Soil Management Practices Research Articles

Soil Management Practices to Enhance Carbon Sequestration Rates- A Review

Soil Management Practices to Enhance Carbon Sequestration Rates- A Review

Isotopic Signatures of Nitrogen in Selected Soils from Croatia

The mobility of nitrogen (N) in the environment is conditioned by its cycling between atmospheric, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems. It is a key element for global biogeochemistry, and although isotope analysis has been an integral part of many studies over the past eighty years, the complexity of the nitrogen cycle hinders a correct and detailed understanding of the mechanisms behind its processes. It could be argued that the interpretation of the isotopic signatures of nitrogen in soils is still in its infancy. In Croatia, such research has recently begun and is driven by a need for the comprehensive study of nitrogen isotopes in terrestrial ecosystems. The aim of this study was to compare the abundance of the 15N isotope in soils from continental and coastal parts of Croatia with different types of land use (arable land/crop production, meadows, forests, orchards, ski slopes, urban soil/city roads) and to authenticate the nitrogen origin in soils in relation to different soil management practices. This research was based on 27 soil samples collected at 11 locations in Croatia. The samples differed according to soil type, land use, applied mineral and organic nitrogen fertilization, and climatic condition at each specific location. The determination of δ15NT (T—total nitrogen) values in bulk samples was performed in duplicate with the IRMS (Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry) method using an IsoPrime100-Vario PYRO Cube (OH/CHN Pyrolyser/Elemental Analyzer). The results reveal that the mean δ15N abundance in soils according to different land use declines in the following order: crop production (+5.66 ± 1.06‰) > apple orchard (+5.60 ± 0.10‰) > city road (+4.33 ± 0.38‰) > meadow (+3.71 ± 0.85‰) > ski slope (+2.20 ± 0.10‰) > forest (+2.15 ± 1.86‰). The individual values were in the range from 0.00 ± 0.10‰ in the forest soil in continental Croatia to +7.19 ± 0.07‰ in the vegetable garden (crop production) soil in coastal Croatia. Among the investigated soil properties and weather conditions, PCA analysis identified close correlations between P2O5 content and δ115N abundance in arable soils, as well as between soil reaction (pH) and mean annual temperatures, while high C/N ratio values explained the isotopic distribution in non-arable soils (city roads and forests). Despite the long-term application of mineral nitrogen fertilizers, the results represent nitrogen of organic origin in the arable soils (crop production), which partly confirms the sustainable management of those agroecosystems.

Towards a cost-effective framework for estimating soil nitrogen pools using pedotransfer functions and machine learning

Globally, the strategic use of nitrogen (N) is important in optimizing economic returns and reducing soil nitrogen losses to the environment. Incorporating reliable estimates of nitrogen (N) mineralized over a growing season (GSN) into N-fertilizer rate prescriptions is critical, but may often lack a direct measurement. For this purpose, Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) of total nitrogen (TN) – representing the stable pool from which N is mineralized and biological nitrogen availability (BNA) – representing the labile pool of N mineralization were used to estimate GSN. GSN was calculated based on TN and BNA results from a soil health database (SHD), which also includes a suite of related soil health parameters (n = 2222). Using a process of recursive feature elimination (RFE) and cost-benefit feature elimination (CBFE), the best predictors of TN, BNA, and GSN were identified using a suite of machine learners (MLs) and regression analysis. For TN, RFE revealed that BNA, active carbon (AC), sand (Sa), and soil organic matter (OM) were the best predictors yielding a Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of 0.80 and a reduction in theoretical cost of 41 % compared to the control. CBFE resulted in AC, soil respiration (SR), clay, Sa, and OM as the most cost-effective predictors of TN with a CCC of 0.79 and a theoretical cost savings 49 % below the cost of using all appropriate soil health parameters in the SHD. With respect to BNA, the best predictors from RFE were aggregate stability (AS), AC, SR, and TN with a CCC of 0.78 and a theoretical cost reduction of 23 %. CBFE retained AC, SR, S, TN, OM and pH as predictors of BNA with a CCC of 0.78 and reduction of 29 % in theoretical cost. Finally, GSN results from RFE identified AS, AC, SR, OM and pH as the best predictors with a 0.82 CCC and 17 % reduction in theoretical cost. CBFE, on the other hand, identified AC, SR, sand, OM, and pH as the most cost-efficient predictors while maintaining a CCC of 0.82 and theoretical cost reduction of 29 %. Of the MLs used for pattern recognition (i.e., cubist, random forest, support vector machine, and stochastic gradient boosting), cubist model outperformed the others for the majority of iterations of the RFE and CBFE processes. The cost-effective framework, and the N-related PTFs developed in this study will greatly enhance our ability to predict of soil N-pool dynamics and the ability to incorporate GSN estimates into N-fertilizer recommendations for producers worldwide. Improvements in predictive strength could be achieved by incorporating climate and soil management practices into PTF development. Another area for improvement and future study would include addition of spatial and landscape variability related to N-measures via digital soil mapping applications.

