Depletion Of Soil Organic Matter Research Articles

Biochar-supported zero-valent iron enhanced arsenic immobilization in a paddy soil: the role of soil organic matter

Arsenic (As) detoxification in polluted soils by iron-based materials can be mediated by the endogenous soil organic matter (SOM), nevertheless the mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, endogenous SOM in a paddy soil was substantially removed to understand its roles on As immobilization by biochar-supported zero-valent iron (ZVI/BC). The results demonstrated that ZVI/BC application significantly decreased As bioavailability by 64.2% compared with the control soil under the anaerobic condition. XPS and HR-TEM suggested As immobilization by ZVI/BC mainly invoked the formation of ternary complexes (i.e., As-Fe-SOM). However, SOM depletion compromised the efficacy of ZVI/BC for As immobilization by 289.8%. This is likely because SOM depletion increased the fulvic acid and OH− contents in soils. Besides, ZVI/BC increased the proportion of As(III) in available As fraction, but SOM depletion altered the mechanisms associated with As(V) reduction. That is, As(V) reduction resulted from the reductive capacity of ZVI in the pristine soil, but the As(V)-reducing bacteria contributed greater to As(V) reduction in the SOM-depleted soil. Additionally, SOM depletion boosted the abundances of Fe(III)- and As(V)-reducing bacteria such as Bacillus and Ammoniphilus in soils, which enhanced the dissimilatory arsenate reduction. Thus, this work highlighted the importance of SOM in the remediation of As-contaminated soils by ZVI/BC.Graphical

Long-term Tillage Practices Impact Soil Aggregation and Climate Resilience in Tunisian Field Cropping Systems

Soil degradation poses a major challenge for agricultural and socio-economic development in Tunisia. The conventional intensive cultivation practices commonly used by farmers cause rapid depletion of soil organic matter, which is adversely affecting the physio-chemical properties of soil and is accelerating soil erosion. The decrease in soil organic carbon stocks is a major factor aggravating the impacts of climate change.

Ten-Year Impact of Cover Crops on Soil Organic Matter Quantity and Quality in Semi-Arid Vineyards

Soil organic matter depletion is a significant concern in agricultural soils, impacting crucial aspects of ecosystem health, especially soil properties such as fertility and soil moisture retention. Adopting sustainable soil management practices, such as cover crops, can mitigate this issue. In this study, we analyzed the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and quality in vineyards using two distinct management methods: permanent spontaneous cover crops and conventional tillage. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was quantified and chemically characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy. Our results showed an increase of 4.7 Mg C/ha in the carbon stock (50 cm depth) after 10 years of implementing vegetation covers compared with tilled soil. Additionally, cover crop management increased less humified soluble carbon in surface soil layers, while tillage transformed the solubilized carbon. This finding is important because tilled soil becomes more accessible to microbial degradation and leaching, which, in the long term, leads to a SOM content decrease. In conclusion, an increase in carbon stock was observed when using cover crops due to the incorporation of fresh organic matter, whereas tilled soils showed a depletion of carbon stock, including the mobilization of more stable carbon.

Sustainable Maize Farming: Organic Soil Amendments Boost Maize Production and Soil Quality

Soil organic matter depletion leads to soil structural degradation in cultivated ecosystems. Organic soil amendment reduces inorganic fertilizer dependency, maintains soil properties, and enhances crop production. Organic soil amendments are crucial for sustainable agriculture, providing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to soil and plants. They help address soil organic carbon depletion and environmental issues, as inorganic fertilization hinders sustainable agriculture by affecting soil fertility and crop productivity. A two-year field experiment at the Agriculture Research Farm, University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan, examined the effects of combining organic and inorganic amendments on maize variety Azam and hybrid CS 220, aiming to compensate for soil organic carbon loss. Treatments were Control, Half (H) NPK, Full NPK, Legume Residues (LR) @ 10 tons ha-1, Humic Acid (HA) @ 5 kg ha-1, Biochar (BC) @ 10 tons ha-1, LR + HNPK, HA + HNPK, BC + HNPK, HLR +HHA+ HNPK, HLR + HBC + HNPK and HBC + HHA + HNPK. The study used a two-factorial randomized complete block design with three replications to study maize two-year data. Results showed significant cob lengths in HLR + HBC + HNPK treatment, while maximum results in plant population, 1000 grain weight, and biological yield were in HBC + HHA + HNPK treatment. The highest soil organic matter was recorded in plots with only BC application at 10 tons ha-1, with the highest soil K recorded in BC + HNPK treatment. The hybrid CS 220 maize variety showed superior yield and component performance compared to the Azam variety, while the Azam variety yielded the best results in soil parameters. The maize production improved significantly in the second year compared to the first year. The study suggests that combining organic and half-inorganic fertilizers improves soil fertility, making it a viable strategy for crop yield regulation and sustainable maize production. This can be achieved using efficient organic soil amendments alone or in combination with commercially available inorganic fertilizers.

