Managing Soil Organic Matter under Dryland Farming Systems for Climate Change Adaptation and Sustaining Agriculture Productivity

2021 ◽  
pp. 219-251
Author(s):  
Ch Srinivasarao ◽  
Sumanta Kundu ◽  
S. Rakesh ◽  
C. Subha Lakshmi ◽  
G. Ranjith Kumar ◽  
...  
Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Marqués ◽  
Bienes ◽  
Ruiz-Colmenero

The wine captures grapes’ variety nature and vinification techniques, but other aspects of soil, climate and terrain are equally important for the terroir expression as a whole. Soil supplies moisture, nitrogen, and minerals. Particularly nitrogen obtained through mineralization of soil organic matter and water uptake are crucial for grape yield, berry sugar, anthocyanin and tannin concentration, hence grape quality and vineyard profitability. Different climatic conditions, which are predicted for the future, can significantly modify this relationship between vines and soils. New climatic conditions under global warming predict higher temperatures, erratic and extreme rainfall events, and drought spells. These circumstances are particularly worrisome for typical thin soils of the Mediterranean environment. This study reports the effect of permanent grass cover in vineyards to maintain or increase soil organic matter and soil moisture. The influence of natural and simulated rainfalls on soils was studied. A comparison between minimum tillage (MT) and permanent grass cover crop (GC) of the temperate grass Brachypodium distachyon was done. Water infiltration, water holding capacity, organic carbon sequestration and protection from extreme events, were considered in a sloping vineyard located in the south of Madrid, Spain. The MT is the most widely used cultivation method in the area. The tradition supports this management practice to capture and preserve water in soils. It creates small depressions that accumulate water and eventually improves water infiltration. This effect was acknowledged in summer after recent MT cultivation; however, it was only short-lived as surface roughness declined after rainfalls. Especially, intense rainfall events left the surface of bare soil sealed. Consequently, the effects depend on the season of the year. In autumn, a rainy season of the year, MT failed to enhance infiltration. On the contrary, B. distachyon acted as a physical barrier, produced more infiltration (22% increase) and fewer particles detachment, due to increased soil structure stability and soil organic matter (50% increase). The GC efficiently protected soil from high-intensity events (more than 2 mm min-1). Besides, soil moisture at 35 cm depth was enhanced with GC (9% more than tillage). On average, soil moisture in GC was not significantly different from MT. These effects of GC on soil conditions created local micro-environmental conditions that can be considered advantageous as a climate change adaptation strategy, because they improved water balance, maintained a sustainable level of soil organic matter, therefore organic nitrogen, all these factors crucial for improving wine quality.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Mohrlok ◽  
Victoria Martin ◽  
Alberto Canarini ◽  
Wolfgang Wanek ◽  
Michael Bahn ◽  
...  

<p>Soil organic matter (SOM) is composed of many pools with different properties (e.g. turnover times) which are generally used in biogeochemical models to predict carbon (C) dynamics. Physical fractionation methods are applied to isolate soil fractions that correspond to these pools. This allows the characterisation of chemical composition and C content of these fractions. There is still a lack of knowledge on how these individual fractions are affected by different climate change drivers, and therefore the fate of SOM remains elusive. We sampled soils from a multifactorial climate change experiment in a managed grassland in Austria four years after starting the experiment to investigate the response of SOM in physical soil fractions to temperature (eT: ambient and elevated by +3°C), atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub>-concentration (eCO<sub>2</sub>: ambient and elevated by +300 ppm) and to a future climate treatment (eT x eCO<sub>2</sub>: +3°C and + 300 ppm). A combination of slaking and wet sieving was used to obtain three size classes: macro-aggregates (maA, > 250 µm), micro-aggregates (miA, 63 µm – 250 µm) and free silt & clay (sc, < 63 µm). In both maA and miA, four different physical OM fractions were then isolated by density fractionation (using sodium polytungstate of ρ = 1.6 g*cm<sup>-3</sup>, ultrasonication and sieving): Free POM (fPOM), intra-aggregate POM (iPOM), silt & clay associated OM (SCaOM) and sand-associated OM (SaOM). We measured C and N contents and isotopic composition by EA-IRMS in all fractions and size classes and used a Pyrolysis-GC/MS approach to assess their chemical composition. For eCO<sub>2</sub> and eT x eCO<sub>2 </sub>plots, an isotope mixing-model was used to calculate the proportion of recent C derived from the elevated CO<sub>2 </sub>treatment. Total soil C and N did not significantly change with treatments.  eCO<sub>2</sub> decreased the relative proportion of maA-mineral-associated C and increased C in fPOM and iPOM. About 20% of bulk soil C was represented by the recent C derived from the CO<sub>2</sub> fumigation treatment. This significantly differed between size classes and density fractions (p < 0.001), which indicates inherent differences in OM age and turnover. Warming reduced the amount of new C incorporated into size classes. We found that each size class and fraction possessed a unique chemical fingerprint, but this was not significantly changed by the treatments. Overall, our results show that while climate change effects on total soil C were not significant after 4 years, soil fractions showed specific effects. Chemical composition differed significantly between size classes and fractions but was unaffected by simulated climate change. This highlights the importance to separate SOM into differing pools, while including changes to the molecular composition might not be necessary for improving model predictions.    </p>