The QuantiSlakeTest, measuring soil structural stability by dynamic weighing of undisturbed samples immersed in water

Abstract. We evaluated the performance of a new, simple test to evaluate soil structural stability. The QuantiSlakeTest (QST) consists in a quantitative approach of the slake test, a dynamic weighing of a dried structured soil sample once immersed in water. The objective of this work was threefold: we aimed to (i) derive indicators from QST curves to evaluate soil structural stability, (ii) establish the relationship between soil properties and QST indicators, and (iii) assess how QST indicators respond to contrasting soil management practices. To reach these goals, we sampled the soil of 35 plots from three long-term field trials in the silt loam region of Belgium dealing respectively with contrasting organic matter inputs, tillage and P–K fertilisation. For each plot, indicators calculated from QST curves (e.g. total relative mass loss, disaggregation speed and time to meet a threshold values of mass loss) were compared to the results of the three tests of Le Bissonnais (1996), used as a reference method for the measurement of soil aggregate stability. Shortly after immersion in water, soil mass increases due to the rapid replacement of air by water in soil porosity. Then soil mass reaches a maximum before decreasing, once mass loss by disaggregation exceeds mass gain by air loss. Our results confirmed that the early mass loss under water is mainly related to slaking, whereas after a longer time period, clay dispersion and differential swelling become the dominant processes of soil disaggregation. The overall soil structural stability was positively correlated to the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and negatively correlated to the clay content of soil. Consequently, the SOC : clay ratio was closely related to QST indicators. Nevertheless, for a similar mean annual carbon (C) input, green manure and crop residues were more efficient in decreasing clay dispersivity and differential swelling, whereas farmyard manure promoted SOC storage and was more efficient against slaking. QST curves had a strong discriminating power between reduced tillage and ploughing regardless of the indicator, as reduced tillage increases both total SOC content and root biomass in the topsoil. The QST has several advantages. It (i) is rapid to run, (ii) does not require expensive equipment or consumables, and (iii) provides a high density of information on both specific mechanisms of soil disaggregation and the overall soil structural stability. As an open-access programme for QST data management is currently under development, the test has a strong potential for adoption by a widespread community of end users.

Evaluation of Soil Organic Carbon Stability in Different Land Uses in Lithuania

The effective management of soil organic carbon (SOC) is highlighted as one of the strategies and cost-effective options for mitigating climate change, while soil nitrogen (N) often is specified as an essential element for plant growth. This study was conducted to evaluate basic soil physical, chemical, and microbial indicators in three major soil types dominated in Lithuania—Arenosols, Retisols, and Cambisols—under forest land, perennial grassland, and arable land. Furthermore, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and nitrogen (SMBN), their ratio, and soil microbial respiration (microbial CO2) next to SOC and total N were hypothesized to be important measures for assessing SOC stability under different land uses. Therefore, selected soil indicators were evaluated in the surface 0–10 and 10–20 cm mineral soil layers. The study results showed higher concentrations of SOC, N, SMBC, and SMBN, and soil microbial CO2 in forest land and perennial grasslands than in arable land. The higher SMBC/SOC and SNBN/TN ratios indicated a higher ability to accumulate SOC and N in forest land and grasslands. Higher SOC immobilization in forest land and higher N immobilization in arable land were both specified by the obtained SMBC:SMBN ratio. This study identified forest land followed by grassland as the best land management practice that addresses soil C sequestration through higher C immobilisation. Assessing soil in forest land as a control land use next to the agricultural land could be a reasonable soil management practice to evaluate C sequestration in the region. Additionally, it was assumed that evaluation of the SMBC and SMBN concentrations together with soil physical and chemical indicators allow for a more effective assessment of SOC stability. Taken together, these findings support recommendation to develop grassland (and especially forest land systems) through afforestation or within agroforestry system, without reducing the importance of the agricultural sector.

