Soil Chemical Quality Research Articles

Review Effect of Combined Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on Cabbage and Its Economic Importance’s

Cabbage belongs to the family cruciferae. Among the other vegetable cabbage is one of the easiest crops to establish and most of the people grow this crop in their home garden. In the major vegetable-growing areas, it is also an essential economical and rotational crop. Cabbage is an important vegetable crop and it is one of favorite crop grown in kitchen garden because easy to rise. Cabbage is high in vitamins A, C, K, B 1 , B 2 , B 6 , calcium, dietary fiber, and protein whether eaten fresh in salads or boiled or cooked in stews and soups. Cabbage is commonly consumed as a cooked or stir-fried vegetable, or as a raw element in salads such as coleslaw and mixed salads. Cabbage growth and yield are known to be influenced by a variety of cultural practices and growing settings. Nutrition is a major determinant of cabbage growth and production. Production of cabbage could be enhanced through efficient use of applied both organic and inorganic fertilizer. When compared to chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers (cow dung, poultry manure, and vermin-compost) resulted in better nutrient uptake. Due to decreasing soil fertility, vegetable crop yields decreased. Organic manure can help to keep soil fertility and crop production in check. It is true that the use of inorganic fertilizers for crops has a negative impact on soil health, but organic fertilizers do not have this issue. Neither chemical fertilizers nor organic manure can help achieve long-term crop yield on their own. Because of deterioration in soil physical, chemical, and biological qualities, high yield levels could not be sustained using simply balanced chemical fertilizers over time. Integrated nutrient management is the most effective method for ensuring long-term soil fertility and productivity of cabbage. The objective of this review is to review the effect of combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer on cabbage and its economic importance’s. Keywords: cabbage, organic, inorganic, combined, fertilizer DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-19-02 Publication date: October 31 st 2021

Effect of Bioslurry from Fixed Dome and Tubular (Flexi) Biodigesters on Selected Soil Chemical Properties, Maize (Zea mays) Growth, Yield and Quality

Agricultural utilization of bioslurry plays a critical role in soil conditioning and hence crop production. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions thus mitigating climate change. Although the effect of bioslurry on growth and yields is well researched, that of different biodigester types is under-researched. Therefore, a study was carried out in Waruhiu Agricultural Training Centre, Githunguri sub-county, Kiambu county in Kenya, to investigate the effect of bioslurry from flexi and dome biodigesters on soil chemical properties, maize growth, yield and grain quality. Treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The treatments were bioslurry from both Fixed Dome and Flexi biodigesters, applied separately at a rate of 400mls per hill as basal and top dress fertilizer. Planting was done during the 2019 short and 2020 long rains, using Duma 43 maize variety. The agronomic (germination percentage, number of leaves, leaf width, leaf length, plant height) and productivity data (stalk, stovers, grain yields and grain quality) were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) through Proc general linear model (GLM) procedures. Mean separation was done using least square means (LS-Means). Results showed an increase in soil pH, total N and OC, exchangeable P, K, Mn and Na in both biodigester types. Total N and OC were higher in Dome treated soils by 38.89% and 37.00%, while in Flexi, it was 16.67% and 16.00% respectively. Exchangeable P and K was higher in Flexi treated soils with a 38.57% and 50.00% increase while in Dome it 37.86% and 47.22% respectively. Magnesium and Zn decreased after treatment by 34.30% and 22.59% in Dome while Flexi had 33.23% and 31.79% increase. Exchangeable Fe and acidity decreased in Dome but increased in Flexi treated soils. No statistical differences were observed on growth and yield parameters but Dome registered higher grain yields by 9.4% and 6.3% for short and long rains respectively. Flexi treated soils registered higher values in most grain nutrient content such as K, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn in short rains and P, Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn in the long rains. Bioslurry from both biodigester types variably increased the evaluated soil chemical properties but decreased Mg and Zn. Despite the numerical differences noted between bioslurry from both biodigester types on maize growth and yield, there was no significant difference (p≤.05). However, Dome bioslurry increased N, OC and maize grain yield more while exchangeable P and K and most of the grain nutrient content were higher in Flexi treated soils. Therefore, bioslurry from either biodigester type can be used in enhancing soil conditions, growth, yield and quality of maize. However, a long-term experiment is required validate the findings.