Soil Research ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Bell ◽  
P. W. Moody ◽  
S. A. Yo ◽  
R. D. Connolly

Chemical and physical degradation of Red Ferrosols in eastern Australia is a major issue necessitating the development of more sustainable cropping systems. This paper derives critical concentrations of the active (permanganate-oxidisable) fraction of soil organic matter (C1) which maximise soil water recharge and minimise the likelihood of surface runoff in these soils. Ferrosol soils were collected from commercial properties in both north and south Queensland, while additional data were made available from a similar collection of Tasmanian Ferrosols. Sites represented a range of management histories, from grazed and ungrazed grass pastures to continuously cropped soil under various tillage systems. The concentration of both total carbon (C) and C1 varied among regions and farming systems. C1 was the primary factor controlling aggregate breakdown, measured by the percentage of aggregates <0·125 mm (P125) in the surface crust after simulated rainfall. The rates of change in P125 per unit change in C1 were not significantly different (P < 0·05) for soils from the different localities. However, soils from the coastal Burnett (south-east Queensland) always produced lower P125 (i.e. less aggregate breakdown) than did soils from the inland Burnett and north Queensland locations given the same concentration of C1. This difference was not associated with a particular land use. The ‘critical’ concentrations of C1 for each region were taken as the C1 concentrations that would allow an infiltration rate greater than or equal to the intensity of a 1 in 1 or 1 in 10 year frequency rainfall event of 30 min duration. This analysis also provided an indication of the risk associated with the concentrations of C1 currently characterising each farming system in each rainfall environment. None of the conventionally tilled Queensland Ferrosols contained sufficient C1 to cope with rainfall events expected to occur with a 1 in 10 frequency, while in many situations the C1 concentration was sufficiently low that runoff events would be expected on an annual basis. Our data suggest that management practices designed both to maximise C inputs and to maintain a high proportion of active C should be seen as essential steps towards developing a more sustainable cropping system.


Author(s):  
Aung Tun Oo ◽  
Guido Van Huylenbroeck ◽  
Stijn Speelman

Purpose Climate change negatively affects agricultural crop production in the dry zone region of Myanmar. This paper aims to examine climate change adaptation strategies of farmers in the dry zone region. Farmers’ choice for adaptation strategies is influenced by many factors such as the practical availability and by socioeconomic conditions of the farmers. They are moreover influenced by the perception about climate change and by the specific problems prevailing in the farming systems. Design/methodology/approach This research is carried out in Magwe district in the dry zone region of Myanmar using a random selection of 212 farmers from three Townships (Magwe, Yenanchaung and Chauk). A multinomial logistic regression (MLR) was applied to assess the factors affecting the choice by farmers for adaptation strategies. Findings The study found that in the past, farmers used to apply locally available indigenous climate change adaptation strategies. However, recently, most farmers seem to have shifted to introduced adaptation strategies. The most popular adaptation strategy is to adjust the planting dates and sowing method (56.1 per cent). Furthermore, farmers identified a number of barriers that limit the adoption of adaptation methods. Risk is found to be an important driver of crop diversification. Finally, the MLR model showed that information from radio, access to seeds and extension services affect the choice of adaptation strategies. Originality/value The study shows that adoption of locally available indigenous climate change adaptation methods is gradually decreasing, and there is a shift to introduced adaptation strategies. The study can assist public and private organizations to obtain insight in the determinants of climate change adaptation in the dry zone region of Myanmar.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt-Christian Kersebaum ◽  
Susanne Schulz ◽  
Evelyn Wallor

