Biological activity

This article describes biological activity in soil science. For the effect of pharmacologically active substances (e.g. drugs ) on living tissue, see Effect (pharmacology)

As biological activity refers to the totality of the ground running biological processes. The richer and more diverse the soil life , the greater it is.

The biological activity and thus the soil fertility are promoted by observing the following points:

• Supply of organic matter in the form of z. As manure , crop residues , straw , beet leaves , green manure , compost . So that the soil organisms can optimally utilize this food supply, the organic matter should not be buried too deep.
• Diverse crop rotations : A diverse range of food offers a variety of animal and microbe species development opportunities. With the richness of species, the stability of the community and its turnover increases.
• Good supply of nutrients: microorganisms have nutrient requirements similar to those of higher plants. A stronger plant growth means more crop residues and thus more food for the soil organisms. The correct use of mineral fertilizers therefore has a positive influence on the sales performance of the microorganisms. In nitrogen-fixing bacteria of the soil of ammonium and however decreases with increasing content of nitrate nitrogen the ability atmospheric nitrogen to bind.
• Optimal pH value: The majority of soil organisms limit their activity with increasing acidification . In this case, liming promotes soil life by raising the pH value.
• Undisturbed living conditions: soil animals, especially earthworms, develop best when their habitat is not disturbed. Conservative tillage best meets these requirements. When turning the soil, plowing should not be too deep and the plow should only be used when necessary.
• Sufficient moisture, warmth and ventilation: The prerequisite for this is a good soil structure . One effect of increased biological activity is the strong N-supply of humus, well-aerated soils in warm and humid weather from May.

The use of pesticides according to the principles of integrated crop production does not permanently reduce the performance of the microorganisms. Some soil disinfectants and very close spraying sequences can temporarily damage soil life. Certain pesticides, if used continuously in permanent crops (e.g. fruit growing, viticulture) , can impair the range of species , the density of individuals and the biomass of soil animals. The long-term effects of pesticides on the range of species of microorganisms and on the soil fauna must be further researched, but they definitely have an impact on the range of species.