Crop Establishment Methods and Integrated Nutrient Management Improve: Part II. Nutrient Uptake and Use Efficiency and Soil Health in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Field in the Lower Indo-Gangetic Plain, India

Rice, the predominant food crop in India, is being grown traditionally with improper plant nutrient management mostly under the flooded situation. Recent advancement in research on crop science focuses on water-saving rice technologies for maximization in crop and water productivity under the backdrop of a shrinking water resource base for ensuring environmental and agricultural sustainability. Under this situation, an experiment was conducted in two consecutive years in a split-plot design keeping rice cultivation methodologies, viz., aerobic culture, System of Rice Intensification (SRI), and conventional flooded culture in main plots and integrated plant nutrient management (INM) treatments in sub-plots. The experiment was aimed at understanding the effects of different rice production systems and INM on nutrient content, uptake, and use efficiency. The change in soil quality parameters was also studied to understand the impact of crop establishment methods (CEM) and INM options. Significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in nutrient uptake and use efficiency was observed under aerobic culture compared to SRI and flooded method, although aerobic culture showed the highest physiological nitrogen use efficiency. Post-harvest available Fe status was significantly lower in aerobic rice (mean 10.39 ppm) compared to other crop establishment technologies; however, Zn status was higher in aerobic rice over the flooded situation. Although available potassium was not affected due to rice cultivation methods, available nitrogen and phosphorus status were influenced remarkably. Soil microbial quality was improved in aerobic rice in comparison to flooded rice. SRI proved to be the most efficient rice establishment method for enhancement in nutrient uptake, use efficiency, and enrichment of soil chemical and microbiological quality. Irrespective of crop culture, integrated plant nutrition in rice improved the nutrient uptake, use efficiency, and soil quality parameters. The study revealed that, under the alluvial soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plains of Eastern India, SRI can be considered as a water-saving rice production method. The method can also improve nutrient uptake, efficiency, and soil quality parameters if proper INM is adopted.

Land Degradation Vulnerability Mapping in a Newly-Reclaimed Desert Oasis in a Hyper-Arid Agro-Ecosystem Using AHP and Geospatial Techniques

Modelling land degradation vulnerability (LDV) in the newly-reclaimed desert oases is a key factor for sustainable agricultural production. In the present work, a trial for using remote sensing data, GIS tools, and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was conducted for modeling and evaluating LDV. The model was then applied within 144,566 ha in Farafra, an inland hyper-arid Western Desert Oases in Egypt. Data collected from climate conditions, geological maps, remote sensing imageries, field observations, and laboratory analyses were conducted and subjected to AHP to develop six indices. They included geology index (GI), topographic quality index (TQI), physical soil quality index (PSQI), chemical soil quality index (CSQI), wind erosion quality index (WEQI), and vegetation quality index (VQI). Weights derived from the AHP showed that the effective drivers of LDV in the studied area were as follows: CSQI (0.30) > PSQI (0.29) > VQI (0.17) > TQI (0.12) > GI (0.07) > WEQI (0.05). The LDV map indicated that nearly 85% of the total area was prone to moderate degradation risks, 11% was prone to high risks, while less than 1% was prone to low risks. The consistency ratio (CR) for all studied parameters and indices were less than 0.1, demonstrating the high accuracy of the AHP. The results of the cross-validation demonstrated that the performance of ordinary kriging models (spherical, exponential, and Gaussian) was suitable and reliable for predicting and mapping soil properties. Integrated use of remote sensing data, GIS, and AHP would provide an effective methodology for predicting LDV in desert oases, by which proper management strategies could be adopted to achieve sustainable food security.

