Management of Soil Fertility and Agricultural Intensification in NW Iberia, 1750–1900

2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-47
Author(s):  
Beatriz Corbacho González ◽  
Roc Padró Caminal ◽  
David Soto Fernández ◽  
Lourenzo Fernández Prieto
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Agricultural Intensification ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Migration Pattern ◽  
Leguminous Plant ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Ulex Europaeus ◽  
Livestock Management ◽  
Nw Iberia ◽  
Nutrient Reserves

Abstract This article describes agricultural practices of fertilization in the NW of the Iberian Peninsula between 1750 and 1900, where a leguminous plant called gorse (Ulex Europaeus) was used as bedding for livestock in order to produce manure. During the period examined, this whole region experienced a process of agricultural intensification which resulted in a net loss of nutrients in the soil. Peasants dealt with the increasing nutrient requirements by adapting land and livestock management in order to produce more manure during the second half of the 20th century. However, this was done at the expense of nutrient reserves in extensively managed areas, all of which resulted in an unsustainable agricultural pattern. Our data also suggest that the context of nutrient scarcity could be related to changes in the migration pattern, which started to be more intense after 1850 and preferred distant destinations (America), thus switching from seasonal to permanent stays.

scholarly journals Soil Fertility Assessment of an High Natural Value Eligible Area in South-Eastern Transylvania

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
Monica Dumitrașcu ◽  
Mihaela Lungu ◽  
Sorin Liviu Ștefănescu ◽  
Victoria Mocanu ◽  
Gabi Mirela Matei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Plant Nutrition ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Reaction ◽  
Short Supply ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Growth And Nutrition ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract As low-input environmentally friendly agricultural practices are currently associated with the delivery of a wide range of public goods and socioeconomic benefits, the strategy of European Union in mitigating climate change effects, protecting environment and ensuring public health has, among others, focused around preserving the High Natural Value (HNV) areas. About a quarter of the land in Romania is potentially covered by HNV farming and eligible for associated support payments, mostly along the chain of the Carpathian Mountains. Since soil systematic data on HNV area are scarce, recent research developments currently undertake to build up a first national HNV soil data base. Soil fertility state in a HNV payment eligible area of south-eastern Transylvania was studied in seven in-depth dug profiles and seven additional shallow dug profiles. Soil samples were taken by genetic horizons as well as agrochemical samples from the upper soil layers (0-20 cm). Physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses revealed that the studied soils have a medium clayey loamy texture, good fertility and are subject to an adequate HNV management in the area, as the analytical values mostly range in favorable intervals for plant growth and nutrition. Thus, soil reaction is moderately acid up to slightly alkaline in the presence of carbonates, the soil organic matter, generally well mineralized, reaches fair levels and the high and very high cation exchange capacity ensure good conditions for plants growth and nutrition whilst nitrogen and potassium supply is adequate. Phosphorus is the only element in short supply – a situation often encountered in Romania unfertilized soils. Soil bulk density and total porosity are also favorable for root growth and spreading and plant nutrition. Microorganisms’ activity is diverse and is also adequate for plant nutrition.

scholarly journals Large Scale Demo Plot Trial Project of Potash Fertilization for Increased Yield and Profitability for Smallholder Soybean Fields in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-170
Author(s):  
Joachim B. Nachmansohn ◽  
Patricia Imas ◽  
Surinder K. Bansal
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Soil Testing ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
K Fertilization

