scholarly journals Influence of Agricultural Management Practices on the Soil Properties and Mineral Composition of Potato Tubers with Different Colored Flesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9103
Author(s):  
Nijolė Vaitkevičienė ◽  
Elvyra Jarienė ◽  
Jurgita Kulaitienė ◽  
Honorata Danillčenko ◽  
Judita Černiauskienė ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Mineral Composition ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Potato Tubers ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators

The objective of the work was to investigate and estimate the effects of conventional, organic, and biodynamic farming systems on biological and agrochemical soil properties and mineral composition of potato tubers with different colored flesh. This study compared the same biological and agrochemical soil quality indicators on samples collected at three sampling times: before potato planting, the middle of the potato season, and before harvesting. In addition, macro- and microelement contents were determined in the tubers. The results showed that the highest soil microbial biomass contents, dehydrogenase activity, and humus contents were found before potato planting in a conventional farming system. However, from potato planting until the end of the growing season, these soil biological indicators significantly decreased in the soil of conventional farming, but significant increases were recorded in organic and biodynamic treatments. The highest contents of all tested nitrogen forms, phosphorus and potassium, were found in the middle of the potato growing season in a conventional farming system. Before harvesting, significant decreases in all studied agrochemical soil quality indicators were observed in all farming systems. The organic and biodynamic potatoes contained significantly more K, P, and Ca than conventional potatoes. In addition, organic samples had significantly higher contents of Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and B in comparison to the biodynamic and conventional ones. The cultivar effect on the content of selected minerals in the samples was also observed. Red Emmalie contained more K, N, and B. Salad Blue had the highest contents of Fe, Mn, and Zn in comparison to other studied cultivars.

scholarly journals Physical soil quality indicators for monitoring British soils

Solid Earth ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 1003-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ron Corstanje ◽  
Theresa G. Mercer ◽  
Jane R. Rickson ◽  
Lynda K. Deeks ◽  
Paul Newell-Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Soil Monitoring ◽  
Soil Water Retention

Abstract. Soil condition or quality determines its ability to deliver a range of functions that support ecosystem services, human health and wellbeing. The increasing policy imperative to implement successful soil monitoring programmes has resulted in the demand for reliable soil quality indicators (SQIs) for physical, biological and chemical soil properties. The selection of these indicators needs to ensure that they are sensitive and responsive to pressure and change, e.g. they change across space and time in relation to natural perturbations and land management practices. Using a logical sieve approach based on key policy-related soil functions, this research assessed whether physical soil properties can be used to indicate the quality of British soils in terms of their capacity to deliver ecosystem goods and services. The resultant prioritised list of physical SQIs was tested for robustness, spatial and temporal variability, and expected rate of change using statistical analysis and modelling. Seven SQIs were prioritised: soil packing density, soil water retention characteristics, aggregate stability, rate of soil erosion, depth of soil, soil structure (assessed by visual soil evaluation) and soil sealing. These all have direct relevance to current and likely future soil and environmental policy and are appropriate for implementation in soil monitoring programmes.

scholarly journals Response of Potential Indicators of Soil Quality to Land-Use and Land-Cover Change under a Mediterranean Climate in the Region of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 162
Author(s):  
Jamal Suliman Alawamy ◽  
Siva K. Balasundram ◽  
Ahmad Husni Mohd. Hanif ◽  
Christopher Teh Boon Sung
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Land Management ◽  
Rainfed Agriculture ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Al Jabal Al Akhdar ◽  
Effects Of Land Use

