An optimally productive soil contains a perfect balance of inorganic minerals, organic (carbon-based) materials, and living organisms, all contained within a physical structure that absorbs and holds water to facilitate natural chemical reactions that feed plants perfectly.
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Combining the best of chemistry, physics and biology, with sound farm management practices, Hybrid-Ag has a system that recognizes that every decision we make and every action we take in our farming operations has an impact on everything else in that system, (including soil and plant microorganisms). The key to this system is to then work toward only utilizing methods that have a beneficial effect on the other areas of that operation.
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Nutrient deficiencies and imbalances are one of the major factors that lead to pest and disease outbreaks. The use and particularly the over-use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers can often be the main cause of such deficiencies and imbalances.
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Pesticides will weaken plants while the pests themselves will actually avoid healthy plants. Weakened plants open the door to pests and disease and hence pesticides precipitate pest attack and disease susceptibility, and thus they induce a cycle of further pesticide and fungicide use.
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Incorporating organic matter into soil can alter the physical, chemical and biological balances in the soil. It can change the:
- amount of nitrogen that is available to plants
- amount of other nutrients available
- way the soil holds together
- number and type of organisms present in the soil
All of these changes are related to the way the organic matter is decomposed when it is incorporated into soil and to the particular type of organic matter present.
