A comparison of indexing methods to evaluate quality of soils: the role of soil microbiological properties

Soil Research ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romina Romaniuk ◽  
Lidia Giuffré ◽  
Alejandro Costantini ◽  
Norberto Bartoloni ◽  
Paolo Nannipieri
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Phospholipid Fatty Acid ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Microbiological Properties

The study evaluates and compares two procedures for selecting soil quality indicators (used for the construction of soil quality indices, SQI) by using diverse chemical, physical, and biological properties, and evaluates the role of soil microbiological properties in the construction of SQI. Different soil environments were selected from an extensive agricultural production site in the rolling pampa, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The plots included an undisturbed soil, a grassland soil, and continuous tilled soils with four different surface horizon depths (25, 23, 19, and 14 cm). Various properties were measured, and a minimum dataset was chosen by principal component analysis (PCA) considering all measured soil properties together (procedure A), or the PCA was performed separately according to classification as physical, chemical, or biological soil properties (procedure B). The measured soil properties involved physical, chemical, and biochemical properties determined by standard protocols used in routine laboratory analysis (simple SQI, SSQI) or more laborious protocols to determine microbial community structure and function by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and catabolic response profile (CRP), respectively (complex SQI, CSQI). The selected properties were linearly normalised and integrated by the weight additive method to calculate SSQI A, SSQI B, CSQI A, and CSQI B indices. Two microbiological SQI (MSQI) were also calculated; MSQI 1 considered only biological properties according to the procedure used for calculating SQI; MSQI 2 was calculated by considering three selected microbiological parameters representing the size (microbial biomass carbon), activity (soil basal respiration), and functional diversity (evenness, determined by CRP) of the microbial communities. All of the constructed indices show the same differences among the study sites. The inclusion of CRP and PLFA data in the indices slightly increased, or did not increase, the index sensitivity. Microbiological indices had the same sensitivity as the indices integrated by physical, chemical, and biological properties. An evaluation of the SQI constructed by both procedures found no difference in sensitivity. However, SQI constructed by procedure B allowed evaluation of the effects of management practices on physical, chemical, and biological soil properties.

scholarly journals Impact of Sustainable Land Management Practices on Soil Properties: Example of Organic and Integrated Agricultural Management

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Rok Mihelič ◽  
Jure Pečnik ◽  
Matjaž Glavan ◽  
Marina Pintar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Agricultural Management ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Modified Method ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
River Terraces ◽  
Food And Agriculture Organization

Maintaining good soil quality is crucial for the sustainability of agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the visual soil assessment (VSA) method by testing it on two soil types and two agricultural management practices (AMP) (organic and integrated) that are considered to protect soil quality. We selected two farms with plots on two river terraces with different soil properties. The test was based on the modified method Annual Crops Visual Quality Assessment developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and supported by a standardized soil physical and chemical analysis. This study showed that the assessed score is highly dependent on the type of farming practice and how soils are managed. The soil type also plays an important role. The results for Calcaric Fluvisol showed that the effects of selected agricultural management practices on the visual assessment of soil quality could be almost undetectable. The time of assessment also plays a significant role in VSA scoring. Different crops and agricultural activities with significant impacts on the soil occur throughout the year (especially in vegetable production). It was observed that a higher score for the soil cover indicator had a beneficial effect on the total VSA rating.

scholarly journals ROLE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN DENTAL SCIENCES: A REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramakoteswara Rao N ◽  
Kranthi kiran Reddy E ◽  
Leena Gahane ◽  
SV Ranganayakulu
Keyword(s):  
Materials Science ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
Nano Technology ◽  
New Science ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Nano Science ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Nano technology is the multi disciplinary science and technology, which has emerged as new science exploiting specific phenomena and direct manipulation of materials on nanoscale. Nanotechnology deals with the physical, chemical, and biological properties of structures and their parts at nanoscale dimensions. It's established on the concept by creating functional structures by controlling corpuscles and molecules on a one-by-one basis by different physical and chemical synthesis methods. Developments in materials science and, nano biotechnology is especially forestalled to provide elevates in dental sciences and initiations in oral health-related diagnostic and therapeutical methods. Keywords: Nano Science, dentistry, Nanocomposite, Nanorobots, Nanomaterials.

scholarly journals Refining physical aspects of soil quality and soil health when exploring the effects of soil degradation and climate change on biomass production: an Italian case study

SOIL ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonello Bonfante ◽  
Fabio Terribile ◽  
Johan Bouma
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Biological Indicators ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Physical Chemical

