Restore Soil Fertility Research Articles

Contemporary Farming and Associated Consequences of Climate Change

Aim: This review aims to synthesize current understanding of the multifaceted impacts of climate change on agriculture, examine adaptive strategies to maintain food security, and offer insights into sustainable farming practices. Objectives: The objectives are to: (1) identify the potential causes of climate change, (2) assess its effects on agriculture, and (3) discuss mitigation strategies and sustainable farming practice. Methodology: A systematic review of the literature has been performed. We conducted an in-depth study of previous research, reports, and related literature. Sources were selected based on relevance and credibility to provide a thorough examination of the impacts of climate change on agriculture. Analysis: The analysis focused on categorizing the direct and indirect effects of climate change on agricultural systems, understanding changes in crop yield, plant physiology and metabolism, and evaluating the effectiveness of various mitigation strategies. Result Findings: The findings indicate that the greenhouse effect, driven by gases such as CO2, CH4, and H2O, leads to global temperature increases. The concentration of these gases is rising, with the global average temperature expected to increase by 2°C by 2100, causing significant economic losses. While this increase has boosted plant growth and productivity through enhanced photosynthesis, the associated rise in temperature counteracts these benefits. Therefore, mitigation strategies such as nutrient management, drip and sprinkler irrigation, and sustainable agricultural practices are essential. Natural farming is a sustainable agricultural practice that offers chemical-free, healthy food while promising to increase farmers' income, improve environmental health, restore soil fertility, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Conclusion: Climate change poses a significant threat to global food and nutritional security by altering agricultural productivity and sustainability. Understanding these impacts and developing effective mitigation strategies is crucial. This review provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to address these challenges and ensure resilient agricultural systems capable of sustaining future food security.

The Effectiveness of Biochar and Compost-Based Fertilizers in Restoring Soil Fertility and Red Chili Yields

The Effectiveness of Biochar and Compost-Based Fertilizers in Restoring Soil Fertility and Red Chili Yields

Synthesis of EPAN and applications in the encapsulation of potassium humate

Abstract This article provides information on the synthesis of esterified derivatives of hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (EPAN) based on the polymer waste “Nitron” for use as an encapsulating reagent. The elemental and structural compositions of potassium humate and the organic polymer were determined using a scanning electron microscope (Jeol JSM-6490l V) and an IR Fourier spectrometer (Zhimadzu IR Prestige-21). A method is presented for determining the strength of the encapsulated granules of potassium humates using an IPG-1M device and a TAXTplus texture analyzer (Stable Microsystems). The scientific novelty of the article lies in the synthesis of EPAN from “Nitron” polymer waste using sodium hydroxide in the presence of ethylene glycol at a temperature of 370 K for 4 h, followed by the use of 0.5% synthesized solution for encapsulating the granular potassium humate produced from humic acid to give a strength of up to 17.3 kg and prolonged action to the granules. The effect of EPAN concentration on the encapsulation process of granular potassium humates was investigated and studied. The mechanism for the formation of a protective layer of granular potassium humates in the form of a transparent film has been established. The results of the experimental work were processed using the integrated program Statistica-10, which showed a 3D simulation of the process. Microscopic, IR spectral, X-ray phase and thermogravimetric analyses of the encapsulated potassium humate were carried out using modern instrumental devices (MicroXRF Analysis Report, monochromator D878-PC75-17.0, TGA/DSC 1HT/319). The encapsulated durable potassium humate granules provide longer-term nutrition, i.e., a slow, gradual release of plant nutrients in the soil. The use of the produced high-strength encapsulated potassium humate granules allows for restoring soil fertility and increasing the yield of agricultural plants. The encapsulated granules can withstand numerous transshipments and long-term transportation while maintaining the commercial and consumer properties of the product.

