Sustainability Of Soil Resources Research Articles

Assessment of soil multi-functionality to support the sustainable use of soil resources on the Swiss Plateau

Spatial information on soils and their abilities to fulfil their functions is key to sustainable soil resource use. Maps indicating how soils fulfil their functions, e.g., regulating nutrient and water flows, providing appropriate habitats, and supporting biomass production, have allowed soil information to be embedded in spatial planning programmes. We adapted 10 static soil function assessment (SFA) methods and applied them to agricultural soils in a study area on the Swiss Plateau. Soil function maps were created by applying the SFA methods to maps of eight basic soil properties generated previously using digital soil mapping techniques. The soil function maps were compared with results obtained by applying the SFA methods to data for >7000 soil profiles to determine how reasonable the maps were. Soil in the study area had distinctive spatial patterns for most of the regulation, habitat, and production functions, clearly indicating the multiple roles played by soil in supporting ecosystem services. The fulfilment of individual soil functions is linked to the inherent soil properties, the terrain, and climatic conditions. The soil function maps agreed well with the SFA results for the profiles in terms of land use, soil type, and drainage class. Four aggregation rules were tested to give total assessment values (soil indices). Aggregating the 10 soil functions into an overall soil functionality value gave quite diverse spatial patterns, indicating that merging might average out the spatial characteristics of certain soil functions. We conclude that a quite comprehensive set of soil functions can be assessed using spatial information for eight basic soil properties to a soil depth of at least 1 m and approved pedotransfer functions for secondary soil properties. SFA methods for the production function are well established, but methods for assessing habitat and regulation functions need to be developed further. This is also true for forest soils, for which SFA methods are yet to be established.

Long-Term Analysis for Harvest Erosion Caused by Sugar Beet Production in Turkey

The sustainability of soil resources is under significant threat due to the accelerated anthropogenic pressures at the historical expansion of human population. In this context, soil erosion is defined as a limiting factor for human interests in terms of ecosystem services. As an erosion type, harvest erosion occurs by harvesting of the taproot and tuberous root plants such as sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), carrot (Daucus carota L.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), has begun to take attention in recent years. The objective of this study was to estimate soil loss due to harvest erosion and to economically analyze the transport of plant nutrients between 1999 and 2016 from sugar beet growing areas in Turkey. For this aim, the compiled data of 25 different sugar factories throughout Turkey were obtained from Türkşeker and soil loss estimations were performed and economically analyzed. According to the results, average soil loss rate was calculated as 3.41 Mg ha-1y-1 for the studied period (1999-2016). That means annually an average of 716983 Mg soil removed from the Türkşeker sugar beet production areas. This result indicated that harvest erosion represents only 0.9% of soil lost by water erosion in Turkey. But, if tolerable soil loss value considered as “1 Mg ha-1 y-1”, calculated soil loss values are above this critical value for all the factories. In addition, economic assessments of soil losses showed that costs are to be more than US $10 000 annually on the 60% of the factories due to removal of plant nutrients with harvest process. And, annually US $419 433 investment must be made to recover all these losses. Conclusively, harvest erosion as an ignored erosion type must be emphasized to the economic sustainability of natural resources in fragile ecosystems such as our country.

Role of environmental variables in the spatial distribution of soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and C:N ratio from the northeastern coastal agroecosystems in China

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) influence physical, chemical and biological properties and process in soils that determine soil fertility and enhance or maintain agricultural productivity and food security. Knowledge on the spatial distribution of SOC and TN is necessary for sustainable soil resource management. In this study, we applied boosted regression trees (BRT) model to predict and map the spatial distribution of SOC and TN in the northeastern coastal areas of China, and C:N ratio map was generated from the predicted maps of SOC and TN. A total of 149 topsoil (0–20cm) samples and 12 environmental variables that included topography, landuse and remote sensing indices, and climatic variables were selected. The performance of the models was evaluated based on cross-validation using mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and coefficient of determination (R2). The BRT model was run for 100 iterations where the average of 100 SOC and TN maps was considered as final predicted maps and its standard deviation as prediction uncertainty. The BRT model showed a good predictive performance due to its higher R2 and lower MAE, and RMSE indices. The model explained approximately 64% and 56% of the total SOC and TN variability. Topographic variables showed a maximum influence in the prediction of SOC and TN, followed by vegetation and climate. The SOC and TN contents were reduced from the northwest towards the southeast of the study area; average predicted SOC and TN contents were 15.4gkg−1 and 1.01gkg−1, respectively. The spatial distribution of C:N ratio was closely related to landuse types in a decreasing order: woodland > orchard > cultivated land > grassland. We found topographic variables as main environmental indicators of SOC and TN distribution, and recommend to include them in future SOC and TN mapping studies in the coastal agroecosystems in China.