Conservation Agriculture as a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy: A Review

To enhance our comprehension of agriculture's role in addressing climate change, accurate assessment of its capacity for carbon sequestration is crucial. This assessment encompasses multiple considerations, including regional climate patterns, crop choices, soil management practices, and soil types. Climate change poses a significant threat to food and nutritional security on local, national, and global scales. The amplified concentrations of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), present immediate challenges. Vulnerable populations, especially those in impoverished conditions, face heightened risk of food insecurity due to the impacts of climate change. Additionally, the conversion of non-agricultural land, like forests, into agricultural use, and human-generated emissions of greenhouse gases from agricultural activities significantly contribute to climate change. The escalating concentration of greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, in the atmosphere leads to global warming. Over the last century (1906–2005), the global mean surface temperature has risen by approximately 0.60 to 0.90°C, with the most rapid increase occurring in recent decades. The global average temperature continues to steadily climb and is projected to rise by 2°C by 2100, potentially resulting in significant global economic losses. The increasing concentration of CO2, a major greenhouse gas, is a cause for concern. This rise has fostered enhanced plant growth and productivity due to increased photosynthesis. However, the benefits of heightened photosynthesis are offset by higher temperatures, leading to increased crop respiration rates, greater evapotranspiration, heightened pest infestations, shifts in weed species, and reduced crop durations. This paper reviews the literature on climate change, its potential drivers, its effects on agriculture, and its influence on the physiological and metabolic processes of plants. It also explores potential and reported implications for plant growth, productivity, and mitigation strategies. In recent years, there has been a growing recommendation for the adoption of conservation agriculture as a more sustainable alternative to conventional farming practices. Conservation agriculture not only supports soil health but also enhances agricultural productivity, making it a crucial tool for mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Evaluating soil erosion and determinants of farmers’ adoption of soil and water conservation measures in the Offa district, southern Ethiopia

Soil erosion is a significant environmental problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries agricultural area where it can lead to reduced soil fertility, decreased crop productivity, and even land degradation. This study explores the prevalence of soil erosion in the Wolaita area and the factors that hinder or promote the implementation of soil and water management (SWC) practices by farmers. Despite significant investment by the local government, the adoption rate of these practices remains low. Data from cross-sectional surveys were gathered from primary and secondary sources and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study involved 378 sample households, including both adopters and non-adopters of soil and water conservation measures. A multinomial logistic regression model was utilized to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of physical conservation measures. The study found that most local farmers perceived soil erosion rates are high (43.54 %) and increasing. Some respondents had a medium perception (22.96 %) while others had a low perception (17.72 %). The results revealed that education, farm size, family size, livestock ownership, contact with extension workers, farming experiences, and land tenure security all positively and significantly influenced the adoption of conservation measures. The findings highlight the importance of sustainable conservation practices, comprehensive education and training for farmers, and the establishment of strong local institutions for credit accessibility and extension services. Additionally, fostering connections and knowledge-sharing among farm communities can enhance the adoption of soil and water conservation measures. The outcomes of this study will provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and farmers to develop effective strategies to combat soil erosion and promote sustainable agriculture practices in the region. Overall, this study suggests that the local government and stakeholders must prioritize these strategies to address the critical issue of soil erosion in the Wolaita area.

Response of soil fertilization and insect pollination on okra production: Prospect for optimizing underutilized crop management

The contribution of wild pollinators and input-based management practices during production of underutilized crop such as okra are pivotal for enhancing sustainable food production. Information on the beneficial role of insect pollination on okra and soil management practices is scanty, details on their specific response at each location are required to evaluate the potential of these sustainable farming practices. We examined the effects of insect pollination (pollinator-exclusive approach) and soil fertilization (fertilizer application) on okra production, using a factorial experiment arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. The complementary benefits of insect pollination and soil fertilization were evident in yield parameters such as seed weight, fruit nodes and the number of pod/plants. A substantial increase in yield began in trials with 50 % pollination rate under minimal soil fertilization. The increase in okra seed weight was (42 %) and (36 %) higher in optimal fertilized plants with 100 % and 50 % pollination rates than in non-pollinated and unfertilized plants. The similarities in yield observed from optimal fertilized soil with 50 % and 100 % pollination rates, imply that optimal soil fertilization can alleviate the yield reduction in okra due to moderate decline in pollinators exposure. Among the important okra pollinators were bees, flies, wasps, beetles and lepidopterans. Bees provided most pollination services, while other wild pollinator groups made less frequent but still give significant contributions. Thus, yield maximization requires an improvement in both agroecosystem services and soil management practices. Adequate pollinator visitation improves okra productivity in high insect-pollinated cropping systems.