Application of humic substances and bottom ash compounds in improving soil quality in limestone post-mining land

Limestone mining leaves the ex-mine land with poor soil chemical quality. Humic substances can be used as fertilizer to increase macronutrient availability in the soil and improve pH. The application of coal ash can improve the soil’s chemical, physical, and biological properties because it has a pH value, high organic C content, available P, and basic cations such as K, Na, Ca, and Mg. This research aims to determine the effect and interaction of humic substances and bottom ash interaction with different doses to improve soil quality after a limestone quarry. This research uses a randomized block design in a factorial pattern. This experiment consisted of humic substances (H) with 4 levels H0, H1 (0.09%), H2 (0.12%), and H3 (0.15%), and bottom ash (B) with three levels: B0, B1 (400 grams), B2 (600 grams). Humic substances at H2 concentration (0.15%) significantly increased C-organic, K, P-available, Mg-dd, and increased plant height. In contrast, bottom ash treatment at a B2 (600 grams) dose significantly affected the increase in C-organic, P-available, and Mg-dd. The treatment of humic substances with concentrations of H3 (0.15%) and bottom ash at a dose of 600 grams is the best interaction characterized by an increase in soil pH, CEC, Ca-dd, K, and Na. The application of a concentration of H3 (0.15%) and the provision of a dose of B2 (600 grams) or 120 tons/ha significantly affect the chemical properties of post-mining soils limestone and increase plant height.

Mixed-Species Plantation Effects on Soil Biological and Chemical Quality and Tree Growth of A Former Agricultural Land

Tree planting on abandoned agricultural land could both restore the soil quality and increase the productivity of economically valuable woody species. Here, we assess the impact of mixed-species tree plantations on soil quality at a site in Central Italy where tree intercropping systems were established 20 years ago on a former agricultural land. These intercropping systems include two species of economic interest, Populus alba and Juglans regia, and one of three different nurse trees, i.e., Alnus cordata, Elaeagnus umbellata, both of which are N-fixing species, and Corylus avellana. We measured tree growth and compared how soil organic matter, soil extracellular enzymes, and nematodes of different feeding groups varied among the intercropping systems and relative to a conventional agricultural field. Our results indicate that tree plantation led to an increase in soil carbon and nitrogen, and enhanced enzyme activities, compared with the agricultural land. The proportion of nematode feeding groups was heterogeneous, but predators were absent from the agricultural soil. Multivariate analysis of soil properties, enzymatic activity, nematodes, and tree growth point to the importance of the presence N-fixing species, as the presence of A. cordata was linked to higher soil quality, and E. umbellata to growth of the associated valuable woody species. Our findings indicate that intercropping tree species provide a tool for both restoring fertility and improving soil quality.

Variability in Soil Chemical Quality in Traffic-dependent Zones within Field Headlands

ABSTRACT There is increased stress on soil and crop quality caused by machinery traffic during field operations in tillage systems, especially the area where the machinery turns, known as the headlands. While the influence of traffic on soil physical quality is understood, the impact on soil chemical quality and soil fertility is less so. Furthermore, correcting soil fertility and chemical quality in fields under cereal tillage requires strategic sampling due spatial variability, specifically in headlands. Using a simplified sampling strategy, the objective of this study was to examine the variability in soil chemical quality within traffic-dependent zones in the headland. In a case-study in Ireland, 41 fields under tillage were surveyed, and soil sampling zones delineated within headlands based on typical field traffic patterns. Soil phosphorus (P), potassium (K), lime requirement (LR), pH and organic matter (%OM) were measured at two depths. Elevated values of major nutrients (P, K) were recorded around the main headland tramline. Using a generalized linear mixed model, significant differences in P, K, LR and pH were found between headland zones, whereas %OM values did not vary significantly. In addition to laboratory analyses, predictions from mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR) models resulted in similar patterns in %OM and LR with comparable statistical significance, which highlights the potential of MIR as an alternative to lab analysis of soil in traffic-dependent headland zones. Sampling headland zones to determine soil chemical quality coupled with the application of MIR for rapid soil analysis will improve decision support for soil management in tillage systems.