Conversion of native lands into agricultural use, coupled with poor land management practices, generally leads to changes in soil properties. Understanding the undesirable effects of land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes on soil properties is essential when planning for sustainable land management. This study was conducted in Al Jabal Al Akhdar region, Libya, to assess the effects of land-use and land-cover changes on soil quality inferred by analyzing the relative changes in 17 chemical, physical, and biological soil properties in the upper layer (0–20 cm) of disturbed and undisturbed soil systems. Soil samples were collected from 180 sampling sites with 60 from each of the three types of LULC prevalent in the study area: natural Mediterranean forests (NMF), rainfed agriculture (RA), and irrigated crops (IC). The soil properties of the two agricultural land uses were compared with soil properties under an adjacent natural forest, which served as a control to assess changes in soil quality resulting from the cultivation of deforested land. The results indicate significant reductions in most soil quality indicators under rainfed agriculture as compared to native forest land. Under irrigated agriculture, there were significant changes (p ≤ 0.05) in most of the soil quality indicators, generally, indicating a significant reduction in soil quality, except for improvement of nitrogen and phosphorus levels due to frequent fertilizer application. Our data support the notion that changes in land use and land cover, in the absence of sustainable management measures, induce deterioration of soil properties and ultimately may lead to land degradation and productivity decline.

scholarly journals Physical soil quality indicators for monitoring British soils

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ron Corstanje ◽  
Theresa Mercer ◽  
Jane R. Rickson ◽  
Lynda K. Deeks ◽  
Paul Newell-Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Soil Monitoring ◽  
Soil Water Retention

Abstract. The condition or quality of soils determines its ability to deliver a range of functions that support ecosystem services, human health and wellbeing. The increasing policy imperative to implement successful soil monitoring programmes has resulted in the demand for reliable soil quality indicators (SQIs) for physical, biological and chemical soil properties. The selection of these indicators needs to ensure that they are sensitive and responsive to pressure and change e.g. they change across space and time in relation to natural perturbations and land management practices. Using a logical sieve approach based on key policy-related soil functions, this research assessed whether physical soil properties can be used to indicate the quality of British soils in terms of its capacity to deliver ecosystem goods and services. The resultant prioritised list of physical SQIs were tested for robustness, spatial and temporal variability and expected rate of change using statistical analysis and modelling. Six SQIs were prioritised; packing density, soil water retention characteristics, aggregate stability, rate of erosion, depth of soil and soil sealing. These all have direct relevance to current and likely future soil and environmental policy and are appropriate for implementation in soil monitoring programs.

scholarly journals The use of multivariate statistical analysis and soil quality indices as tools to be included in regional management plans. A case study from the Mashhad Plain, Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 687 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Rodrigo-Comino ◽  
A. Keshavarzi ◽  
A. Bagherzadeh ◽  
E.C. Brevik
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Soil Quality Index

Several methods have been used to model reality and explain soil pedogenesis and evolution. However, there is a lack of information about which soil properties truly condition soil quality indicators and indices particularly at the pedon scale and at different soil depths to be used in land management planning. Thus, the main goals of this research were: i) to assess differences in soil properties (particle size, saturation point, bulk density, soil organic carbon, pH and electrical conductivity) at different soil depths (0-30 and 30-60 cm); ii) to check their statistical correlation with soil quality indicators (CEC, total N, Olsen-P, available K, exchangeable Na, calcium carbonate equivalent, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu); and, iii) to elaborate a soil quality index and maps for each soil layer. To achieve this, forty-eight soil samples were analysed in the laboratory and subjected to statistical analyses by ANOVA, Spearman Rank coefficients and Principal Component Analyses. Finally, a soil quality index was developed based on indicators of sensitivity. The study was conducted in a semiarid catchment in northeast Iran with irrigated farming and well-documented land degradation issues. We found that: i) organic carbon and bulk density were not similar in the topsoil and subsoil; ii) calcium carbonate and sand content conditioned organic carbon content and bulk density; iii) organic carbon showed the highest correlations with soil quality indicators; iv) particle size conditioned cation-exchange capacity; and, v) heavy metals such as Mn and Cu were highly correlated with organic carbon due to non-suitable agricultural practices. Based on the communality analysis to map of soil quality, CEC, Mn, Zn, and Cu had the highest weights (≥0.11) at both depths, coinciding with the same level of relevance in the multivariate analysis. Exchangeable Na, CaCO3, and Fe had the lowest weights (≤0.1) and N, P, and K had intermediate weights (0.1- 0.11). In general, the map of the soil quality index shows a lower soil quality in the subsoil increment than in the topsoil.

