Soil Management Practices Research Articles

Factors Affecting Soil Bulk Density: A Conceptual Model

Soil bulk density is an important aspect of soil properties, and it can affect agroecology as in diversity, synergies, efficiency, recycling, and resilience. Diversity as in soil low in bulk density allows greater penetration of plant roots allow better access of water and nutrients. The synergistic effect of adequate supply of soil moisture content in forming moderately low soil bulk density for deeper plant roots for better access to water and nutrients. Agroecology efficiency reduces the need of external inputs to reduce environmental impact related to the resulted excessive pollution and wastage. Ultimately, an improved soil bulk density may increase the overall agroecosystem resilience and output, thus, improving the efficiency. Recycling in agroecology involved mass recycling and heat circulation as in nutrient, water, and waste reduction. A high soil bulk density will impede the recycling process the soil. Resilience as in drought resistance is for soil not too loosely packed that cannot hold water or too compacted until flooding water occurs at the surface and too little water infiltrates the soil. In addition, soil bulk density can affect the estimation of soil moisture content and temperature distribution. The ability to understand the factors that influence changes in soil bulk density would improve the predictive ability of the current model. The current study conducts a review on factors affecting the soil bulk density that is divided into soil physical, chemical, biological, environmental, and management practices. A cumulative of more than 50 factors are discussed in the review on how it affects the change in soil bulk density. The current review illustrates the conceptual relation of these factors on soil bulk density. Also, the result of the current work can be used to support future endeavour by turning the conceptual relation into quantifiable predictive model.

Nitrogen isotope ratio (δ15N): a nearly unexplored indicator that provides useful information in viticulture

The study of the natural abundance of nitrogen-stable isotopes is an aspect of viticulture research that has received limited attention. While stable isotopes of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen have received significant attention, nitrogen isotope ratio (δ15N) remains a less studied yet potentially informative parameter. This paper explores the implications of δ15N measurements in grapevines, shedding light on its utility as an indicator for nitrogen sources, plant water status, and within-field variability. The study examines the influence of nitrogen sources, dose, and sampling organs on δ15N values, revealing distinct trends in petioles, berries, and seeds. Organic fertilisers led to higher δ15N values compared to inorganic sources, while increasing nitrogen doses exhibited a much weaker effect on δ15N. Moreover, δ15N values vary spatially within vineyards, associating with its topography and potential soil composition, soil management and water availability. Our results highlight the importance of considering δ15N in viticulture, suggesting its integration with δ13C for comprehensive insights into nitrogen cycling and soil management practices. The findings advocate for further research to harness the full potential of δ15N as a valuable tool in viticultural studies.

Shift in microbial biomass, soil and microbial stoichiometry in different land uses of Northeast India

The change in soil microbial biomass and stoichiometry in different land uses of Northeast India were assessed by using the fumigation extraction method. The pattern of microbial biomass C, N, and P followed the sequence of forest (650.36, 62.86 and 254.54μgg−1) > grassland (62.86, 39.30 and 31.76 μgg−1> cropland (31.84,18.62 and 15.54 μgg−1), and exhibits seasonality with the lowest concentrations during the winter season across all land uses. The maximum concentrations were recorded during the rainy season in the forest and the summer season in both grassland and cropland. Microbial ratios (C: N, C: P and N: P) and proportions of microbial biomass to total soil nutrients vary with a variance in land use types. Soil microbial biomass exhibited a positive significant relation with soil nutrients but negatively related with soil temperature and moisture in all the study sites. Two-way ANOVA of soil microbial biomass exhibits significant differences due to seasons and land use types (p< 0.01). The microbial stoichiometry of the present study indicates N limitations in the study sites, while the proportion of microbial nutrients to total soil nutrients reveals nutrient mineralization in the forest and immobilization and competition in grassland and cropland. Furthermore, this study indicates that landuse and soil management practices interfere with microbial stoichiometry and nutrient release and immobilization patterns. Improving the retention of organic matter in ecosystems may enhance microbial activity and soil health.