Agroecological substantiation of meliorative factors for restoration of soils disturbed by military actions

Тhe armed aggression of the Russian Federation has led to the disruption of balance in agroecosystems in Ukraine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the agroecological consequences of soil disturbance in agrocenosis due to explosive ordnance and to justify the use of ameliorative factors for soil fertility restoration. Vegetation studies were conducted at the «Institute of Applied Biotechnology». Soil samples for the experiment were collected from the liberated territories of Kharkiv region affected by military actions. Soil expertise, disrupted by explosive ordnance, revealed changes in agrochemical, biological, and toxicological indicators compared to the control plot of the agrocenosis. The humus content decreased by 39–46%, hydrolyzable nitrogen by 30–38%, mineral nitrogen by 36–48%, while the availability of mobile potassium increased by 115–139%. Significant excess of heavy metals content in the soil was detected: copper content increased by 3 times, lead — by 1.5 times, nickel — by 2.7 times, and cadmium — by 2.5 times. Microbiological processes were characterized by an increase in mineralization-immobilization coefficients, oligotrophy, pedotrophy, and a decrease in organic matter transformation indicator. Based on the observed changes, ameliorative factors were proposed aimed at soil fertility restoration. The application of nitrogen-phosphorus mineral fertilizer, winter wheat straw as organic fertilizer, and the biological preparation EcoStern Detox contributed to the improvement of soil agrochemical properties and optimized the direction of microbiological processes, but had no systemic impact on the change in the quantity of mobile forms of heavy metals. The positive impact of amelioration on the soil environment was confirmed by bioassay. Combining the studied ameliorative factors resulted in a 14.3–18.1% increase in maize plant height at the BBCH 14 stage, an increase in aboveground biomass by 24–46.2%, and root mass by 13.3–14.3% compared to the control. The highest growth in the development of the photosynthetic apparatus and root system was observed with the application of the entire complex of ameliorants. The obtained results are consistent with the soil analysis, as the simultaneous application of the EcoStern Detox biopreparation, mineral fertilizers, and straw led to a significant improvement in both agrochemical and biological soil indicators compared to the control and other research variants.

Residual effect of legumes on maize yield, nitrogen balance and soil organic carbon stabilization under legume – maize cropping systems

Inclusion of legumes in cereal based cropping system restores soil fertility and improves carbon storage and soil quality. In this background a field experiment was conducted in a strip-split plot design using three legume species viz., green gram, groundnut and cluster bean as vertical strip, two residue management practices i.e. residue removal (-R) and residue retention (+R) as horizontal strip, and three nitrogen levels i.e. 100%, 75% and 50% recommended rate of nitrogen (N) application in intersectional sub plots with four replications during summer 2017 and 2018. The grain and stover yield of maize, N uptake and soil properties were monitored after each crop harvest; soil nitrogen balance and soil organic carbon were estimated. Under 100% N fertilization, cluster bean – maize cropping system with residue (+R) recorded 12.78 and 9.78% higher maize grain and stover yield, respectively than without residue (–R) treatment. Highest available N (189.9 kg ha−1) and available P (54.5 kg ha−1) were registered under cluster bean- maize cropping system. Legume residue incorporation resulted 9.65, 8.46, 7.09 and 8.86% higher (p = 0.05) WBC content, WBC stock, available N and P contents over residue removal scenario. Annually, 1.71% added carbon converted into soil organic carbon. Legume residue retention and 100% recommended rate of nitrogen application enhanced nitrogen balance. Soil N balance was highest under groundnut – maize system (165 kg ha−1). Overall, for better soil health and optimum crop production, cluster bean – maize cropping system with legume residue retention and 100% N fertilization may be promoted in semi-arid Western India.

Some issues of ensuring the restoration of land in the conditions of the development of market relations

The article is devoted to topical issues of ensuring the restoration of land in the conditions of the development of market relations. The legislative support for the formation and development of the agricultural land market has been studied. Negative processes are analyzed in detail regarding the current state of lands, the most threatening characteristics of which are their degradation and desertification, and the reasons for the rapid deterioration of their condition in recent years. It is emphasized that the formation of the land market consists of two elements: the land market for agricultural and non-agricultural purposes. The concepts of "land turnover^ and "land marketn are defined. It is noted that the conversion of land plots is carried out both in the conditions of the establishment and development of market relations, and in the conditions of the absence of a land market. The problem of preserving the quality of land, soil fertility, their protection and timely restoration in the conditions of change of owners and tenants of agricultural lands in the conditions of the development of market relations is investigated. Scientific works of scientists on the solution of the specified problem are cited. The influence of the qualitative state of land on the value of land plots and the peculiarities of determining their normative and expert monetary assessment are analyzed. Attention is focused on recording the state of land in the relevant documentation. Attention is drawn to the legal consequences of accidental destruction or damage to the rental object by the user. The shortcomings of the legal provision of obligations of owners and users of land plots to restore soil fertility, as well as other useful properties of the land, are investigated. It is noted that failure by a land user, in particular a tenant, to fulfill its obligations to restore the quality of land is grounds for the compulsory termination of its rights to a land plot. Suggested ways of improving legislation in the specified area. Proposals have been made to establish the quality of the land plot at the time of its alienation. Attention is focused on ensuring effective state control over the timely restoration of land.

