ABSTRACT
Ever since mankind domesticated plants, and started practicing settled agriculture, it has been adopting a number of traditional practices, which have evolved over time. Many soil management practices have been followed in ancient cultures of India, China, Egypt, and Iraq, which are passed on through generations orally without any formal documentation. However, some ancient texts and stone inscriptions provide insights into these practices and their rationale. In India, the ancient texts describe four pillars of farming as Bhoomi (land), Varsha (rain), Beej (seed), and Hal (plow). Soil and its management have been given utmost importance by indigenous farmers for successful agriculture.