Characterization of Quality Indices for Some Soils of The Middle Euphrates Plain By Adopting Morphophysiochemical Criteria

The aim of this study is to determine Soil quality standards that can be used to develop a better soil quality index that can be relied upon for future evaluation.Three different methods which varied criteria were used to choose soil quality index for some soils of the middle Euphrates plain. (parent material, slope, texture, gravel and stones, drainage condition and soil depth ) used a criteria to explain morphological soil quality index . physical soil quality used a criteria (structure, texture and consist) ; while chemical quality used (EC, lime, Ph and % organic matter) and, Results showed physical soil quality index varied between (0.47-0.79) with rang 0.32 ; and the series varied within class at rang 0.11. Morphology soil quality index varied between (1.29- 1.61) at rang 0.32 and soil series varied at 0.16. Soil chemical quality index varied at rang 1.20-1.59 and the soil series varied at rang 0.10 within class. Soil series distributed between high quality to low quality.

Soil Physicochemical Properties and Fertility Evolution of Permanent Gully during Ecological Restoration in Granite Hilly Region of South China

Permanent gullies are a serious type of soil erosion. A special type of permanent gully, called “Benggang” severly affects agricultural production in hilly areas. To reveal the influence of Benggang erosion on granitic soil restoration and fertility, we selected three stages (active, semi-stable and stable) of Benggang recovery in the subtropical granite hilly region, and corresponding soil samples were collected to analyze the spatial variation in the soil physical and chemical qualities in the early stage of recovery. The soil physical properties and nutrients were significantly different in the runoff direction of each Benggang gully. There were significant differences in soil chemical properties and no obvious differences in physical properties among the different Benggang recovery stages. The results of principal component analysis showed that the level of soil fertility in the different Benggang recovery stages, ranked from high to low, was as follows: stable, semi-stable and active. Benggang vegetation restoration was an important factor for soil fertility restoration. Benggang ecological restoration can significantly improve the physicochemical properties and fertility of the soil. However, the soil fertility in gully erosion areas in this study still needs to be improved.

Alluvial Soil Quality Indicators As Affected By Different Land-Uses. مؤشرات جودة التربة الطمييه تحت تأثير الاستخدامات المختلفة للأراضي.

Soil deterioration and yield decline are the main factors affecting the environmental sustainability of long-term irrigated sugarcane monoculture. This research was conducted to detect changes of soil physical, chemical and physicochemical quality parameters associated with intensive irrigated sugarcane monoculture with groundwater for long term. Sugarcane monoculture resulted in a severe impact on some soil physical indicators of soil quality as increased the soil bulk density and reduced soil clay content, decreased soil aggregate stability and the water content at the field capacity causing decreases in soil porosity and decline in soil fertility. Significant impacts on some soil chemical indicators of soil quality were also recorded as reduced soil organic matter content and increased soil pH and EC producing soil salinity. Fields under long-term irrigated sugarcane monoculture had low OM values ranged from 2.09 to 2.61% while areas under crop rotation had the highest OM values ranged from 2.62 to 3.39%. Fields under sugarcane monoculture system had higher pH, EC and SAR values ranged from 7.96 to 8.41, from 2.98 to 4.22 dS m-1 and from 7.75 to 11%, while fields under crop rotation system had the lowest pH, EC and SAR values ranged from 7.64 to 7.92, 1.41 to 2.42 dS m-1 and from 4.51 to 5.86%, respectively. From these results, it could be concluded that long term sugarcane monoculture has significantly deteriorated soil physical and chemical properties indicating the urgent demand for more sustainable management practices to preserve soil quality.

Changes in alluvial soil quality under long-term irrigation with two marginal water sources in an arid environment

The current work aimed at verifying the modifications in chemical, physical, fertility, and environmental quality of alluvial soils southeast of the Nile Delta of Egypt following 25-years irrigation using two marginal water sources; agricultural drainage water (ADW) and sewage effluent water (SEW). Two sites irrigated with ADW and SEW were chosen and compared with a nearby site irrigated with the Nile freshwater. At each site, ten samples of irrigation water and adjacent (around 50 m) topsoil (0 – 30 cm) were collected and analyzed. Marginal water irrigation caused slight changes in soil properties. The soil chemical quality index was adversely affected through increasing the pH, electrical conductivity, and exchangeable sodium percentage. Available micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) and P in SEW-irrigated soils were increased. The physical quality index was also increased, but mainly due to inherent soil properties (particle size distribution) rather than irrigation water. Parent materials governed soil total contents of Cr, Co and Ni, while contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were closely related to irrigation water. The environmental quality index showed increasing trend in the ADW-irrigated soils, while a decrease in the SEW-irrigated soils. The marginal water irrigation resulted in positive changes in soil quality index exhibiting increases of 14 and 21 % in the ADW- and SEW-irrigated soils over the Nile freshwater-irrigated soils, respectively. It is recommended to perform periodic monitoring for irrigation water and soil quality in the studied area. Proper in-situ remediation scenarios and on-farm practices should be considered in future management.

