Soil Organic Matter and Feeding the Future: Environmental and Agronomic Impacts

Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Foreword
Editor
Contributors
Chapter 1 Enhancing Fertilizer Use Efficiency by Managing Soil Health: Emerging Trends
List of Abbreviations
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Fertilizers
1.2.1 What Is a Fertilizer?
1.2.1.1 Nitrogen
1.2.1.2 Phosphates
1.2.1.3 Potassium
1.2.2 Use Efficiency of Fertilizers
1.2.3 Options to Improve Fertilizer Use Efficiency
1.2.3.1 Product
1.2.3.2 Practice
1.2.3.3 Policy
1.3 Soils
1.3.1 Conservation Agriculture
1.3.2 Integrated Soil Fertility Management
1.4 Africa and Integrated Soil Fertility Management
1.5 Fertilizer Policies and Nutrient Use Efficiency
1.6 Conclusions
References
Chapter 2 Conservation Agriculture: Carbon and Conservation Centered Foundation for Sustainable Production
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 Global Population
2.1.2 Climate Mitigation
2.1.3 Environmental Degradation
2.2 Objective
2.3 Soil Organic Matter and Carbon Management
2.3.1 Photosynthesis Converts Solar to Biochemical Energy
2.3.2 Carbon is the “C” that Starts “Conservation”
2.3.3 Soil Organic Matter and Nutrient Cycling
2.4 Integrating Conservation and Agriculture
2.4.1 Conservation in a Broader Context
2.5 Conservation Agriculture Systems
2.5.1 Minimum Soil Disturbance (Practices—No Tillage, Direct Seeding, Planting Green, No-till Weeding)
2.5.2 Permanent Vegetative Mulch Cover
2.5.3 Species Diversification
2.5.4 Conservation Agriculture for Soil Carbon Storage
2.6 Terminology and Types of Agriculture
2.6.1 Conventional Intensive Tillage Agriculture
2.6.2 Conservation Tillage
2.6.3 Sustainable Development
2.6.4 Sustainable Intensification
2.6.5 Soil Health Farming
2.6.6 Regenerative Agriculture
2.7 Discussion
2.8 Conclusions and Summary
Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Chapter 3 Relating Soil Organic Carbon Fractions to Crop Yield and Quality with Cover Crops
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Cover Crop Biomass and Nitrogen Accumulation
3.3 Succeeding Cash Crop Yields, Protein Concentration, and Nitrogen Uptake
3.4 Nitrogen Fertilizer Reduction Due to Cover Crops
3.5 Soil Organic Carbon
3.6 Soil Labile Carbon Fractions
3.7 Relationship between Soil Carbon Fractions and Crop Yield due to Cover Crops
3.8 Challenges and Opportunities for Enhancing Soil Carbon and Crop Yield with Cover Crops
3.9 Conclusions
References
Chapter 4 Global Spread of Conservation Agriculture for Enhancing Soil Organic Matter, Soil Health, Productivity, and Ecosystem Services
List of Abbreviations
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 Conventional Tillage Agriculture and Its Consequences
