase organic matter. Once the arable soil is improperly used, I estimate that it will take at least five years, or even decades, to restore productivity."   The protection of soil is imperative, and farmers are the most direct caregivers. What can consumers do? Su Murong, executive director of the Charity Foundation, suggested: "The food concept of 'focusing on the place of origin' can urge producers to care about the health of the soil." One of the goals of the Food and Agriculture Education Law passed this year is the sale of sustainable agriculture to the place of origin. , in the future, it will be promoted through food and agriculture education and other methods, and then with the "sustainable food guide" and other labels to allow consumers to identify, everyone can contribute to the health of the soil through the purchase of sustainable food!

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