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, in spite of concerned efforts towards industrialization in the last three decades. Therefore, the soil quality and fertility are the major factors in crop production. Declining soil fertility is one of the primary factors that directly affect crop productivity, and fertilizer-use is a key factor in order to keep soil fertility and productivity. A major factor in declining soil fertility is potassium (K) depletion, especially on smallholder farms where fertilization decisions are not based on regular soil testing. Most of the smallholder soybean producers do not have access and investment capacity to soil testing services. Therefore, there is a need to create K fertilizer recommendations based on empirically verified knowledge at India-specific scale. Such large-scale studies, in local filed conditions, are currently lacking. In order to bridge this gap, and generate proven set of directly applicable recommendations, a large-scale plot trial was launched; the Potash for Life (PFL) project. The study evaluated the K response in soybean when fertilizing with potash on K depleted soils in local variable field conditions. The aim was to (1) evaluate the effect and response consistency of K application on soybean yield, (2) to demonstrate to farmers the increased yield and profitability from K-inclusive fertilization regimes for this crop and give recommendations for transient yield increase, and (3) to raise the awareness among smallholder farmers about the importance of K fertilization. A comprehensive experiment was carried out in Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) and Maharashtra. The methodology was straight-forward; two identical plots side by side, with the only difference that one of them was fertilized with additional potash. The results showed a significant yield increase response from the potash application; the average yield increase was 244 kg ha-1 or 26 % in M.P., and 105 kg ha-1 or 36 % in Maharashtra. This entailed an average additional net profit of ₹ 6,681 INR ha-1 and ₹ 2,544 INR ha-1, in M.P. and Maharashtra respectively. It was concluded that the soil status of plant available K is significantly lower than the plant demand for soybean production in the two states, Consequently, K fertilization is necessary in order to improve agricultural practices and optimizing yields. Ultimately, following recommendations given in this study would allow farmers to generate additional profit, which could further allow them to invest in fine-tuning fertilizer practices through the means of soil testing.

scholarly journals Facteurs déterminants l’adoption des mesures de gestion intégrée de la fertilité des sols (GIFS) au nord du Bénin : une application du modèle probit multivarié au cas de producteurs de maïs

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 664-678
Author(s):  
Souleïmane A. Adekambi ◽  
Jean Eudes A. Codjovi ◽  
Jacob A. Yabi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Multivariate Probit ◽  
Sustainable Land Management ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Integrated Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Fertility Management ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Gestion Intégrée

La baisse du niveau de fertilité des terres cultivables du fait des pratiques agricoles inadaptées, de la déforestation et du changement climatique reste l’une des contraintes majeures de l’agriculture béninoise. Les mesures de Gestion Intégrée de la Fertilité des Sols (GIFS) en sont une des approches de gestion durales des terres à l’échelle des exploitations agricoles. Ainsi, l’étude a fait usage d’un modèle probit multivarié pour identifier les déterminants de l’adoption des mesures de GIFS au sein des exploitations agricoles productrices de maïs au Nord-Bénin. Elle a été conduite sur un échantillon de 100 producteurs de maïs sélectionnés suivant un sondage aléatoire stratifié. Les résultats ont révélé l’existence d’une interdépendance et de complémentarités dans l’adoption des différentes mesures de GIFS. Aussi, la majorité des producteurs de maïs enquêtés préfèrent adopter une combinaison de deux mesures de GIFS (32%) ou de trois mesures (26%). Par ailleurs, la distance du village au champ, l’appartenance à un groupement, le contact avec la vulgarisation, la superficie  emblavée en maïs, la taille du cheptel et le nombre d’actifs agricoles restent les principaux facteurs déterminants l’adoption de ces mesures de GIFS par les producteurs.Mots clés : Bénin, changement climatique, gestion durable des terres, Gestion Intégrée de la Fertilité des Sols, pratiques agricoles, probit multivarié. English title: Adoption of integrated soil fertility management measures in northern Benin: an application of the multivariate probit model to the case of maize producers The decline in the level of fertility of arable land due to unsuitable agricultural practices, deforestation and climate change remains one of the major constraints of agriculture in Benin. Integrated Soil Fertility Management measures (GIFS) are one of the sustainable land management approaches that have been promoted at the level of farmers’ communities. Thus, the study made use of a multivariate probit model to identify the determinants of the adoption of GIFS measures within maize-producing farms in North Benin. It was carried out on a sample of 100 maize farmers selected following a stratified random survey. The results revealed the existence of interdependence and complementarities in the adoption of different GIFS measures. The majority of maize producers surveyed prefer to adopt a combination of two (32%) or three GIFS measures (26%). In addition, the distance from the village to the field, the membership of a group, the contact with the extension service, the area sown with maize, the size of the herd and the number of agricultural workers were identified as the important factors determining the adoption of these GIFS methods by producers.Keywords: Benin, climate change, sustainable land management, Integrated Soil Fertility Management measures, agricultural practices, multivariate probit.