scholarly journals Sustainability performance of organic farming at vegetable fields in Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
I Ketut Sardiana ◽  
Tati Budi Kusmiyarti
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Sustainability Performance

<p>Sustainable agriculture aims to maintain high productivity while maintaining soil quality. The purpose of this study is to determine the sustainability performance of organic vegetable farming systems with soil quality indicators as a soil quality assessment tool. Soil physical, chemical, and biological properties in Chinese cabbage in Baturiti Subdistrict, Tabanan Regency, Bali, Indonesia, were evaluated as indicators for predicting organic cabbage production and yield. Soil samples were obtained from organic farming systems that have been going on for 1, 3, and 5 years after certification, compared with conventional farming systems. The results showed that the soil quality of the organic farming system after 5 years (OF5) was significantly higher than the conventional farming system. Physically, soil moisture at the field capacity in OF5 was significantly higher than that in the other systems. Chemically, the organic C and cation exchange capacity in organic systems were significantly higher than in conventional systems. The same results were shown by soil respiration, which means that there was high soil microbial activity. Based on the cumulative soil quality rating, it is concluded that the OF5 system met the sustainability criteria, with no high input required.</p>

Soil quality indicators across different agro-ecological zones of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerome Kimaro ◽  
Anna Treydte ◽  
Bernd Huwe ◽  
Christina Bogner
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction &lt;/strong&gt;The agroecosystems at the southern slope of Mt. Kilimanjaro have been an important resource for the provision of ecosystem services, in particular food production. However, their potential is increasingly threatened by a rapid change in agricultural land use and its future sustainability remains uncertain. Various efforts to achieve sustainable management of agroecosystems have not been successful and therefore there is a risk of land degradation and poverty. This problem is attributed to a lack of knowledge about the actual causes and extent of the problem among local farmers, extension officers and researchers, thus limiting decision options on the selection of appropriate adaptation measures.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Goals&lt;/strong&gt; Therefore, we conducted a study to determine how changes in traditional farming systems affect soil quality within the agroecosystem at the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Material and Methods&lt;/strong&gt; We measured C, N, P, soil texture, bulk density and the cation exchange capacity (CEC) in 24 plots across major agro-ecological zones (mainly related to elevation) and in two farming systems (maize and agroforestry).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt; We found that sand content increased, clay content and bulk density decreased with increasing elevation. C content was slightly lower in maize compared to agroforestry (-0.88%), but not N and P. C and N contents increased in the upper compared to the lower elevation zones (3.8% and 0.3%, respectively), while P decreased by 19 mg/kg. The content of cations from CEC showed a heterogeneous picture. The largest difference was the decrease of Ca and Mg in the upper elevation zone (-1191 mg/kg and -458 mg/kg, respectively).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions&lt;/strong&gt; Soils in the agroecosystems of Mt. Kilimanjaro differ in their properties which implies that crop yield and quality could be higher on some plots than others. Therefore, the vulnerability to food insecurity and efforts required to improve soil quality could vary locally. The use of soil quality indicators would benefit both farmers and extension officers as a decision-making tool to identify suitable locations for crops, achieve precise use of production inputs and manipulate crop calendars.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Effects of simulated drought on biological soil quality, microbial diversity and yields under long-term conventional and organic agriculture

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominika Kundel ◽  
Natacha Bodenhausen ◽  
Helene Bracht Jørgensen ◽  
Jaak Truu ◽  
Klaus Birkhofer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Simulated Drought

