Sustainable Agricultural Land Management Research Articles

Quantifying soil organic matter for sustainable agricultural land management with soil color and machine learning technique

AbstractAs interest in sustainable agricultural land management continues to grow, there is a need for advanced techniques that enable easy and rapid quantification of soil characteristics. Soil organic matter (SOM) is a critical factor in determining soil health. Unfortunately, contemporary techniques for SOM content analysis are laborious, time consuming, and resource intensive. In response to this challenge, our study has developed a statistical model for forecasting the SOM content using soil color indices and machine learning algorithms. Color indices, including brightness, hue, and saturation, were derived from the soil images captured by a smartphone. The correlation between color indices and SOM reveals the negative correlations between brightness (−0.790) and hue (−0.420) with the SOM content at significance level (p) <0.01. Conversely, the saturation of soil color, which performed best with the predictive model, exhibited a positive relationship (+0.120, p<0.05). The predictive performance of our model outperformed random forest (RF) algorithm compared to both multiple linear regression (MLR) and support vector machine (SVM). The RF algorithm achieved the highest coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.984. Furthermore, it demonstrated the lowest error metrics. Notably, the root mean squared error value for the RF algorithm was only 0.025% with the training dataset, whereas the MLR and SVM algorithms yielded relatively higher values at 0.029% and 0.110%, respectively. These findings highlight the presence of a nonlinear relationship in predicting the SOM content, which the RF algorithm effectively captures. This approach offers accurate predictions of the SOM content, supporting sustainable agricultural land management through rapid and easy quantification.

Detailed soil mapping and classification study for sustainable agricultural land management; Samsun-Vezirköprü example

This study aims to determine basic physico-chemical soil properties, make a classification, create a soil database, and generate a digital soil map for agricultural areas that cover about 111 km2 ha and includes 18 villages located in Vezirköprü district in the Samsun province. The average annual temperature is 12.52 °C and the annual average rainfall is 518 mm. According to the Newhall simulation model, soil temperature and moisture regimes are Mesic and Typic Xeric, respectively. Field observations and investigation of topographical, geological, and geomorphological maps, 16 soil pedons were described. Soil samples were taken from each pedon based on the genetic horizon and laboratory analyzes were performed. The detailed field study was carried out by considering the grid method and auger examination. The determination and description of 16 soil series were made by evaluating the findings of analyses and field research. Due to their quick pedological processes, six of them were classified as Entisol, six as Inceptisol, three as Verisol, and one as Alfisol. Vertisols cover about 35.63% of the total area followed by Inceptisols at 22.3%, Entisols at 22.3%, and Alfisol at 13.58%. As for FAO-WRB classification system, soils were classified as Vertisol, Cambisol, Leptosol, and Luvisol. In addition, whereas the Bakçekonak series has the largest area (15.02%), the Yürükçal series was determined as the smallest land (1.65%) in the study area.

Physically based numerical model for the landscape evolution of soil-mantled watersheds driven by rainfall and overland flow

Soil and gully erosion is a critical threat to sustainable agricultural land management and productivity. Soil erosion by rain splash, sheet runoff, and concentrated flow are complex problems conditioned by the combined interactions of soil physical properties, hydrology, human activity, landscape topography, and climate. Effective management of erosion processes driven by rainfall and surface runoff requires a combined effort of field observation, physical experimentation, and numerical simulation. A physically-based hydrodynamic numerical model, CCHE2D with updated raindrop erosion effects, is applied to simulate landscape evolution processes as a result of raindrop impact and overland flow. The numerical model simulates a thin layer of runoff and concentrated flow over complex terrains, and predicts sediment transport due to raindrop splash detachment, transport and soil surface erosions. Soil erosion and landform evolution simulations due to rainfall are presented for an experimental landscape and a tilled large scale agricultural field. Photogrammetric field data were collected using an unmanned aerial system (UAS) following planting and subsequent rainstorms. Numerical simulation results agreed well with the observed experimental soil surface topography, sediment yield, and drainage network developments. The simulated soil and gully erosion in the tilled field also agreed well with observations. This research successfully demonstrates how high resolution spatial and temporal topographic measurements in experimental and field landscapes can be simulated and interrogated by 2D physically-based hydrodynamic and morphodynamic models. The accurate predictions of tillage field and gully erosion process in agriculture watersheds with complex tillage conditions also indicated the usefulness of the model for studying soil and landscape degradation.