Abstract. This study focuses on soil physical aspects of soil quality and health with the objective to define procedures with worldwide rather than only regional applicability, reflecting modern developments in soil physical and agronomic research and addressing important questions regarding possible effects of soil degradation and climate change. In contrast to water and air, soils cannot, even after much research, be characterized by a universally accepted quality definition and this hampers the internal and external communication process. Soil quality expresses the capacity of the soil to function. Biomass production is a primary function, next to filtering and organic matter accumulation, and can be modeled with soil–water–atmosphere–plant (SWAP) simulation models, as used in the agronomic yield-gap program that defines potential yields (Yp) for any location on earth determined by radiation, temperature and standardized crop characteristics, assuming adequate water and nutrient supply and lack of pests and diseases. The water-limited yield (Yw) reflects, in addition, the often limited water availability at a particular location. Actual yields (Ya) can be considered in relation to Yw to indicate yield gaps, to be expressed in terms of the indicator (Ya/Yw)×100. Soil data to calculate Yw for a given soil type (the genoform) should consist of a range of soil properties as a function of past management (various phenoforms) rather than as a single representative dataset. This way a Yw-based characteristic soil quality range for every soil type is defined, based on semipermanent soil properties. In this study effects of subsoil compaction, overland flow following surface compaction and erosion were simulated for six soil series in the Destra Sele area in Italy, including effects of climate change. Recent proposals consider soil health, which appeals more to people than soil quality and is now defined by separate soil physical, chemical and biological indicators. Focusing on the soil function biomass production, physical soil health at a given time of a given type of soil can be expressed as a point (defined by a measured Ya) on the defined soil quality range for that particular type of soil, thereby defining the seriousness of the problem and the scope for improvement. The six soils showed different behavior following the three types of land degradation and projected climate change up to the year 2100. Effects are expected to be major as reductions of biomass production of up to 50 % appear likely under the scenarios. Rather than consider soil physical, chemical and biological indicators separately, as proposed now elsewhere for soil health, a sequential procedure is discussed, logically linking the separate procedures.

Effect of 10 years of biofertiliser use on soil quality and rice yield on an Inceptisol in Assam, India

Soil Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smrita Buragohain ◽  
Banashree Sarma ◽  
Dhruba J. Nath ◽  
Nirmali Gogoi ◽  
Ram S. Meena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Soil Quality Index ◽  
North East India ◽  
North East ◽  
Total P

In the present study, field experiments were performed over 10 consecutive years (2006–15) to assess the effects of biofertiliser and enriched biocompost on soil quality, total organic carbon (TOC) and rice yields in an Inceptisol. Experiments were conducted in a randomised block design with four replicates and five treatments: unfertilised control (T1); recommended doses of inorganic fertiliser (T2); biofertiliser with reduced (50%) inorganic N and P fertilisers (T3); reduced (50%) inorganic N and P fertilisers with 1 t ha–1 enriched biocompost (T4); and reduced (75%) inorganic N and P fertilisers with 2 t ha–1 enriched biocompost (T5). T3 improved soil chemical and biological properties with enhanced soil quality index (40%), total P (23%), total K (42%) and fungal (38%) and bacterial (44%) colony counts. T5 significantly improved the carbon pool index (29%) and available nutrients (N, P and K at rates of 37%, 22% and 10% respectively) and increased soil pH (11%), resulting in a higher sustainable yield index (39%) of rice. Fraction 2 (labile carbon) of TOC, total P, available K, microbial biomass carbon and phosphate-solubilising bacteria were key indicators to assess the suitability of these fertilisers in rice cultivation in north-east India.

Intercropping fava bean with broccoli can improve soil properties while maintaining crop production under Mediterranean conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariano Marcos-Pérez ◽  
Virginia Sánchez-Navarro ◽  
Raúl Zornoza
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
External Fertilization ◽  
Fava Bean

<p>Including legumes in intercropping systems may be regarded as a sustainable way to improve soil quality, fertility and land productivity, mostly due to facilitation processes and high rhizospheric activity which can mobilize soil nutrients for plants. Improvements in production and soil quality depend on inherent soil properties, climatic conditions, adopted management practices and fertilization, among others. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the association between broccoli (Brassica oleracea var italica) and fava bean (Vicia fava) grown under different intercropping patterns on crop production, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (Nt), soil aggregate stability (SAS) and soil fertility, compared to a broccoli monocrop. We defined a randomised block field experiment with three replications assessing the effect of monocropping, row 1:1 intercropping, row 2:1 intercropping and mix intercropping, with 30% reduction in fertilization in intercropped systems compared to monocrop. Soil sampling took place at harvest in February 2019. Results showed that the broccoli-fava bean intercropping significantly increased the general land production, with similar broccoli yield of 20000 kg ha<sup>-1 </sup>in all treatments, plus 8000 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> coming from fava bean. Crop diversification and fava bean cultivation even in monocrop significantly increased SOC and Nt compared to broccoli monocrop. SOC and Nt were 1.06% and 0.09%, respectively, for broccoli monocrop, while they had average values of 1.29% and 0.12%, respectively for the intercropped systems. SAS was also significantly affected by crop diversification, with increases in the proportion of the macroaggregates (size >2 mm) with intercropping. Broccoli monocrop showed an average proportion of these macroaggregates of 9.19%, while they increased up to 17.51% in intercropped systems. CEC was not significantly affected by intercropping SAS showing almost same percentage of aggregates independently of the treatment. Available P significantly increased in intercropped systems, likely due to increased microbial activity with the simultaneous growth of the two crop species. However, no significant effect of intercropping was observed with any other nutrient (Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn and B), suggesting that microbial communities activated by the crop association are highly related to P mobilization but not so intensively involved in other nutrients. Thus, intercropping systems like broccoli-fava bean association can be regarded as a viable alternative for sustainable crop production while increasing soil fertility despite reducing the addition of external fertilization. However, more crop cycles are needed to confirm this trend.</p>