Soil Aggregation and Associated Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Sandy Loam Soil under Long-Term Tillage Effects

In Tunisia, climate change impacts that lead to the degradation of soil resources are considered to be a major limiting factor on socio-economic development. These impacts are exacerbated by the intensive plowing and cultivation practices used by Tunisian farmers, which expedite the depletion of soil organic matter (SOM), leading to changes in the physio-chemical properties of soil and consequently promoting soil erosion. In fact, the decrease in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks affects soil’s fertility and the ability to regulate climate change. The objective of this study, which was conducted in Le Krib in the Siliana region of northwestern Tunisia, was to evaluate the effects of two cropping systems, consisting of durum wheat (Triticum aestivum) and oats (Avena sativa), and two types of tillage, no-till (NT) and mouldboard plowing (MP), on different soil aggregate classes (>2000 µm, 2000–250 µm, 250–180 µm, 180–53 µm and <53 µm) and soil physio-chemical properties, as well as the resulting effects on the carbon and nitrogen concentrations in these aggregates. The results showed that the carbon content of all soil aggregate classes was influenced by interactions between the previous crop and tillage regime. The clay-silt fraction had higher carbon concentrations under no-till and mouldboard plowing management. Furthermore, the previous crop and tillage type and their interactions had significant effects on nitrogen concentrations in micro-aggregates. The highest nitrogen concentrations (2846.6 ppm) were found in micro-aggregates in soils where the previous crop was durum wheat and mouldboard plowing was used, while the lowest concentrations (1297 ppm) were obtained in soils where the previous crop was oats and mouldboard plowing was used.

First assessment of soil mesofauna, microbiota, and humic substances associations in a minesoil revegetated with four grasses in Brazil: An 18-year field study

Moving away from coal protects our environment and soil. However, coal use in 2022 exceeded all previous years, systematically generating minesoils. The reestablishment of vegetation and organisms in minesoils is jeopardized by excessive soil compaction, eventual acidity, and depletion of soil organic matter (SOM), fauna, and microbial communities. Therefore, monitoring the recovery of soil attributes and functions as influenced by revegetation species is crucial to understanding the processes and time of ecological restoration. We aimed to verify if 18 years of revegetation with perennial grasses (Hemarthria altissima, Paspalum notatum, Cynodon dactylon, Urochloa brizantha) transformed the minesoil a habitat for mites, springtails and other invertebrates as well as for soil microorganisms. Moreover, we investigated associations between these biological indicators with soil humic substances (HS) content. The minesoil is located in Candiota (Brazil), and was constructed in 2003, when revegetation with the grasses started. In 2021, soil samples (0.10 m depth) were collected to determine mites and springtails abundance, microbial respiration, carbon and metabolic quotient, soil, HS content, pH, bases, and aluminum saturation. In order to monitor the soil attributes recovery by the perennial grasses, the means of treatments were compared to the control using percentage differences (positive or negative), as the control was not part of the experimental design. The relationship between the biological variables and the soil variables was assessed using Spearman correlation, and the Canonical Correspondence Analysis was used to identify the performance of each grass in relation to the dataset. The associations observed confirm that the minesoil recovery process is still in its initial, mainly between soil biological functions with SOM humification. Positive associations occurred between mites and microbial respiration and accumulation of humin, especially with Urochloa brizantha revegetation.