Profitability of Alternative Management Practices in a Wheat–Soybean, Double‐Crop Production System in Arkansas

Core Ideas Wheat and soybean yields were estimated using combinations of management practices. The estimated yields were used to simulate profitability differences by combination. Six combinations were 7 to 118% more profitable than the traditional combination. Growing concerns about the sustainability of soil and water resources in the highly agriculturally productive lower Mississippi River Valley, particularly in the Delta region of eastern Arkansas, require the investigation of traditional and alternative agricultural management practices and their comparative long‐term profitability. Therefore, this study used a simple, but robust, two‐step novel procedure, econometrics and simulation, to evaluate the long‐term effects of a combination of management practices. It consisted of tillage (conventional tillage [CT] or no‐tillage [NT]), wheat residue burning (burn [B] or no burn [NB]), wheat‐residue level (low [L] and high [H] achieved with differential N fertilization), and irrigation (irrigated [I] or non‐ irrigated [NI]), on net farm revenue in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) –soybean (Glycine max L. [Merr.]), double‐crop production system in the region. Results from the last 10 yr of a 15‐yr‐long field study on a silt‐loam soil showed that the alternative combinations of NT–B–H–I, NT–NB–L–I, NT–B–L–I, CT–B–L–I, NT–NB–H–I, and NT–B–H–NI were 7 to 118% more profitable than the traditional set of management practices (CT–B–H–I) for soybean production. Results suggest that leaving wheat residue on the soil surface unburned followed by NT soybean production can be equally to more profitable for producers, while at the same time providing extra benefits to improve the long‐term sustainability of soil resources. The NT–B–H–NI can conserve both soil and water.

Turning Waste drilling fluids into a new, sustainable soil resources for landscaping

Waste drilling fluids (WDF) is a complex mixture of different additives with different chemical and biologic properties, which have no biodegradability and seriously pollute the soil system without any disposal. After the later stage treatments, like landfill and solidification, waste drilling fluids also have potential detrimental to the environment and health. In this paper, a formula has been studied that can turn the waste water-based drilling fluids into an environment friendly soil. The treatment process can realize the harmless disposal and effective utilization of water-based drilling wastes. In the laboratory column study, by assessing the germination time and growth of ten kinds of plants which were grown on the high quality soil mixture with the waste drilling fluids (10:1, wt:wt), the Festuca arundinacea seed was selected to evaluate the quality of the soil. The formulas were used as a treatment agent mixing with drilling wastes collected from drilling well sites in Dagang, Tianjing, China with design of orthogonal experiment. The analysis was comprised of evaluation of heavy metals, chemical oxygen demand (COD), soluble salt content, and pH. The formula (20%coal+10%solid sludge +5%chips) was proposed as a low-cost strategy to reduce leaching of toxic elements, and improve plant establishment. The concentrations of heavy metals in leachate solution exacting from the soil were lower than the EPA toxicity limit set by USEPA. The pH was approximately 7∼8. COD was less than 100mg O2/L and the soluble salt content was less than 25g/kg. In the Field application, the environment friendly formula developed in this study has been successfully applied to Dagang Oilfield. The treated waste drilling fluids are favorable to the growth of the plants (the soil organic matter is more than 30g/kg, the porosity is more than 50%). The treatment process is easy to handle, low-cost (<100RMB/m3) and realizes a new, sustainable soil resources for landscaping.