Rainfall Potential and Consequences on Structural Soil Degradation of the Most Important Agricultural Region of Mexico

This study investigates the historical variability in annual average precipitation in the northwest region of Mexico, aiming to evaluate the cumulative impact of precipitation on soil degradation and associated risks posed by rainfall. Despite being known as “The Agricultural Heart of Mexico”, the region’s soil has experienced significant damage to its granulometric structure due to unpredictable rainfall patterns attributed to climate change. Sixteen historical series of average annual rainfall were analyzed as stationary stochastic processes for spectral analysis. The results revealed exponential decay curves in each radial spectrum, indicating a linear relationship between frequency and amplitude. These curves identified initial impulses correlated with moments of severity for structural damages caused by rainfall-induced degradation. The degradation process, exacerbated by water stress, accelerates, as evidenced by maps illustrating approximately 75% soil damage. In the context of climate change and the uncertainty surrounding soil responses to extreme meteorological events, understanding this phenomenon becomes crucial. Recognizing the dynamic nature of soil responses to environmental stressors is essential for effective soil management. Emphasizing the need to employ numerical processes tailored to new environmental considerations related to observed soil damages is crucial for sustainable soil management practices in any region.

National variability in soil organic carbon stock predictions: Impact of bulk density pedotransfer functions

Accurate soil organic carbon storage (SOCS) estimation is crucial for sustaining ecosystem health and mitigating climate change impacts. This study investigated the accuracy and variability of SOCS predictions, focusing on the role of pedotransfer functions (PTFs) in estimating soil bulk density (BD). Utilizing a comprehensive dataset from the Korean Rural Development Administration (RDA database), which includes 516 soil horizons, we evaluated 36 widely-used BD PTFs, well-established formulas that estimate BD by considering soil properties, including soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic matter (OM), sand, gravel, silt, and clay. These PTFs demonstrated varying levels of precision, with root mean squared errors (RMSE) ranging from 0.177 to 0.377 Mg m−3 and coefficients of determination (R2) from 0.176 to 0.658; hence, the PTFs have been classified into excellent, moderate, and poor-performing groups for predicting BD. Further, a novel PTF based on an exponential function of SOC was developed, showing superior predictive power (R2 = 0.73) compared to existing PTFs, using an independent validation dataset. Our findings reveal significant differences in SOCS predictions and observations among the PTFs, with a p-value <0.05. The highest concentrations of SOCS were noted in forest soils, considerably above the national average, highlighting the importance of tailored soil management practices to enhance carbon sequestration. These findings are crucial for refining PTF precision to improve the accuracy of national SOCS estimates, supporting effective land management and climate change mitigation strategies.

Quantification of water, soil and nutrient losses in the Farinha river basin, Carolina - MA, in the Cerrado biome

Natural resources, such as soil and water, play a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth. When used appropriately, these resources can mitigate environmental impacts. However, inadequate soil management practices can result in negative effects, such as the intensification of erosion processes and significant losses of soil, water and nutrients essential for plant growth. Thus, considering that the Farinha River basin - MA is located in the Cerrado biome and has a large part of its area occupied by highly erodible soils, the aim was to quantify water, soil and nutrient losses using a rainfall simulator. The experimental design adopted was entirely randomised (DIC), in a bifactorial scheme with 5 replications. Factor 1 considered two types of soil management systems (Anthropised Area and Non-Anthropised Area), while factor 2 involved three simulated rainfall intensities (80mm.h-¹, 110mm.h-¹ and 130mm.h-¹). The response variables assessed were losses of water, soil and nutrients and organic matter.The averages were subjected to analysis of variance and, if significant, the Tukey test was applied at 5% probability using Past 4.03 software. The results indicated significant losses of soil, water and nutrients associated with both the soil management system and the rainfall intensities, as well as making it possible to quantify the nutrients lost in runoff water on site. The conclusion is that the combination of inadequate soil management practices and intense rainfall can exacerbate erosion processes and the leaching of macro and micronutrients, resulting in an increasing need to incorporate fertilisers and correctives into agroforestry activities. Furthermore, it is important to emphasise that water erosion also contributes to an increase in soil and nutrient loss, which can lead to adverse environmental impacts, such as contamination of water resources and degradation of soil quality.

