--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20251003-new-research-warns-intensive-farming-practices-undermine-soil-health/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # New research warns intensive farming practices undermine soil health Publication Date: 03.10.2025, 12:00 Erosion, salinization, compaction and contamination are identified as major threats that reduce soils’ ability to withstand shocks like drought or flooding. According to a new study by Rothamsted Research, modern farming practices are undermining the resilience of the world’s soils, leaving food production increasingly exposed to shocks from climate and geopolitics. The review, [published](https://www.nature.com/articles/s44264-025-00098-6) in *npj Sustainable Agriculture*, found that techniques such as plowing, irrigation, and fertilizer use can boost crop yields in the short term but weaken soils over time. The study concluded that practices that strip organic matter, compact land, and disrupt ecosystems are degrading soils, which support 95% of food production and store more carbon than forests. Researchers ranked erosion caused by over-plowing, overgrazing and deforestation as the most severe threat to soil resilience, warning that fertile topsoil takes centuries to regenerate once lost. Other risks include salinization from irrigation, contamination from pesticides and plastic residues, and compaction from intensive livestock farming. ![](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/systems-thinking-study.jpg)Impacts of agricultural management practices in cropping systems in the short-term. ADVERTISEMENT “Soils are not just the foundation of food security, they are central to biodiversity and climate stability,” said Dr. Alison Carswell, the study’s lead author. “Yet many of the practices we rely on to increase yields today risk undermining that foundation in the future.” The authors noted that some measures, such as flooding rice paddies or liming acidic soils, can help maintain resilience. Alternatives like conservation tillage and integrated pest management offer further options but often involve trade-offs between short-term productivity and long-term sustainability. The study warns that ignoring soil resilience risks pushing farming systems toward tipping points, where productivity could collapse irreversibly. Such disruptions could cascade through food and trade networks, with global consequences. The findings come as the UN estimates that one-third of the world’s soils are already degraded. Pressure is set to intensify as food demand rises in sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. “Breaking the cycle of soil degradation is possible,” Dr. Carswell said. “But it requires rethinking how we manage land—not just for the next harvest, but for resilience in the decades ahead.” --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.