Engaging Undergraduates in Soil Sustainability Decision-Making Through an InTeGrate Module

ABSTRACTContinued agricultural productivity hinges on understanding how to manage soil resources. A 2-week undergraduate introductory-level module: A Growing Concern: Sustaining Soil Resources Through Local Decision Making was collaboratively developed through the InTeGrate Project. InTeGrate modules and courses engage students in grand challenges of sustainability (e.g., agriculture, water, and climate) using active learning strategies. In A Growing Concern, students examine physical and chemical distinctions between intensively managed agricultural landscapes (e.g., conventional tillage) and natural vegetative types. They analyze geospatial and soil profile data to identify how intensive land management threatens soil sustainability. After exploring land practice and climate impacts on soil, they create extension-style fact sheets that provide recommended practices to reduce soil erosion. To maximize accessibility, we piloted the module in three settings: (1) an interdisciplinary Ecological Agriculture course at a Land Grant Institution, (2) a Geology of the Critical Zone course at a 4- y college, and (3) an Introduction to Environmental Science course at a 2- y community college. Classroom observations using the reformed teaching observation protocol revealed that the instructors used reformed teaching practices. Students also commented favorably on the hands-on nature of the module within focus group sessions. All students passed the culminating fact sheet, which was aligned with the rubric used in module development. Students had some difficulty interpreting site-specific geologic data and applying systems thinking. Revisions to instructional materials emphasized local data and greater systems diagramming.

Soil organic carbon: Towards better soil health, productivity and climate change mitigation

The presence of organic C in soil is a key determinant for soil quality and productivity. Soil, being the largest C sinks, also controls the global warming. In this regard, this review focused onto the soil C dynamics, C sequestration potential of soil and related C pools. Detailed discussion of several researches depicted that, C sequestration depends onto soil C saturation deficit, presence of biochemically protected recalcitrant C fractions, aggregation and aggregate associated physically shielded C. On the other hand, labile organic C is the soil nutrient reservoir and is closely related with diversified soil biology. For the sustainable and holistic soil resource management and to mitigate climate change, this study also highlighted the possible management practices towards longer residence time of C in soil.

Simulating the impact of flooding events on non-point source pollution and the effects of filter strips in an intensive agricultural watershed in China

Non-point source pollution (NPSP) has become a critical pollution source after many improvements in point source pollution treatment have been made, particularly in China, due to intensive agricultural activities. Moreover, the impact of NPSP on surface water quality is significantly affected by extreme events, such as flooding. In this study, the soil and water assessment tool model was used to characterize the behaviours of NPSPs and to evaluate the effect of filter strips during flooding periods. The results showed that a flooding event in 2002 caused by a long duration of rainfall (event_1) contributed approximately 40 % of the annual sediment and organic N yield and 18.4 % of nitrate N yield. In 2007, more than 50 % of the annual sediment and organic N and 20 % of nitrate N export were caused by a flooding event due to heavy rainfall (event_2). The simulation results highlighted the severe threat of flooding events on aquatic environments. Furthermore, filter strips of different widths were simulated in these flooding scenarios to test their mitigation effects on the deterioration of surface water quality during these two events, and the 10-m filter strip did decrease more than 30–40 % of the loads of all NPSPs. Our study stresses that more attention should be paid to assessing the impact of flooding events on water quality management measures and pollution loads, as well as the effect of management practices on both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to develop sustainable water and soil resources.

Corn Stover Harvest Strategy Effects on Grain Yield and Soil Quality Indicators

The development of technologies to use cellulosic biomass as a feedstock for biofuel production was recognized as an important research focus because cellulose is a more widely-available feedstock than corn starch. Our objective was to compare various corn (Zea mays L.) stover harvest strategies to determine which would be most sustainable. A complete block design with 2 ha plots, each replicated three times, was imposed on a 50 ha (125 acre) Clarion-Nicollet- Webster soil Association site near Emmetsburg, Iowa, U.S.A. before harvesting the 2008 corn crop. Hand samples were collected from a 1.5 m2 area in each plot to establish the potential amount of above-ground biomass that could be potentially harvested using one of seven stover harvest strategies. Surface soil samples (0 to 15 cm) were analyzed following each harvest to monitor fertility changes and to make subsequent fertilizer recommendations. Grain yields averaged 11.4, 10.1, 9.7, and 9.5 Mg ha-1 in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively, but were not signifi cantly affected by stover harvest treatments. Relative yield for the various treatments ranged from 97 to 107% of the conventional treatment for which none of the residue was harvested. Four-year average stover yields ranged 1.0 to 5.2 Mg ha-1 which was 12 to 60% of the above-ground biomass. Three years of plant tissue data at anthesis indicated N management needed to be improved as the values were below the critical concentration of 27 g kg-1. Sulfur concentrations were just barely above the critical value of 15 g kg-1. Soil test analyses showed substantial fi eld variability but no signifi cant stover harvest treatment effects. There was a slight decrease in soil organic carbon, unrelated to the stover harvest treatments, that is attributed to the intensity of tillage and crop yields that were lower than expected. Overall, this study is consistent with other studies in the U.S. Corn/Soybean Belt that indicate to sustain soil resources within this region, corn stover should generally not be harvested if average grain yields are less than 11 Mg ha-1 (175 bu ac-1). Strategies for achieving those levels include implementing more rigorous soil-testing and plant analysis programs, installing tile drainage where needed, improving overall nutrient management programs, reducing tillage intensity, incorporating cover crops and rotating corn with other crop such as soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], small grain, or forage.