Impact of Agricultural Land Use Types on Soil Moisture Retention of Loamy Soils

Increasingly severe hydrological extremes are predicted for the Pannonian Basin as one of the consequences of climate change. The challenges of extreme droughts require the adaptation of agriculture especially during the intense growth phase of crops. For dryland farming, the selections of the optimal land use type and sustainable agricultural land management are potential adaptation tools for facing the challenges posed by increased aridity. To this end, it is indispensable to understand soil moisture (SM) dynamics under different land use types over drought-affected periods. Within the framework of a Slovenian–Hungarian project, soil moisture, matric potential and rainfall time series have been collected at three pilot sites of different land use types (pasture, orchards and a ploughland) in SW Hungary since September 2018. Experiments were carried out in soils of silt, silt loam and clay loam texture. In the summers (June 1 to August 31) of 2019 and 2022, we identified normal and dry conditions, respectively, with regard to differences in water balance. Our results demonstrated that soil moisture is closely controlled by land use. Marked differences of the moisture regime were revealed among the three land use types based on statistical analyses. Soils under pasture had the most balanced regime, whereas ploughland soils indicated the highest amplitude of moisture dynamics. The orchard, however, showed responses to weather conditions in sharp contrast with the other two sites. Our results are applicable for loamy soils under humid and subhumid temperate climates and for periods of extreme droughts, a condition which is expected to be the norm for the future.

Emerging new global soil governance structure in agrifood systems: Taking the “4 per 1,000” initiative as an example

Food systems emit 21%-37% of the global greenhouse gases (GHGs). Soil degradation, accelerated by global warming, poses a threat to over 40% of the land surfaces, threatening food security. Keeping soils alive and healthy could not only play a part in food security, but also in sequestrating GHGs for climate mitigation. In 2015, the “4 per 1,000” Initiative was launched in Paris COP21, indicating that a “4‰” annual growth rate of the soil organic carbon sequestration could hold the temperature increase within 1.5°C−2°C. However, major GHG emitting countries haven't signed the 4‰ Initiative at national level. Political willingness need to be encouraged though institutional innovations in the global soil governance (GSG). This article conducts a comprehensive policy review for the 4‰ Initiative and attempts to develop the concept of global soil governance from an aspect of New Common But Differentiated Responsibility. The SOC sink targets reveal that countries like China, India, the UK, the US, and France take more pains than those like Australia, Russia, and Canada. A new “soil carbon rich” and “soil carbon poor” divide is perceived, which needs to be taken into the GSG as a restructuring motivation for setting a more practical and integrated framework. In that sense, some developed countries face similar challenges as the developing countries do, but could contribute more in finance and technology. Bandwagon of applying sustainable agricultural land management (SALM) methodology in carbon markets implies that soil-climate co-benefits get greater practical momentum with quantified trading platforms, which may stimulate potentiality if embodied in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Remote Sensing Data to Support Integrated Decision Making in Cultural and Natural Heritage Management. Impasses and opportunities for collaboration in agricultural areas

