Stara Kamienica - Nemo

Soil acidity and water scarcity is the major problem in the Nemoland region. Acid soil
toxicity comes from the leaching of aluminium, manganese, and other mineral which are
toxins into the soil through acid rain and acid forming fertilizers, as well as the decay of
organic matter caused by the drive to gain higher and higher yield from the soil.
Scientists were working for development of abiotic stress tolerant variety of cereals and crops
for better performance in adverse abiotic situation in Poland. And developed three main cereal
varieties which can perform well in water scare and acidic soil condition and gives 6% more
yield than similar crops, such as; GK Mero, a new wheat; GK Wibro, a new rye; and GK
Bogo, a new wheat-rye cross. All forage crop such as sorghum, pearl millet, crabgrass would
be best performer for this region as they are tolerant to acidic soil and drought condition. A
sorghum variety developed by scientist which can grow well in absence of water and in acidic
soil condition as well and could be proving boon for this area. Other crops which would be
suitable to grow in acidic soil are given below in table 6.1.
Table 6.1: The list of different pasture and horticultural species, performing well in acidic PH
condition
Field crop Vegetable crop Fruit crop Cut flower
Cowpeas Turnip Macadamia Protea
Cotton Blackberry Apple Azalea
Lupins Tomato Nectarine Hydrangea
Linseed Squash
Peanuts Raspberry
Millet Sweet potato
Oats Sweetcorn
Pyrethrum Strawberry
Triticale Shallot
Soybean Pumpkin
Sugarcane Potato
Sunflower Blueberry
Vetch Rhubarb
Wheat Pineapple
Fennel
Endive
We recommend to farmers to try to improve soil quality by introducing earthworm in the soil
which improve soil by improving water movement in soil, improve nutrient availability and
enhance soil structure and stability. Minimum tillage is a specific practice to enhance the soil
organic matter and soil tilth. This would help the farmer for saving the money, conservation
of water and soil erosion. Soil quality can also be improved by using leguminous crop in crop
rotation and using it as a cover crop. This helps to increase nitrogen content in soil, to reduce
weed infestation and for better production of crops. Cover crops can be grown in barren land
to conserve the soil nutrient in weeds growing regions. Also animal manures are commonly
used as a soil amendment. The value of manure in terms of the nutrients it contains varies.
Fresh horse, sheep, rabbit, and poultry manures are quite high in nitrogen and may even burn
plants if applied directly. They are best applied in the fall and tilled under. Manure usually has
fewer total nutrients than synthetic fertilizers in terms of N, P, and K, but is a valuable soil
builder. Unfortunately, manures may be a source of weed seeds; if this is a problem,
composting in a hot pile may help.