Finally, all nutrients should be adequate so nutrient stress does not slow plant development. Certain cultural practices, although they are of minor energy importance themselves, also help the producer get the most out of any energy investment. These include earlier planting and achieving adequate plant populations. Both increase yield and make better use of energy inputs. Soil Conservation Soil erosion is a major concern throughout the world.
Erosion reduces field productivity and contributes significantly to water quality problems.
Most Ohio soils can tolerate erosion rates of 3 to 5 tons of soil per acre per year because new soil is constantly being formed in the underlying parent material. Many fields, however, are eroding at much higher rates. Even if erosion rates are below tolerable limits, it is often desirable to reduce erosion further. On the lake-plain soils of northwestern Ohio, for example, erosion rates are normally far below those considered hazardous to productivity. However, most of the soil particles eroded in this region find their way into streams and cause sediment-related problems.