Life Cycle Assessment of Wheat Straw Pyrolysis with Volatile Fractions Chemical Looping Combustion

Among the approaches to facilitating negative CO2 emissions is biochar production. Biochar is generated in the pyrolysis of certain biomasses. In the pyrolysis process, carbon in the biomass is turned into a solid, porous, carbon-rich, and stable material that can be captured from the soil after a period of from a few decades to several centuries. In addition to this long-term carbon sequestration role, biochar is also beneficial for soil performance as it helps to restore soil fertility and improves the retention and diffusion of water and nutrients. This work presents a Life Cycle Assessment of different pyrolysis approaches for biochar production. Biomass pyrolysis is performed in a fixed-bed reactor, which operates at a mild temperature (550 °C). Biochar is obtained as solid product of the pyrolysis, but there are also liquid (bio-oil) and gaseous products (syngas). The pyrolysis gas is partly used to fulfil the energy demand of the pyrolysis process, which is highly endothermic. In the conventional approach, CO2 is produced during the combustion of syngas and emitted to the atmosphere. Another approach to facilitate CO2 capture and thus obtain more negative CO2 emissions in the pyrolysis process is burning syngas and bio-oil in a Chemical Looping Combustion unit. Life Cycle Assessment was performed of these approaches toward biomass pyrolysis to evaluate their environmental impact. The Chemical Looping Combustion approach significantly reduced the values of 7 of the 16 environmental impact indicators studied, along with the Global Warming Potential among them, it slightly increased the value of one indicator related to the use of fossil resources, and it maintained the values of the remaining 8 indicators. Environmental impact reduction occurs due to the avoidance of CO2 and NOx emissions with Chemical Looping Combustion. The CO2 balances of the different pyrolysis approaches with Chemical Looping Combustion configurations were compared with a base case, which constituted the direct combustion of wheat straw to obtain thermal energy. Direct biomass combustion for the production of 17.1 MJ of thermal energy had CO2 positive emissions of 0.165 kg. If the gaseous fraction was burned by Chemical Looping Combustion, CO2 was captured and the emissions became increasingly negative, until a value of −3.30 kg/17.1 MJ was generated. If bio-oil was also burned by this technology, the negative trend of CO2 emissions continued, until they reached a value of −3.66 kg.

Humic acid enriched with urea and NPK factory by-products promoted the growth and yield of Saccharum officinarum L.

Nutrient uptake efficiency in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) must be increased using organic matter to restore soil fertility, resulting in greater productivity. The humic substance is a complex organic material that is excellent for overcoming this challenge. This study aimed to determine the effect of the humic acid enriched by liquid urea by-product (PSUC) and liquid NPK by-product (PSNC) application on the growth and productivity of sugarcane. The experiment was conducted from October 2021 to September 2022 on PT RNI plantation land, Jatitujuh, Majalengka. The research was arranged in a completely randomized (CRD) using two different humic acid product prototypes (PSUC and PSNC) with two evaluation times, a screening and a semi-pilot scale. Solid humic at a dose of 15 Kg ha⁻¹ was applied by mixing it with inorganic fertilizers, while liquid humic at a total dose of 15 L ha⁻¹ was applied by foliar spray technique at 1, 2, and 3 months after planting (MAP). The results showed that applying humic acid PSUC and PSNC enhanced sugarcane shoot growth, segmented stem number, and diameter. In addition, it could consistently promote sugarcane yields on the semi-pilot scale up to 19.18% and 24.26% under humic acid PSUC and PSNC treatments, respectively. Therefore, both in the screening and semi-pilot evaluation, the solid and liquid humic acid PSUC and PSNC applied simultaneously are potential organic materials to enhance sugarcane growth and yield.

