Farmers should not be lulled into thinking that Irish soils have gone into a state of total hibernation at the present time in response to the current drought conditions.

In fact, the very opposite is the case, according to Teagasc soil and plant nutrition specialist, Dr. Veronica Nyhan.

She explained: “While activity below ground has slowed, soil biology hasn’t disappeared.

"Soils are home to almost 60% of all known species, making them one of the largest reservoirs of biodiversity on earth.

Nyhan explained that billions of soil organisms are "quietly working beneath our feet" every day.

“They recycle nutrients, help break down crop residues, improve soil structure and support healthy root growth.

"In many ways, they are the engine that keeps soil functioning," she said.

Meanwhile, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi depend on soil moisture to remain active.

As soils dry, their activity slows, reducing the breakdown of organic matter and the release of nutrients into forms that crops can use.

This is one reason crops often respond more slowly during prolonged dry weather.

Even where nutrients are present, the biological processes that help make them available are operating at a slower pace.

Dr. Nyhan said: “Larger soil organisms, including earthworms, springtails and mites, respond to drought conditions in different ways.

“Some become dormant, others move deeper into the soil profile or into protected habitats, while others survive the dry period as resistant eggs, spores or cocoons until favourable conditions return.

According to the Teagasc soil specialist, healthy soils are "remarkably resilient".

"When rainfall returns, soil biology quickly becomes active again and nutrient cycling resumes.

“Soils with good organic matter levels and stable soil structure are generally more resilient to drought and recover more quickly because they retain more moisture and provide a better environment for soil life," she said.

Dr. Nyhan stressed that while we cannot control the weather, the resilience of our soils can be improved.

This can be done by maintaining soil organic matter and returning organic materials such as manures, straw and cover crop residues.

In addition, reducing unnecessary soil disturbance, avoiding compaction and maintaining optimum soil pH can all help support a "healthy and diverse soil community".

She said: “These management practices won’t prevent drought, but they can help soils cope better with periods of stress and recover more quickly afterwards.

“Soils are still working, even if it doesn’t look like it.

“The recent dry spell hasn’t switched off soil biology. It has simply slowed one of the busiest engines on every farm.”