Conservation agriculture and its principles

Conventional agriculture is the greatest enemy of healthy soil; it wasn’t designed for the betterment of the soil, but rather for the rapid economic growth. If we want to improve soil quality and with that our life quality, we should turn our field of interest to the application of so-called conservation agriculture, which belongs to the principles of sustainable nature. Conservation agriculture is based upon three principles: minimum tillage and soil disturbance, permanent soil cover with crop residues and live mulches, and intercropping. Minimum tillage minimizes soil organic matter losses and leads to increase soil carbon and nitrogen stocks. One percent increase in organic matter can capture 10 times more tons of carbon dioxide. In this way, the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is significantly reduced. In addition, to maintain healthy soil system, there shouldn’t be any bare soil left. Permanently covered soil leads to many advantages: Maintaining water capacity in soil which stops drying of soil (water is constantly being absorbed by crop), it reduces erosion and soil compaction, manages nutrients, controls weeds and increases yields. Additionally, intercropping is a way to create ecological balance, increase diversity in an agricultural ecosystem, increasing the quantity and quality of crops and reduce yield damage to pests, diseases and weeds. Conservation agriculture gives us the opportunity how to use natural resources more efficiently with the minimal impact on the environment.