Influence of local potential plant biodiversity as green manure on soil total N, N uptake, and chlorophyll content of rice plants

Abstract. Suntoro S, Herdiansyah G, Widijanto H, Wardhana HR, Tjahjanto AD, Puspitasari C, Julianto EA, Maroeto. 2024. Influence of local potential plant biodiversity as green manure on soil total N, N uptake, and chlorophyll content of rice plants. Biodiversitas 25: 1655-1662. Continuous use of chemical fertilizers in the agricultural sector causes several problems. One of several solutions that can be offered is using green manure, which could restore soil fertility and be way more sustainable for the environment. A few criteria for plants to be made into green manure are having a fast decomposition process and a low C/N ratio. This research aims to discover local potential green manure based on nutrient content and response to rice plants' soil total N, N uptake, and chlorophyll content. This research used the experiment method with a single factor Randomized Completely Block Design. There were 10 treatments with 3 replications, namely P0: control; P1: NPK 200 kg/ha; P2: Rice straw 10 tons/ha; P3: Chromolaena 10 tons/ha; P4: Ipomoea 10 tons/ha; P5: Eichhornia 10 tons/ha; P6: NPK 100 kg/ha + Rice straw 5 tons/ha; P7: NPK 100 kg/ha + Chromolaena 5 tons/ha; P8: NPK 100 kg/ha + Ipomoea 5 tons/ha; P9: NPK 100 kg/ha + Eichhornia 5 tons/ha. The results showed that Chromolaena, Ipomoea, and Eichhornia have the potential to be developed as green manure because they have high N nutrient content and low C/N ratio. These three green manures can balance the NPK fertilizer and significantly increase soil total-N content, N uptake, and chlorophyll levels in rice plants. They also provide N nutrients, N uptake, and chlorophyll levels in rice plants.

Restoration of war-damaged soil fertility to ensure sustainable agricultural production, food security and global recognition of Ukraine

The introduces new agrotechnological crop rotations is relevant in the context of environmental protection. The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of introducing two crop rotations on degraded lands in the Mykolaiv region, where active military operations were conducted. The study determined that the introduction of new crop rotations led to a 1.3-fold increase in gross output compared to previous data. In a five-field crop rotation, growing perennial grasses for green fodder together with annual grasses for silage restored soil fertility and increased yields by 30 c/ha compared to existing economic indicators. Oat yields with perennial grasses increased by 18 c/ha. Growing corn for silage and green fodder provided an additional 100 cwt/ ha. An increase in the yield of fodder roots and annual grasses for green fodder by 110 c/ha demonstrated the effectiveness of the new crop rotations. In a seven-season crop rotation, the introduction of perennial grasses increased soil fertility reduced soil erosion, and increased yields of winter wheat and sugar beet. Sugar beet yields increased by 25 c/ha, while potatoes and grain corn yields increased by 55 c/ha. The introduction of annual grasses, pulses and buckwheat helped to increase yields by 28 c/ ha. The results of the study can be used by local communities to develop and implement environmental measures and programmes aimed at restoring the structure and fertility of damaged lands and preserving their quality

Theoretical substantiation and development of ecologically friendly farming system in Ukraine