Effects of Biochar and Cattle Manure under Different Tillage Management on Soil Properties and Crop Growth in Croatia

The negative environmental impact of conventional agriculture threatens agroecosystem stability and food security. Therefore, searching for optimal soil management practices is crucial for maintaining and improving soil functions. This work aims to determine the impact of conventional and conservation tillage on Stagnosols in a semi-humid environment in Marija Magdalena (Croatia) during 2021 and 2022. Under each tillage treatment, subplots were biochar, cattle manure, and control (split-plot design). The conservation tillage exhibits lower compaction in addition to conventional tillage. In 2021, at 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depths, control plots had the highest bulk density (BD), while biochar plots had the lowest. In 2022, biochar and manure treatments under conventional tillage had significantly higher BD than those under conservation tillage. Penetration resistance did not exceed 2 MPa in all treatments. Soil water content was high in conservation treatments at 0–15 cm. Water-stable aggregates were higher in biochar and manure plots under both tillage treatments. Maize yield was higher in conservation treatments in 2021 and in conventional during 2022. Manure and biochar in the conventional system showed a better impact on grain yields than under conservation. Conservation tillage in rain-fed farming maintains crop yields and reduces soil compaction.

Farmers Perception of Practices in Crop Production in Relation to Soil Health in Sapele Delta State

This study investigated farmers’ perceptions of practices in crop production in relation to soil health in Sapele, Delta State. The results obtained from demographics show that most of the farmers were experienced men and women. In terms of farming experience, they were highly exposed. However, only a few of them had attained tertiary education, which explains their limited exposure to soil management practices and their effects. The study revealed that most crops, such as maize, had a growing cycle of 0-6 months. Cassava, on the other hand, took 12 months to reach full maturity and was predominantly cultivated on 2.5-5 acres of land owned by individual farmers. Mixed cropping was practiced because it allowed farmers to cultivate a variety of plants and crops. The climate, temperature, and vegetation of the Songhai community were conducive to planting. Regarding farming and soil fertility, many farmers relied on bush fallowing as their primary source of income. Weeds and other agents that reduce productivity and profitability were mainly controlled through mechanical methods, traps, and introducing biological pest enemies. To improve crop yield and soil health, organic manure, especially from poultry droppings, was the most used due to its availability and low cost. Farmers understood the importance of good soil health management practices and were open to adopting new methods, such as microbial inputs, to enhance soil health and crop yield. The study suggests that additional research is needed to identify measures farmers are likely to adopt to protect publicly owned natural resources. Furthermore, the government should encourage the development of general guidelines for obtaining indicators and their use to monitor improvements in soil health.

Estimating the spatial distribution of soil volumetric water content in an agricultural field employing remote sensing and other auxiliary data under different tillage management practices

