Assessing soil health by measuring fauna

2021 ◽  
pp. 3-24
Author(s):  
Felicity Crotty ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fauna ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Habitat Changes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soil Habitat

This chapter provides examples of the impact of soil fauna on soil health within different ecosystems and how the soil habitat changes in relation to this biodiversity. It focuses specifically on mesofauna in agriculture, grasslands, woodlands and as bioindicators, before concluding with an overview of how the development of mesofauna as bioindicators is important in establishing a healthy soil.

The impact of Eisenia veneta on As, Cu, Pb and Zn uptake by ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

2008 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 495-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Sizmur ◽  
M. E. Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Soil Fauna ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Lolium Perenne L ◽  
Zn Uptake ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Impact

AbstractEarthworms are an essential part of the soil fauna in many global soils, represent a significant proportion of the soil biomass and are regarded as a useful indicator of soil health and quality (Edwards, 2004). They are also often the subject of inoculation programmes during the restoration of degraded lands (Butt, 1999) and the inoculation of earthworms to metal-contaminated soils has been suggested(Dickinson, 2000) largely due to the role earthworms are known to play in soil formation at such sites (Frouz et al., 2007).

scholarly journals A Study on Knowledge and Utilization of Soil Health Card by Small and Marginal Farmers in Nalanda District of Bihar

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 28-40
Author(s):  
Kumar Saurabh ◽  
Syed H. Mazhar ◽  
Dipak Kumar Bose
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Soil Test ◽  
Fertilizer Use ◽  
Health Card ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Knowledge Levels ◽  
The Impact

Soil health and fertility is the basis for sustainable profitability of the farmers.Hence, there is a need for balanced use of fertilizers, keeping this government of India introduced Soil Health Card Scheme across India. On 5th December 2015 the ministry of agriculture introduced the soil health card (SHC) scheme.Some farmers complained that the soil test values are not representative of their fields and they also complained that the field staff are not collected soil samples in their presence.In this background an attempt was made to study the impact on socio-economic conditions of the small and marginal farmers.Total of 120 respondents was selected in Ekangarsarai block, Nalanda district, Bihar by purposive sampling method. The data was collected from them and analyzed using MS-excel.Given the short duration of the scheme, knowledge levels are good. At the same time participation of farmers in meetings, exposure visits are not high. Awareness campaigns need to be organized on content of SHCs, use of recommended practices, reduction in fertilizer use and costs and increase in profitability.

scholarly journals Impact of Macronutrients and Micronutrients on Soil Health Nutrients Concentration and Uptake by Maize (Zea mays L)

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 199-206
Author(s):  
M. L. Bubarai U. Bapetel ◽  
A. Musa Mala
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Soil Science ◽  
Soil Reaction ◽  
Chemistry Research ◽  
Agricultural Chemistry ◽  
Copper Zinc ◽  
Nutrients Concentration ◽  
The Impact

At the SHUATS Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Research Farm, an experiment was conducted with the goal of determining the impact of application of macro and micronutrients, on soil health nutrients concentration and uptake by maize (Zea mays L). The experiment was put up based on this over a two-year period, beginning with the 2017 and 2018 cropping periods. Crbd was used as the experimental technique and it was replicated thrice with the following treatments combinations, NPK @ 50 and 100kgha -1, while for the micronutrients (Boron, Zinc and Copper) three levels of combination were used 0.3, 6 and 9kgha-1. The research project's findings showed all the determinants of soil health like soil reaction organic matter among others are at levels suitable for nutrients actions and plant growth, while plant parameters like maize cob diameter, dry matter, and nutrients concentrations in maize tissues have greatly improved. NPK @100kgha-1, Copper, Zinc, and Boron @ 9kgha-1 were the best treatment combinations with the best results. The above combinations of treatments will be suitable for the soils of that location based on the results of these studies.

scholarly journals Unveiling the Efficiency of Vermicompost Derived from Different Biowastes on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plant Growth and Soil Health

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zubair Aslam ◽  
Safdar Bashir ◽  
Waseem Hassan ◽  
Korkmaz Bellitürk ◽  
Niaz Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Test Plant ◽  
Cow Dung ◽  
Aphid Infestation ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Chemical Attributes ◽  
The Impact