Remote and near surface sensing data are widely used in archaeology and heritage management for feature discovery, change detection and monitoring, as an input to predictive modelling, and in the planning process. While global and regional datasets are widely used for some purposes, data are regularly acquired specifically for archaeological projects because of the very high spatial resolution required for feature detection and assessments of archaeological significance and the need for data on subsurface features. The sensing data collected for archaeology cover limited areas and only a few types of sensors, known to produce data efficiently, are regularly employed. Precision agriculture is beginning to produce large quantities of varied sensing data across extensive landscape areas. This situation creates an opportunity to adapt and reuse precision agricultural data for archaeology and heritage work, extending covering and enhancing our understanding of archaeology in contemporary agricultural landscapes. Equally, there is potential for coordinated data collection, collecting data once for multiple applications, and to add value through analyses which bring together perspectives from multiple related domains to model long-term processes in anthropogenic soil systems. This article provides a high-level overview of policy and technological developments which create the potential for sensing data reuse, coordinated data collection, and collaborative analyses across archaeological, agricultural, and agri-environmental applications while underscoring the structural barriers which, at present, constrain this potential. It highlights examples where the development of interoperable data and workflows can promote tighter integration of archaeology and cultural heritage management with sustainable agricultural land management and support integrated decision making.

Research trends on biochar-based smart fertilizers as an option for the sustainable agricultural land management: Bibliometric analysis and review

Several studies have investigated nutrient-enriched and nutrient poor biochar to improve soil properties, increase nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity. Review articles have presented formulations and production methods of biochar-based fertilizers. They reported nutrient-enriched biochar improves -45ves crop productivity, soil health and preserves the environment. But so far, none of the studies has conceptualized the nutrient-enriched biochar as a biochar-based smart fertilizer or presented the conceptual and intellectual structures and the collaborative networks of authors and countries working on biochar-based smart fertilizers. For the first time, this study has mapped the scientific knowledge generated on the topic and established a solid ground for its innovative progress and research pursuits. A total of 2,779 scientific publications on biochar-based fertilizers were exported from scopus database in August 2022 and were analyzed using bibliometrix software package and the biblioshiny web interface in R version 4.1.3. The results indicated that the papers in our collection cover the period from 2007 to 2022 with a raising number from 2017 to 2021. Almost all documents (99.38%) were co-authored with an average of 6 authors (5.76) per article. The analysis of keywords and the evolution of topics revealed that biochar-based smart fertilizers in relation to organic nutrient sources, soil microbiology and soil sanitation were the most studied topics in the scientific debates. China had more collaboration in the network working on biochar-based fertilizers, while the West African countries belonging to the network have not developed any collaboration so far. This suggests the formulation of research projects that may involve African countries to work with other countries including China, USA, Germany, Australia and Poland. This study is more comprehensive in terms of a global view of the conceptual and intellectual contours and network of actors on biochar-based smart fertilizers. Future research on the topic should be conducted more in the fields under farmers’ conditions and may focus on (i) enrichment of biochar with nutrients from organic sources before its application to the soil, (ii) soil remediation and microbiology in relation to biochar-based fertilizer applications, and (iii) economic profitability of biochar fertilizers for small-scale farmers.

Agricultural Land Access and Use in Burundi

Agricultural land accessibility and use in Burundi has been reviewed and analyzed in this study. SWOT and SOR analysis have been used to examine its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and some strategies that can lead to sustainable agriculture have been determined. It has been observed that Burundi has a serious problem with agricultural land atomicity. More than 40% of agricultural households cultivate plots less than 0.25 ha. Kayanza and Ngozi are most densely populated provinces. 44% of the agricultural land is on sloping hills and a total of 145.3 tons/ha of arable land is lost every year. However, thanks to the efforts of land development projects, arable land has increased and reached 79.17% of total area of the country in 2018. Unfortunately, it has been shown that the growth rate of agricultural production over the last decade was lower (2%) than the population growth rate (2.6%-3%). It is desirable to implement a land consolidation policy, especially in densely populated areas. For eroded soils, it is ideal to strengthen anti-erosion practices to protect soils and save water. Government of Burundi and NGOs should support agricultural sector by disseminating methods and techniques that will ensure sustainable management of agricultural land.

