Farmers’ Attitudes toward On-Farm Adoption of Soil Organic Matter in Piedmont Region, Italy

Niccolò Pampuro,Federica Caffaro,Eugenio Cavallo

doi:10.3390/agriculture10010014

Niccolò Pampuro, Federica Caffaro + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10010014

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Abstract

This study aimed at exploring the frequency of use and perceived benefits of application of organic matter to the soil in a group of Italian farmers, investigating also the preferred sources of information, to identify potential interventions to promote the improvement of the soil organic matter. The study has been carried out administering a 21-item paper-and-pencil questionnaire to 44 farmers. The results of the study highlighted that the main perceived benefit linked to soil organic matter application is related to its capacity of increasing productivity, while the aspects related to work pace, production costs, and implications with the climate change appeared to be less relevant. According to the results of the study, web targeted information campaigns for the smaller farms operators and training activities for the bigger farms operators are the most effective solutions to make farmers aware of the importance of increasing soil organic matter content.

Highlights

IntroductionSoil organic matter (SOM) plays a number of key roles in terrestrial ecosystems and agroecosystems, as related to the three components—chemical, physical, and biological—of soil quality and fertility
Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a number of key roles in terrestrial ecosystems and agroecosystems, as related to the three components—chemical, physical, and biological—of soil quality and fertility.At a chemical point of view, SOM largely determines, together with clay minerals, the cation exchange capacity of soil, pH buffering capacity, and the retention of inorganic or organic pollutants or toxic elements [1]
Soil organic matter can play a major role in mitigating climate change but, on the other hand, the decline of its content as a consequence of changes in land use or agricultural practices can substantially contribute to the emissions of C-CO2 into the atmosphere

Summary

Introduction

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a number of key roles in terrestrial ecosystems and agroecosystems, as related to the three components—chemical, physical, and biological—of soil quality and fertility. At a chemical point of view, SOM largely determines, together with clay minerals, the cation exchange (and anion retention) capacity of soil, pH buffering capacity, and the retention of inorganic or organic pollutants or toxic elements [1]. From the physical point of view, SOM is crucial in determining soil structure and thereby controlling soil erosion, water infiltration and holding capacity, habitat provision for plant roots, and soil organisms [2]. Soil organic matter can play a major role in mitigating climate change but, on the other hand, the decline of its content as a consequence of changes in land use or agricultural practices can substantially contribute to the emissions of C-CO2 into the atmosphere

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