Effectiveness of soil management strategies for mitigation of N2O emissions in European arable land: A meta‐analysis

AbstractSoil management strategies involving the application of organic matter (OM) inputs (crop residues, green and livestock manure, slurry, digestate, compost and biochar) can increase soil carbon storage but simultaneously lead to an increase in non‐CO2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as N2O. Although multiple meta‐analyses have been conducted on the topic of OM input impacts on GHG, none has focused specifically on European arable soils. This study plugs this gap and can assist policymakers in steering European agriculture in a more sustainable direction. The objective of this meta‐analysis was to quantify how OM inputs of different nature and quality, but also the application strategy, can mitigate soil N2O emissions in different pedoclimatic conditions in Europe. We quantitatively synthesised the results of over 50 field experiments conducted in 15 European countries. Diverse arable crops, mainly cereals, were cultivated in monoculture or in crop rotations on mineral soils. Cumulative N2O emissions were monitored during periods of 30–1070 days in treatments, which received OM inputs, alone or in combination with mineral N fertiliser; and in controls fertilised with mineral N. The overall effect of OM inputs had a slight tendency to reduce N2O emissions by 10% (n = 53). With the increasing carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratio of the OM inputs, this mitigation effect became more pronounced. In particular, compost and biochar significantly reduced N2O emissions by 25% (n = 6) and 33% (n = 8) respectively. However, their effect strongly depended on pedoclimatic characteristics. Regarding the other types of OM inputs studied, a slight N2O emission reduction can be achieved by their application alone, without mineral N fertiliser (by 16%, n = 17). In contrast, their co‐application with mineral N fertiliser elevated emissions to some extent compared to the control (by 14%, n = 22). We conclude that amongst the seven OM inputs studied, the application of compost and biochar are the most promising soil management practices, clearly demonstrating N2O emission reduction compared to mineral N fertiliser. In contrast, other OM inputs had a small tendency to mitigate N2O emissions only when applied without mineral N fertiliser.

Impacts of Soil Management and Sustainable Plant Protection Strategies on Soil Biodiversity in a Sangiovese Vineyard

Vine growing is one of the most economically important sectors of Mediterranean agriculture, but its cultivation practices are highly detrimental to the environment and the associated biota. The application of both natural products inducing endogenous plant defense mechanisms and natural soil management systems represents a potential solution for the preservation and improvement of soil health and biodiversity. The Life Green Grapes project aimed at evaluating the effects of different natural and sustainable vine protection strategies and soil management on vineyard edaphic communities. Soil TOC, TN, C:N ratio, CaCO3 content and pH were measured. Microbial communities (bacteria and fungi) were characterized through NGS, while nematodes and microarthropods were isolated and identified. Obtained data highlighted a relationshipbetween bacteria, fungi and nematodes with soil chemistry, and an effect of the different soil management on the single and total edaphic communities. Network analysis evidenced a positive effect of the application of sustainable soil managements on the relationships among the different investigated soil trophic levels, suggesting that more natural soil managements allow a better interaction between soil organisms. In conclusion, this work confirms the importance of the application of sustainable and natural soil management practices in agricultural ecosystems, with the aim of conserving and improving soil biodiversity.

Inversion Tillage Combined with Organic Fertilizer Application Increased Maize Yield via Improving Soil Pore Structure and Enzymatic Activity in Haplic Chernozem

Inversion tillage and organic fertilizer application can break the plow pan and improve soil quality. However, the effects of combining these practices on the soil microbial resource limitation and maize yield in Haplic Chernozem are unclear. In this research, a field experiment was established in 2018, and soil samples were collected in 2021 in Longjiang County in Northeast China, which is a Haplic Chernozem region. Four treatments comprising conventional tillage (T15), conventional tillage with organic fertilizer (T15+M), inversion tillage (T35), and inversion tillage with organic fertilizer (T35+M) were randomly arranged with four replications. Compared with T15 and T15+M treatments, soil bulk density significantly decreased by 11.1–16.3% in the 15–35 cm layer under T35 and T35+M treatments, accompanied by the improvement in soil pore structure (e.g., soil porosity, circularity, and Euler number). T15+M treatment significantly increased soil organic carbon and soil nutrient contents by 11.1–16.3% and 3.9–24.5% in the 0–15 cm layer compared with other treatments. However, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus content, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activities reached the maximum values in the 0–35 cm layer under T35+M treatment. In addition, T35+M treatment had the highest maize yield and sustainable yield index. Extracellular enzymatic stoichiometry suggested that soil microorganisms are generally co-limited by carbon and phosphorus in Haplic Chernozem. However, T35+M treatment significantly reduced soil microbial resource limitation, which was one important factor impacting maize yield and sustainability. Random-forest and partial least-squares path modeling showed that T35+M treatment could reduce soil microbial resource limitation and increase the stability and sustainability of the maize yield by improving soil available nutrients, microbial biomass, and pore structure. Therefore, the incorporation of inversion tillage and organic fertilizer is a suitable soil management practice in view of increasing soil quality and crop yields in a Haplic Chernozem region.