Agricultural intensification and the impacts on soil fertility in the Middle Mountains of Nepal

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie von Westarp ◽  
Hans Schreier, Sandra Brown ◽  
P. B. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Acidification ◽  
Agricultural Intensification ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Nutrient Pool ◽  
Soil P ◽  
Soil Nutrition ◽  
Middle Mountains

Agricultural intensification in the Nepalese Middle Mountains has caused concern that soil inputs are insufficient to meet the higher nutrient demands of increased crop rotations, that increased chemical fertilizer dependency will cause soil acidification, and that soil fertility will decline. To examine changes in soil fertility dynamics over time and between land-use groups soil samples, farm surveys, and nutrient budgets were determined for less intensive irrigated and rainfed sites in 1994 and for intensive irrigated and rainfed sites in 2000 in the Jhikhu Khola watershed. Changes in fertilizer policy and in cropping rotation (introduction of potatoes and tomatoes and a decline in the use of a pre-monsoon fallow) have contributed to unbalanced and inadequate soil nutrition. Farmers in 2000 used significantly more compost and fertilizer (particularly diammonium phosphate) than in 1994. In irrigated sites, a significant increase in available soil P, a significant decline in exchangeable soil K, and a decline in base cation content was observed in sites sampled in 2000 versus 1994. Farmers intensively cultivating irrigated land need to address exchangeable soil K deficits, while reducing excess P inputs and taking measures to reduce the potential for soil acidification. In contrast, intensive rainfed sites have large surpluses in N, P, and K budgets for sites sampled in 2000, with significant increases in soil K, base saturation, and available soil P between 1994 and 2000. Given current crop yields, soil inputs to rainfed sites could be reduced to minimize unnecessary economic expenditures and eutrophication problems without depleting the soil nutrient pool. Key words: Agricultural intensification, soil fertility, phosphorus, potassium

scholarly journals Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments Have Significant Non-target Effects on Phyllosphere and Soil Bacterial Communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Parizadeh ◽  
Benjamin Mimee ◽  
Steven W. Kembel
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Pesticide Application ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Soil Bacterial Communities ◽  
Soil Bacterial ◽  
Target Effects

The phyllosphere and soil are dynamic habitats for microbial communities. Non-pathogenic microbiota, including leaf and soil beneficial bacteria, plays a crucial role in plant growth and health, as well as in soil fertility and organic matter production. In sustainable agriculture, it is important to understand the composition of these bacterial communities, their changes in response to disturbances, and their resilience to agricultural practices. Widespread pesticide application may have had non-target impacts on these beneficial microorganisms. Neonicotinoids are a family of systemic insecticides being vastly used to control soil and foliar pests in recent decades. A few studies have demonstrated the long-term and non-target effects of neonicotinoids on agroecosystem microbiota, but the generality of these findings remains unclear. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the effects of neonicotinoid seed treatment on soil and phyllosphere bacterial community diversity, composition and temporal dynamics in a 3-year soybean/corn rotation in Quebec, Canada. We found that habitat, host species and time are stronger drivers of variation in bacterial composition than neonicotinoid application. They, respectively, explained 37.3, 3.2, and 2.9% of the community variation. However, neonicotinoids did have an impact on bacterial community structure, especially on the taxonomic composition of soil communities (2.6%) and over time (2.4%). They also caused a decrease in soil alpha diversity in the middle of the growing season. While the neonicotinoid treatment favored some bacterial genera known as neonicotinoid biodegraders, there was a decline in the relative abundance of some potentially beneficial soil bacteria in response to the pesticide application. Some of these bacteria, such as the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and the bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle, are vital for plant growth and improve soil fertility. Overall, our results indicate that neonicotinoids have non-target effects on phyllosphere and soil bacterial communities in a soybean-corn agroecosystem. Exploring the interactions among bacteria and other organisms, as well as the bacterial functional responses to the pesticide treatment, may enhance our understanding of these non-target effects and help us adapt agricultural practices to control these impacts.

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