Increase in soil erosion after agricultural intensification: Evidence from a lowland basin in France

Changes in agricultural practices impact sediment transfer in catchments and rivers. Long term archives of sediment deposits in agricultural plains of northwestern Europe are rarely available, however, for reconstructing and quantifying erosion and sedimentation rates for the second half of the 20th century. In this context, a multi-parameter analysis was conducted on sedimentary deposits accumulated in a pond created in the 11th century and draining a 24 km2 cultivated catchment in western France. This catchment is representative of cultivated and drained lowland environments where agriculture has intensified during the last 60 years. High resolution seismic profiles and surface sediment samples (n = 74) were used to guide the collection of cores (n = 3) representative of the sequence of sediment accumulated in the pond. The cores were analysed to quantify and characterize the evolution of sediment dynamics in the pond. The first land consolidation period (1954-1960) was characterized by a dominance of allochtonous material input to the pond. This input represents an erosion of 1900 to 2300 t.km−2.yr−1 originating from the catchment. Then, between 1970-1990, the terrigenous input decreased progressively and tended to stabilize. Eutrophication and associated primary production increased in the pond. These processes generated the majority of material accumulated in the pond during this period. Further land consolidation programs conducted in 1992 generated a new increase in soil erosion and sediment input to the reservoir. For the last 10 years, terrigenous input to the pond corresponds to a catchment-wide erosion rate between 90 and 102 t.km−2.yr−1. While a strong decrease is observed, it still represents a 60-fold increase of the sediment flux compared to the pre-intensification period. These large temporal variations of sedimentation rates over a few decades underline the dynamics of sediment transfer and raise questions about the sustainability of soil resources in lowland temperate environments.

Étude sur la préparation d’une solution injectable de Skenan® par les usagers de drogues, France

The sustainability of soil resources is determined by the balance between the rates of production and removal of soils. Samples from four weathering profiles at Frogs Hollow in the upper catchment area of the Murrumbidgee River (southeastern Australia) were analyzed for their uranium-series (U-series) isotopic composition to estimate soil production rates. Sequential leaching was conducted on sample aliquots to assess how U-series nuclides are distributed between primary and secondary minerals. Soil is increasingly weathered from bottom to top which is evident from the decrease in (234U/238U) ratios and increase in relative quartz content with decreasing soil depth. One soil profile shows little variation in mineralogy and U-series geochemistry with depth, explained by the occurrence of already extensively weathered saprolite, so that further weathering has minimal effect on mineralogy and geochemistry. Al2O3 is mobilized from these soils, and hence a silicon-based weathering index treating Al2O3 as mobile is introduced, which increases with decreasing soil depth, in all profiles. Leached and unleached aliquots show similar mineralogy with slight variation in relative concentrations, whereas the elemental and isotopic composition of uranium and thorium show notable differences between leached and unleached samples. Unleached samples show systematic variations in uranium-series isotopic compositions with depth compared to leached samples. This is most likely explained by the mobilization of U and Th from the samples during leaching. Soil residence times are calculated by modeling U-series activity ratios for each profile separately. Inferred timescales vary up to 30 kyr for unleached aliquots from profile F1 to up to 12 kyr for both leached and unleached aliquots from profile F2. Muscovite content shows a linear relationship with U-series derived soil residence times. This relationship provides an alternative method to estimate residence timescales for profiles with significant U-series data scatter. Using this alternative approach, inferred soil residence times up to 33 kyr for leached samples of profile F1 and up to 34 kyr for leached samples of profile F3 were determined. A linear relationship between soil residence times and WIS (Si-based Weathering Index) exists and is used to estimate soil residence times for profile F3 (up to 28 kyr) and F4 (up to 37 kyr). The linear relationship between soil depth and calculated residence time allows determination of soil production rates, which range from 10 to 24 mm/kyr and are comparable to the rates determined previously using cosmogenic isotopes at the same site (Heimsath et al., 2001b). This implies that at this site, on the highland plateau of southeastern Australia, soil thickness has reached steady-state, possibly as a result of stable tectonic conditions but despite variable climatic conditions over the timescale of soil development. Soil-mantled landscapes are the geomorphic expression of this balance between soil production and denudation, and our results show that in tectonically quiescent regions, this landscape can be achieved in less than 30 kyr.