Evaluation of Soil Micronutrients in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to evaluate soil micronutrients in Madagali Local Government area. The importance of micronutrients in plant nutrition is high, and they should not be neglected, although they are needed in minor quantities. Twenty (20) soil samples from each selected five wards were collected which gave a total of one hundred samples used for the study. The collected soil samples were analyzed in the laboratory using appropriate methods and were subjected to descriptive statistics to ascertain their variability across the study area. Based on the laboratory outcome, iron was high with the mean values 5.11mg/kg and 4.86mg/kg for surface and sub-surface, while molybdenum was low with the mean of 0.06mg/kg and 0.04mg/kg. On the other hand, molybdenum (Mo) had the highest which was 75.6% coefficient of variation, while iron (Fe) had the lowest percentage of 30.27% coefficient of variation for surface soils. In sub-surface, manganese (Mn) had the highest percentage value which stood at 59.28% while zinc had the lowest percentage of 28.42% coefficient of variation. To achieve maximum crop production in the study area, it was recommended that addition of organic matter, liming and proper soil management practices should be adopted.

Conventional agricultural management negatively affects soil fauna abundance, soil physicochemical quality and multifunctionality

Agricultural intensification is one of the major drivers of biodiversity decline and the losses of its functions in the soil. For soil health and sustainability planning, it is important to understand the effects associated with agricultural management on soil function and biodiversity. This study explored soil fauna, physicochemical properties, soil quality and multifunctionality and how they are affected by agroecosystem management in four different land uses i.e., conventional agriculture, livestock-integrated agriculture, conservation agriculture and natural grassland. The conventional land use favoured some nutrients, however soil of both the integrated and conservation land uses had physical and chemical properties indicative of good soil quality e.g. low compaction, low C:N ratio and stable aggregates. Soil fauna abundance was more responsive to land use and the soil environment compared to species diversity which did not show significant responses as expected. Tillage is known to negatively influence soil fauna, soil functions and physicochemical properties through intense soil structure disruption. Here, its detrimental effect is reflected by the lowest record of soil fauna, poor soil physicochemical quality and low multifunctionality observed within the conventional landuses managed under deep tillage, compared to other land uses which are under zero tillage. Overall, the study shows that the implementation of sustainable soil management practices which improves the physical and chemical status will not only be beneficial for productivity but also for the promotion of important soil fauna, better soil quality and ecosystem multifunctionality.

Influence of crop rotation, irrigation, fertilization, and tillage on the aggregate property and soil wind erosion potential in the floodplain of the Yellow River

The floodplain of the Yellow River (FPYR) is threatened by severe soil erosion. Soils are often susceptible to wind erosion owing to their coarse-textures and weak aggregation, yet studies are yet to describe the ability of soils to resist wind erosion in this region. Accordingly, this study aimed to quantify how soil wind erosion potential is affected by soil aggregate properties, such as dry aggregate geometric mean diameter (GMD), aggregate geometric standard deviation (GSD), aggregate stability, and soil bulk density, and to assess the effects of soil type, crop rotation, irrigation, fertilization, and tillage treatments on these aggregate properties in the main wind erosion area across the FPYR. Significant differences in GMD and aggregate stability were found between crop rotation treatments, whereas crop rotation marginally affected the soil bulk density. Further, the impact of management practices on aggregate properties differed for each soil type. The soil aggregate erodible fraction (EF) in the FPYR ranged from 1.14 to 82.73% across sites, with a mean of 26.14% across soil types and management practices, which was lower than that previously reported in other wind erosion regions. We incorporated these measured EFs into the Revised Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ) to evaluate the wind erosion risk of the FPYR. The results indicated that the central FPYR was more susceptible to wind erosion than the other regions, although the total wind erosion potential in the FPYR was small. Adoption of soil conservation practices could help minimize wind erosion and improve atmospheric quality in the region.

