Modern Approaches to Soil Health Management
By Michele Katsaris, Managing Editor, AgriBusiness Global
Growers navigating soil health management find it increasingly difficult due to decades of less- than-sustainable agricultural practices and new challenges including climate change. While evolving agricultural practices pose new solutions, the demand for continuous innovation and education are essential to maintain and improve soil health for future generations.
Adopting a systems approach to soil health management can effectively address the major issues impacting soil health. This approach involves shifting the entire agricultural system to implement sustainable practices that support producers.
“Soil is the most important non-renewable resource we have in agriculture, and consequently, in food production. It is imperative that every member of our industry do everything we can to preserve this precious resource for generations to come,” says Kevin Helash, CEO of Biotalys.
By fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, growers and ag companies can ensure that soil health is improved for future generations.
Big Hurdles for Growers
Some of the significant challenges that experts are seeing include soil degradation due to erosion, nutrient depletion, compaction, or salinity that may build up over time from fertilizer use. These situations result in lost productivity, profitability, and environmental challenges for the farmers.
“We need to ensure that our practices support the long-term health and biodiversity of the soil microbiome,” Helash says. “Significant advancements have been made in recent decades through the adoption of zero-till seeding practices, the implementation of the 4R fertility program for precision fertilizer placement, and the adoption of crop protection products that support growers in their mission to provide the world with safe, healthy, affordable food with a softer environmental footprint.”
Atul Churiwal, Managing Director, Krishi Rasayan Exports PVT. LTD. says, “Soil health is critical for the early establishment of crops and for defending against the adverse impacts of climate change. Recently, soil health has been deteriorating due to the indiscriminate use of synthetic fertilizers like urea. Therefore, integrating new technologies with conventional fertilizers is becoming a necessity for sustainable agriculture.”
Addressing these issues requires comprehensive strategies that combine innovative technologies. Tools such as AI, drones, and soil sensors, along with improved management practices and collaborative efforts across the agricultural sector are helping ensure soil health and productivity are maintained long-term.
“We need a drastic shift in all areas of our current ag production model. Ag lenders, crop insurance, commodity markets, the sales-driven approach, and the yield-focused rat race are all part of the system fighting against the idea of soil health progress. We need to rebuild the entire car and not just give it a new shiny coat of paint in a new color called "Soil Health Green,’” says Dr. Lance Gunderson, President and Owner of Regen Ag Lab.
Often, there is not one simple answer. It requires changing the management of the system and conducting enough research to understand all other possible solutions.
“We need to understand the challenges farmers might face in adopting new practices and then work directly with those growers to develop and implement new solutions,” says Matt Wallenstein, Chief Soil Scientist for Syngenta.
Latest Innovations
Innovations in soil health management are being driven by precision farming techniques such as GPS equipment, soil moisture sensors, and remote sensing. These technologies enable more precise field management by providing real-time data on soil conditions, moisture levels, and nutrient status.
Traditionally, gathering this data involves collecting samples from various points in a field, sending them to labs, and awaiting results, often arriving weeks later, long after crucial decisions need to be made. These analyses are not only costly but also offer limited insights, constraining growers' ability to optimize their practices effectively.
“What we're seeing now is the use of new sensors and information derived from satellites and the tractor itself,” Wallenstein says. “Especially when we combine these through data fusion, we can obtain detailed, informative maps of soil variation across the field. This approach is decreasing the cost of usable soil information and increasing our ability to turn that information into actionable intelligence.”
Examples and case studies where these practices have successfully improved soil health highlight their effectiveness and impact, demonstrating how innovative approaches can lead to enhanced soil health.
“One of our marquee soil health projects is in Brazil, where we work closely with The Nature Conservancy to restore degraded pasture lands and make them highly productive for crop production. By implementing this combination of practices, we see rapid improvements in soil health that result in a much more productive system,” Wallenstein says.
Biotalys’ recent studies on biodegradability of its new biofungicide, Evoca, have shown that there are no harmful residues of the active substance in the soil and water where Evoca is applied. Biotalys’ scientific team also recently published a scientific paper on the biocontrol breakthroughs of the Agrobody platform, the promise of biocontrol in crop protection, and Evoca specifically in the Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection.