Soil formation rates determined from Uranium-series isotope disequilibria in soil profiles from the southeastern Australian highlands

The sustainability of soil resources is determined by the balance between the rates of production and removal of soils. Samples from four weathering profiles at Frogs Hollow in the upper catchment area of the Murrumbidgee River (southeastern Australia) were analyzed for their uranium-series (U-series) isotopic composition to estimate soil production rates. Sequential leaching was conducted on sample aliquots to assess how U-series nuclides are distributed between primary and secondary minerals. Soil is increasingly weathered from bottom to top which is evident from the decrease in (234U/238U) ratios and increase in relative quartz content with decreasing soil depth. One soil profile shows little variation in mineralogy and U-series geochemistry with depth, explained by the occurrence of already extensively weathered saprolite, so that further weathering has minimal effect on mineralogy and geochemistry. Al2O3 is mobilized from these soils, and hence a silicon-based weathering index treating Al2O3 as mobile is introduced, which increases with decreasing soil depth, in all profiles. Leached and unleached aliquots show similar mineralogy with slight variation in relative concentrations, whereas the elemental and isotopic composition of uranium and thorium show notable differences between leached and unleached samples. Unleached samples show systematic variations in uranium-series isotopic compositions with depth compared to leached samples. This is most likely explained by the mobilization of U and Th from the samples during leaching. Soil residence times are calculated by modeling U-series activity ratios for each profile separately. Inferred timescales vary up to 30 kyr for unleached aliquots from profile F1 to up to 12 kyr for both leached and unleached aliquots from profile F2. Muscovite content shows a linear relationship with U-series derived soil residence times. This relationship provides an alternative method to estimate residence timescales for profiles with significant U-series data scatter. Using this alternative approach, inferred soil residence times up to 33 kyr for leached samples of profile F1 and up to 34 kyr for leached samples of profile F3 were determined. A linear relationship between soil residence times and WIS (Si-based Weathering Index) exists and is used to estimate soil residence times for profile F3 (up to 28 kyr) and F4 (up to 37 kyr). The linear relationship between soil depth and calculated residence time allows determination of soil production rates, which range from 10 to 24 mm/kyr and are comparable to the rates determined previously using cosmogenic isotopes at the same site (Heimsath et al., 2001b). This implies that at this site, on the highland plateau of southeastern Australia, soil thickness has reached steady-state, possibly as a result of stable tectonic conditions but despite variable climatic conditions over the timescale of soil development. Soil-mantled landscapes are the geomorphic expression of this balance between soil production and denudation, and our results show that in tectonically quiescent regions, this landscape can be achieved in less than 30 kyr.

Seed Bed Preparation and Mulching Methods For Sustainable Telfairia Production in the Rainforest Agroecology of Southeastern Nigeria

