Sustainable Soil Management Practices Research Articles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Challenges in Sustainable Agriculture—The Role of Organic Amendments

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

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

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

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

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

Heavy metal tolerance and accumulation in the Brassica species (Brassica chinensis var. parachinensis and Brassica rapa L.): A pot experiment

This study delves into the heavy metal tolerance and accumulation capabilities of Brassica chinensis var. parachinensis (B. chinensis) and Brassica rapa L. (B. rapa) in a pot experiment, specifically focusing on cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb). Agricultural topsoils were spiked with varying concentrations of these heavy metals (0 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 225 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) for each element. The experiment involved cultivating 15 pots each of B. chinensis and B. rapa over 60 days. Results indicated that both Brassica species experienced delayed germination, with B. chinensis exhibiting a significant drop in germination percentage to 53 % at the highest concentration (300 mg/kg), while B. rapa showed a tendency for an increased germination percentage of up to 80 % at elevated metal concentrations; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Both B. chinensis and B. rapa demonstrated a stable decline in growth rate from 0.05 cm/day to 0.04 cm/day with increasing heavy metal concentrations, and the he reduction in relative growth rate was significant at the highest concentration compared to the control. The stress tolerance index revealed a significant decrease in plant heights for B. chinensis, in contrast to the stable performance of B. rapa, showcasing the tolerance of B. rapa to toxic conditions. Despite insignificant differences in fresh biomass due to metal treatments, B. chinensis consistently yielded higher biomass, yet it had a lower edible index due to its higher root biomass. Leaf areas increased significantly in both species at higher soil treatments, while root lengths remained unchanged, suggesting their resilience to elevated heavy metal concentrations. Analysis of plant tissues (leaves, stems and roots) using ICP-OES revealed that B. rapa accumulated the highest Cd concentration (864 mg/kg), whereas B. chinensis accumulated the highest Pb concentration (953 mg/kg) in root parts. Both species significantly accumulated Cr in roots, demonstrating a sequestration mechanism. These findings suggest that both species, particularly, B. rapa possess strong tolerance and accumulation capabilities for non-essential heavy metals, making them potential hyperaccumulators for green remediation techniques in toxic soil environments. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving these responses and validating phytoremediation potential in real-world scenarios is essential for developing sustainable soil management practices.

Continuous planting of Chinese fir monocultures significantly influences dissolved organic matter content and microbial assembly processes

Monoculture plantations in China, characterized by the continuous cultivation of a single species, pose challenges to timber accumulation and understory biodiversity, raising concerns about sustainability. This study investigated the impact of continuous monoculture plantings of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata [Lamb.] Hook.) on soil properties, dissolved organic matter (DOM), and microorganisms over multiple generations. Soil samples from first to fourth-generation plantations were analyzed for basic chemical properties, DOM composition using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, and microorganisms via high-throughput sequencing. Results revealed a significant decline in nitrate nitrogen content with successive rotations, accompanied by an increase in easily degradable compounds like carbohydrates, aliphatic/proteins, tannins, Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen- (CHON) and Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Sulfur- (CHOS) containing compounds. However, the recalcitrant compounds, such as lignin and carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAMs), condensed aromatics and Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen- (CHO) containing compounds decreased. Microorganism diversity, abundance, and structure decreased with successive plantations, affecting the ecological niche breadth of fungal communities. Bacterial communities were strongly influenced by DOM composition, particularly lignin/CRAMs and tannins. Continuous monoculture led to reduced soil nitrate, lignin/CRAMs, and compromised soil quality, altering chemical properties and DOM composition, influencing microbial community assembly. This shift increased easily degraded DOM, accelerating soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, ultimately reducing soil carbon sequestration. From environmental point of view, the study emphasizes the importance of sustainable soil management practices in continuous monoculture systems. Particularly the findings offer valuable insights for addressing challenges associated with monoculture plantations and promoting long-term ecological sustainability.