Soil organic carbon, aggregation and fungi community after 44years of no-till and cropping systems in the Central Great Plains, USA.

Implementing sustainable agricultural land management practices such as no-till (NT) and diversified crops are important for maintaining soil health properties. This study focuses on the soil health of three long-term (44years) tillage systems, NT, reduced tillage (RT), and conventional tillage (CT), in monoculture winter wheat-fallow (W-F) (Triticum aestivum L.) and wheat-soybean (W-S) (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) rotation. Soil organic carbon (C) was higher in NT than CT in the surface 0-5cm, but not different in the 5-15cm, demonstrating SOC stratification on the soil profile. The soil water content was higher in NT followed by RT and CT in the top 0-5cm. We found an association between increased carbon, aggregation, and AMF biomass. Greater soil aggregation, carbon and AMF were observed in NT at 0-5cm soil depth. The W-S cropping system had greater soil microbial community composition based on fungi biomass, AMF and fungal to bacteria ratio from phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA). Large macroaggregates were positively correlated with total C and N, microbial biomass, Gram + , and AMF. Soil water content was positively correlated with macroaggregates, total C and N, and AC. No-till increased soil carbon content even after 44years of cultivation. By implementing conservation tillage systems and diversified crop rotation, soil quality can be improved through greater soil organic C, water content, greater soil structure, and higher AMF biomass than CT practice in the Central Great Plains.

Sustainable Agricultural Management of Land Using Technology for Soil and Water Conservation within the Central Rift Valley, Central Ethiopia

Ethiopia has used several techniques for conserving water and soil. However, different sociocultural and technical problems have been affecting their implementation. The study is aimed at assessing sustainable agricultural management of land implementations through traditional and modern conservation of soil and water technologies in the central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. The research approach used was a descriptive survey using a cross-sectional research design. Household heads were chosen at random from the three kebeles, while representatives were chosen using a proportionate sample technique. Furthermore, kebeles and key informants were selected by using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through questionnaires, key informant interviews, and field observation. The results show that both traditional and contemporary methods for conserving soil and water have advantages and disadvantages of their own, and some of them have been combined. A number of factors, including age, family size, education, topography, distance from the homestead, income, and the availability of training, have a big impact on whether or not soil and water conservation methods are adopted. The majority of farmers use mixed farming followed by crop production to meet their livelihood needs. The most widely implemented physical measure was terracing, followed by stone bunds. The farmers practiced traditional waterways, furrows, check dams, terracing, and stone bunds as traditional conservation practices. Agroforestry, followed by grass strip and area closure, was the most commonly implemented vegetative measure. Besides, animal manure, followed by animal parking, was the most implemented agronomic measure. The concerned stakeholders need to pay more attention to community mobilization for the conservation, upkeep, and development of traditional and modern soil and water conservation structures. In order to employ traditional and contemporary soil and water conservation measures for sustainable agricultural land management practices, experts need to instruct the local farmers.