Seed bed preparation as the post land clearing operation, is crucial as a sustainable soil resource base for crop production in the rainforest agroecology. The study investigated the effects of four types of seedbed preparation (minimum tillage, harrowed flat, bed and ridge making) and three mulching methods (unmulched, surface and soil incorporation) using oil palm fruit fibre (fruit fibre) and multispecies thrash in owerri southeastern Nigeria. Owerri is located on latitude 50271N and longitude 50021E. The 4 x 3 factorial experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Fruit fibre incorporation in beds and harrowed flat seed bed preparations significantly (P&lt;0.05) enhanced the market quality of Telfairia occidentalis which was signified by production of heavy healthy leaves and large pods. It also improved the soil fertility at the end of the production cycle. Fruit fibre used either as a surface or incorporated mulch, was superior to thrash in weed suppression and yield of Telfairia. The unmulched seed beds, especially the ridge, produced poor Telfairia leaves and pods. Bed and harrowed flat seed bed preparations, when mulched (surface or incorporated) with fruit fibre, significantly (P&lt;0.05) improved the returns on investment to the farmer.Keywords: Seed bed, mulching, Telfairia, rainforest.

Water‐Saving Crop Planning Using Multiple Objective Chaos Particle Swarm Optimization for Sustainable Agricultural and Soil Resources Development

AbstractEstablishing a water‐saving planting structure is necessary for the arid, water‐deficient regions of northern China and of the world. Optimizing and adjusting a water‐saving agricultural planting structure is a typical semi‐structured, multi‐level, multi‐objective group decision‐making problem. Therefore, optimization can be best achieved with a swarm intelligence algorithm. We build an optimization model for a water‐saving planting structure with four target functions: (1) maximum total net output, (2) total grain yield, (3) ecological benefits, and (4) water productivity. The decision variable is the yearly seeded area of different crops, and its restrictions are the farmland area, the agricultural water resources, and the needs of the people and other farming‐related industries. Multiple objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) is an efficient optimization method, but its main shortcoming is that it can easily fall into a local optimum. Multiple objective chaos particle swarm optimization (MOCPSO) will greatly improve the searching performance of the algorithm by placing chaos technology with the advantages of ergodicity into MOPSO. When MOCPSO is used to solve the multi‐objective optimization model in the middle portion of the Heihe River basin, the results show that MOCPSO has the advantages of a high convergence speed and a tendency not to fall easily into a local optimum. After adopting a water‐saving agricultural planting structure, irrigation water would be reduced by about 7%, which would provide tangible economic, social, and ecological benefits for sustainable agricultural development.

Corn stover harvest strategy effects on grain yield and soil quality indicators

The development of technologies to use cellulosic biomass as a feedstock for biofuel production was recognized as an important research focus because cellulose is a more widely-available feedstock than corn starch. Our objective was to compare various corn (Zea mays L.) stover harvest strategies to determine which would be most sustainable. A complete block design with 2 ha plots, each replicated three times, was imposed on a 50 ha (125 acre) Clarion-Nicollet-Webster soil Association site near Emmetsburg, Iowa, U.S.A. before harvesting the 2008 corn crop. Hand samples were collected from a 1.5 m2 area in each plot to establish the potential amount of above-ground biomass that could be potentially harvested using one of seven stover harvest strategies. Surface soil samples (0 to 15 cm) were analyzed following each harvest to monitor fertility changes and to make subsequent fertilizer recommendations. Grain yields averaged 11.4, 10.1, 9.7, and 9.5 Mg ha-1 in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively, but were not signifi cantly affected by stover harvest treatments. Relative yield for the various treatments ranged from 97 to 107% of the conventional treatment for which none of the residue was harvested. Four-year average stover yields ranged 1.0 to 5.2 Mg ha-1 which was 12 to 60% of the above-ground biomass. Three years of plant tissue data at anthesis indicated N management needed to be improved as the values were below the critical concentration of 27 g kg-1. Sulfur concentrations were just barely above the critical value of 15 g kg-1. Soil test analyses showed substantial fi eld variability but no signifi cant stover harvest treatment effects. There was a slight decrease in soil organic carbon, unrelated to the stover harvest treatments, that is attributed to the intensity of tillage and crop yields that were lower than expected. Overall, this study is consistent with other studies in the U.S. Corn/Soybean Belt that indicate to sustain soil resources within this region, corn stover should generally not be harvested if average grain yields are less than 11 Mg ha-1 (175 bu ac-1). Strategies for achieving those levels include implementing more rigorous soil-testing and plant analysis programs, installing tile drainage where needed, improving overall nutrient management programs, reducing tillage intensity, incorporating cover crops and rotating corn with other crop such as soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], small grain, or forage.