AbstractKnowledge of soil volumetric water content (VWC) on agricultural soils as influenced by different soil management practices is important, but the measurement outputs of frequently used traditional sampling techniques are restricted to point‐based measurements with limited spatial coverage. Remote sensing (RS) techniques are therefore being explored because of their greater spatial and temporal availability as well as their ability to cover large‐scale areas. But a general limitation for RS data is the presence of vegetation cover, cloud cover and the effect of topography. To minimize the effects of these factors during field sampling, the use of spectral indices and terrain attributes have proven successful in the estimation of several soil properties; however, the impact of these approaches for the estimation and mapping of soil VWC, an important factor in crop growth and development, especially where different soil management practices are employed, remains limited. To contribute to the knowledge base of RS under varying soil systems, this study explores the possibility of combining in‐situ measurements with remotely sensed (explanatory variables) data obtained under four different tillage practices to produce an estimated soil VWC that represents the entire study field. The tillage practices used include reduced till (RT), strategic till (ST), no‐till (NT) and conventional till (CT). From these tillage plots, three explanatory datasets, namely Sentinel‐2 (S2), spectral indices (SI) and terrain attributes (TA), were collected as predictors. In addition, each of the explanatory variables was structured into four groups, representing each of the four tillage methods. The eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model was used, and the best results were selected based on the root mean squared error (RMSE), the coefficient of determination (R2) and the mean absolute error (MAE). Prior to soil VWC prediction, the Pearson correlation matrix was used to determine the linear relationship between each of the selected explanatory variables (S2 bands, SI and TA) and soil VWC. Furthermore, spatial distribution maps of soil VWC were constructed using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation technique. For soil VWC estimation, the TA outperformed the SI and S2 datasets (R2 = 0.84). Similarly, the spatial distribution maps obtained from the TA data show a study area with a large concentration of VWC compared with the other datasets. The study also identified CT as the tillage approach that most impacts soil VWC estimation because all predicted results were poor without the addition of data from the CT plot. According to our findings, using TA data collected from various tillage management systems to estimate soil VWC is very promising because they can be used as predictors to improve soil VWC estimation and mapping. This study demonstrates conclusively that remote sensing data collected from different tillage management systems can be used as predictors to enhance the estimation and mapping of soil VWC, complementing the basis for the development of reliable and consistent precision irrigation management systems.

Rehabilitative capacity of amendments to restore maize productivity following artificial topsoil erosion/ deposition

Anthropogenic activities leading to erosion-induced topsoil loss still present a pertinent threat to maize (Zea mays L.) productivity across the U.S. Corn Belt region. Using soil amendments has been proven effective in reversing the effects caused by erosion-induced topsoil loss and restoring agronomic productivity and yields to pre-eroded conditions. The current study investigated the impact of simulated erosion and repeated amendment application on agronomic productivity and yields over five growing seasons for a 23-year-old experiment at two central Ohio sites (Waterman Farm: WF; Western Station: WS). Simulated erosion/deposition was employed in 1997 to create three incremental topsoil depths (TSD) (20 cm topsoil removed (TSD-0); 0 cm topsoil removed (TSD-1); 20 cm topsoil added (TSD-2). Three soil amendments (inorganic, synthetic N fertilizer (INO); organic, compost manure (MAN); no amendment (CON)) were investigated for their ability to restore productivity in these cropping systems. Greater TSD produced higher germination counts and crop stand and yielded greater canopy cover during the initial five weeks after germination. The MAN amended soils observed higher values for the productivity parameters during the 2016–2020 growing seasons. Grain and biomass yields were 34–51% and 5–12% lower, respectively, for the TSD-0 level and 4–10% and 3–6% greater, respectively, for the TSD-2 level when compared to the undisturbed, TSD-1 level. Relative biomass yield losses (% per cm topsoil depth lost) were 0.921 for the WF site and 0.254 for the WS site, corresponding to average biomass losses (Mg ha−1 cm−1 yr−1) of 0.083 and 0.026 for each site. Relative grain yield losses (% per cm topsoil depth lost) were 1.29 for the WF site and 0.514 for the WS site, equating to mean grain losses (Mg ha−1 cm−1 yr−1) of 0.083 and 0.026 for each site. The rehabilitative capacity of the soil amendments followed a trend of INO > MAN at the WF site and MAN > INO > CON at the WS site. The deleterious effects of erosion on grain and biomass yields were found to be reversed with the addition of the INO and MAN amendments at the WS site due to improvements in soil health and SOC pools. The MAN amended soils produced grain and biomass yields that were nearly 2.5% and 5.6% greater than the INO amended soil when compared to the reference treatment (TSD-1-CON). This study demonstrates that sustainable soil management practices coupled with annual soil amendment addition can mitigate the deleterious effects of erosion and rebound maize yields to pre-eroded conditions for soils experiencing severe topsoil loss.