A Properly Chosen Rate of NPK Fertilizers Has a Positive Effect on C Sequestration in Sandy Soils in the Conditions of a Changing Climate

Abstract Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a significant role in climate change. Its content can be modified by soil management practices, however, the effect of mineral fertilization on SOC is not clear. For this reason, a long-term effect of gradually increasing rates of NPK fertilizers on changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) in bulk soil and in water-stable aggregates (WSA) in soils with sandy loam and loamy sand texture at two experimental sites (Skierniewice, Poland, and Dražovce, Slovakia) was quantified. In both sites, soil samples were collected from the following treatments: NF – no fertilization, NPK1 and NPK2 – 1st level and 2nd level of NPK fertilization, respectively. The results showed that 100-year long application of NPK1 increased total carbon (TC) and SOC content by 24%, while NPK2 decreased it by 5% compared to NF at the Skierniewice site. The content of water-stable macroaggregates (WSAma) increased because of NPK application. In NPK1, the content of WSAma was higher and the content of water-stable microaggregates (WSAmi) was lower than in NPK2 or NF. However, as a result of NPK application, the content of agronomically favorable WSAma in size fraction 0.5–3 mm was reduced by 8 and 24% in NPK1 and NPK2, respectively, compared to NF. Overall, SOC in WSAma was lower than in bulk soil. The SOC in WSAma in NF, NPK1 and NPK2 treatments was 6.51, 7.77 and 5.89 g.kg−1, respectively. Similar tendency of SOC in WSAma 0.5–3 mm was observed (NF: 6.12 g.kg−1, NPK1: 7.35 g.kg−1, and NPK2: 6.88 g.kg−1). The SOC in WSAmi in NF, NPK1 and NPK2 was 8.33, 7.39 and 7.24 g.kg−1, respectively. At Dražovce site, TC content decreased significantly due to the graded rates of NPK, not because of SOC mineralization but as a result of carbonate dissolution for a period of 14 years. The carbonate content decreased from 20 g.kg−1 in NF to 6.5 g.kg-1 in NPK1 and 3.0 g.kg-1 in NPK2, while SOC did not change significantly: (NF: 23.8 g.kg−1, NPK1: 25.9 g.kg−1, and NPK2: 23.4 g.kg−1). In NPK1, the WSAma content was reduced significantly when compared to NPK2 and NF treatments. No significant difference was observed between NF and NPK2. On the contrary, the content of WSAma 0.5–3 mm significantly increased when compared to NF and NPK1. No difference was observed between NF and NPK1. Lower SOC content was found in WSA than in the bulk soil. Overall, higher SOC content was observed in WSAma when compared with WSAmi. The application of NPK1 and NPK2 increased SOC in WSAma as well as in WSAma 0.5–3 mm. The effect was more significant in NPK1 than NPK2 treatments when compared to NF.

Challenges in Sustainable Agriculture—The Role of Organic Amendments

Soil degradation threatens global food security and environmental sustainability, necessitating effective soil management strategies. This review comprehensively examines the impact of organic soil amendments on soil quality and productivity across various soil types and climatic conditions. A review of significant research related to organic amendments was performed using encompassed data from online search engines for studies published up until 31 December 2023. Despite their heterogeneity and use of varying methodologies, the data were narratively synthesized, providing a comprehensive understanding of amendment-induced changes in the chemical and physical properties of soil and the effectiveness of restoration on soil degradation. Organic amendments, including compost, vermicompost, biochar, and pomace, are pivotal in enhancing soil quality by increasing soil organic matter content, fostering aggregate formation, and improving soil structure in the short term. They positively influence water retention capacity, pH levels, nutrient availability, and carbon sequestration. In several studies, amendment-induced changes were absent, indicating that the effects of amendments vary depending on soil texture, application rates, and cropping systems, which emphasizes the need for tailored, sustainable soil management practices. This study concludes that organic amendments are a promising option for structure improvement and organic matter accumulation. It further suggests that an approach that integrates various methods is essential in order to meet desirable soil quality and retain agricultural productivity and offers valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. Organic amendments can improve soil ecosystem services and contribute to climate change adaptation. In the future, more attention should be directed to tillage management and soil amendment interaction, as well as their effectiveness over specific periods of time.