Landscape management for sustainable supplies of bioenergy feedstock and enhanced soil quality

Agriculture can simultaneously address global food, feed, fiber, and energy challenges provided our soil, water, and air resources are not compromised in doing so. As we embark on the 19th Triennial Conference of the International Soil and Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO), I am pleased to proclaim that our members are well poised to lead these endeavors because of our comprehensive understanding of soil, water, agricultural and bio-systems engineering processes. The concept of landscape management, as an approach for integrating multiple bioenergy feedstock sources, including biomass residuals, into current crop production systems, is used as the focal point to show how these ever-increasing global challenges can be met in a sustainable manner. Starting with the 2005 Billion Ton Study (BTS) goals, research and technology transfer activities leading to the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Revised Billion Ton Study (BT2) and development of a residue management tool to guide sustainable crop residue harvest will be reviewed. Multi-location USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP) team research and on-going partnerships between public and private sector groups will be shared to show the development of landscape management strategies that can simultaneously address the multiple factors that must be balanced to meet the global challenges. Effective landscape management strategies recognize the importance of nature’s diversity and strive to emulate those conditions to sustain multiple critical ecosystem services. To illustrate those services, the soil quality impact of harvesting crop residues are presented to show how careful, comprehensive monitoring of soil, water and air resources must be an integral part of sustainable bioenergy feedstock production systems. Preliminary analyses suggest that to sustain soil resources within the U.S. Corn Belt, corn (Zea mays L.) stover should not be harvested if average grain yields are less than 11 Mg ha-1 (175 bu ac-1) unless more intensive landscape management practices are implemented. Furthermore, although non-irrigated corn grain yields east and west of the primary Corn Belt may not consistently achieve the 11 Mg ha-1 yield levels, corn can still be part of an overall landscape approach for sustainable feedstock production. Another option for producers with consistently high yields (&gt; 12.6 Mg ha-1 or 200 bu ac-1) that may enable them to sustainably harvest even more stover is to decrease their tillage intensity which will reduce fuel use, preserve rhizosphere carbon, and/or help maintain soil structure and soil quality benefits often attributed to no-till production systems. In conclusion, I challenge all ISTRO scientists to critically ask if your research is contributing to improved soil and crop management strategies that effectively address the complexity associated with sustainable food, feed, fiber and fuel production throughout the world.

Projection Pursuit Evaluation Model: Optimizing Scheme of Crop Planning for Agricultural Sustainable Development and Soil Resources Utilization

AbstractPlanting structure influences the economic, social, and ecological benefits of crop farming as well as the use efficiency of water and arable land resources, and so crop planning (CP) benefits for agricultural sustainable development and soil resources utilization. The projection pursuit evaluation (PPE) model is put forward to solve the problem of selecting an optimizing scheme for CP by considering the indices of water‐saving and economic, social, and ecological benefits. The real‐coding‐based accelerating genetic algorithm (RAGA) is introduced to accelerate the calculation process. The model can translate multi‐indices into a single index by transforming high‐dimensional data to low‐dimensional space, which helps evaluate CP optimizing schemes. For example, the model is used to evaluate and select an optimal scheme of CP in the middle reaches of the Heihe mainstream basin in the arid area of northwest China. According to four criteria (high efficiency of resources use, economic rationality, social equity, and ecological security) 19 indices were chosen to evaluate 12 optimizing schemes of four kinds (economic‐benefit, food‐security, ecological‐benefit, and water‐saving programs) in 2006, 2020, and 2030. The result shows that, in the 3 years, the water‐saving program is always the optimized scheme in an arid region with water deficiency and fragile ecology. The evaluated results match up to the developmental conditions of crop farming in recent years. Moreover, the direction of the optimal projection could reflect the weight and orientation of indices objectively and accurately.