&lt;p&gt;Climate change impact on crop production depends on the cultivated crop and its position within crop rotations and on site conditions, e.g. soils and hydrology, buffering adverse weather situations. We present a regional study across the federal state of Brandenburg/Germany based on gridded climate data and a digital soil map using the HERMES-to-Go model. The aim was to investigate defined crop rotations and common agricultural practices under current and future climate conditions regarding productivity and environmental effects. Two contrasting GCMs (HAD and MPI) were used to generate climate input for modelling for the RCPs 2.6 and 8.5.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5 different types of crop production were simulated by defining crop rotations over 4-5 years for soil quality rating groups. While one rotation is comprised by the most common crops, another rotation modifies the first one by introducing a legume followed by a more demanding crop. The third rotation intends to produce higher value crops, e.g. potatoes than the first one, while the fourth rotation has its focus on fodder grass and cereal production. Building on this the fifth rotation replaces the fodder grass by alfalfa. All rotations are simulated in shifted phases to ensure that each crop is simulated for each year.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sowing, harvest and nitrogen fertilization were derived by algorithms based on soil and climate information to allow self-adaptation to changing climate conditions. The crop rotations are simulated under rainfed and irrigated conditions and with and without the implementation of cover crops to prevent winter fallow.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We used the digital soil map 1:300.000 for Brandenburg with 99 soil map units. Within the soil map unit, up to three dominant soil types were considered to achieve at least 65% coverage. 276 soil types are defined by their soil profiles including soil organic matter content and texture down to 2 meters. Groundwater levels are estimated using the depth of reduction horizons as constant values over the year, to consider capillary rise depending on soil texture and distance between the root zone and the groundwater table.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In total each climate scenario contains about 148.000 simulations of 30 years. Beside crop yields we analyse the outputs for trends in soil organic matter, groundwater recharge, nitrogen leaching and the effect on water and nitrogen management using algorithms for automatic management.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Results indicate that spring crops were more negatively affected by climate change than winter crops especially on soils with low water holding capacity. However, few areas with more loamy soils and potential contribution of capillary rise from a shallow groundwater even benefited from climate change. Irrigation in most cases improved crop yield especially for spring crops. However, further analysis is required to assess if irrigation gains an economic benefit for all crop rotations. Nitrogen leaching can be reduced by implementing winter cover crops. Soil organic matter is assessed to decline for most sites and rotations. Only the rotations with multiyear grass or alfalfa can keep the level, but not on all sites.&lt;/p&gt;


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Heimsch ◽  
Annalea Lohila ◽  
Liisa Kulmala ◽  
Juha-Pekka Tuovinen ◽  
Mika Korkiakoski ◽  
...  

&lt;p&gt;Agriculture is globally a significant source of carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Main causes for these high emissions are conventional intensive management practices which include such as frequent ploughing, monocropping and high use of agrochemicals. These practices contribute to the loss of biodiversity and soil organic matter, as well as to the CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; emissions from land use. Recently, it has been recognised that agriculture functioning on the basis of regenerative practices is one of the most potential tools to mitigate climate change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is well known that topsoil layer and especially humus-rich soils can store more carbon than atmosphere and vegetation together. Therefore, increasing the amount of soil organic matter in the agroecosystems, by applying enhanced management practices such as reduced tillage, high biodiversity and cover cropping, agricultural soils would not only help to mitigate climate change but also to restore soil quality and fertility. To understand the carbon dynamics on different agricultural sites, factors affecting and comprising the carbon balance, and to verify soil carbon and ecosystem models, continuous long-term monitoring of the GHG fluxes is essential at such managed ecosystems. Here we present results from a new eddy covariance (EC) flux study site located in southern Finland.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Continuous CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; flux measurements using the EC method have been conducted at Qvidja farm on mineral (clay) soil forage grassland in Parainen, southern Finland (60.29550&amp;#176;N, 22.39281&amp;#176;E) since the spring 2018. Based on the flux and biomass data, the annual carbon balance was estimated to be negative, i.e. the site acted as an overall sink of carbon even in the dry and hot year 2018. However, the seasonal CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; fluxes were greatly dependent on weather conditions and management procedures. Results from 2019 show that the growing season accompanied with more mature and dense grass, a bit higher precipitation and lower temperatures, as well as higher cutting height was more favorable for carbon uptake in Qvidja as compared to year 2018.&lt;/p&gt;