4.1.2 What Needs to Change?
4.2 Conservation Agriculture
4.2.1 Principles and Practices
4.2.2 Global Adoption and Spread of CA
4.3 Enhancing Soil Organic Matter
4.3.1 The Connection between SOM and SOC
4.3.2 How to Improve SOM and SOC with CA and Why It Is Essential
4.3.3 SOM and a Better Soil Structure
4.3.4 SOM and Soil’s Natural Fertility
4.4 Optimizing Soil Health and Productivity
4.4.1 Soil Health
4.4.2 Productivity
4.5 Facilitating Ecosystem Services
4.5.1 Field and Farm Scale Services
4.5.2 Watershed and Landscape Scale Ecosystem Services
4.5.2.1 Canada: Carbon Sequestration Scheme in Alberta
4.5.2.2 Brazil: Watershed Services in the Paraná Basin III
4.5.2.3 China: Soil Conservation and Erosion Control
4.5.2.4 Spain: Soil and Water Conservation in Andalusia
4.6 Policy and Institutional Implications
4.7 Relevance of CA to Global Governance
4.8 Conclusions
References
Chapter 5 The Effects of Soil Organic Matter and Organic Resource Management on Maize Productivity and Fertilizer Use Efficiencies in Africa
5.1 Introduction
5.1.1 Review Approach
5.2 The Status of Soil Organic Matter in Sub-Saharan African Cropping Systems
5.3 Nitrogen Use Efficiency in the Context of Integrated Soil Fertility Management
5.4 Fertilizer Response and Agronomic N Use Efficiency Patterns
5.5 Influence of Soil Organic Matter on Fertilizer Use Efficiency
5.5.1 Relationship between Fertilizer Response, Soil Organic Carbon and Maize Yields
5.5.2 Southern Africa Case Studies
5.5.2.1 Case Study 1A: Kurwakumire et al. 2014; Kafesu et al. 2018
5.5.2.2 Case Study 1B: Zingore et al. 2007a; 2008; 2011
5.5.3 East Africa Case Studies
5.5.3.1 Case Study 2A: Vanlauwe et al. 2006
5.5.3.2 Case Study 2B: Njoroge et al. 2017
5.5.4 West Africa Case Study
5.6 Benefits of Soil Organic Matter for Enhancing Yield Quality and Soil Water Storage
5.7 Increasing Fertilizer Use Efficiency with Combined Application of Fertilizer and Manure and Legume-Based Technologies
5.8 Conclusions
References
Chapter 6 Cover Cropping for Managing Soil Organic Carbon Content
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Cover Crop Biomass C Input
6.3 Decomposition and Mineralization of Cover Crop Biomass C
6.4 Impact on SOC Sequestration
6.5 Pathways of Increasing SOC
6.6 Conclusion
References
Chapter 7 Fertilizer Use in the North China Plains for Improving Soil Organic Matter Content and Crop Yield
Abbreviations
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Materials and Methods
7.2.1 Study Area
7.2.2 Soil Types and Distribution
7.2.3 Data Collection
7.2.4 Data Analysis
7.3 Results
7.3.1 Characteristics of Soil Nutrient, Soil Organic Matter, and Crop Yield
7.3.1.1 Soil Nutrient Content Change
7.3.1.2 Soil Organic Matter
7.3.1.3 Crop Yield
7.3.2 Relationship between Soil Nutrient and SOM
7.3.2.1 Overall Relationship of Soil Nutrient on the SOM Content in Quzhou County
7.3.2.2 Effects of Soil Nutrients on SOM in Different Soil Types
7.3.3 Impact of Soil Nutrient on Crop Yield
7.3.3.1 Overall Impact of Soil Nutrients on Crop Yield in Quzhou County
7.3.3.2 Impact of Soil Nutrient on Crop Yield in Different Soil Types
7.4 Discussion
7.4.1 Soil Nutrient in the Intensive Agricultural Region of the NCP
7.4.2 Effect of Soil Nutrient on SOM in the Intensive Agricultural Region of the NCP
7.4.3 Effect of Change of Fertilizer Use from 1980 to 2018 on Crop Yield
7.5 Conclusions
Acknowledgment
References
Chapter 8 Managing Rain-fed Rice Farms for Improving Soil Health and Advancing Food Security: A Meta-Analysis
List of Abbreviations
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Methods of Data Collection
8.2.1 About the Nutrient Management Practices
8.2.2 Data Collected and Effect Sizes Used
8.2.3 Data Analysis
8.3 Results and Discussion
8.3.1 Variation in Soil Properties with Nutrients Management Practices