Enhancing Soil Organic Matter Transformation through Sustainable Farming Practices: Evaluating Labile Soil Organic Matter Fraction Dynamics and Identifying Potential Early Indicators

The growing global population and increasing demand for agricultural products have exerted significant pressure on agricultural systems. As a result, soil organic matter depletion and degradation have become prevalent issues, including in regions such as South Bohemia, Czech Republic, where conventional farming practices are predominant. Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a critical role in soil health, crop productivity, and the sustainability of agricultural systems, with changes occurring in both the total and labile fractions of the organic matter pools. However, changes in the total soil organic matter carbon pool (TOC) resulting from agricultural practices occur gradually and may become evident only after several years, posing challenges for timely management adjustments. Therefore, the identification of early indicators of SOM dynamics is crucial for implementing prompt corrective actions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sustainable management practices, such as cultivated crops (Pisum sativum and Lupinus albus), selected entomopathogenic and myco parasitic fungi (MEHA) (Trichoderma virens and Metarhizium brunneum), and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the labile fraction of the SOM pool (CLSOM) and identify potential early indicators. Our findings demonstrated that the type of crop and applied microorganisms (treatments) significantly affected the CLSOM in peas, and the crop growth stages affected the TOC in both pea and lupin. Growth stages also showed an impact on the CLSOM in lupin. Moreover, in both crops, the change in CLSOM correlated with changes in the SOM oxidation rate constant (k), carbon lability index (LI), carbon management index (CMI), and carbon enrichment ratio (ER). Conversely, changes in the TOC did not exhibit significant correlations, except for LI and CMI, which showed a positive correlation with the TOC in peas (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the separate application of MEHA and LAB on seeds or leaves resulted in increased SOM carbon pools compared with the combined application. The application of these beneficial microorganisms in pea and lupin crops showed potential in maintaining or increasing CLSOM, which can be assessed early through indicators such as k, LI, CMI, and ER. Contributing to the development of sustainable soil management strategies, future research should further investigate different crops and microorganisms—and the mechanisms underlying their observed relationships—and explore additional early indicators to refine and optimize sustainable agricultural practices.

Influence of biochar amendments on the soil quality indicators of sandy loam soils under cassava–peanut cropping sequence in the semi-arid tropics of Northern Lombok, Indonesia

Low nutrient retention and soil organic matter depletion are the major challenges of the cropping system in the sandy loam soils of Northern Lombok, Indonesia. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of biochar-based organic amendments on the soil quality of sandy loam soils under cassava (Manihot Esculenta, Crants)–peanut (Arachis Hypogeae L.) cropping sequence. The treatments were as follows: biochar (10 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) and rice straw (3 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) (B1); biochar (10 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>), cattle manure (10 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>), and rice straw (3 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) (B2); biochar (10 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) and cattle manure (10 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) (B3); biochar (10 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) and cattle manure (10 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) plus rice straw mulch (3 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>) applied on surface soils (B4), and without organic amendments (B0) as control. Results showed that the biochar-based organic amendments significantly improved several soil quality indicators such as SOC, total N, available P, Ca, cation-exchange capacity (CEC), and aggregate stability but had no significant effect on pH, K, and Mg. Improvement in soil quality was strongly indicated by an increase in the growth and yield of cassava and peanuts. Treatments B1, B2, B3, and B4 generally had a comparable effect on soil parameters and tended to improve the growth and yield of cassava and peanuts. Cassava was responsive to treatments B2 (biochar, cattle manure, and rice straw) and B3 (biochar and cattle manure) with its actual yield of 27 tons ha<sup>−1</sup>, which is a 40% increase compared with that in the control. As a secondary crop growing after cassava, peanuts also exhibited higher yields in all amended plots compared with that in the control. The highest yield was obtained in B2 (1.38 ton ha<sup>−1</sup>), followed by B4 (1.36 ton ha<sup>−1</sup>), B1 (1.33 ton ha<sup>−1</sup>), and B3 (1.25 ton ha<sup>−1</sup>). In conclusion, the incorporation of biochar, cattle manure, and crop residues (rice straw) into soils is a promising option to maintain soil quality and sustainably produce cassava and peanuts in the sandy loam soils of the semi-arid tropics of Lombok, Indonesia.