A Study of the Influence of the Type of Land Use on the Enzymatic Activity of Soils in Southwestern China

Although soil enzyme activity can act as an effective indicator of soil nutrient status, there is some uncertainty about its accuracy within soil depth across different land uses. To assess the effects of different land uses on the interactions between soil enzyme activity and nutrient status within different soil horizons, in this study we examined soil total carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations, pH, and the activities of five hydrolytic (i.e., amylase, invertase, cellulase, acid phosphatase, and urease) and three oxidative enzymes (i.e., catalase, dehydrogenase, and phenol oxidase) involved in C, N, and P acquisition and evaluated their interactions within the topsoil (0–10 cm), subsoil (10–20 cm), and deeper soil layer (20–30 cm) under various land uses (i.e., rice field, cultivated land, bamboo plantation, forest land, and barren land). We found that the levels of hydrolytic enzyme activities and nutrient concentrations were higher in the topsoil than the deeper layer. The hydrolytic enzyme activities were positive correlated with soil C, N, and P concentrations, while the activities of oxidative enzymes showed strong associations with soil pH. Furthermore, the results of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation models suggest that the overall enzyme activity can serve as an indicator of soil nutrient status in the topsoil and subsoil, but not in the deeper layer. The depth-specific nature of soil enzyme–nutrient relationships may be attributed to different land-use management practices. Our study highlights the complex interactions between soil nutrients, pH, and enzyme activities within soil profiles, and soil enzyme activity as an indicator of soil nutrient status is depth-dependent across the different land uses. The specific functional groups of enzymes and the gradients of resources and environmental conditions within the soil profile that is partly mediated by land use play crucial roles in shaping these relationships. Our results can also provide some new insights into sustainable soil management practices under the background of intense anthropogenic activities and global change.

Cotton farming in the different mesoregions of Mato Grosso and land use and cover between 2019 and 2021

Cotton is a major agricultural crop in Brazil, particularly in the state of Mato Grosso. Despite its significance, little is known about the spatial and temporal distribution of cotton farming and its environmental impacts in the region. This study aims to evaluate the presence of cotton farming in various mesoregions of Mato Grosso and assess soil use and coverage trends between 2019 and 2021. Utilizing satellite images provided by Mapbiomas, the dynamics of cotton cultivation were analyzed. The results reveal that the Northern Mesoregion has the largest cotton cultivation area, although it represents a small fraction of overall land use, with forest formations being predominant. The Northeast and Southeast Mesoregions also exhibit an increase in cotton areas, albeit on a smaller scale. Moreover, significant changes in land use are associated with livestock and soybeans, which dominate most studied mesoregions. The study concludes that cotton farming has limited expansion in Mato Grosso, presenting lower environmental impact compared to other human activities. Nevertheless, continuous monitoring of the crop and the adoption of sustainable soil and water management practices are recommended.

Comparative efficacy of wheat-straw biochar and chicken-waste compost on cadmium contaminated soil remediation, reducing cadmium bioavailability and enhancing wheat performance under cadmium stress

Cadmium (Cd) pollution of soil and food crops is a widespread environmental issue caused by excessive industrialization, unsustainable urbanization, and intensive farming practices. Cd, a hazardous element, poses significant risks to agro-environmental sustainability, food safety, and human health. Using organic materials such as biochar and compost to stabilize Cd in contaminated soil is an environmentally benign and cost-effective strategy for remediating moderately to highly polluted soil. However, in response to the scarcity of comparative studies on biochar and compost efficacy, this research explores the impact of wheat-straw biochar and chicken waste compost on Cd-contaminated soil remediation. A greenhouse experiment using two application rates (1.5 % and 2.5 %) of biochar and compost in 10 mg kg−1 Cd-contaminated soil revealed significant (p≤0.05) effects. The 2.5 % compost application increased soil organic carbon (SOC) from 0.45 % to 0.85 %, while 2.5 % biochar enhanced soil pH from 7.1 to 7.7 and electrical conductivity (EC) from 0.33 to 0.44 dSm−1. Notably, 2.5 % biochar significantly reduced Cd bioavailability from 9.49 to 4.90 mg kg−1, root accumulation from 29.8 to 16.4 mg kg−1 and shoot translocation from 16.8 to 8.4 mg kg−1. This reduction was confirmed through translocation factor (51.5 %) and immobilization efficiency (48.4 %). Furthermore, 2.5 % biochar improved chlorophyll content (a, b, and total) and wheat morphological attributes under Cd stress in soil. Overall, higher rates of biochar (2.5 %) and compost (2.5 %) effectively mitigate Cd uptake, improve soil properties, and enhance physiological and morphological responses, suggesting their promise for sustainable soil management practices.