ANALISIS KANDUNGAN UNSUR HARA DAN TOTAL MIKROBA TANAH BEKAS PENAMBANGAN EMAS TANPA IZIN (PETI) DARI BEBERAPA KECAMATAN KABUPATEN KUANTAN SINGINGI

This unlicensed gold mining activity (PETI) can have a positive impact on the economy of the community, in the form of increased incomes so that it can improve the welfare of the community. However, besides having a positive impact, PETI's activities will harm the environment around the mining area. The negative impact caused by mining activities is environmental damage in the form of a decrease in land quality as indicated by a decrease in physical, chemical and biological soil quality. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutrient content and the total of microbes in former PETI soils in sub-districts of the Kuantan Singingi Regency. The parameters observed were analysis of nutrient content consisting of analysis of sand, dust, clay, soil pH, C-organic, N-total, P2O5, K2O, interchangeable cations, CEC, a saturation of bases, Aluminum Saturation, and analysis of total soil microbes. The results showed that the Singingi sub-district, Central Kuantan sub-district, Sentoja sub-district, and Logas Tanah Darat sub-district has the texture of sand soil clay to sand, the content of pH H2O Land classified as fertility is very sour, C-Organic (%), Ca-dd, Nitrogen-Total (%), Mg-dd and CEC with very low fertility criteria, C/N Ratio with low to very low fertility criteria, K-dd content with low criteria, Na-dd with moderate to very high criteria, aluminum saturation is very high with wet saturation the fertility criteria are low. The total microbes in the Sub-district of Sentoja Raya and Logas Tanah Darat Sub-district are much higher than Singingi Sub-district and Central Kuantan Sub-district.

Development of alternative growing media with hydrochar from extensive grassland biomass and evaluation of their soil-chemical quality

Development of alternative growing media with hydrochar from extensive grassland biomass and evaluation of their soil-chemical quality

Review on Organic Fertilizer and Its Roles in Sustaining Soil Fertility in Ethiopia

Organic fertilizers increase the quality and yield of agricultural crops in ways similar to inorganic fertilizers. As the price of synthetic fertilizers continues to increase, manure is becoming a more valuable and less expensive source of nitrogen fertilizer. Crop producers are increasingly buying manure from livestock producers or adding livestock to their crop operations so that they can incorporate manure into their practices. On-manufactured nitrogen fertilizers are increasingly being used as a means to reduce vulnerability to the price changes in fossil fuels. The most common alternatives to non manufactured nitrogen fertilizers identified include green manures and integrating livestock into crop production. These practices, combined with other techniques such as conservation tillage, have shown to greatly decrease the need for synthetic fertilizers by increasing nutrient efficiency and improving soil health. Organic nutrient source improves the physical, chemical and biological quality of soil besides providing both macro and micro nutrients to crops. The improvement in qualities include improvement in soil structure, water holding capacity, electrical conductivity, bulk density, lesser soil erosion, preventing the leaching of nutrients and provide nutrients to soil micro flora. Keywords : Compost, Organic fertilizer; Vermicompost DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-4-02 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

Interaction between nitrogen fertilizer and biochar fertilization on crop yield and soil chemical quality in a temperate region