Returned to the atmosphere through the process of respiration carried out by heterotrophic organisms, but a substantial part is retained in the soil in the form of soil organic matter; tillage usually increases the rate of soil respiration, leading to the depletion of soil organic matter.[24] Since plant roots need oxygen, aeration is an important characteristic of soil. This ventilation

returned to the atmosphere through the process of respiration carried out by heterotrophic organisms, but a substantial part is retained in the soil in the form of soil organic matter; tillage usually increases the rate of soil respiration, leading to the depletion of soil organic matter.[24] Since plant roots need oxygen, aeration is an important characteristic of soil. This ventilation

Fire shifts the soil fertility and the vegetation composition in a natural high-altitude grassland in Brazil

The Serra da Calçada Mountain (Minas Gerais State, Brazil) hosts a natural grassland with high biodiversity and endemism, locally known as campo rupestre, which grows over hematite and quartzite outcrops, protecting several headwaters. However, this mountain has been severely threatened by anthropogenic fires and its restoration has been challenged by the lack of knowledge on the effect of fire on plant species and soil fertility. Thus, this study aimed to assess a burned campo rupestre site after 1 year concerning plant biodiversity and soil properties as compared to a preserved site. Aside from the high plant biodiversity, the preserved site (with no fire history) showed a high natural soil fertility, particularly regarding soil organic matter (SOM): ∼3.48%, Cationic Exchange Capacity (CEC): ∼8.4 meq/100g, soil ammonium (NH4+-N): ∼11 ppm and soil phosphorus (P): ∼6.9 mg/Kg. However, the fire reduced not only the plant species composition, abundance, richness and biodiversity, but also disrupted the natural soil fertility. There was a change in N chemical species from ammonium to nitrate as well as an increase in sodium (Na) content, in addition to a depletion of SOM and CEC. The variations of nitrogen chemical species, sodium, SOM, CEC and soil moisture explained 79% of the changes in plant composition as revealed by the Mantel matrix permutation test. Increased soil nitrate and sodium were considered the main factors determining changes in vegetation composition after fire. Therefore, fires should be strictly avoided for the management of the campo rupestre grassland, and for the rehabilitation purposes, the improvement of SOM and ammonium in detriment of nitrate is recommended.

Microdosing of Compost for Sustainable Production of Improved Sorghum in Southern Mali

The depletion of soil organic matter is one of the major challenges constraining agricultural production in the southern zone of Mali. This study evaluated the effects of compost types, methods, and dose applications on the productivity and sustainability of sorghum. Two types of compost (farmer practice and cotton stems) were applied to sorghum at two rates (microdosing at 2.5 t ha−1 and broadcasting at 5 t ha−1) and evaluated on 30 farmer fields in 2019 and 2020. The treatments used included CPA (cotton stem compost at 5 t ha−1 + 100 kg ha−1 DAP), CPA (cotton stem compost at 2.5 t ha−1 + 100 kg ha−1 DAP), CP (farmer compost at 5 t ha−1 + 100 kg ha−1 DAP), CP (famer compost at 2.5 t ha−1 + 100 kg ha−1 DAP), control (100 kg ha−1 DAP), and control. The results showed that regardless of the compost type, applying a microdose of 2.5 t ha−1 improved the growth rate, plant height, grain yield, and biomass yield by 15%, 18%, 47%, and 27%, respectively, when compared to the control. No statistical difference was observed in the yield of 2061 kg ha−1 between applying compost by microdosing at 2.5 t ha−1 and broadcasting at 5 t ha−1. It can be inferred that the application of compost by microdosing makes it possible to achieve a 100% fertilized surface compared to broadcasting, with a nitrogen use efficiency of more than 55%. The application of compost by microdosing at 2.5 t ha−1 resulted in an economic gain of 334,800 XOF ha−1, which was 27% higher than that obtained with the application of compost by broadcasting at 5 t ha−1. Conversely, the contribution to the improvement of soil nitrogen stock varied from 12–20% with a microdose of 2.5 t ha−1 compared to 100% for broadcasting compost at 5 t ha−1 per application. Therefore, the availability of cotton stems in the southern zone of Mali presents an opportunity for farmers to implement compost microdose technology to double the fertilized area and improve sorghum productivity.