Watermoss Mulching Stimulates the Productivity and Physiochemical Properties of Strawberry in the Tropical Ecosystem of Southern Bangladesh

Strawberry is one of the most lucrative antioxidants and phytochemicals enriched temperate fruits. Nevertheless, good-quality fruit production requires special soil management practices like mulching and other strategies in tropical and sub-tropical regimes with short and dry winters. In the present research, strawberry var. BARI Strawberry-3 was cultivated using Asian watermoss (AW), water hyacinth (WH), paddy straw (PS), black polythene (BP), and silver polythene (SP) mulching along with control at the tropical weather-inclined southern part of Bangladesh from October 2018 to April 2019. The aim was to evaluate the comparative influences of those organic and synthetic mulches on root and shoot growth phenology along with subsequent reproductive behaviors, fruit yield, and fruit biochemical properties of strawberries under such an ecosystem. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Mulching exhibited statistical superiority over control for strawberry growth, yield, and fruit quality indicators, where organic mulches performed better than others. Among the mulches, AW mulching produced the healthiest plant, having maximum plant height (20.40 cm), leaf number (23.33 per plant), canopy diameter (34.30 cm), single leaf area (100.06 cm2), and root length (19.05 cm) resulting in the highest root and shoot biomass. Though the plants received AW mulch required maximum duration from transplanting to flowering (47.88 days) and flowering to harvest (29.60 days), those plants produced the highest number of flowers (21.20 per plant) as well as fruits (19.63 per plant), and ultimately the utmost fruit yield (370.02 g/plant and 15.42 kg/ha) being significantly dissonant from all other treatments. Thus, a 57.57% yield increase over control was recorded from AW mulching. Furthermore, statistically, the maximum total soluble solids (TSS) (9.93%), TSS/acidity ratio (17.37), and vitamin C (58.30 mg/100 g), but the minimum titratable acidity (0.57%) content of strawberry was noticed in AW treatment. WH and BP mulches had statistical consistency with the best treatment for a few attributes. Therefore, crop residues, aquatic plants, or their by-products can be used as mulch for quality strawberry production in dry winter, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.

Sustainable soil management: Soil knowledge use and gaps in Europe

AbstractSoils are the foundation of agricultural production, ecosystem functioning and human well‐being. Bridging soil knowledge gaps and improving the knowledge system is crucial to meet the growing EU soil policy ambitions in the face of climate change and the ongoing trend in soil degradation. The objective of this article is to assess the current state of knowledge, knowledge use and knowledge gaps concerning sustainable soil management in Europe. This study is based on interviews with 791 stakeholders and 254 researchers and on a comprehensive review of >1800 documents carried out under the European Joint Programme on agricultural soils. Despite differences in stakeholder groups, the conclusions are rather consistent and complementary. We identified major knowledge gaps with respect to (1) soil carbon stocks, (2) soil degradation and fertility and (3) strategies for improved soil management. Transcending these three areas, particularly the loss of soil organic carbon, peatland degradation and soil compaction, are most critical, thus, we stress the urgency of developing more models and monitoring programmes on soils. Stakeholders further report that insufficient transfer of existing soil research findings to practitioners is a hindrance to the adoption of sustainable soil management practices. In addition to knowledge production, soil knowledge gaps may be addressed by considering seven recommendations from the stakeholders: (1) raising awareness, (2) strengthening knowledge brokers, (3) improving relevance of research activities and resource allocation for land users, (4) peer‐to‐peer communication, (5) targeting advice and information, (6) improving knowledge access, and (7) providing incentives. We argue that filling and bridging knowledge gaps should be a priority for policymakers and the insights provided in the article may help prioritise research and dissemination needs enabling a transition to more sustainable soil management in Europe.

Impact of Crop Residue and Green Manure Management in Rice Crop on Soil Nutrient Dynamics in Tarai Belt of Shivalik Himalaya, India

