2. History of Soil Fertility
A. Cultivation of plants
for food allowed
humans to convert
from a nomadic
hunting and gathering
lifestyle to a more
settled existence.
3. B. Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates
River in what is now Iraq
shows evidence of very early civilization.
Writings dating to 2500 B.C. mention fertility of the
land. Fertility was due to annual flooding of the land
and a system of canals were built for irrigation of
crops.
4. C. On uplands shifting agriculture was necessary
"slash and burn“
D. Golden Age of Greeks 800-200 BC
1. Manure increased productivity and prolonged
land use
2. Green manure crops, especially legumes,
enriched the soil
3. Marl increased productivity (liming)
4. Wood ashes were beneficial
5. Saltpeter (KNO3) was beneficial to plants
6. Saline soils could be detected by taste test
5. E. First 18 centuries A.D.
1. Pietro de Crescenzi
(Roman). 1233-1320.
Published a book on
agricultural practices
6. 2 .Jan Baptista Van
Helmont (1577-1644)
His willow tree
experiment "proved"
that water was the sole
nutrient of plants.
7. 3. Jethro Tull(1674-1741) -
Thought small particles
were ingested by plants,
and that cultivating the
soil made it easier for
plants to take up soil
particles.
wrote the Book - "Horse
Hoeing Husbandry" and
developed the horse hoe
and the seed drill.
8. F. Modern Period (1800-1900)
1. Justus Von Liebig (1803-1873) Laid
the foundation for the modern
fertilizer industry.
(a) Stressed the value of mineral
elements from the soil
(b) Found that carbon in plants comes
from CO2 of the atmosphere not
from humus in the soil as was
thought at the time
(c) Hydrogen and oxygen come from
water
(d) The alkaline metals (Ca, Mg and K)
were needed to neutralize acids
formed by plants
(e) Phosphates are necessary for seed
formation
9. 2. He manufactured fertilizer
but made the mistake of
fusing P and K with lime
(unavailable to plants)
3. Liebig's Law of the
Minimum - If one of the
essential nutrients is
deficient, growth will be
poor even if all other
elements are abundant.
Liebig's Barrel. Barrel 2
10. 4. Liebigs contribution to
philosophy was important
Perfect agriculture is the
true foundation of all trade and
industry -- It is the foundation of
the riches of nations. But a
rational system of agriculture
cannot be formed without the
application of scientific
principles for such a system
must be based on an exact
acquaintance with the means of
vegetable nutrition. The
knowledge we must seek
through chemistry.
11. G. Development of Soil Fertility in the U.S.
1. 1733 James E.
Oglethorpe -
Experimental
garden on bluffs of
Savannah River in
Georgia to produce
exotic food crops.
12. 2. Benjamin Franklin - Had
an interest in agriculture
and demonstrated the value
of gypsum. Applied to hill in
a pattern which outlined the
words "This land has been
plastered" Quotes
13. 3. Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826)
Founding father and
agronomist . Quotes
related to
agriculture.
4. Edmund Ruffin in
Virginia from 1825-1845
one of the first to use
lime on humid region
soils
14. 4. Morrill Act (1862) of
agriculture and mechanic
arts.
Teach such branches of
learning as are related to
agriculture and the
mechanic arts, in such
manner as the legislatures
of the States may
respectively prescribe, in
order to promote the
liberal and practical
education of the industrial
classes in the several
pursuits and professions
in life.
15. 4. 1862 Department of Agriculture established.
Connecticut first ag experiment station 1875
1877 N. C. Ag Experiment Station established
1887 N. C. State University , General History In
1887 the state legislature established the
North Carolina College of Agriculture and
Mechanic Arts (now NC State) as the state's
land-grant institution
17. Importance of Soil Fertility and
Conservation
The Human Advantage
Humanity has a huge advantage over all life on
earth—the ability to grow food. Every other
life form spends most of their day hunting for
and gathering nourishment. Today, billions of
us are sustained by what farmers grow. When
it comes to survival, growing food is clearly an
asset.
18. Soil Feeds
When soil is protected, it helps plants create
more nutrients our bodies need, like protein.
Soil Cleans
Healthy, vibrant soil can help keep the
environment cleaner and healthier.
Soil Protects
When properly managed, soil protects plants
from harm.
19. Soil Unlocks Human Potential
Since the dawn of agriculture, food has
become more accessible to more people. In
large part, this is due to soil. Fertile soil leads
to better harvests which helps meet our most
basic needs. Those living in countries with
healthy soil are then free to think, invent,
create and imagine new possibilities. When
humans are properly nourished, they do
amazing things.
20. Restoring Soil
The more active and vibrant the soil, the
more alive and nutritious the food. We must
invest in soil conservation not just for farmers
and people, but for all life on earth. Less than
3% of all land on earth has fertile, nutrient-
rich soil. We seek to share, collaborate and
innovate new ways of protecting and restoring
this natural resource.