Effects of Conservation Agriculture and Conventional Tillage on the Soil Physicochemical Properties and Household Income in Southern Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, soil degradation has been ongoing for centuries and caused the population to be food insecured. To cope with the challenges of soil fertility loss and related stress, various indigenous reclamation practices have been developed and implemented by local smallholder farmers. However, the contributions of indigenous soil management in augmenting soil quality and crop productivity were not well studied. This study selected two neighboring districts, Derashe and Arba Minch Zuriya, with different indigenous soil management practices. The Derashe people as an adaptation strategy designed indigenous soil management, locally known as Targa-na-Potayta with zero tillage, and mixed/rotational cropping. However, in the neighboring Arba Minch Zuriya district, smallholder farmers use conventional tillage using animal power. Representative soil samples were collected from selected four adjacent kebeles of the two districts. Eight farm plots per kebele were selected and a total of 32 composite samples were collected following a zigzag pattern to the depth of 30 cm. Bulk density (BD), field capacity (FC), permanent wilting point (PWP), particle size, soil textural classes, power of hydrogen (pH), cation exchange capacity (CEC), available potassium (Av. K), available phosphorous (Av. P), total nitrogen (TN), exchangeable bases (Na, Mg, Ca, and K), and soil organic carbon (OC) were analyzed. To assess crop production and income, a total of 392 household heads were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using an independent sample t-test. The results showed, soils under indigenous management, clay content was 53.74 ± 2.68%, FC 47.8 ± 1.09%, AWHC 15.2 ± 0.37%, pH 8.02 ± 0.07, SOC 1.8 ± 0.02%, and sum of cations 68.2 ± 1.66 meq/100 g. The values in the tested parameters were statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ) and favor good soil management practice as compared to conventional tillage. Using the three consecutive cultivation seasons, CA and CT groups’ mean production from pooled annual crops was 81.28 and 51.03Q ha-1, respectively. CA and CT groups’ mean gross income from annual crops was 98,250.15 ETB ($2751.78) ha-1 and 71,099.48 ETB ($1993.4) ha-1, respectively. Considering the pooled three consecutive cultivation seasons, CA and CT groups’ income from annual + perennial crops was 93,405.29 ETB ($2870.69) ha-1 and 280,721.73 ETB ($8325.17) ha-1, respectively. CA and CT groups’ per annum income from annual + perennial crops was 49,672.86 ETB ($1444.82) ha-1 and 157,980.60 ETB ($4595.13) ha-1, respectively. To sustainably maximize the productivity of the land, conventional tillage practicing smallholder farmers need to integrate the indigenous soil management approach—Targa-na-Potayta. Besides, the benefits of Targa-na-Potayta as sustainable agricultural land management practice need to be scaled out with policy support.

Studying the Physiological Reactions of C4 Grasses in Order to Select Them for Cultivation on Marginal Lands

One of the problems of sustainable agricultural land management (SALM) is the competition between food production and biomass production. For this reason, marginal lands with unfavorable agrotechnical conditions have been proposed for non-food crops in recent years. To this end, a better understanding of the impact of environmental factors on crop development and yield is needed. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of soil water availability on selected morphological, physiological and growth characteristics of four C4 grass species (Miscanthus × giganteus, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Miscanthus sinensis and Spartina pectinate) growing under different water and fertilizer conditions. A pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions with four grass species, three different water rates (100, 85 and 70%) and three fertilizer rates (270, 180 and 90 kg NPK ha−1). The study showed that water stress, regardless of plant species, increased the chlorophyll content index without affecting the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. Water stress significantly decreased plant fresh and dry mass, shoot number and length, and shoot/leaf ratio. The response to water deficit depended on the plant species. Miscanthus sinensis was the most sensitive to water deficit and Spartina pectinate the most tolerant (reduction in dry mass of 41.5% and 18%, respectively). Water stress (85% and 70%) reduced the number and the length of shoots without affecting the average diameter of shoots of the tested grasses, resulting in a significant reduction in biomass production of plants grown under optimal conditions with mineral NPK fertilization (180 kg NPK ha−1). Miscanthus sacchariflorus showed the highest dry matter under the worst growing conditions (70% and 90 NPK) and therefore could be recommended for cultivation on marginal lands with unfavorable agrotechnical conditions. It should be emphasized that the high yield of this species was not due to the photosynthetic efficiency, but better growth stem parameters (length and number). It appears that, for long-term agricultural land management, it is preferable to determine fertilizer rates for each crop species based on soil water availability. It should also be emphasized that increasing the yield of potential lignocellulosic crops for energy purposes while reducing environmental impact appears to be one of the viable answers to the difficulties of conventional energy production.