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yudi L.A Salampessy

ABSTRAKPerubahan iklim mensyaratkan kapasitas beradaptasi yang memadai dari petani karena pengelolaan SUT padi sawah sangat bergantung pada daya dukung iklim. Musim menjadi tidak menentu dan cuaca sulit diprediksi. Petani mulai kesulitan menentukan awal dan komoditas tanam, sementara serangan organisme pengganggu tanaman (OPT), banjir, dan kekeringan sebagai dampak negatif dari perubahan iklim semakin sering terjadi. Melalui survey terhadap 96 petani, penelitian ini menakar kapasitas beradaptasi perubahan iklim petani padi sawah di daerah pertanaman padi di dataran rendah, sedang, dan tinggi yang pernah menjadi wilayah percontohan program pengembangan kapasitas adaptasi perubahan iklim. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kapasitas adaptasi petani padi sawah masih rendah dan memengaruhi tingkat penerapan adaptasi perubahan iklim mereka. Disarankan untuk dilakukan evaluasi terhadap strategi program-progran sejenis melalui penelitian mengenai faktor-faktor penentu kapasitas adaptasi perubahan iklim petani padi sawah.Kata kunci: kapasitas adaptasi, padi sawah, perubahan iklim, petani    ABSTRACTClimate change requires adequate adaptation capability of farmers as the management of rice farming systems which is highly dependent on climate carrying a previously considered stable. Through a survey of 96 farmers, this study measured the adaptive capacity to climate change of rice farmers in the lowland, medium and highland rice cultivation areas as pilot zone in which improvement program in climate change adaptation has been established. The result shows rice farmers adaptive capacity is considered low and affects their adaptation level to climate change. It is necessary to evaluate the strategy of similar program by studying the determinant factors of climate change adaptation capacity of rice farmers.Keywords: Adaptive capacity, climate change, farmerCitation: Salampessy, Y.L.A., Lubis, D.P., Amien, I., Suhardjito, D. 2018. Menakar Kapasitas Adaptasi Perubahan Iklim Petani Padi Sawah (Kasus Kabupaten Pasuruan Jawa Timur). Jurnal Ilmu Lingkungan, 16(1), 25-34, doi:10.14710/jil.16.1.25-34


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
José A. González-Pérez ◽  
Gael Bárcenas.Moreno ◽  
Nicasio T Jiménez-Morillo ◽  
María Colchero-Asensio ◽  
Layla M. San Emeterio ◽  
...  

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keywords: &lt;/strong&gt;Soil reaction, analytical pyrolysis, soil respiration, carbon stabilization&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;During the last decade, soil organic matter dynamics and its determining factors have received increased attention, mainly due to the evident implication of these parameters in climate change understanding, predictions and possible management. High-mountain soil could be considered as hotspot of climate change dynamic since its high carbon accumulation and low organic matter degradation rates could be seriously altered by slight changes in temperature and rainfall regimes associated to climate change effects. In the particular case of Sierra Nevada National Park, this threat could be even stronger due to its Southern character, although its elevated biodiversity could shed some light on how could we predict and manage climate change in the future.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this study, a quantitative and qualitative organic matter characterization was performed and soil microbial activity measured to evaluate the implication of pH and vegetation in soil organic matter dynamics.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The sampling areas were selected according to vegetation and soil pH; with distinct soil pH (area A with pH&lt;7 and area B with pH&gt;7) and vegetation (high-mountain shrubs and pine reforested area). Soil samples were collected under the influence of several plant species representatives of each vegetation series. Six samples were finally obtained (five replicates each); three were collected in area A under&lt;em&gt; Juniperus communis&lt;/em&gt; ssp. Nana (ENE), &lt;em&gt;Genista versicolor&lt;/em&gt; (PIO) and &lt;em&gt;Pinus sylvestris&lt;/em&gt; (PSI) and other three were collected in area B under&lt;em&gt; Juniperus Sabina&lt;/em&gt; (SAB), &lt;em&gt;Astragalus nevadensis&lt;/em&gt; (AST) and &lt;em&gt;Pinus sylvestris&lt;/em&gt; (PCA).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Qualitative and quantitative analyses of soil organic matter were made to establish a possible relationship with microbial activity estimated by respiration rate (alkali trap) and fungi-to-bacteria ratio using a plate count method. Soil easily oxidizable organic carbon content was determined by the Walkley-Black method (SOC %) and organic matter amount was estimated by weight loss on ignition (LOI %). Analytical pyrolysis (Py-GC/MS) was used to analyse in detail the soil organic carbon composition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our results showed that the microbial and therefore the dynamics of organic matter is influenced by both, soil pH and soil of organic matter. So that the pH in acidic media prevail as a determining factor of microbial growth over soil organic matter composition conditioned by vegetation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Acknowledgement&lt;/strong&gt;: Ministerio de Ciencia Innovaci&amp;#243;n y Universidades (MICIU) for INTERCARBON project (CGL2016-78937-R). N.T. Jim&amp;#233;nez-Morillo and L. San Emeterio also thanks MICIU for funding FPI research grants (BES-2013-062573 and Ref. BES-2017-07968). Mrs Desir&amp;#233; Monis is acknowledged for technical assistance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;


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