AbstractThe North China Plain suffers excessive application of nitrogen (N) and soil degradation. Recently, biochar has been promoted as an agricultural soil amendment to ameliorate soil quality, increase crop yield and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. However, most proofs on the positive effects of biochar addition have been based on small plots or short-term field studies located in tropical or subtropical regions with defective soils. A long-term field experiment was designed with five N levels and two biochar rates to observe the changes in crop (winter wheat and summer maize) growth and soil chemical quality. Notably, crop yield was strongly dependent upon N application, with both wheat and maize yields increasing with N application. Biochar addition increased crop yield but not significantly, although the increase in grain yield was 0.96 t/ha in a rotation. Correlation analysis revealed that the optimal root-layer soil mineral N (Nmin) for crop production was around N120, especially with biochar addition. The effect of fertilization on soil chemical quality was mainly reflected in the increase in soil organic carbon (SOC), and the highest value was obtained at N60 whether or not biochar was applied. Overall, biochar addition did not appear to promote wheat and maize growth or increase the yield on calcareous alluvial soils in temperate regions, but significantly enhanced SOC content, especially at N60, which may play an important role in sustainable agricultural production.

Assessment of Land Suitability Index for the Wheat Crop Production by Using Sys’s Method and ALES Program

Land suitability index for the wheat cultivation is carried out in east of the Nile delta of Egypt. The present area occupies the southern part of Ismailia canal and is bounded by latitudes 30° 35' 10–31° 05' 00 N and longitudes 31° 15' 0–32° 22' 08 E. Seventeen soil profiles were dug and classified as Typic Torrifluvents, Vertic Torrifluvents, Lithic Torriorthents, Typic Torripssaments and Typic Haplosalids. The criteria of land suitability for wheat production were adopted from guidelines of FAO (1976) and were carried out using two methods (Sys’s method and ALES program). Most of the soils under study were suitable for wheat crop production by using both two approaches. The Sys’s method has three classes, highly suitable (S1): 30.75%, moderately suitable (S2): 60.55% and marginally suitable (S3): 8.15%. While the results obtained by using the ALES program also has three classes, highly suitable (S1): 25.50%, suitable (S2): 65.80% and permanently not suitable (NS): 8.15%. Marginally or not suitable areas occurred in lakebeds mapping unit and agree with the adverse soil physical and chemical qualities (very poor drainage, heavy soil texture, high EC, high ESP and high pH). The compare of the results of the two methods indicated that, high level of agreement between the Sys’s method and the ALES program, whereas all mapping units have the same classes except for two mapping units. At the local level, this study may be utilized by farmers and decision-makers for maintaining food security and for achieving sustainable agricultural development.

Compost and Sewage Sludge for the Improvement of Soil Chemical and Biological Quality of Mediterranean Agroecosystems

Conventional fertilization practices in agroecosystems concern the supply of bioavailable nutrients, such as mineral fertilizers. A consolidated alternative to restoring the long-term fertility of agricultural soils is their amendment with organic fertilizers. Soil amendment with biowaste compost or sewage sludge represents a sustainable strategy to avoid the landfilling of organic matter derived from urban waste and sewage sludge. This study aims at validating the use of quality biowaste compost and sewage sludge from secondary sedimentation (alone or in combination with mineral fertilizers) in a Mediterranean agroecosystem and their effects on soil chemical and biological quality, with a view to verifying the maintenance of soil fertility and functionality. In particular, the dynamics of soil organic matter, pH, potentially toxic elements and microbial community functionality were assessed, in experimental mesocosms, during 6 months of incubation. The research showed that, while soil amendment with biowaste compost induces positive effects on soil organic matter and phosphorous concentrations, as well as on microbial community functionality, the amendment with the selected sewage sludge does not determine any benefit to the microbial community or any danger in relation to soil potentially toxic element concentrations and toxicity. The quantity of sewage sludge employed, chosen according to regional directives, was thus not enough to stimulate the edaphic microflora activity.