Rainfall Erosivity Impact on Sustainable Management of Agricultural Land in Changing Climate Conditions

Soil is negatively affected by many degradation factors, of which soil erosion is the most serious, affecting soil quality, crop production, and environmental components. Soil quality is an issue dealt with in the New European Green Deal. In order to meet the set goals, it will be necessary to address soil degradation and water erosion in the agricultural landscape, and increase the area of green infrastructure within the landscape (e.g., fragments of woodland, windbreaks, and grassland). In this context, climate change is also expected to affect the frequency and intensity of torrential rainfall, leading to increased runoff, reduced infiltration, and greater soil loss. Therefore, in this study, we have elaborated the issue of agricultural landscape and erosion, looking at erosion control measures necessary in dealing with existing erosion processes in an intensively farmed area with chernozem soils, and compared these with scenarios assumed for 2050. In these future scenarios, the commonly applied agrotechnical measures will not suffice to keep soil loss at a tolerable level. In the future, it will be necessary to discuss a further reduction in the size of land blocks, with the inclusion of green infrastructure in the landscape. In addition to solving problems of erosion, this would increase diversity in the area and enable sustainable agricultural management.

Assessment of Fertility Status of Soils under Different Cropping Patterns and Implications for Sustainable Agricultural Land Management

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GIS application in analysis of threat of forest fires and landslides in the Svrljiski Timok basin (Serbia)

Forest fires and landslides represent very frequent natural disasters in Serbia. The Svrljiski Timok river basin is located in the southeastern part of the Republic of Serbia, and according to natural characteristics it represents a significant area for geohazard study. The task of the research is to analyse natural and anthropogenic condition by determining locations which are susceptible to forest fires and landslides in order to protect the population and infrastructure. Using Geographic Informational Systems (GIS) and available data, their processing was started for the susceptibility of the terrain to forest fires using the RC index. For the analysis of the territory occurrence of landslides the statistical Probability method (PM) and Landslide Susceptibility Index (LSI) were used. The obtained results indicate that 20.81% of the area of the Svrljiski Timok basin has a very high susceptibility to forest fires, while 29.21% of the terrain is highly susceptible to landslides. The results gained processing the RC index can be applied to adequate risk management of forest fires, improvement of monitoring and early warning systems in the study area. Sustainable management of agricultural land and improvement of environmental protection can be implemented on the basis of the obtained results for the most endangered areas of landslides.

Sustainable Agricultural Land Management in Garut Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia

The high land conversion rate to other sectors has led the government to issue Law No. 41 in 2009 concerning Protection of Sustainable Agricultural Land (SAL). The study aims to identify the distribution of sustainable agricultural land uses and determine agricultural land-use changes from 2016 to 2019 and determine farmers' understanding of sustainable agricultural land control in the strategic area of Garut Regency. We overlaid the land use maps of Garut Regency in 2016 and 2019 and conducted a survey using an online questionnaire with a Google form. The research location is in five districts in Garut Regency. The results showed no land conversion in the area of existing sustainable agricultural land in Garut Regency. The total rice field area is 6,081 hectares, with about 24% is sustainable agricultural land. From 2016 to 2019, the rice field area decreased by 12 hectares. The farmers' awareness of SAL tends to be more likely aware of the sustainable agricultural land area, as many as 39% of farmers aware of sustainable agricultural land. The incentives given to farmers who control sustainable agricultural land are tax deduction, agricultural infrastructure supply, agricultural production facilities subsidies, and land certification facilities. The majority of the respondents are aware of these incentives. In conclusion, no sustainable agricultural land is converted, even though changes occur in non-sustainable agricultural land. The impact of this study is for recommendations to the government in sustainable agricultural land management.

