Preserving soil health with organic farming: a multi-region study in the Philippines
2023
Paragas, A.T. | Villegas-Pangga, G. | Aguas, A.P.A. | Bato, V.A. | Wagan, A.M.
Organic farming is increasingly recognized as an environmentally friendly approach to agriculture that positively influences soil health. This study investigates the impact of organic farming practices on different soil quality indicators (physical. Chemical, and biological properties) in preserving soil health and fertility for sustainable agricultural productivity in the Philippines. Soil health assessment was conducted at organic farms in Mangetarem, Pangasinan (Region 1): Lucban, Quezon (Region 4-A); and Talisay, Negros Occ. dental (Region 6). The findings demonstrate significant improvements in soil quality indicators resulting from diverse soil conservation practices under organic farming systems. Crop diversification and the application of organic amendments contribute to enhanced water retention and infiltration, and improved soil porosity. Incorporating organic matter also improves soil structure and aggregation, effectively reducing soil compaction. Additionally, the application of organic fertilizers and crop residues modifies soil chemistry by increasing soil organic carbon and other essential soil macro-micronutrients. These improvements can be attributed to the presence of diverse and dense populations of soil meso-macrofauna (earthworms, mites, ants, grubs, silverfish, millipedes, ringworms. spider and maggots) observed. These organisms play a vital role in breaking down organic matter, facilitating nutrient cycling, and converting nutrients into forms readily available to crops. The synergistic interaction of different soil quality indicators demonstrates the capability of sustainable practices under organic farming to prioritize soil health. The overall commitment of organic farming in preserving soil health reflects a promising contribution to long-term sustainable agricultural productivity and environmental conservation.
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