Visual soil evaluation: realising potential crop production with minimum environmental impact

Abstract

Abstract This book with nine chapters describes the main methods for visual soil evaluation (VSE) of soil structure and soil-related properties. It includes clear visual images of the variation of soil quality and how these relate to soil productivity and environmental sustainability. Such images raise awareness and provide a measure of the soil degradation that is a looming threat to the viability of world agriculture. Emphasis is given to recognizing, protecting and restoring soil quality as these are of vital importance for tackling problems of food insecurity, global change and environmental degradation. The book shows how these aims can be achieved with VSE by describing tools that can readily be used by land users and environmental authorities to assess crop performance, soil improvement and soil productivity. VSE is also placed in the context of future sustainable intensification of agriculture including factors of soil loss, resilience, climate change, scarcity of water and other resources, nutrient retention and increased risk of degradation. This book is relevant not only to students, lecturers, scientists and advisors working directly with soils but also to policy makers, food security experts, environmentalists and engineers who have an interest in soils and sustainable agricultural production. Last, but not least, it is hoped that these simple VSE techniques will be used extensively in years to come as a tool to link soil specialists and non-specialists together with the mutual aim of developing sustainable soil management to advance global food security and improve the environment.