Effects of soil and crop management practices and pedo‐hydrological conditions on the seedbank size of Galinsoga spp. in organic vegetable fields

AbstractGalinsoga quadriradiata and Galinsoga parviflora are very troublesome weeds in many organic vegetable crops in Europe. A very straightforward method to keep Galinsoga infestations under control is by targeting the Galinsoga seedbank. To identify cropping systems able to reduce the seedbank size in vegetable‐based cropping systems, the relationships between the seedbank size of Galinsoga species and prevailing soil/crop management practices and pedo‐hydrological conditions were investigated. Hereto, the seedbank of the 0–20 cm topsoil layer was sampled in 50 organic vegetable fields and analysed according to the seedling emergence method. Field history data were collected for the past 5 years, and physical, chemical and microbial soil quality was determined. Galinsoga quadriradiata was the most frequent and abundant Galinsoga species in the weed seedbank. The genus Galinsoga was present in 90% of the soil weed seedbanks of organic vegetable fields but displayed wide variation in abundance. Smallest Galinsoga seedbanks were found in fields that were predominantly tilled with non‐inversion implements or rotationally ploughed, and continuously cropped with competitive crops during the entire growing season (April 15‐November 15). Contrary to G. quadriradiata, seedbank size of G. parviflora was closely related to soil organic carbon content and sand fraction. Remarkably, soils with a low level of easily plant‐available phosphorus and concomitant high activity of arbuscular mycorrhizae had smaller G. quadriradiata seedbanks. To reduce Galinsoga infestations, fields should preferably be tilled without soil inversion, fertilised with organic amendments with low content of readily plant‐available phosphorus and cropped with competitive crops all season long.

Assessment of Soil Chemical Quality, Soil Microbial Population and Plant Growth Parameters Under Organic and Conventional Rice–Wheat Cropping System

Low-input organic agriculture is preferred over conventional agriculture for its sustainability and environmentally friendly nature. In this investigation, a field trial experiment was conducted to unravel the effect of conventional and organic farming practices on soil health and productivity under rice–wheat cropping system. Moreover, the dynamics of microbial communities was analyzed under both the farming systems using denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and qRT-PCR techniques. This study found that the soil organic carbon was significantly higher under the organic farming system (0.63 ± 0.3% in wheat and 0.88 ± 0.2% in rice) than the conventional farming system (0.2 ± 0.1% in wheat and 0.63 ± 0.3% in rice). Quantification of 16S rDNA and nifH genes revealed higher abundance of total bacteria (2.52 × 1011 in rice and 2.40 × 1011 in wheat) as well as diazotrophs (8 × 106 in rice and 1.8 × 107 in wheat) under the organic farming system. Therefore, higher copy number of nifH genes in organic soil indicated that the diazotrophs played a significant role in supplying N for plant growth. DGGE band pattern authenticated that the bacterial diversity was higher under organic farming system. This study also showed that conventional practice gives comparatively more yield i.e. 0.29 t ha−1 extra rice and 2.86 t ha−1 more wheat than in organic farming. All other plant growth parameters are found higher in organic except nitrate reductase activity. This study signifies that organic farming is sustainable and can substitute the conventional practice for cost-effective, beneficial soil health and environmental sustainability for the long term.

Soil quality assessments in integrated crop–livestock–forest systems: A review

AbstractIntegrated crop–livestock–forest is a promising strategy to improve soil quality. It comprises four different integrated farming systems: crop–livestock, crop–forest, forest–livestock and crop–livestock–forest. This work systematically reviewed studies about integrated crop–livestock–forest systems and soil quality. A total of 92 papers were retrieved from the Web of Science—Clarivate Analytics platform, and the following information was analysed: publication year, institution, region of the studied site, type of integrated system, soil type, tillage system, maximum soil depth and the soil quality indicators assessed. Most studies were published in the second half of the 2010s. Brazil is a prominent focus of research about soil quality and integrated crop–livestock–forest systems, with significant contribution from its central and southern regions. The Embrapa was the main publishing institution, present in over one‐third of the studies. Crop–livestock was the most common integrated system, Ferralsols was the most common soil group, and most of the studied soils were clayey. No tillage was the main tillage system. Most studies focused on the topsoil, assessing physical and/or chemical soil quality indicators. More emphasis on biological indicators of soil quality is required, as well as assessments integrating biological, physical and chemical indicators of soil quality. Future works should compare different integrated systems, including assessments deeper in the soil profile, especially in systems with the forest component, and also in sandy and silty soils. Soil quality indicators that have been rarely used should be further tested. Novel indicators should be added to better understand the promotion of soil quality by integrated crop–livestock–forest systems.