8.3.2 Variation in Yield and Yield Components with Nutrient Management Practices
8.3.3 Implications for Management
8.4 Conclusions
References
Chapter 9 Soil Organic Matter: Bioavailability and Biofortification of Essential Micronutrients
List of Abbreviations
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Micronutrient Forms, Status, and Availability in the Soil
9.2.1 Iron (Fe)
9.2.2 Zinc (Zn)
9.2.3 Copper (Cu)
9.2.4 Manganese (Mn)
9.2.5 Cobalt (Co)
9.2.6 Molybdenum (Mo)
9.2.7 Selenium (Se)
9.2.8 Iodine (I)
9.3 Micronutrient Complexes with Organic Matter: Nature and Properties
9.4 Interaction Effect of Soil Organic Matter on the Bioavailability of Micronutrients
9.4.1 Iron
9.4.2 Zinc
9.4.3 Copper
9.4.4 Manganese
9.4.5 Cobalt
9.4.6 Molybdenum
9.4.7 Selenium
9.4.8 Iodine
9.5 Effect of SOM on Crop Growth and Yield
9.6 Effect of SOM on the Uptake and Nutritional Quality of Micronutrients in Crops
9.7 Effect of SOM on Toxic Metal Uptake by Crops
9.8 Soil Organic Amendments for Biofortification of Crops with Micronutrients
9.8.1 Green Manuring
9.8.2 Manures and Compost
9.8.3 Crop Residue Retention or Incorporation
9.8.4 Biochar
9.8.5 Micronutrient Enriched Organic Matter
9.8.6 Efficient Genotypes and Intercropping
9.9 Conclusion
References
Chapter 10 Raising Soil Organic Matter to Improve Productivity and Nutritional Quality of Food Crops in India
Abbreviations
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Soil Organic Matter (SOM)
10.3 SOM and the C Cycle
10.4 Fertility Status and Nutrient-Balance in the Soils of India
10.5 Nutrient Potentials of Organic Resources
10.6 Management Practices to Improve and Stabilize SOM
10.6.1 Conservation Tillage
10.6.2 Balanced Fertilization
10.6.3 Use of Organic Manures
10.6.4 Crop Rotation
10.6.5 Cover Crops/Green Manuring
10.6.6 Recycling Crop Residues
10.6.7 Converting Agriculturally Marginal Land to Pastures
10.7 SOM and Soil Properties
10.7.1 Soil Physical Properties
10.7.2 Soil Chemical Properties
10.7.3 Soil Biological Properties
10.7.4 Nutrient Use Efficiency
10.8 SOM and Crop Yield
10.9 SOM and Nutritional Quality of Food Crops
10.10 Constraints and Suggestions for Improving SOM
10.11 Conclusions
References
Chapter 11 Role of Legumes in Managing Soil Organic Matter and Improving Crop Yield
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Role of Legumes in SOM Management
11.2.1 Soil Structure
11.2.2 Soil Microbial Functions
11.2.3 C Mineralization and CO2 Emissions
11.2.4 SOM Protection from Temperature and Precipitation Driven Changes
11.2.5 SOM Stabilization and Temporal Variability
11.3 Effects of SOM on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties under Legumes
11.3.1 Soil Bulk Density and Aeration
11.3.2 Soil Moisture
11.3.3 Soil Nutrient Contents
11.4 Role of Legumes for Yield Improvement through Improved Soil Conditions
11.4.1 Crop Growth under Improved Soil Conditions
11.4.2 Relationship between SOM and Crop Yield under Legume Cultivation
11.5 Limitations and Future Prospects
11.6 Conclusions
References
Chapter 12 Managing Soil Organic Carbon in Croplands of the Eastern Himalayas, India
Abbreviations
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Status of Farming in the Eastern Himalayan Region (EHR)
12.3 Status of Natural Resources in the Region
12.4 Crop Production, Soil Fertility and SOC Inter-Linkage
12.5 Land Use and SOC
12.6 SOC and Potential of Soil as C-Reserve
12.7 Why Organic Matter Management is Important in Croplands of the EHR
12.8 Status of SOC in the EHR
12.9 SOC Management Practices in the EHR
12.9.1 Indigenous SOC Management Practices
12.9.2 Improved SOC Management Practices
12.9.2.1 Impact of Organic Manure on Soil Carbon
12.9.2.2 Integrated Nutrient Management
12.9.2.3 Conservation Agriculture as a Means of Managing SOC in the EHR