Soil quality and profitability of biodynamic and conventional farming systems: A review

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Reganold
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Crop Root

AbstractBiodynamic and organic farming are similar in that both are ecologically oriented and do not use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The main difference is that biodynamic farmers add eight specific amendments, called preparations, to their soils, crops, and composts. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in biodynamic farming practices and systems because they show potential for mitigating some detrimental effects of chemical-dependent conventional agriculture. Only a few studies examining biodynamic methods or comparing biodynamic farming with other farming systems have been published in the refereed scientific literature, especially in English. This paper summarizes data from previous studies, both published and unpublished (theses), that have compared biodynamic and conventional farming systems with respect to soil quality or profitability. These studies have shown that the biodynamic farming systems generally have better soil quality, lower crop yields, and equal or higher net returns per hectare than their conventional counterparts. Two studies that included organic management treatments with and without the preparations showed that the preparations improved biological soil properties and increased crop root growth. However, more research is needed to determine whether the preparations affect soil physical, chemical, and biological properties and crop growth and, if so, their mode of action.

scholarly journals Peranan Amelioran Pupuk Organik terhadap Hasil Padi pada Musim Tanam Kedua di Lahan Kering Ngawen Gunungkidul Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Arif Anshori ◽  
Agung Iswadi ◽  
Sunarya Sunarya ◽  
Damasus Riyanto
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Dry Land ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Rice Yields ◽  
Special Region

<em>Rice</em><em> </em><em>cultivation</em><em> in the second growing season in dry land at Gunungkidul Special Region of Yogyakarta requires additional irrigation and improvement of physical, chemical and biological soil properties. This study aimed to determine the role of organic fertilizer ameliorant on rice yields during second growing season in dry land. The research was conducted in Sambirejo Watusigar Ngawen Gunungkidul Special Region of Yogyakarta during second growing season from March to July 2019. The study used a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with 3 treatments in the form of no ameliorant, ameliorant of 2 tons ha<sup>-1</sup> and ameliorant 4 tons ha<sup>-1</sup>, with 5 replications. The results showed that the use of ameliorant 2 tons ha<sup>-1</sup> produced rice 5.64 ton ha<sup>-1</sup> and ameliorant 4 tons ha<sup>-1</sup> produced rice 6.04 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>, which was significantly higher than without ameliorant which only produced 5.29 ton ha<sup>-1</sup> of rice.</em>

scholarly journals Influence of aerobic treated manure application on the chemical and microbiological properties of soil

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. e1104
Author(s):  
Adriana Montañez ◽  
Natalia Rigamonti ◽  
Silvana Vico ◽  
Carla Silva ◽  
Lucía Nuñez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Enzyme ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Microbial Biomass P ◽  
Properties Of Soil ◽  
Microbiological Properties

Aim of study: This study evaluated the effect of the application of liquid aerobic treated manure (continuous liquid composting, CLC) on physical, chemical and biological soil properties, with the objective of monitoring changes induced by soil management with CLC as a biofertilizer.Area of study: Colonia, Uruguay (lat. 34,338164 S, long. 57,222630 W).Material and methods: Soil’s chemical properties, including nitrogen mineralization potential (NMP) and 15 microbiological properties (microbial biomass carbon, MBC; mesophylic aerobic bacteria; actinobacteria; filamentus fungi; fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis; dehydrogenase; with NMP; acid and alkaline phosphatase; cellulolose degraders; P-solubilizing bacteria; nitrifying; denitrifying and free-living N-fixing microorganisms; glomalin; and soil-pathogenicity index, SPI) were evaluated in two sites with similar cropping history, with one and three years of respective CLC application.Main results: CLC application had significant effects on soil microbial biomass (p<0.05), soil enzyme (p<0.1) and functional groups activity (p<0.05). SPI decreased in both sites with CLC application. No significant variations were detected for the chemical variables, with the exception of NMP, which was significantly high (p<0.05) in soil treated with CLC at both sites.Research highlights: The improved biological soil properties analyzed (MBC, soil enzyme activities and SPI, together with NMP) emerged as reasonable indicators to assess and monitor the effects of CLC application.

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