The present study was conducted to explore the role of different types of vermicomposts (VCs) prepared from different substrates to improve soil health (physical and chemical properties) and wheat plant growth under field conditions. Different combinations of vermicompost prepared from different substrates (cow dung, paper waste, and rice straw) and inorganic fertilizers were applied in soil using wheat as a test plant. The impact of three different VCs on physico-chemical characteristics and nutrient availability in soil was evaluated to examine their efficacy in combination with chemical fertilizers. Temporal trends in vermicomposting treatments at various stages showed significant improvement in physico-chemical attributes of the VCs substrates. All the plant physiological attributes showed significant response where N:P:K 100:50:50 kg ha−1 + 10 t ha−1 cow dung vermicompost was applied. In addition, post-harvest analysis of soil not only revealed that different combinations of the vermicomposting treatments improved the soil health by improving the physico-chemical attributes of the soil. Conclusively, application of cow dung vermicompost along with recommended NPK not only improved crop yield, soil health, reduced insect (aphid) infestation but also fortified grains with Zn and Fe.

scholarly journals The Perceived Benefits, Challenges, and Environmental Effects of Cover Crop Implementation in South Carolina

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 372
Author(s):  
Lucas Clay ◽  
Katharine Perkins ◽  
Marzieh Motallebi ◽  
Alejandro Plastina ◽  
Bhupinder Singh Farmaha
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Row Crop ◽  
The Impact

Cover crops are becoming more accepted as a viable best management practice because of their ability to provide important environmental and soil health benefits. Because of these benefits, many land managers are strongly encouraging the use of cover crops. Additionally, there is limited information on farmers′ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of implementing cover crops. Many farmers state that they do not have enough money or time to implement cover crops. In an attempt to gather more data about the adoption rate and perceptions of cover crops in South Carolina, a survey was sent to 3000 row crop farmers across the state. Farmers were asked whether they implement cover crops and their perceptions of the benefits and challenges associated with implementation. Furthermore, questions were asked regarding the impact of row cropping on their environment to gauge farmer′s education level on environmental impacts. Responses showed many people are implementing cover crops; however, there are still differences in perceptions about benefits and challenges between those who are adopting cover crops and those who are not. This research assesses these differences and aims to provide a baseline for focusing cover crop programs to tackle these certain challenges and promote the benefits.

Study of the impact of platinum and palladium on representatives of soil fauna (Folsomia candida)

2013 ◽  
Vol 221 ◽  
pp. S114
Author(s):  
B. Nemcova ◽  
I. Bednarova ◽  
H. Mikulaskova ◽  
M. Beklova
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fauna ◽  
Folsomia Candida ◽  
The Impact

Changes in spider assemblages along grassland and savanna grazing gradients in northern Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. B. Churchill ◽  
J. A. Ludwig
Keyword(s):  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Patch Type ◽  
Habitat Changes ◽  
The Family ◽  
Shrub Canopy ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Local Habitat

Spiders are beneficial predators that respond to those land uses that modify their habitat. Cattle grazing is an extensive land use across northern Australian rangelands, yet the impact of grazing on spider habitat is poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the way in which spider assemblages varied between grassland and savanna habitats in the Victoria River District of the Northern Territory, and also between dry and wet seasons in the savanna habitat. We also investigated changes in spider assemblages, and some common taxa, with distance from cattle watering points, which was used as a surrogate for a gradient in grazing intensity. Spiders were sampled using pitfall traps and sweep nets along two distance from water-grazing gradients. The first gradient was in savanna on calcareous red loam soils at Kidman Springs, and the second was in grassland on cracking black clays at Mount Sanford. Ordinations revealed that spider assemblages differed between grassland and savanna, and between the late-wet and late-dry seasons in savanna. Spider assemblages also markedly changed along the two distance-grazing gradients in response to habitat changes. For example, orb weavers in the family Araneidae increased in abundance as the cover of perennial grasses and litter increased with distance from water; this response was consistent for both grassland and savanna gradients. Patch type was also important to the distribution of spiders. For example, more individuals of Habronestes sp. were caught when the local habitat was patches of perennial grasses rather than patches of annual grasses and litter, bare ground, or tree-shrub canopy. These results suggest that spiders are good indicators of the habitat changes that may occur with grazing in the rangelands of Australia.

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