Organic amendments to improve soil health and crop productivity: a case study in China

2018 ◽  
pp. 385-398
Keyword(s):  
Soil Health ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Crop Productivity

scholarly journals Microbiota Management for Effective Disease Suppression: A Systematic Comparison between Soil and Mammals Gut

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7608
Author(s):  
Giuliano Bonanomi ◽  
Mohamed Idbella ◽  
Ahmed M. Abd-ElGawad
Keyword(s):  
Diet Composition ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Organic Amendment ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Disease Suppression ◽  
Functional Link ◽  
Harmful Organisms ◽  
Ecological Mechanisms

Both soil and the human gut support vast microbial biodiversity, in which the microbiota plays critical roles in regulating harmful organisms. However, the functional link between microbiota taxonomic compositions and disease suppression has not been explained yet. Here, we provide an overview of pathogen regulation in soil and mammals gut, highlighting the differences and the similarities between the two systems. First, we provide a review of the ecological mechanisms underlying the regulation of soil and pathogens, as well as the link between disease suppression and soil health. Particular emphasis is thus given to clarifying how soil and the gut microbiota are associated with organic amendment and the human diet, respectively. Moreover, we provide several insights into the importance of organic amendment and diet composition in shaping beneficial microbiota as an efficient way to support crop productivity and human health. This review also discusses novel ways to functionally characterize organic amendments and the proper operational combining of such materials with beneficial microbes for stirring suppressive microbiota against pathogens. Furthermore, specific examples are given to describe how agricultural management practices, including the use of antibiotics and fumigants, hinder disease suppression by disrupting microbiota structure, and the potentiality of entire microbiome transplant. We conclude by discussing general strategies to promote soil microbiota biodiversity, the connection with plant yield and health, and their possible integration through a “One Health” framework.

scholarly journals Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Organic Amendments Produced from Selected Agro-Wastes with Potential for Sustaining Soil Health: A Laboratory Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4919
Author(s):  
Kevin Muyang Tawie Sulok ◽  
Osumanu Haruna Ahmed ◽  
Choy Yuen Khew ◽  
Jarroop Augustine Mercer Zehnder ◽  
Mohamadu Boyie Jalloh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Palm Kernel ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Laboratory Assessment ◽  
Soil Conditioners

Sustaining soil health cannot be divorced from sustainable crop production. Organic, or natural, farming is being promoted as a good sustainable agriculture practice. One aspect of organic farming that could significantly enhance and sustain soil health, soil quality, and crop productivity is the use of high-quality soil conditioners or organic amendments produced from agro-wastes. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the chemical and biological properties of selected agro-wastes with potential for use as organic amendments in sustaining soil health. Standard procedures were used to produce and characterize the soil conditioners, namely fermented plant juice (FPJ), fermented fruit juice (FFJ), palm kernel shell (PKS) biochar, and kitchen waste (KW) compost. The fermented juices (FPJ and FFJ), PKS biochar, and KW compost exhibited chemical and biological properties with good potential as soil conditioners or organic amendments to sustain soil health. The fermented juices contained important microbes that can solubilize P and K in soil for crop use. The high pH and C content of the biochar and compost and the high cation exchange capacity of the biochar are good indicators of the potential of these materials to sustain soil health in terms of the liming effect of acid soils, nutrient and water retention, nutrient reserves, and a suitable habitat for microbial life. Moreover, the organic amendments contain reasonable amounts of macro- and micro-nutrients, which could be released to increase soil fertility. Despite these potential benefits, field application of these organic amendments is necessary to evaluate their effects on soil health and crop production in both the short and long term.

BIOCHAR IN TEMPERATE SOILS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky Lévesque ◽  
Maren Oelbermann ◽  
Noura Ziadi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Plant Stress ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Temperate Soils ◽  
The Impact

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced by the pyrolysis of organic residues, is frequently used as a soil amendment to enhance soil fertility and improve soil properties in tropical climates. However, in temperate agriculture, the impact of biochar on soil and plant productivity remains uncertain. The objective of this review is to give an overview of the challenges and opportunities of using biochar as an amendment in temperate soils. Among the various challenges, the type of feedstock and the conditions during pyrolysis produces biochars with different chemical and physical properties, resulting in contrasting effects on soils and crops. Furthermore, biochar aging, biochar application rates and its co-application with mineral fertilizer and/or organic amendments add further complexity to our understanding of the soil-amendment-plant continuum. Although its benefits on crop yield are not yet well demonstrated under field studies, other agronomic benefits of biochar in temperate agriculture have been documented. In this review, we proposed a broader view of biochar as a temperate soil amendment, moving beyond our current focus on crop productivity, and instead target its capacity to improve soil properties. We explored biochar’s benefits in remediating low productive agricultural lands, and its environmental benefits through long-term carbon sequestration and reduced nutrient leaching while curtailing our reliance on fertilizer input. We also discussed the persistence of beneficial impacts of biochar in temperate field conditions. We concluded biochar displays great prospective to improve soil health and its productivity, enhance plant stress resilience, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and restore degraded soils in temperate agriculture.