Influence of spent liquor obtained from SO2–ethanol–water (SEW) fractionation of Eucalyptus on drifting sands stabilization

Abstract The utilization of mulch stands as a paramount approach in the management of wind erosion and the stabilization of soil and drifting sands. This study aimed to explore the impact of various concentrations of spent liquor (20 %, 30 %, and 50 % v/v) derived from SO2–ethanol–water (SEW) fractionation of Eucalyptus wood on the physical and mechanical properties of sand. These properties encompassed moisture content, thickness, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), wind erodibility, penetration resistance, and seed germination. The findings revealed that the highest compressive strength (0.76 MPa) was attained with mulch consisting of 50 % SEW spent liquor, resulting in a 3.3-fold increase in penetration resistance compared to the control treatment. Furthermore, the 20 % concentration of spent liquor did not adversely affect the germination of black saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendron), whereas the lowest seed germination rate was associated with the 50 % concentration. Based on the measured parameters, the optimal mulch treatment for stabilizing drifting sands was identified as mulch with a 50 % (v/v) concentration. This study underscores the efficacy of SEW spent liquor in dust control and mitigating its environmental impacts, thus highlighting its potential in sustainable soil management practices.

Assessment of Selected Physical and Chemical Soil Properties and Organic Carbon Stock, Under Different Land-Uses in Melka Gura Subwatershed of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

A study conducted in Melka Gura Subwatershed to assess soil properties across three types of land uses plantation forest, grazing land, and cultivated land from 2022 to 2023 found that all land uses had loam soil, except for the plantation forest, which had sandy loam. The mean soil BD in the study area ranged from 1.06 to 1.39 g/cm3. Conversely, plantation forest soil and grazing land had the highest mean AWC (194.8 mm/m) at 0–20 cm depth. The highest mean values of sand, silt, TP, pH, AP, exchangeable basic cations, CEC, SOC, TN, and SOC stock (68.62-ton ha-1) were registered in the soil of plantation forest land. The highest mean values of BD (1.39 g/cm3), clay content (19%), Ex. A, and Ex. Al were recorded in the soil of cultivated land. The average values of clay, BD, FC, PWP, pH, PBS, and exchangeable bases all indicated an increasing trend from the surface toward the subsurface. The highest mean value of SOCS (68.62 tons’ ha-1) was discovered in plantation forest land and the lowest in cultivated land. The differences in soil management practices could be the major reasons for variations in soil properties across land-use types. Further studies are needed on the effects of land-use change on fertility-related soil properties in relation to integrated soil and water conservation practices to reduce further land degradation.

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Three Varieties of Mustard Grown under Five Soil Management Practices

Heavy metal pollution represents a global health issue. Different methods and technologies are adopted to mitigate the problem of heavy metal pollution. Phytoremediation has been gaining attention as an environmentally friendly method to remediate this problem. The purpose of this research is to explore the effectiveness of phytoremediation in agricultural settings to assess the effect of five soil management practices (chicken manure, sewage sludge, leaf compost, cow manure, and vermicompost) on Cd, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn accumulation in the mustard (leaves and pods) of three mustard Brassica juncea varieties (black mustard, yellow mustard, and mighty mustard). The accumulation in mustard was quantified using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). The results showed that the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of the three mustard varieties exceeded one (BAF &gt; 1) for Cd and Mo. It indicates that mustard is a good accumulator of Cd and Mo, whereas BAF values for Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn were less than one (BAF &lt; 1). The accumulated Cu, Mo, Ni, and Zn levels were below the allowable limit, whereas the Cd and Pb levels were beyond the limit. This result indicates that the investigated mustard varieties can be grown on heavy metal polluted sites for Cd and Mo phytoremediation purposes, but care is needed with regard to Cd and Mo toxicity.

