Teaching Organic Farming and Gardening

Managing Soil Fertility

Unit 1.1 | 7

3. Minimize disease/pest susceptibility

a) Sustainable agriculture practices used to minimize disease/pest susceptibility in

organic farming systems

i. Maintain soil nutrient levels and soil pH within optimal range

ii. Build and maintain soil organic matter to promote desirable soil physical
properties and supply essential plant nutrients

iii. Maintain soil moisture within optimal ranges for plant growth and the avoidance

of compaction and erosion

iv. Design appropriate rotations to break pest cycles

v. Plant polycultures

vi. Use appropriate preventative and active biocontrol practices

4. Summary

The sustainable farming practices described above, including crop rotations, soil amending

and fertilizing, tillage, and irrigation techniques, must be used in concert to improve and
maintain the quality of agricultural soils. Soil quality in turn affects crop performance (yield)
and the resistance and resilience of crop plants to pest and pathogens.

Instructor’s Lecture 1 Outline