Applying machine learning to soil analysis for accurate farming

A crucial component of agriculture is soil. Soil analysis is critical for optimizing agricultural practices and ensuring sustainable crop production. Traditional methods are often time-consuming and labor intensive, limiting their scalability and real-time applicability. The application of machine learning techniques in soil nutrient analysis has emerged as a promising solution. There is a lot of complicated soil data, but algorithms that use machine learning can handle it all, enabling accurate prediction and assessment of soil nutrient content. Integration with remote sensing technologies enhances the capabilities of soil nutrient analysis, allowing for rapid assessment at different scales. Machine learning facilitates personalized recommendations for fertilizer application, irrigation strategies, and soil amendments, tailored to the specific needs of learning and adaptive individual fields or crops. The continuous capabilities of machine learning models ensure up-to-date nutrient management recommendations. Challenges include the availability of representative interpretability of models. Nevertheless, the integration of machine learning in soil nutrient analysis offers improved resource utilization, enhanced crop productivity, and sustainable soil management practices. Ongoing research and collaboration with domain experts will further advance the application of machine learning in this field.

Sustainable soil and land management: a systems-oriented overview of scientific literature

Healthy soil is vital for our wellbeing and wealth. However, increasing demand for food and biomass may lead to unsustainable soil and land management practices that threaten soils. Other degradation processes such as soil sealing also endanger soil resources. Identifying and accessing the best available knowledge is crucial to address related sustainability issues and promote the needed transition towards sustainable soil and land management practices. Such knowledge has to cover all knowledge domains, system knowledge, target knowledge, and transformation knowledge. However, a comprehensive overview of existing research addressing societal needs related to soil is still missing, which hinders the identification of knowledge gaps. This study provides a detailed analysis of scientific literature to identify ongoing research activities and trends. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of scientific literature related to sustainable soil and land management was conducted. A systems-oriented analytical framework was used that combines soil and land related societal challenges with related knowledge domains. Our analysis revealed a significant increase in scientific publications and related interest in soil and land use-related research, above the average increase of publications within all scientific fields. Different forms of reduction and remediation of soil degradation processes (e.g. erosion, contamination) have been studied most extensively. Other topic areas like land take mitigation, soil biodiversity increase, increase of ecosystem services provision and climate change mitigation and adaption seem to be rather recent concerns, less investigated. We could highlight the importance of context-specific research, as different regions require different practices. For instance, boreal, tropical, karst and peatland regions were less studied. Furthermore, we found that diversifying soil management practices such as agroforestry or including livestock into arable systems are valuable options for increasing biomass, mitigating/adapting to climate change, and improving soil related ecosystem services. A recent trend towards the latter research topic indicates the transition from a soil conservation-oriented perspective to a soil service-oriented perspective, which may be better suited to integrate the social and economic dimensions of soil health improvement alongside the ecological dimension.

Unveiling the soil physicochemical dynamics of bare soils in Southeast Kazakhstan: A comprehensive study in the Akdala Massif

This study addresses desertification in Kazakhstan's Akdala region, aiming to propose sustainable solutions by examining the effects of various plants on soil properties and nutrient dynamics. Desertification poses a threat to land productivity in arid areas, and this research aims to determine its impact on soil and identify plants for mitigation. Field experiments over three years in the Akdala region utilized crops such as rice, corn, soybean, sudan grass, and sorghum to assess their influence on key soil parameters. Results revealed diverse effects on soil bulk density, agronomically valuable aggregates, water-stable aggregates, labile and total organic carbon, easily hydrolyzable nitrogen, nitrate, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium. While no significant differences in bulk density were observed among crops, variations in surface and subsurface soil layers emphasized the importance of depth-specific considerations. Sorghum stood out as a particularly influential crop, significantly increasing labile and total organic carbon levels, highlighting its potential role in enhancing soil quality. The experiments were conducted on the fields of "Birlik" LLP in the Balkhash district of the Almaty region from 2015 to 2017. The chosen crops, each with distinct characteristics, provided a comprehensive understanding of their impact on soil dynamics. Advanced techniques for soil sampling and analyses ensured accurate measurements of various soil parameters. The study site's sharply continental climate, marked by temperature variations, snowy winters, and hot, dry summers, added complexity to the investigation due to its influence on plant growth and soil interactions. In conclusion, this comprehensive study offers valuable insights into the intricate relationships between different crops and soil parameters for combating desertification. The findings contribute significantly to the development of sustainable soil management practices, providing a foundation for identifying suitable crops for soil improvement in arid regions. By understanding how different plants impact soil properties, this research supports informed decision-making in agricultural practices, promoting the long-term sustainability of farming in regions vulnerable to desertification.