ABSTRACT Drought and agricultural management influence soil microorganisms with unknown consequences for the functioning of agroecosystems. We simulated drought periods in organic (biodynamic) and conventional wheat fields and monitored effects on soil water content, microorganisms and crops. Above the wilting point, water content and microbial respiration were higher under biodynamic than conventional farming. Highest bacterial and fungal abundances were found in biodynamically managed soils, and distinct microbial communities characterised the farming systems. Most biological soil quality parameters and crop yields were only marginally affected by the experimental drought, except for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which increased in abundance under the experimental drought in both farming systems. AMF were further strongly promoted by biodynamic farming resulting in almost three times higher AMF abundance under experimental drought in the biodynamic compared with the conventional farming system. Our data suggest an improved water storage capacity under biodynamic farming and confirms positive effects of biodynamic farming on biological soil quality. The interactive effects of the farming system and drought may further be investigated under more substantial droughts. Given the importance of AMF for the plant's water supply, more in-depth studies on AMF may help to clarify their role for yields under conditions predicted by future climate scenarios.

scholarly journals Influences of Farming Practices on Soil Properties and the 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline Content of Khao Dawk Mali 105 Rice Grains

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Kawiporn Chinachanta ◽  
Laetitia Herrmann ◽  
Didier Lesueur ◽  
Sakda Jongkaewwattana ◽  
Choochad Santasup ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Rice Variety ◽  
Close Correlation ◽  
Strong Correlations ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Rice Grains ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Crf System

Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML105) is a premium fragrant rice variety and is widely grown in Thung Kula Rong Hai (TKR), northeast Thailand. In the present study, the influence of organic and conventional rice farming (ORF and CRF, respectively) in TKR farmers’ paddy fields on soil properties and their relationship with 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) in KDML105 rice grains were investigated. The results indicated that the ORF system had a strong positive effect on major soil quality indicators and the 2AP content in the rice grains. The soil organic matter (SOM) was approximately twice as much in the ORF than in the CRF system, thus leading to much higher total nitrogen (TN), humic acid (HA), and microbial populations in the ORF system. The higher SOM in the ORF system not only enhanced the soil quality indicators but also contributed to approximately 3.5 times higher 2AP than in the CRF system. Principle component analysis indicated a close correlation among SOM, TN, HA, and microbial population under the ORF system; these variables exhibited strong correlations with the 2AP contents in KDML105 rice grains.

Effect of straw management and nitrogen fertilizer on selected soil properties as potential soil quality indicators of an irrigated Dark Brown Chernozemic soil

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Dormaar ◽  
J. M. Carefoot
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Fertility Level ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Straw Management

Cereals grown under irrigation in the Canadian prairies produce large amounts of residues. An experiment initiated at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta, in the fall of 1986, to investigate five straw management treatments (1, chopped straw/fall tillage [straw incorporated]; 2, chopped straw/spring tillage [straw incorporated]; 3, straw baled/fall tillage; 4, straw baled/spring tillage; 5, straw baled/direct seeding) and three fertilizer N rates (0, 100, and 200 kg N ha−1) on crop yields under irrigation, was sampled in April 1995 to examine the effect of straw management and fertilizer additions on selected soil chemical characteristics as potential soil quality indicators. If yield is not used, can we evaluate soil quality from a soil genesis baseline or is it crop growth driven? Differences among straw management and fertility treatments have already supplied information on the effects of these treatments after 8 yr. The treatment in which the straw was baled and the land not tilled had the highest soil bulk density. Total soil organic C and N were highest for the straw baled/no tillage treatment and the 200 kg N ha−1 application. Total C was higher for the fall than spring tillage treatments, while total N was lower for the spring than for the fall tillage treatments when straw was incorporated. Light fraction (mg kg−1 C) was highest for the chopped straw and zero fertilizer additions. For several biologically related characteristics, e.g., mineralizable N, biomass C, biological index N, and hydrolysable N, there were significant interactions between straw management treatments and fertility levels. Monosaccharides at the zero fertility level were generally of microbial origin, while plant-origin monosaccharides were more prevalent as the fertility level increased. It is concluded that the present use does not lead to soil erosion, does not pollute groundwater, and does grow plants; with the help of outside resources, any one straw management treatment can be considered as valid in the anthropocentric sense of soil quality. Since the interpretation of significant effects of treatment on soil properties must be carefully considered depending on the crop selected, the concept of soil quality is thus open to question and debate. Key words: Soil quality, straw management, intrinsic value, tillage, labile organic matter

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