Another example of regenerating soil can be seen in Biome Makers’ work with vineyard growers in Spain.
“They were evaluating how conventional versus regenerative approaches impacted the soil. The study showed that using the regenerative approach significantly improved soil health more than conventional methods,” says Dr. Jacob Parnell, Director of Agronomy for Biome Makers.
Technology in Soil Health Management
Ag tech solutions, such as drones and soil sensors, are revolutionizing soil health management. Soil sensors provide real-time data for precise irrigation and fertilization. North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia are at the forefront of integrating these technologies with synthetic crop protection and biologicals.
“A combination of precision fertilization, minimal tillage, and the use of biologicals to promote soil microbiome health and diversity will enhance overall soil health for growers worldwide,” Helash says.
Gunderson emphasizes that helping producers be successful in soil health improvement requires leveraging both modern technology and nature-based solutions. “The focus should not solely be on whether a producer uses synthetic fertility or practices zero tillage, but rather on using these methods effectively while integrating principles of soil health into their operations,” he says.
There is a noticeable shift toward more data-driven and technology-enhanced soil health management practices. Farmers and researchers worldwide are adopting precision agriculture tools tailored to regional agricultural needs and technological advancements.
“In Brazil, more than 60% of farmers already incorporate biological products, viewing them not as replacements for chemicals but as complementary tools in their toolbox. They are effectively combining biologicals, synthetic chemistry, and digital tools to achieve optimal outcomes,” Wallenstein says. “China is another region that faces significant soil health challenges, and we are observing a rising adoption of biologicals alongside other tools to tackle these issues.”
Helash continues, “Growers globally are embracing new technologies to boost productivity while transitioning to sustainable food production practices. Especially in highly regulated regions like the EU and United States, growers are increasingly limited in their use of synthetic products and are actively seeking new tools to manage resistance sustainably. Any biological product with a new mode of action that can effectively and consistently mimic the performance of a synthetic crop protection product will have immediate traction in the industry.”
Churiwal notes that there is increasing awareness, particularly in Europe, where the integration of biologicals is becoming more evident. Farmers are increasingly recognizing the merits of biologicals to mitigate crop losses arising from abiotic stresses in India, as well, he says.
Parnell believes that the United States remains hesitant to embrace biologicals like Europe has due to government involvement. “Much of this hesitation is due to legislation, but there’s a stronger push in other regions to adopt biologicals and other innovative solutions more rapidly. In South America and Asia, we don't see the same legislative barriers, allowing them to pioneer the transition from synthetic to biological solutions,” Parnell says.
Companies are increasingly offering comprehensive packages that combine synthetic crop protection, biological solutions, ag tech innovations, and conservation practices to support sustainable agricultural management. Addressing many soil health challenges requires a systems approach.
Helash shares that Biotalys is developing biological fungicides and insecticides with new modes of action that mimic the performance of synthetic chemistry with a softer environmental footprint. The biocontrol solution can be seamlessly integrated into a grower’s program, which is essential to ease adoption and speed the drive toward more sustainable ag practices.
Ag tech solutions empower farmers to make informed decisions about applying synthetic and biological crop protection methods, enhancing their ability to manage crops efficiently and sustainably.
“It’s all about soil intelligence and what can we learn about a farmer’s field using technology, and then provide them with the right information to make better decisions. This optimizes their inputs, maximizing productivity, profitability, and sustainability across their fields,” says Wallenstein.
“Genomics technology has made big strides in recent years and is helping us better understand the microbial communities and function leading to nutrient cycling and transfer throughout the production system,” Gunderson adds. “By identifying gaps in this distribution team, we are starting to be able to target specific products to make the system more efficient.”
Looking Forward
Navigating soil health requires a multifaceted approach that integrates ag tech, sustainable practices, and a deep understanding of local conditions. Embracing a systems approach that combines these elements with ongoing research and collaboration can drive meaningful improvements in soil health. As we advance our methods and adapt to changing conditions, a well-informed strategy will be crucial for managing and sustaining soil health for future generations.
“Soil is the next frontier for improving agricultural productivity and sustainability in our rapidly changing world,” Wallenstein says. “Soils control the success of a crop. By working with farmers to improve their soil we will unlock productivity and profitability across the world.”