scholarly journals Camelina, an ancient oilseed crop actively contributing to the rural renaissance in Europe. A review

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Zanetti ◽  
Barbara Alberghini ◽  
Ana Marjanović Jeromela ◽  
Nada Grahovac ◽  
Dragana Rajković ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Oilseed Crop ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
European Farming ◽  
European Agriculture

AbstractPromoting crop diversification in European agriculture is a key pillar of the agroecological transition. Diversifying crops generally enhances crop productivity, quality, soil health and fertility, and resilience to pests and diseases and reduces environmental stresses. Moreover, crop diversification provides an alternative means of enhancing farmers’ income. Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) reemerged in the background of European agriculture approximately three decades ago, when the first studies on this ancient native oilseed species were published. Since then, a considerable number of studies on this species has been carried out in Europe. The main interest in camelina is related to its (1) broad environmental adaptability, (2) low-input requirements, (3) resistance to multiple pests and diseases, and (4) multiple uses in food, feed, and biobased applications. The present article is a comprehensive and critical review of research carried out in Europe (compared with the rest of the world) on camelina in the last three decades, including genetics and breeding, agronomy and cropping systems, and end-uses, with the aim of making camelina an attractive new candidate crop for European farming systems. Furthermore, a critical evaluation of what is still missing to scale camelina up from a promising oilseed to a commonly cultivated crop in Europe is also provided (1) to motivate scientists to promote their studies and (2) to show farmers and end-users the real potential of this interesting species.

Sustainable agriwaste management at farm level through self-reliant farming system

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 753-761
Author(s):  
Sachin Kanta Rautaray ◽  
Rachana Dubey ◽  
Sachidulal Raychaudhuri ◽  
Sanatan Pradhan ◽  
Sheelabhadra Mohanty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Fixed Cost ◽  
System Productivity ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Run Off

Annually 500 M t organic wastes are produced in India from the agriculture sector. Transportation of bulky organic manures for centralized collection, processing and distribution to farms is cost prohibitive. Hence, recycling of agricultural wastes using vermicompost technology at the farm level is a practical way of managing agriwaste for meeting the plant nutrient requirement. Our experience with a 1.584 ha farm for three years (2015–2016 to 2017–2018) revealed that 8.1 t vermicompost was produced in three batches from 24 t agriwastes produced within the farm area. The system productivity by recycling these farm generated agriwastes and run-off water was 18.05 t (≈11.4 t ha−1) rice equivalent yield which was higher by 2.6 times as compared to rice fallow (4.46 t ha−1). Also, the net return from this system (Indian rupees 70141 ha−1) was higher by 2.3 times, after considering the fixed cost towards construction of a water recycling pond. An increase in carbon stock in soil for the four years study period was 0.66 Mg ha−1 year−1 with the agriwaste recycling system under organic nutrition. For the inorganic fertilizer plot, the increase in carbon stock was 0.53 Mg ha−1 year−1. A decrease in bulk density from 1.56 to 1.46 Mg m−3, increase in water holding capacity from 0.43 to 0.52 cm3 cm−3 and increase in available P and K content in soil from 38.0 and 174.7 kg ha−1 to 45.8 and 186.5 kg ha−1, respectively, were noted. Thus, recycling of agricultural waste at the farm level is useful in improving soil health and crop productivity.

scholarly journals Soil Health as Influenced by Fertilizer Management in Rice Based Cropping System

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-131
Author(s):  
MM Haque ◽  
MR Islam ◽  
MS Rahman ◽  
MAR Sarkar ◽  
MAA Mamun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Cow Dung ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Cropping Patterns ◽  
Soil C

Nutrient management influences soil health and crop productivity. Sustained crop production re-quires specific nutrient management options after a certain period. The objectives of this investigation were to examine the effects of inorganic and organic fertilization on yields and soil carbon budget under rice based cropping patterns in Bangladesh. The research data and informationhave been gen-erated based on previouslypublished, unpublished sources and own concept.Omission of K or im-balanced K are more influential for reduction in grain yield up to 47% in Boro (dry) season but N was most limiting up to 35% in T. Aman (wet) season. With existing fertilizer rates for growing rice, the balances of N and K are always negative. Balanced chemical fertilizer (NPKSZn) can be an option for improving crop productivity and maintain soil quality. Net ecosystem carbon (C) balances are posi-tive when 3 t ha-1 cow dung (CD), 2 t ha-1 poultry manure (PM) and 2 t ha-1 vermicompost (VC) are used in combination with chemical fertilizers. Soil amendments with organic nutrient sources (rice straw, CD, PM, VC, legume crops) and rice based cropping patterns such as T. Aman-Mustard-Boro, Boro-Fallow-Fallow, Jute-T. Aman-Fallow, Wheat-Mungbean-T. Aman, Grass pea- T. Aus-T. Aman and Potato-Boro-T. Aman can be beneficial in improving soil C budget, soil nutrient ratio, total crop production and maintenance of environmental health that will meet SDGs goal. Bangladesh Rice J. 24 (2): 119-131, 2021

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