Fallow replacement cover crops impact soil water and nitrogen dynamics in a semi-arid sub-tropical environment

Conventional dryland cropping systems rely upon frequent and lengthy fallow periods to conserve soil water and mineral nitrogen to stabilize crop production. However, this is associated with depletion of soil organic matter and decreased fallow efficiency. Intensifying cropping systems by planting cover crops has been touted as a means to stem soil organic matter loss and improve fallow efficiency. We investigated whether the manipulation of cover crop functional trait diversity and sowing proportions (utilizing Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Brassicaceae) could provide complementary functions that improve soil water and mineral N management during fallow. Grass-legume mixtures represented the best compromise between biomass production (> 4000 kg DM ha˗1), N retention (142 kg N ha˗1), N supply via biological N fixation (35 kg N ha˗1) and maintained an additional 70 mm of water at the end of fallow period. Regardless of functional trait type, cover crops increased N retention but maintained similar soil mineral N content at the end of fallow period. However, soil water effects were functional trait-specific, and there were significant soil water deficits with brassica-dominated cover crops. Soil water accumulation post cover crop termination was significantly higher in cover crops compared with conventional fallows, but the overall fallow efficiency was higher in the conventional fallow. This study demonstrates that cover crops are not universally beneficial, and careful selection of cover crop functional traits in mixtures could enhance fallow soil water and N management in semi-arid sub-tropical drylands.

GREEN MANURES AND NPK FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS EFFECT ON ORGANIC CARBON POOL, SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND CUCUMBER PRODUCTION

Deterioration of soil physical properties and organic matter depletion resulting from continuous cultivation of tropical sandy loam soils, even with the regular applications of inorganic fertilizers is common. To regenerate the soil organic matter and maintain soil structural and hydraulic properties for crop production, the effects of different legumes green manures and NPK chemical fertilizer were evaluated after a 3-year field experiments at the University of Port Harcourt, Teaching and Research Farm (2018 – 2021). Treatments were: 5 tons ha-1Centrocema (Ce5), 5 tons ha-1 Gliricidia (Gl5), 5 tons ha-1Calapogonium (Ca5), NPK 20:10:10 (NPK) and the Control, arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), in 5 replications. Results showed that three annual applications of Centrocema, Gliricidia, and Calapogonium increased soil organic carbon pool at the 0-30 cm topsoil, and reduced the bulk densities by 8.5%, 4.1%, and 7.0%, respectively, compared to the NPK fertilizer and control. The increased in bulk density in untreated plots led to decrease in water stable aggregates, low water holding capacity and low yield of cucumber crop. Green manures applications increased soil organic carbon pool, improved topsoil physical properties and cucumber yield, while NPK chemical fertilizer had negative effects on these properties.

Effects of Biogas Slurry on Crop Yield, Physicochemical Properties and Aggregation Characteristics of Lime Concretion Soil in Wheat–Maize Rotation in the North China Plain

Biogas slurry is a potential sustainable substitute for chemical fertilizers and a soil amendment to restore soil organic matter depletion and structural deterioration. The effects of substituting biogas slurry for chemical fertilizer on a lime concretion soil in the North China Plain were investigated. A field experiment examined the consequences of applying different proportions (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) of biogas slurry, while maintaining the same total nitrogen supply, over a period of 5 years. We determined effects on crop yield (winter wheat/summer maize rotation), soil physiochemical properties and aggregation characteristics (using dry- and wet-sieving) in the last experimental year. All fertilizer treatments increased crop yield relative to a control. 50% substitution by biogas slurry gave the highest yield of wheat and maize. Increasing substitution progressively increased soil pH, water holding capacity, organic matter content, total nitrogen content, available phosphorus and potassium contents and C/N ratio; conversely, bulk density declined. Soil aggregate size distribution and stability were improved to varying degrees by biogas slurry substitution, in comparison with chemical fertilizer application alone and unamended control; optimal values for macro-aggregate mass proportion, fractal dimension and percentage of aggregate destruction were achieved with 50% substitution, coinciding with the highest crop yield. Lime concretion black soil was readily amenable to improvement by biogas slurry application, while maintaining optimal crop yields. Its use should be a priority for environmentally coordinated crop production and animal husbandry in this region.

