Soil reclamation through the application of organic matter and microbiological fertilizers

The more intensively humans use agricultural land, the more depleted the soil becomes, leading to reduced fertility and a deterioration of its structure. As a result of prolonged exploitation, soil loses its ability to effectively retain moisture, accumulate nutrients, and support biodiversity. Reclamation through the use of organic matter and microbiological fertilizers can help restore the biological activity and structure of the soil. In this article, we will explain what this process entails and how it is carried out.

Biological soil reclamation is the process of restoring soil after anthropogenic activities or natural factors. The primary goal of reclamation is to return the soil's ability to support plant growth and ensure high yields. The reasons for the need for this procedure include:

• Soil erosion, which occurs as a result of weathering, water erosion, or improper use of soil resources;
• Depletion of nutrient reserves in the soil due to the long-term application of pesticides and chemical fertilizers;
• Soil compaction, which hinders normal water exchange and root development, reducing its fertility.

Reclamation helps restore the soil biologically: it improves its structure, increases its ability to retain moisture and accumulate nutrients, and promotes the recovery of its microbiological activity.

The most important element of soil reclamation is the addition of organic materials, which play a key role in restoring soil structure and fertility. Organic materials are natural substances that decompose through microorganisms, enriching the soil with nutrients. These include:

• Compost — processed plant residues containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other micronutrients essential for plants.
• Manure — a rich organic material that improves soil structure, increases its water-holding capacity, and enhances its nutritional value.
• Green manure (cover crops) — plants specifically sown to be later tilled into the soil to enrich it with organic matter and improve its structure.
• Humus — a product of the long-term decomposition of manure and plants, which is a vital source of humus that boosts fertility.

Since the addition of organic matter to soil increases its porosity and water-holding capacity, this process is particularly important for sandy soils, which struggle to retain moisture, and for clay soils, which tend to compact. Adding organic matter also helps to activate the activity of soil microorganisms, which speed up the decomposition of organic materials and transform them into nutrients accessible to plants. Proper and regular organic fertilization not only helps to restore degraded soils but also improves their condition over the long term.

Microbial fertilizers are also essential for the soil restoration process, as they activate the renewal of its biological activity. These fertilizers contain live cultures of beneficial microorganisms that, through interaction with plant roots and soil components, enhance nutrient exchange and increase fertility. Microbial fertilizers include several main types:

• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
• Phosphate-mobilizing bacteria help break down insoluble phosphorus compounds in the soil, making them available to plants. Phosphorus is a critical nutrient for root development and fruit formation, so its availability is essential for yield.
• Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, expanding their nutrient uptake area and helping them absorb water and nutrients. This symbiosis increases plants’ resistance to droughts and other stress conditions. Mycorrhiza also improves soil aeration and water permeability.

Microorganisms in fertilizers actively decompose organic matter, increasing humus content and enhancing the overall structure of the soil. Reclamation using microbial products promotes sustainable soil restoration and boosts its capacity to support active plant growth in the long term.

An integrated approach, where organic materials and microbial fertilizers are applied together to the soil, is one of the most effective methods for soil restoration. The main advantage of this approach is the synergy between organics and microorganisms: organic materials provide nourishment for microorganisms, while microorganisms accelerate the decomposition of organics and release nutrients, making them available to plants. This greatly speeds up the process of biological reclamation and also promotes:

• Restoration of the humus layer — a vital component for soil fertility, as humus helps retain moisture and nutrients, preventing their leaching.
• Increased microbial activity in the soil: the more active the microorganisms in the soil, the faster organic matter decomposes, making more nutrients available to plants.
• Sustainable restoration of soil structure: organic materials improve the soil’s porosity and water permeability. Under these conditions, root systems develop better, and the soil’s resistance to compaction and erosion increases.
• Higher crop yields: the combined application of organics and microbial fertilizers ensures that plants receive the necessary nutrients and improves their overall health.

Thus, combining organic and microbial fertilizers for soil enrichment ensures maximum impact from the reclamation process. Organic materials and microorganisms work in tandem, enhancing the physical, chemical, and biological properties of fertile soil.

Soil reclamation is by no means a simple task; it requires thorough preparation and step-by-step completion of key stages.

The first step in reclamation is a soil analysis to identify existing issues. At this stage, assessments are conducted for erosion levels, acidity, nutrient content, and organic matter levels in the soil. This analysis allows for the selection of the most suitable organic materials and microbial fertilizers for application.

In the second stage, organic matter — compost, manure, green manure, or humus — is added to the soil. After adding organics, the soil becomes looser, more moisture-retentive, and better aerated, thus improving its physical properties. It's crucial to choose the right type of organic fertilizer based on the soil type and plant conditions. For example, compost and manure help improve structure and moisture retention in sandy soils, while organic matter prevents compaction in clay soils.

Following the application of organic matter, microbial fertilizers are introduced into the soil. Selecting the appropriate products based on soil condition and plant needs is essential. Microbial additives activate biological processes in the soil, helping organic materials decompose faster and release nutrients.

After fertilization, regular soil maintenance is important. This includes mulching to protect against erosion and moisture evaporation, as well as regular watering to support microbial activity. Mulch from organic materials also provides additional organic matter to the soil and shields it from external impacts.

After soil reclamation, it is essential to monitor soil and plant health. Additional feeding with organics or microorganisms can be applied as needed to adjust the process. Regular soil condition checks will help manage fertility and make timely adjustments to care.

Soil restoration is a serious task that requires consideration of multiple factors. Let’s look at each in more detail.

Soil types and their characteristics. Soil varies greatly from place to place, which means its reclamation demands different approaches:

• Sandy soil has a low capacity to retain moisture and nutrients, so it requires a large amount of organic matter to improve its water-holding capacity.
• Clay soils, on the other hand, tend to compact and need organic materials to improve porosity and prevent water stagnation.
• Depleted soils that have been exposed to long-term use of chemical fertilizers need to restore microbial activity and add organic materials to increase fertility.

Climatic conditions. Climate plays a critical role in soil reclamation. In arid regions, the main goal is to retain moisture in the soil. Here, it’s essential to use compost and mulch to increase the soil's water-holding capacity. In regions with excessive moisture, the focus is on improving the soil’s drainage properties and preventing compaction.

Challenges with fertilizer application. One of the main challenges with applying organic materials is the large volume of fertilizer required, which becomes even more complex on large plots of land. Additionally, organic materials need time to decompose and transform into nutrients that are accessible to plants, so immediate results shouldn’t be expected. For microbial fertilizers to be effective, proper soil care is necessary, as microorganisms are sensitive to environmental conditions — temperature, moisture, and nutrient availability.

Mistakes to avoid:

• Excessive application of organic matter can lead to nutrient imbalances and problems with plant growth. It's essential to follow dosage recommendations and conduct regular soil testing.
• Lack of soil care after fertilization. Without proper care, microorganisms may die, making the reclamation process ineffective.

Soil reclamation using organic and microbial fertilizers is an eco-friendly and effective method that helps not only to improve soil condition but also to preserve its fertility for years, creating the foundation for sustainable agriculture.

Bonaplant offers wholesale fertilizers directly from the manufacturer to make the reclamation process accessible and effective for our clients. Here, you’ll find a wide range of organic and microbial fertilizers that will help you restore and maintain high soil fertility.