The Foundation of Farming: Understanding Soil and Why it Matters

The Living Base of Every Harvest

Before any seed is planted, and before any yield is measured, everything starts in the soil. It’s the quiet foundation of farming—a living system that nourishes plants, regulates water, and supports entire ecosystems. Healthy soil is also essential for global food security.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 95% of our food comes directly or indirectly from soil. When soil is healthy, it supports growth, stores carbon, filters water, and resists erosion. When soil is degraded, yields decrease, inputs increase, and entire food systems face risks.

Healthy soil is your most reliable production partner.

What Makes Healthy Soil?

Healthy soil is alive. Beneath the surface, a microscopic world of bacteria, fungi, and organic matter exists that supports plant growth. Together, these elements form a delicate balance.

• Structure – Loamy, well-aggregated soils enable water and air to reach roots.
  
• Nutrients – Having balanced mineral levels ensures that crops receive the nourishment they require.
  
• Microbial Activity – Microorganisms recycle nutrients, enhancing fertility and plant health.
  
• Organic Matter – Decomposed plant and animal material enhances resilience and moisture retention.
  
• pH and Salinity – Balanced chemistry promotes effective nutrient absorption and root growth.
  

When appropriately managed, soil becomes self-sustaining, nourishing plants year after year while preserving its own vitality.

The 12 Soil Orders in the United States

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognizes 12 major soil orders, each with unique characteristics and challenges. Knowing these helps farmers, agronomists, and ag professionals make smarter decisions from seed choice to crop management.

Entisols: Young soils with minimal horizon development, often located along rivers, dunes, or newly deposited land. They can be productive with careful management but are susceptible to erosion.

Inceptisols: Slightly more developed than Entisols, these soils have early horizon formation and moderate fertility. Found in various climates, they are adaptable to many crops.

Andisols: Formed from volcanic ash and rich in amorphous minerals, this soil is highly fertile and ideal for root crops and cereals. It is common in regions like the Pacific Northwest.

Gelisols: Soils affected by permafrost, found in cold regions, require specialized management for temperature-sensitive crops.

Histosols: Organic soils are rich in decomposed plant matter, like peat bogs and marshlands. They are nutrient-dense but waterlogged, requiring careful drainage.

Aridisols: Desert soils: dry, sandy, often saline. Have limited organic matter but are essential in dry areas. Drought-tolerant crops flourish here with irrigation.

Mollisols: The breadbasket soils are dark, rich, and fertile. These grassland soils support much of the world’s grain production. Found across the Midwest, they’re prized for their organic matter.

Alfisols: Moderately weathered forest soils with good fertility and strong clay subsoils support both crops and forests: adaptable, balanced, and reliable.

Spodosols: Acidic soils beneath coniferous forests, often sandy and nutrient-poor. Common in the northern U.S.; requires amendments for most crops.

Ultisols: Highly weathered soils found in humid climates, often red or yellow. They have low fertility but respond well to management and fertilization.

Vertisols: Clay-rich soils that shrink and swell with moisture changes. Challenging but productive when managed carefully.

Oxisols: Extensively weathered tropical soils, low in natural fertility, require inputs and organic matter to sustain productivity.

Each type of soil tells a story of climate, time, and human stewardship. Recognizing and respecting these differences enables agriculture to adapt and thrive.

Why Soil Health Matters for Growing Success

Healthy soils increase yields and improve resilience. They hold water during dry periods, prevent erosion during storms, and maintain nutrient levels through crop rotations.

For farmers, soil health directly equals stability and sustainability. For agronomists and ag companies, it involves understanding what the land needs to thrive in the long term and balancing innovation with preservation.

When soils thrive, everything above them flourishes.

Ag Printers is part of the SDI Innovations Family of Brands. Founded in 2005 to meet the needs for compliance and marketing in the seed industry, we have been helping our clients succeed ever since.