Land-Use Change Depletes Quantity and Quality of Soil Organic Matter Fractions in Ethiopian Highlands

The depletion of soil organic matter (SOM) reserve after deforestation and subsequent management practices are well documented, but the impacts of land-use change on the persistence and vulnerability of storage C and N remain uncertain. We investigated soil organic C (SOC) and N stocks in a landscape of chrono-sequence natural forest, grazing/crop lands and plantation forest in the highlands of North-West Ethiopia. We hypothesized that in addition to depleting total C and N pools, multiple conversions of natural forest significantly change the relative proportion of labile and recalcitrant C and N fractions in soils, and thus affect SOM quality. To examine this hypothesis, we estimated depletion of SOC and N stocks and labile (1 & 2) and recalcitrant (fraction 3) C and N pools in soil organic matter following the acid hydrolysis technique. Our studies showed the highest loss of C stock was in grazing land (58%) followed by cropland (50%) and eucalyptus plantation (47%), while on average ca. 57% N stock was depleted. Eucalyptus plantation exhibited potential for soil C recovery, although not for N, after 30 years. The fractionation of SOM revealed that depletions of labile 1 C stocks were similar in grazing and crop lands (36%), and loss of recalcitrant C was highest in grazing soil (56%). However, increases in relative concentrations of labile fraction 1 in grazing land and recalcitrant C and N in cropland suggest the quality of these pools might be influenced by management activities. Also, the C:N ratio of C fractions and recalcitrant indices (RIC and RIN) clearly demonstrated that land conversion from natural forest to managed systems changes the inherent quality of the fractions, which was obscured in whole soil analysis. These findings underscore the importance of considering the quality of SOM when evaluating disturbance impacts on SOC and N stocks.

LIFE VITISOM: innovation in viticulture

Soil organic matter (SOM) is considered a fundamental element for the vitality of agricultural soils. The depletion of SOM is a main concern for grape-growing compartment as the increase of mechanical approach is fastening its degradation. SOM loss in vineyard soils lead to a decrease of yield and quality of products as a consequence of a reduction of soil chemical and biological fertility. In order to contrast SOM erosion, research aiming at finding sustainable management practices are enhancing in agricultural sector. In the present study a three-year research was carried out in vineyard with the aim to compare the application of three different organic fertilizers. The effects of organic fertilisation on vines, grapes and wines were investigated in five different Italian wine-growing areas. The positive effect of organic fertilisation is highlighted, especially in the conservation of acidic content of the must. The effect of fertilization is also revealed in differences in wine aromas at wine tasting.

RHIZOCTONIA SOLANI OF POTATO AND ITS MANAGEMENT: A REVIEW

Potatoes are an annual and the most cultivated tuberous crop worldwide. Potatoes play an important role to fulfil the world’s basic food requirements because of enriched nutrients and delicious taste. Rhizoctonia solani is the most virulent and widely distributed soil-borne fungus that causes severe yield losses of potatoes globally. Several management practices have been adopted to overcome the yield losses inflicted by this fungus. Biocontrol agents play a significant role as mycoparasites and activate defense mechanisms through disease resistance genes to suppress pathogens. Compost is also applied as a soil amendment that increases soil fertility through the addition of organic matter in soil and nutrients uptake in organic form. Besides, it is a rich source of carbon and nitrogen which can address soil erosion, nutrients and organic matter depletion issues and restores soil fertility by adding organic matter and reducing the incidence of soil-borne pathogens in the soil. Biochar utilization in the agriculture sector is increasing day by day because of its great potential for disease suppression. Both biochar and compost are used commercially to improve plant growth and suppress potato diseases caused by R. solani. Therefore, in this review, we discussed the symptoms on potatoes, epidemiology and biological characteristics of R. solani and summarized to date control strategies mainly focusing on biological, chemical, biochar and compost approaches.