“Omics” Technologies for the Study of Soil Carbon Stabilization: A Review

Evidence-based decisions governing sustainable agricultural land management practices require a mechanistic understanding of soil organic matter (SOM) transformations and stabilization of carbon in soil. Large amounts of carbon from organic fertilizers, root exudates, and crop residues are input into agricultural soils. Microbes then catalyze soil biogeochemical processes including carbon extracellular transformation, mineralization, and assimilation of resources that are later returned to the soil as metabolites and necromass. A systems biology approach for a holistic study of the transformation of carbon inputs into stable SOM requires the use of soil “omics” platforms (metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics, and metabolomics). Linking the data derived from these various platforms will enhance our knowledge of structure and function of the microbial communities involved in soil carbon cycling and stabilization. In this review, we discuss the application, potential, and suitability of different “omics” approaches (independently and in combination) for elucidating processes involved in the transformation of stable carbon in soil. We highlight biases associated with these approaches including limitations of the methods, experimental design, and soil sampling, as well as those associated with data analysis and interpretation.

PotatoScanner – ein System zur drahtlosen Übertragung von Sensordaten für Smart Farming Anwendungen am Beispiel der Trockenstresserfassung bei Kartoffelpflanzen

Sustainable management of agricultural land requires the accurate collection of information about the condition of plants and the environment in which they grow. The term “Smart Farming” refers to technologies that can collect, evaluate and apply this information. In the following the PotatoScanner is presented which is able to collect and evaluate environmental data in the field. As an application example, the surface temperature of plants is recorded. With this parameter a determination of the drought stress of plants can be performed. In addition, the PotatoScanner is able to retrieve and store measurement data from other sensors in the field. This allows the collection of sensor data of infield sensors without the availability of a suitable transmission link, e.g., by a cellular network. This situation is created by the lack of investment from German cellphone operators on building up and operating cellular networks in rural areas. The PotatoScanner is able to compensate for this deficit, which enables the use of sensor technology in areas where no cellphone network is available. After the description of the system, an evaluation over two seasons is presented. Furthermore, it is shown which possibilities for infield data transmission exist and which environmental influences have to be considered during operation.

Effects of Agroforestry and Other Sustainable Practices in the Kenya Agricultural Carbon Project (KACP)

With growing global demand for food, unsustainable farming practices and large greenhouse gas emissions, farming systems need to sequester more carbon than they emit, while also increasing productivity and food production. The Kenya Agricultural Carbon Project (KACP) recruited farmer groups committed to more Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (SALM) practices and provided these groups with initial advisory services on SALM, farm enterprise development and village savings and loan associations. Recommended SALM practices included agroforestry, cover crops, mulching, composting manure, terracing, reduced tillage and water harvesting. The effects of the KACP on the uptake of SALM practices, maize yield, perceived food self-sufficiency and savings during the initial four years were assessed comparing control and project farmers using interviews, field visits and measurements. Farmers participating in the KACP seemed to have increased uptake of most SALM practices and decreased the use of practices to be avoided under the KACP recommendations. Agroforestry and terraces showed positive effects on maize yield. During all four years, the KACP farms had higher maize yield than control farms, but yield differences were similar in 2009 and 2012 and there was no overall significant effect of the KACP. In 2012, the KACP farms had higher food self-sufficiency and tended to have higher monetary savings than control farms.

Physico-Chemical Properties of Soil Collected from Chandrabhaga River in Kalmeshwar, Nagpur, Maharashtra

Soil, itself means Soul of Infinite Life. Soil is the naturally occurring unconsolidated or loose covering on the earth’s surface. Physical properties depend upon the amount, size, shape, arrangement, and mineral composition of soil particles. It also depends on the organic matter content and pore spaces. Chemical properties depend on the Inorganic and organic matter present in the soil. Soils are the essential components of the environment and foundation resources for nearly all types of land use, besides being the most important component of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, assessment of soil quality and its direction of change with time is an ideal and primary indicator of sustainable agricultural land management. Soil quality indicators refer to measurable soil attributes that influence the capacity of a soil to function, within the limits imposed by the ecosystem, to preserve biological productivity and environmental quality and promote plant, animal and human health. The present study is to assess these soil attributes such as physical and chemical properties season-wise.