Cattle and sheep dung fields are affected, and the phenomenon of land barrenness is exposed
From farmer experience to expert research.
Cow and sheep manure is a well-known agricultural fertilizer in rural areas. Farmers have long considered cow and sheep manure to be a valuable fertilizer resource that can improve the yield and quality of crops. They mix cow and sheep manure with the soil in a certain proportion and then use it for crops. This practice has a long history among many farmers. They pile cow dung and sheep dung into large piles, and after a period of natural fermentation, scatter it in the fields. Before spreading fertilizer, they turn the manure into small particles so that it can be better mixed with the soil.
Negative effects of cow and sheep manure.
However, recent studies have shown that excessive use of cow and sheep manure as fertilizer can lead to a decline in soil quality and even make the land barren in as little as five years. Some well-known agricultural experts in China agree that excessive use of cow and sheep manure will lead to excessive organic matter content in the soil, thereby hindering crop growth and causing damage to soil ecosystems. This negative effect manifests itself in two main ways: an increase in harmful microorganisms and the hardening of the soil.
In the case of long-term overfertilization, the number of harmful bacteria and viruses in the soil can increase dramatically, causing damage to the crop root system. This results in the crop not being able to absorb nutrients properly, which ultimately leads to reduced yield or reduced quality. This discovery surprised farmers, who had long believed that cow and sheep manure would not only not negatively affect crops, but would also increase the growth rate and quality of crops.
In addition, experts have found that over-fertilization can cause cow and sheep manure to clump and harden the soil. This affects the soil's ability to infiltrate and absorb water, which not only negatively affects crop growth, but also causes water to remain on the soil surface, increasing the risk of flooding.
Suggestions for the rational use of cow and sheep manure.
To address this issue, experts have put forward a number of recommendations for farmers to pay more attention to soil health management. First, farmers are advised to conduct regular soil analyses to determine the nutrient status of the soil and apply an appropriate amount of fertilizer based on the results of the analysis. In this way, the negative effects of excessive use of cow and sheep manure on soil quality can be avoided.
Second, experts advise farmers to adopt a crop rotation system and avoid planting the same crop when cropping in the same area. This helps to restore the ecological balance of the soil and reduce the growth of harmful microorganisms.
However, some farmers have a different opinion on the experts' recommendations. They believe that experts just sit in their offices and study theories, while real farming experience is accumulated by farmers from generation to generation. They believe that there are no obvious problems with their farming methods, and that cow and sheep manure, as a natural fertilizer, should be safe and reliable. Farmers believe that the opinions of experts lack practical validation, while their own experience is more reliable.
Experience it for yourself. As a rural self-a.s. person, I also interviewed some farmers and offline experts to listen to their opinions and suggestions. From these interviews, I have gained some personal insights.
First of all, I think that the research of the experts has some scientific basis, and the questions they ask are justified. Farmers are experienced, but that doesn't mean their methods are necessarily the most scientific. Agricultural development is a process of continuous exploration and innovation, so we must combine the research results of experts with the experience of farmers to find the most suitable farming methods for our land and crops.
Second, we must also understand and respect farmers' concerns and suspicions. Farmers are the backbone of agricultural development, they understand the condition of the land and the needs of crops, and have a more intuitive sense of the land and crops. Therefore, when implementing new agricultural policies and planting techniques, we must fully listen to the suggestions and opinions of farmers and work with them to provide feasible solutions.
Finally, I believe that both scientific research and farmer experience are valuable resources, and we should not simply deny either. Only by working closely with experts and farmers can we find the most suitable planting methods for farmland and farmers, and achieve sustainable agriculture.
In general, although cow and sheep manure has certain advantages as a fertilizer, excessive use can have a negative impact on soil quality and crop growth. Therefore, when using cow and sheep manure, we should pay attention to reasonable dosage, regular soil management and crop rotation to ensure the health and sustainable development of farmland. The research of experts and the experience of farmers are valuable, and we should combine the two to promote the development of agriculture.