Intensive farming has caused soil degradation, including the loss of humus, soil structure breakdown, compaction, and a decrease in both potential and effective fertility. Therefore, research into farming systems is highly relevant. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to scientifically substantiate, develop, and implement an ecologically friendly modern farming system under Ukrainian conditions. The primary methods used to determine the effectiveness of various farming systems and ensure the accuracy and reliability of experimental data were field, laboratory, and statistical methods. The study substantiated that an industrial farming system with the input of approximately 12.0 tonnes per hectare of crop rotation area of organic matter (8.0 tonnes per hectare of manure and 4.0 tonnes per hectare of plant residues) produces about 0.81 tonnes per hectare of humus, although 1.33 tonnes per hectare of it is mineralised, leading to a negative humus balance in the soil. The output of grain units in this system is 8.21 tonnes per hectare, feed units – 9.63, and digestible protein – 0.86 tonnes per hectare, with stability at 91.2% and profitability at 88.0%. The organic farming system, which includes the use of 24 tonnes per hectare of organic fertilisers and biological products to control weeds, diseases, and pests in agrocenoses, does not ensure a positive humus balance in the soil (-0.14 tonnes per hectare) and has significantly lower productivity. The no-till system, which involves the application of 12 tonnes per hectare of organic fertilisers in the form of root and stubble residues, by-products of crop production, and mineral fertilisers during sowing and foliar feeding, ensures a positive humus balance (+0.12 tonnes per hectare) but has productivity levels comparable to the organic system. The ecological system provides stable, economically viable, and resource-adequate productivity of arable land, enhances the quality indicators of products, and preserves and restores soil fertility. It increased the output of grain units by 8.9%, feed units by 7.2%, and digestible protein by 8.1%, ensuring high stability at 94.1% and an increase in production profitability by 8.5% compared to the control. The materials in this study are of practical value for agricultural enterprises of various ownership forms and will serve as technological guidelines for the implementation of modern, ecologically safe, economically and energetically justified agricultural production

WITHDRAWN: The evaluation model for factors affecting soil quality in waste dumps open-pit coal waste dumps based on fuzzy mathematics

Taking the Hequ open-pit coal mine waste dump as the research object, using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and expert scoring theory, 4 criteria and 25 factors were established, including the evaluation model of soil structure stability, soil water retention capacity, soil fertilizer retention capacity, soil biological activity, and factors affecting soil quality in the waste dumps. Using YAAHP calculation software, the weights of various influencing factors on the soil fertility restoration ability of the waste dumps were determined. Combining a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to determine soil nutrient standards, soil quality evaluation is divided into 5 levels, and the main influencing factors of soil restoration ability in open-pit coal mine waste disposal sites are quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that: The weight of soil fertility in the criterion layer of the evaluation model was the largest (0.548), followed by soil water retention capacity (0.198), soil biological activity (0.140), and soil structural stability (0.114). The weight of organic matter F1 in the factor layer was the highest (0.116). Due to the final evaluation score of the soil recovery ability of the target layer open-pit coal mine waste dumps is 53.584, the soil quality and nutrients of the waste dumps are in the middle level. The main factors of soil resilience are soil fertility and soil organic matter content, to provide management strategies for improving soil quality of dump, accelerating soil reconstruction, and promoting soil ecosystem restoration.

Restoration of soil fertility and improvement of phytosanitary condition of soil in short rotation of crops in Polissia of Ukraine

With the intensification of agricultural land use and changes in natural conditions, soil quality in Ukraine is deteriorating, with a decrease in humus content, the average annual loss of which is about 0.6 t/ha. Therefore, its reproduction is now becoming increasingly important through the use of organic raw materials and the introduction of legumes into the crop rotation, which leads to a partial replacement of nitrogen from mineral fertilisers with biological nitrogen. The purpose of this study was to find ways to provide the topsoil with organic residues, develop soil microflora, and improve the activity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in a short grain legume crop rotation. The study was conducted in 2019-2023 using the following methods: visual – to determine the stages of organogenesis; field – to determine the interaction of abiotic factors; physiological – to determine the symbiotic fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. It was found that due to mineralisation of organic residues of legume crop rotation, the amount of macro- and microelements in the soil layers 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm increased by 45.1-46.9-43.1 mg/kg, respectively. It was found that saturation of short crop rotation by 50% with legumes, straw residues, and green manure contributed to the reduction of pathogenic microorganisms and the growth of suppressive ones. It was found that in a short rotation of crops, 10.3 t/ha of organic matter in the form of stubble and root residues, straw and green manure enters the soil, which contributed to the cultivation of environmentally friendly agricultural products with the restoration of soil fertility. The biological activity of the soil during the growing season in the layer of 10-20 cm reached 47.4%, and the content of alkaline hydrolysed nitrogen in the rhizosphere of the root system increased by 43.9 mg/kg. The value of the study lies in the fact that the introduction of short organic crop rotations in farms of various forms of ownership is an innovative approach to providing light grey soils with organic raw materials, restoring and maintaining their fertility, improving their phytosanitary condition, promoting biodiversity, achieving environmental sustainability and high yields