A Review: Soil Management, Sustainable Strategies and Approaches to Improve the Quality of Modern Viticulture

Conservative and sustainable soil management in vineyards is an approach of primary importance not only for the yield (tons per hectare) and grapes’ quality (primary and secondary metabolites), but also for the greater preservation of the ecosystem. Compared to sustained-conventional tillage and perpetual applications of fertilizers and phytopharmaceutical, these techniques give a primary role for safeguarding biodiversity, conserving soil fertility, and keeping vegetative–productive balance. The soil and, consequently, the wine production are in fact an intimate ecosystem jeopardized not only by a reckless approach by man (technical input, such as pesticides, fuel, fertilizers, and herbicides, are estimated to be responsible for 24% of anthropogenic greenhouse gases emissions), but also by climate change, as rising summer temperatures and reduced precipitation leads to production declines and water shortages in the soil. In fact, there are several risks associated with unbalanced soil management, such as compaction, pollution, soil erosion, soil organic matter (SOM) depletion, and loss of biodiversity, that lead to a drop in grape quality and quantity. In this context, soil management in viticulture and sustainable strategies assume greater significance to improve the quality of modern viticulture. This review aims to highlight new agronomic techniques capable of enhancing the resilience of the system and contributing to conservation and ecosystem services provision, especially as wine consumers increasingly appreciate environmentally friendly farming practices. In particular, the review aims to focus the positive implications and repercussions as a result of these practices (e.g., compost, vermicompost, biochar, Ascophyllum nodosum, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Trichoderma, zeolite, partial root drying, cover cropping, and mulching).

Effect of blended fertilizer types for improving production of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in Bena Tsemay district, Southwestern Ethiopia

Depletion of soil organic matter, depletion of macro- and micronutrients, lack of local specific fertilizer recommendation per commodity are among core constraints in Ethiopian soils that hinders crop production including sorghum. The experiment was conducted to evaluate blended fertilizer type effect on improving production of sorghum in Bena Tsemay district, Southwestern Ethiopia. The experiment was carried out in 2018 and 2019 main cropping season and laid out in RCBD following three replications with spacing of 75cm between rows and 20cm between plants. It was done by using control, (46N+68.7P2O5) kgha-1 , (142NPS+141Urea) kgha1 , (150NPSB+141Urea) kgha-1 , (160NPSBZn+144Urea) kgha-1 , (155NPSZn+141Urea) kgha1 , (197NPSBK+141Urea) kgha-1 and (207NPSBZnK+141Urea) kgha-1 treatments. Full dose of blended fertilizer, phosphorus, boron and potassium chloride fertilizers were applied at planting time and urea was applied in two split. Partial budget analysis with dominance and marginal analysis was done for economic evaluation. The result has revealed that sorghum has responded well to the application of macronutrients with micronutrients (Zn and B) than unfertilized. Application of 150kgha-1NPSB+141kgha-1Urea resulted in highest grain yield, while the lowest grain yield was recorded from the control. The highest economic returns of 230.06% was obtained from application of 150kgha-1NPSB+141kgha-1Urea; and it gives 43.85% yield increment and 31.86% increment in economic return over the control. Application of 150kgha-1NPSB+141kgha-1Urea was recommended for farmers and investor’s to produce sorghum on the study area and similar agro ecologies, as it was optimum for improving sorghum production. Further investigation should be done on plant nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency and optimization.

Inherent and dynamic effects on the structural stability of Brazilian Oxisols

We assessed long-term cultivation effects on several structural stability indicators within the 0- to 5- and 10- to 15-cm depth increments of different Oxisols. Comparisons were made between native and cultivated soils managed using no-till (NT) practices for 12+ years. Overall, conversion significantly decreased structure stability due to machinery traffic, high fertilizer and lime applications, soil organic matter (SOM) depletion, and reduced input of organic material (roots and crop residues). The magnitude of change varied depending on inherent (mineralogy) and dynamic (cropping system) factors, as well as soil depth. Kaolinitic Oxisols were much more susceptible to degradation than Gibbsitic Oxisols. Combining more diversified cropping systems with NT can mitigate the negative effects of cultivation by increasing living vegetation and crop residue additions throughout the entire year. Increased quantity and quality of SOM input improves soil biological activity and improves topsoil structural stability. Those changes also reduce eluviation of dispersed clay (primarily kaolinite) with percolating water and prevent concentration of the clay at the 10 to 15 cm depth, which further degrades the soil by contributing to formation of the dense subsurface layers beneath either NT or conventional production systems.