Soil and water conservation capabilities among farmers and extension agents in eastern region of Nigeria

Sustaining soil and water resources for improved agricultural production requires improved capacity of relevant stakeholders. The study aimed to ascertain this capacity in terms of perceived knowledge and importance of selected soil and water conservation (SWC) practices amongst farmers and extension agents (EAs) in the Eastern region of Nigeria. Data were collected from 101 farmers and 66 EAs using questionnaire instruments and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that both EAs and farmers were knowledgeable in most of the SWC studied as well as perceived the practices as very important. However, the EAs had more knowledge and perceived these practices as more important than farmers. Farmers did not adopt some SWC practices which were capital intensive or which they were not knowledgeable in. There were significant differences in the perceived knowledge and perceived importance of SWC practices between farmers and EAs in few SWC practices that were studied. Based on the key findings from the study, it was recommended that farmers need to be regularly trained by EAs using integrated methods in order to increase their capabilities in SWC practices. On the other hand, EAs also need to update their own skills through short courses and training in extension methods. Key words: Soil and water conservation, practices, farmers, extension agents, Eastern Nigeria.

Landscape management for sustainable supplies of bioenergy feedstock and enhanced soil quality

Agriculture can simultaneously address global food, feed, fi ber, and energy challenges provided our soil, water, and air resources are not compromised in doing so. As we embark on the 19th Triennial Conference of the International Soil and Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO), I am pleased to proclaim that our members are well poised to lead these endeavors because of our comprehensive understanding of soil, water, agricultural and bio-systems engineering processes. The concept of landscape management, as an approach for integrating multiple bioenergy feedstock sources, including biomass residuals, into current crop production systems, is used as the focal point to show how these ever-increasing global challenges can be met in a sustainable manner. Starting with the 2005 Billion Ton Study (BTS) goals, research and technology transfer activities leading to the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Revised Billion Ton Study (BT2) and development of a residue management tool to guide sustainable crop residue harvest will be reviewed. Multi-location USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP) team research and on-going partnerships between public and private sector groups will be shared to show the development of landscape management strategies that can simultaneously address the multiple factors that must be balanced to meet the global challenges. Effective landscape management strategies recognize the importance of nature’s diversity and strive to emulate those conditions to sustain multiple critical ecosystem services. To illustrate those services, the soil quality impact of harvesting crop residues are presented to show how careful, comprehensive monitoring of soil, water and air resources must be an integral part of sustainable bioenergy feedstock production systems. Preliminary analyses suggest that to sustain soil resources within the U.S. Corn Belt, corn ( Zea mays L.) stover should not be harvested if average grain yields are less than 11 Mg ha-1 (175 bu ac-1) unless more intensive landscape management practices are implemented. Furthermore, although non-irrigated corn grain yields east and west of the primary Corn Belt may not consistently achieve the 11 Mg ha-1 yield levels, corn can still be part of an overall landscape approach for sustainable feedstock production. Another option for producers with consistently high yields (> 12.6 Mg ha-1 or 200 bu ac-1) that may enable them to sustainably harvest even more stover is to decrease their tillage intensity which will reduce fuel use, preserve rhizosphere carbon, and/or help maintain soil structure and soil quality benefi ts often attributed to no-till production systems. In conclusion, I challenge all ISTRO scientists to critically ask if your research is contributing to improved soil and crop management strategies that effectively address the complexity associated with sustainable food, feed, fi ber and fuel production throughout the world.

A new distributed rainfall-runoff (DR2) model based on soil saturation and runoff cumulative processes

Abstract One important issue in agricultural management and hydrological research is the assessment of water stored during a rainfall event. In this study, a new GIS-based rainfall-runoff model is presented to estimate soil moisture status (SMS) for each month of the year after an average rainfall event with maximum intensity. The new model computes the volume of actual available water (Waa) downwards from divides, taking into account the different configurations of the upslope contributing area, infiltration processes and climatic parameters. Results show that the spatial distribution of the different soil types is the main controlling factor in the initiation of runoff and, to a lesser extent, the antecedent topsoil moisture and the volumetric water content of the soil at saturation. Monthly Waa and SMS maps and Palmer Z-indexes present similar spatial patterns, although the values and the extension of the different dry and wet categories varied considerably. Predominant wet conditions occurred in May, September, October, November and December and dry conditions appeared in February, March and July. The wettest conditions took place in gently sloping areas, according to the topographic wetness index. Maps based on Palmer Z-indexes match very closely the SMS patterns predicted by the DR2 model from January to September, but the similarity was poor from October to December. Spatial predictions with the new model identify the different sub-categories of soil wetness for each soil type in greater detail. The DR2 model seems to be of interest to monitor humidity variations and trends in time and space and to provide valuable information for sustainable soil and water resource management.