Restoring Soil Fertility, Productivity and Biodiversity through Participatory Agroforestry: Evidence from Madhupur Sal Forest, Bangladesh

Species diversity and soil quality are deteriorating due to continuous disturbances in ecosystems caused by human interference. However, agroforestry is considered a good approach to minimizing environmental problems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the impacts of participatory agroforestry on restoring soil fertility, farm productivity and biodiversity in the degraded Madhupur Sal forest of Bangladesh. The study purposefully selected 40 common agroforestry programs in Madhupur Sal forest for the collection of soil and plant data from 2020 to 2023. Agroforestry programs have improved soil organic matter, soil carbon, pH, and available N, P and K content to a substantial degree and protected soil degradation, enhancing yield. The soil improvement index represents the potentiality of agroforestry in restoring soil nutrients and carbon in the form of organic matter, which is an important indicator for carbon sequestration and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The resultant cost–benefit and land equivalent ratios were steadily higher, which corroborates the greater productivity and profitability of agroforestry compared to monoculture systems. In contrast, agroforestry restored 31 plant species, opening up opportunities for restoring plant species in the threatened forest ecosystem. Therefore, this study recommended selecting appropriate site-specific species for managing agroforestry and restoring ecosystems.

Ecological insights and environmental threats of invasive alien plant Chromolaena odorata: Prospects for sustainable management

AbstractThe Anthropocene witnessed the landscape spread of several invasive alien plants which can remarkably influence the ecosystem services and environmental sustainability. To this end, Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) is widely identified among top hundred pervasive invaders in view of its adverse influence on environment, agriculture, and wildlife. The adverse effects of C. odorata can further be exacerbated under the event of invasion interaction with other anthropogenic stressors such as climate change. Nevertheless, there exists dearth of pragmatic studies on invasion ecology, socio‐economic impacts, ecological economics, and sustainable management prospects of C. odorata. The present review discusses the invasion ecology, distribution, mechanisms, impacts, and management strategies of C. odorata invasion. The side‐effects and unsustainable use of traditional control measures (e.g., controlled fire and chemical herbicides) of C. odorata paves the way to biological control methods (e.g., gall fly). However, the control measures of C. odorata need to be assessed for their long‐term ecosystem level effects to mitigate the possible adverse environmental responses. The wise application of C. odorata biomass in marginal lands for soil fertility restoration, biosorption, biorefinery, bio‐medicine, and bioenergy in conjunction with ecological control measures can cover economic incentive to facilitate sustainable management of C. odorata in forestry/agroforestry systems. Nevertheless, the use of weed biomass as feedstock in biorefinery and ethno‐medicine may be inadequate in reducing its invasion. Future studies should explicitly elucidate the ecological mechanisms of C. odorata in concert with the quest for its field‐scale application in biorefinery to augment sustainable management.

Sustainable Management Practices to Enhance Rainfed Soybean Productivity under Changing Climate

Soybean being rainfed crop encounters various problems associated with climate change. Flood, poor distribution of rainfall, dry spell at critical stage during cropping season, pest and disease incidence, imbalance nutrient application and soil degradation resulted stagnation in country soybean productivity (<1.0 tones ha-1). Therefore, adaption of climate smart sustainable management practices could be viable options. The development of crop specific sustainable management practices under changing climate is continuous process. Hence, effort has made to describe some of the sustainable management (conservation agriculture, integrated crop management, organic farming and natural farming) practices in rainfed soybean to enhance productivity, restore soil fertility and farm profitability under changing climate.

Soil Composition of the Tovuzchay Basin of Azerbaijan by Ecological Regions

One of the environmental problems that the relevant structures are currently closely addressing is the protection and restoration of soil fertility. In this regard, the effective and correct use of land resources in the region, as well as the protection of agricultural land, have become urgent problems. In order to organize environmental monitoring carried out on the basis of the relevant program, environmental observations of diagnostic indicators of soil fertility were carried out. Tovuzchay river basin is divided into ecological regions: watershed, transit and accumulation areas, the closedness of the territories in relation to other river basins, their separation by natural boundaries (watersheds) are factors that increase the accuracy of observations.