The study explores the effects of different soil management practices on various soil properties within the Tarai Belt of the Shivalik Himalaya region to assess the effects of different nutrient management strategies on various soil properties in the context of rice cultivation. Ten treatments were employed, T1 (100% recommended dose of NPK fertilizers), T2 (50% crop residue + 50% recommended NPK dose), T3 (50% crop residue + 50% recommended NPK dose with the addition of Pusa decomposer), T4 (50% crop residue + 50% Green Manure (GM), T5 (50% crop residue + 50% GM with Pusa decomposer), T6 (Crop residue at 2.5 tons per hectare + Pusa decomposer), T7 (Crop residue at 2.5 tons per hectare without Pusa decomposer), T8 (Absolute control group with no fertilizer application), T9 (150% recommended NPK dose), and T10 (100% recommended NPK dose with the addition of Farm Yard Manure at a rate of 5 tons per hectare, along with Zinc and Boron supplementation). including varying combinations of crop residues, organic and inorganic fertilizers, and green manure. Soil properties examined included soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) at two different soil depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. Organic sources enhanced soil organic carbon, while inorganic sources notably improved the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The results showed that treatments incorporating both organic and inorganic nutrient sources demonstrated improved soil health and nutrient availability, with treatment T9 (150% recommended dose of fertilizer, RDF) showing the best results, particularly in terms of available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, the sustainability of this approach over the long term may be a concern. Treatment T10, which combined 100% RDF with farmyard manure, zinc, and boron supplementation, emerged as a promising alternative for sustainable soil management. Treatment T3, with the incorporation of crop residues and the application of Pusa decomposer, also showed potential for maintaining soil health. These findings emphasize the importance of a balanced approach to nutrient management that combines readily available nutrients from inorganic sources with the long-term benefits of organic matter.
 In summary, this study emphasizes the importance of integrated nutrient management and sustainable agricultural practices for enhancing soil fertility and overall soil health, thereby contributing to sustainable crop production. These findings hold significance for addressing soil nutrient imbalances and ensuring the well-being of farmers and environmental sustainability.

Differential effects of soil conservation practices on arthropods and crop yields

AbstractMany agricultural management tactics, such as reduced tillage, aim to promote biodiversity and ecosystem services. Responses to such tactics can be context dependent, however, and differentially impact (i) functional groups of service‐providing organisms and (ii) crop yields. In canola (Brassica napus L., B. rapa L.) crop fields, we assessed how soil tillage and landscape context (amount of semi‐natural habitat within 1 km of each field) affected arthropod biodiversity and crop yield. We assessed effects of full (multiple tillage passes that leave soil surface bare), intermediate (tilled once and some stubble remains), or no (seed planted directly into last year's stubble) tillage on functional groups with unique diets and reproductive strategies: (i) herbivores, (ii) kleptoparasites, (iii) parasitoids, (iv) pollinators, and (v) predators. Effects of tillage and landscape context on arthropod abundance and diversity varied across functional groups. Pollinators responded strongest to tillage, benefitting from intermediate tillage. Predators and herbivores responded strongly to landscape context, as both were more abundant in landscapes with more semi‐natural habitat. Our results suggest that natural history differences among functional groups mediate effects of landscape context on biodiversity. However, variation in arthropod communities had little effect on canola crop yield. The effects of soil management practices on aboveground arthropods are complex, and practices thought to increase some aspects of agricultural sustainability may not be beneficial in other contexts. Identifying practices such as intermediate tillage that may increase soil quality and arthropod diversity is a key to designing agricultural ecosystems that will effectively benefit both biodiversity and human well‐being.

The importance of shrubland and local agroecological practices for pumpkin production in sub-Saharan smallholdings

Land-use and local field management affect pollinators, pest damage and ultimately crop yields. Agroecology is implemented as a sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural practices, but little is known about its potential for pollination and pest management. Sub-Saharan Africa is underrepresented in studies investigating the relative importance of pests and pollinators for crop productivity and how this might be influenced by surrounding landscapes or agroecological practices. In Malawi, we selected 24 smallholder farms differing in landscape-scale shrubland cover, implementation of manual pest removal as an indicator of an agroecological pest management practice, and the number of agroecological soil practices employed at the household level, such as mulching, intercropping and soil conservation tillage. We established pumpkin plots and assessed the abundance and richness of flower visitors and damage of flowers (florivory) caused by pest herbivores on flowers. Using a full-factorial hand pollination and exclusion experiment on each plot, we investigated the relative contribution of pollination and florivory to pumpkin yield. Increasing shrubland cover decreased honeybee abundance but increased the abundance and richness of non-honeybee visitors. Manual removal of herbivores considered to be pests reduced flower visitors, whereas more agroecological soil management practices increased flower visitors. Neither shrubland cover nor agroecological management affected florivory. Pollinator limitation, but not florivory, constrained pumpkin fruit set, and increasing visitor richness decreased the relative differences between hand- and animal-pollinated flowers. We recommend improved protection of shrubland habitats and increasing agroecological soil practices to promote pollinator richness on smallholder farms.