Ten-Year Impact of Cover Crops on Soil Organic Matter Quantity and Quality in Semi-Arid Vineyards

Soil organic matter depletion is a significant concern in agricultural soils, impacting crucial aspects of ecosystem health, especially soil properties such as fertility and soil moisture retention. Adopting sustainable soil management practices, such as cover crops, can mitigate this issue. In this study, we analyzed the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and quality in vineyards using two distinct management methods: permanent spontaneous cover crops and conventional tillage. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was quantified and chemically characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy. Our results showed an increase of 4.7 Mg C/ha in the carbon stock (50 cm depth) after 10 years of implementing vegetation covers compared with tilled soil. Additionally, cover crop management increased less humified soluble carbon in surface soil layers, while tillage transformed the solubilized carbon. This finding is important because tilled soil becomes more accessible to microbial degradation and leaching, which, in the long term, leads to a SOM content decrease. In conclusion, an increase in carbon stock was observed when using cover crops due to the incorporation of fresh organic matter, whereas tilled soils showed a depletion of carbon stock, including the mobilization of more stable carbon.

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.

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.

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.

Synergy between Zeolites and Leguminous Cover Crops Improved Olive Tree Performance and Soil Properties in a Rainfed Olive Orchard

Soil degradation and climate change are threatening the sustainability of Mediterranean olive orchards, typically grown under rainfed conditions and conventional soil tillage. Thus, implementing sustainable soil management practices is crucial to preserve soil health and mitigate the negative effects on plant performance. In this study, we assessed the effects of conventional tillage (T), an early maturing and self-reseeding annual legume cover crop (LC) and its combination with natural zeolites (ZL) on plant physiological performance, tree nutritional status, crop yield, and soil physicochemical and microbiological properties. Although both LC and ZL enhanced the photosynthetic activity, tree nutritional status, soil moisture and olive yield relative to T, ZL was clearly more efficient at improving some soil health indicators, namely at the 0–10 cm soil layer, once soil acidity decreased and Kjeldahl N, extractable P and B, cation exchange capacity and microbiological activity increased, as evidenced by the higher concentrations of easily extractable and total glomalin-related soil protein, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass quotient, and actinomycetes. Therefore, using natural zeolite with leguminous cover crops appears to be a promising strategy of sustainable soil management in rainfed olive orchards, as it is able to provide numerous ecosystem services.

Chitosan as an organic amendment to improve soil properties and plant growth in the presence of polystyrene microplastics

AbstractThe widespread usage and production of microplastics (MPs) products has resulted in a surge of plastic waste in the natural environment. Chitosan (CH) is a natural polymer derived from chitin, found in the shells of crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs and studied extensively for its potential use as an amendment. The dynamic interplay between plastic, specifically polystyrene (PS), and the potential of CH as a soil enhancer holds pivotal implications for soil health and crop vitality. While PS seems to wield minimal influence on soil pH, CH demonstrates a distinct ability to lower pH levels significantly. However, the synergy between CH and PS in altering soil pH is relatively limited. Importantly, CH emerges as a compelling countermeasure against the detrimental impact of PS on soil chemistry. Its application brings about promising changes, such as mitigating nutrient depletion and enhancing organic matter (OM). Shifting focus to crop growth, PS emerges as a growth inhibitor, substantially reducing maize biomass and chlorophyll content. Conversely, CH emerges as a growth stimulant, positively affecting root and shoot dry weights, leaf area, and plant height. The interplay between CH and PS manifests complex outcomes on these growth metrics, indicating interdependence. These findings resonate with sustainable soil management practices and the optimization of crop productivity. Further scrutiny is warranted to unravel the underlying mechanisms and long‐term consequences, offering a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between PS, CH, and the ecological landscape. Such insights pave the way for informed decisions in ecological preservation and agricultural sustenance.