Sheep penning for agro-pastoral economy and restoration of soil fertility

Sheep penning for agro-pastoral economy and restoration of soil fertility

Climate Change Driving Salinity: An Overview of Vulnerabilities, Adaptations, and Challenges for Indonesian Agriculture

Abstract Climate change has negatively affected agricultural productivity in Indonesia. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of the literature on soil salinity caused by climate change, discussed the impact of soil salinity on Indonesian agriculture, examined various strategies for adaptation to salinity, and delivered some ideas for future research. An analysis of 39 identified Scopus articles related to farmers’ vulnerability, adaptation, and practices was carried out. This study was performed in November 2022 and employed Bibliometrix R package and VOSviewer software. Findings show that salinity has left Indonesia’s agriculture vulnerable to reduced food production, especially for small-scale farmers losing crop yields and land. Various adaptation measures have been initiated, such as restoring soil fertility and using saline-resistant varieties. Irrigation facilities improvements have also been carried out to reduce the risks of soil salinity expansion. Farmers also try social action measures, such as selling assets, borrowing money for daily needs, and even changing jobs. However, for farmers to survive and sustain their businesses, any such measures need to produce satisfactory results. A review of the existing literature reveals a lack of soil salinity studies in Indonesia, which simultaneously points to research gaps not only on the issue of the impact of salinity on income and the vulnerability of small farmers but also on the development of adaptation strategies to address salinity due to climate change. Significance Statement Soil salinization caused by climate change is a disastrous problem in Indonesia’s coastal areas that presents a major challenge to the productivity of rice agriculture and difficulties in addressing sustainable food security. To provide researchers with a clear understanding of the current emphasis and future trends in climate change–induced salinity research, systematically analyzing the relevant literature in the existing research area is necessary. The bibliometric analysis in this study shows that research on salinity due to climate change in Indonesia still needs to be completed. Further comprehensive studies to find a focus for managing coastal soil salinity are urgently required to reduce vulnerability and increase adaptation to salinity due to climate change.

MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS OF THE VEGETABLE INDUSTRY ACCORDING TO THE CRITERION OF THE INDEX OF THE USE AND REPRODUCTION OF SOIL FERTILITY

The article presents the results of the search for the optimal balance between the profitability of agriculture and the preservation of natural resources. An attempt is presented to balance the productivity of natural resources and the preservation of the natural environment, which ensures the high efficiency of resource use without reducing soil fertility and environmental degradation. However, when using intensive, knowledge-based, high-tech farming methods, it is important to ensure optimal use of soil fertility to achieve economic efficiency and production stability in the long term. Preservation of soil fertility is an important area of ensuring sustainable development of agriculture and environmental protection. The need to solve the economic and ecological problems of rational use, protection, preservation and reproduction of soil fertility is determined, because in the context of the post-industrial stage of the development of the society, attention to the preservation of natural resources and sustainable development becomes necessary to ensure economic prosperity and long-term environmental sustainability. The ecological criterion in the assessment of the market for vegetable products becomes a key indicator, as it reflects the degree of consideration of environmental aspects and the sustainability of ecosystems. Taking into account the methods of using soil fertility and its restoration determines how much agriculture conserves natural resources. A forecast model of reproduction of soil fertility in vegetable production of Ukraine under different scenarios for the period until 2030 is proposed, reflecting different approaches to managing soil fertility and ecological efficiency of agricultural activity. The choice of the optimal scenario depends on many factors (economic possibilities, ecological views and social requirements) and can contribute to the sustainable use of soil fertility and the maintenance of ecosystems. A study was conducted to assess the intensity of losses and restoration of soil fertility in the activities of modern enterprises of the Vinnitsa region, which were specialized in vegetable growing. The necessity of observing soil-saving technologies at the expense of external regulatory impulses, which in the economic and sanction direction will force to change the behavior of the agents of the market of vegetable products in Ukraine in the direction of greening, has been established.