Rescuing local knowledge with regards to soil management and fertility in the Amazon Region of Ecuador

Sustainable soil management methods that consider farmers' needs and soil conservation, require the integration of scientific knowledge and farming practices. Therefore, this study has asked a. How do farmers perceive fertility indicators in relation to their management in agriculture? b. What strategies do small farmers implement to maintain soil health on their farmland? c. Are there correlations between scientific findings and farmers' perceptions of soil management indicators and practices in the Ecuadorian Amazon? A total of 287 surveys were applied with 35 questions that covered the general data of the respondent, visible indicators of soil fertility, soil management and conservation practices, as well as knowledge acquisition. The soil scientific data were obtained from the map made by the MAG and FAO (2018) of the locations where the surveys were conducted. The results show that farmers have an in-depth knowledge with respect to soil fertility, identifying several visible indicators, including some plants that indicate productive soils, while utilizing various practices that degrade the soil and others that contribute to soil conservation at the local level. Although the indicators used by the farmers were mainly based on observation, in many respects they coincided with scientific assessments of fertile or infertile soils. These farmers, with their vast practical experience and knowledge accumulated over generations, developed a deep understanding of the telltale signs of soil fertility. There is not always concordance between the two forms of knowledge, however, the synergy between traditional and scientific knowledge illustrates the importance of integrating different forms of knowledge for effective and sustainable land management.

A field investigation on the soil management practices in a productive vineyard considering C sequestration and water resistance of soil structure

AbstractOptimal soil structure is linked to soil organic matter (SOM). Different soil management practice alternates SOM but the storing C to soil structure formation in vineyard soils is not sufficiently studied. In addition, understanding the impact of soil management practices in vineyard on changes in SOM and soil structure is crucial for sustainable viticulture. In this study conducted in a productive vineyard near Nitra city, Slovakia, we investigated the dynamics of individual size-fractions of water-stable aggregates (WSA) as results of changes in soil organic matter (SOM) under different soil management practices. Five distinct management practices – Intensive tillage system (T); Intensive tillage system with poultry manure (T + M); Strip grass (G); Fertilization in lower rates of NPK (NPK 1) to grass strips; and Fertilization in higher level of NPK (NPK 2) to grass strips were adopted to to be tested. The results have shown that the highest content of soil organic carbon (SOC) 20.3 ± 3.68 g kg−1, labile carbon (CL) 2.71 ± 0.78 g kg−1, and the most favor soil structure were identified in NPK 1, however, the most effectively improved soil structure and C sequestration (SOC: 19.9 ± 3.88 g kg−1; CL: 2.53 ± 0.83 g kg−1) was under G treatment. SOC had a more significant influence on the content of water-stable aggregates than CL. Intense changes in SOM took place in larger size-fractions of water-stable macroaggregates (WSAma) above 2 mm, while smaller WSAma below 2 mm and water-stable microaggregates were more stable.

Scaling up of sustainable soil management practices: some lessons from the hills of Nepal

A study was conducted to assess the scaling up processes of soil management practices under maize based farming systems in Panchkhal and Sanga areas of Kavre district. The key objectives of the study are to analyze the scaling up processes and pathways of soil management practices in the case study areas and identify factors related to scaling up at different levels. Three principalquestions guiding the analysis were: a) what are the positive aspects of scaling up processes and how can these be built on? b) What are the problems being experienced and how can these be overcome? c) What is the influence of people's livelihood strategies and assets on the processes? Kavre is one of the 10 districts where Sustainable soil Management Programme (SSMP) ofHelvetas has helped local people in the adoption of innovative soil management practices integrated with various cash and subsistence crops. With SMP support and advice, services to farmers in these areas create awareness and build their institutions (CIs) provide extension services to farmers in these areas create awareness and build their institutional capacity onadopting innovative soil management practices. The goal of the project is to improve livelihoods of resource poor farmers.Data for the study were gathered from 29 households through interviews, two workshops with key informants at the community level and a workshop with CIs at district levels, and review of SSMP and partners' documented information on the subject. The research team also made transect visits through the area, and interviewed several staff of the collaborating institutions. Qualitativeanalysis (in terms of perceptions of respondents) as well as quantitative analysis of data was done at household, community and institutional levels.