Application of a Fusion Attention Mechanism-Based Model Combining Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Units and Recurrent Neural Networks in Soil Nutrient Content Estimation

Accurately estimating soil nutrient content, including soil organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) levels, is crucial for optimizing agricultural practices and ensuring sustainable crop production. This paper proposes a model based on a fusion attention mechanism that combines bidirectional gated recurrent units (BiGRU) and recurrent neural networks (RNN) to estimate soil nutrient content. The proposed model integrates the fused attention mechanism with BiGRU and RNN to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of soil nutrient prediction. The fused attention mechanism captures key features in the input data, while the BiGRU architecture captures both forward and backward contextual information, enabling the model to capture long-term dependencies in the data. The results demonstrate that the proposed Att-BiGRU-RNN model outperforms other constructed models, exhibiting a higher prediction accuracy and robustness. The model shows good estimation capabilities for soil OM, N, P, and K with estimation accuracies (R2) of 0.959, 0.907, 0.921, and 0.914, respectively. The application of this model in soil nutrient estimation has the potential to optimize fertilizer management, enhance soil fertility, and ultimately improve crop yield. Further research can explore the applicability of this model in precision agriculture and sustainable soil management practices, benefiting the agricultural sector and contributing to food security and environmental sustainability.

Soil Carbon Sequestration in the Age of Climate Change: A Review

Soil carbon sequestration has garnered attention as a pivotal strategy in mitigating climate change. Its relevance is accentuated by the soil's dual role in both storing carbon and supporting agriculture, thereby contributing to both environmental and food security. The purpose of this review is to analyze the various facets of soil carbon sequestration in the Indian context, specifically focusing on case studies that highlight both successes and failures in this realm. Key findings indicate that multifaceted approaches, such as agroforestry models in Tamil Nadu and community-led natural farming in Andhra Pradesh, have been effective in enhancing soil carbon stocks. These approaches are not only beneficial for carbon sequestration but also demonstrate positive implications for farm yield and biodiversity. However, the study also uncovers shortcomings in soil management practices, evident in the decline of soil carbon levels in regions such as Punjab due to monoculture and excessive fertilizer use. The consequences of such practices manifest in reduced soil fertility, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable agricultural methods. In fragile ecosystems like the Himalayan region, soil erosion has further reduced the soil's ability to act as a carbon sink, indicating the necessity for immediate conservation efforts. These findings imply that an integrated approach, coupling agricultural innovation with policy support, can substantially improve the effectiveness of soil as a carbon sequester. Moreover, it is essential for policies to be adaptive and region-specific, accounting for the diverse geographical and climatic conditions across India. This review aims to serve as a comprehensive guide for policymakers, researchers, and agricultural practitioners, emphasizing that soil carbon sequestration is not an isolated goal but must be integrated into broader environmental and agricultural objectives.

Sustainable intensification and food security: A panel data assessment of the smallholder maize farmers in Uganda

Food security is touted as an essential condition for social growth. Yet, the food deficit is rampant among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Besides, farm productivity is considered the theme for improving household food security outcomes. As one of the sub-Saharan African countries, Uganda is affected by food insecurity caused by the declining availability of cropped farmland. Sustainable intensification (SI) is a critical farming practice that enhances crop yield and reduces environmental degradation. However, there is scanty empirical evidence on if farming practices contributing to sustainable intensification can improve the household livelihood and food security. In this research, we used multinomial endogenous treatment effects and a balanced Uganda National Panel Survey to evaluate the impacts of SI technologies on maize farming households' livelihood and food security. We ranked households into four groups depending on the inputs and soil management practices they use on their maize farms, namely “non-adopters”, intensification group”, “sustainable group”, and “sustainable intensification group”. The multinomial endogenous treatment effect (METE) model's findings suggested using the SI cluster is associated with improved food consumption score, household dietary diversity score, and per capita expenditure using non-adopters as the baseline group. Further, these improvements are determined by combining maize-legume intercrop and inorganic fertilizer practices. The results indicate that experts and researchers should espouse multidimensional and all-inclusive technological evaluation methods instead of conservative reductionists methods that concentrate on a solo farming practice at a time. Also, the findings can guide the sustainable vector that highlights and strengthens all-inclusive agricultural growth with policymakers and scientists working with marginalized farmers.