12.9.2.4 SOC under Intensified Maize and Rice-Based Cropping Sequences in High Altitudes
12.9.2.5 Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) for Managing SOC
12.9.2.6 Cropping Systems for the Enhancement of SOC
12.9.2.7 Perennial Fodder Grass for Restoring SOC Concentration
12.9.2.8 Cover Crops to Sustain SOC
12.9.2.9 Agroforestry Systems (AFS) as an Option for Restoring SOC
12.9.2.10 Prospects of Biochar in Soil Health Management in the Hills
12.9.2.11 Improved Shifting Cultivation Practices
12.10 Conclusions
References
Chapter 13 Soil Organic Carbon Restoration in India: Programs, Policies, and Thrust Areas
Abbreviations
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Soil Organic Carbon in Agriculture
13.3 Need for Soil Organic Carbon Restoration in the Soils of India
13.4 India’s Progress at the International Level
13.5 The Need to Reform the Government Policies in Indian Agriculture for Soil Organic Carbon Restoration
13.6 Interventions as a Carbon Offsetting Option/Strategies for Soil Carbon Sequestration and Reducing the Footprint
13.6.1 Reduce Food Wastage
13.6.2 Industrial Waste as a Carbon Input Source for Cultivated Soils
13.6.3 Soil Microbial-Based Carbon Sequestration
13.7 In-Field Burning of Crop Residues in India
13.7.1 Biochar as an Option for Crop Residue Management
13.7.2 Government Efforts to Promote In-Situ Management of Crop Residue
13.8 Policies for Promotion of Conservation Agriculture
13.8.1 Government Interventions for Conservation Agriculture and Needful Action Plans
13.8.2 Technological Interventions in the Cropping System
13.8.3 Policies for Promotion of Crop Diversification
13.8.4 Fallow Periods and Their Management Plans
13.8.5 Potential to Promote Pulses in the Rice-Based System
13.9 Carbon Status of Dryland Agriculture in India
13.9.1 Management of Degraded Lands
13.9.2 Government Action Plans for Dryland Agriculture
13.9.3 Policies for Promoting Trees/Shrubs Plantation for Soil Carbon Restoration
13.10 Research Evidence on Carbon Dynamics in Agroforestry Models
13.10.1 Agroforestry Policies in India
13.11 Promotion of Composting/Vermicomposting at the Block Level
13.12 Policies for Setting up Composting Plants at Large Scale
13.13 Policies to Expand the Area under Organic Farming
13.14 Private Organizations for Investment in Soil Carbon Restoration
13.15 Recommended Policy Agenda for Soil Carbon Restoration
13.16 Considerations for Policies Framework on Soil Carbon Restoration
Acknowledgement
References
Chapter 14 No-Till Farming in the Maghreb Region: Enhancing Agricultural Productivity and Sequestrating Carbon in Soils
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Agriculture, Soil, and Climate
14.3 No-Till Farming: Adoption and Spread
14.3.1 Algeria
14.3.2 Morocco
14.3.3 Tunisia
14.4 Diversifying Crop Rotation and Narrowing the Productivity Gaps
14.5 Carbon Management and Sequestration
14.6 Improving Soil Quality and Functions
14.7 Soil Erosion Control and Prevention
14.8 Reduce Direct and Indirect CO2 Emissions
14.9 Land Suitability for No Tillage in Maghreb: Case Study from Morocco
14.10 Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 15 No-Till Farming for Managing Soil Organic Matter in Semiarid, Temperate Regions: Synergies, Tradeoffs, and Knowledge Gaps
Abbreviation List
15.1 Introduction
15.1.1 Semiarid, Temperate Regions of the World
15.1.2 Objectives
15.2 General Threats to Productivity, Soil, Water, Air, and Associated Knowledge Gaps in Semiarid Agriculture
15.2.1 Crop Yield under No-Tillage Systems
15.2.2 Soil Organic Carbon
15.2.3 Soil Erosion
15.2.4 Water Quality Management and “Leaky” Agricultural Systems
15.2.5 Soil Acidification and Soil Inorganic Carbon
15.2.6 Soil Biodiversity
15.2.7 Herbicide Resistance
15.2.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
15.3 Case Study of Cook Agronomy Farm (CAF) and Other Sites in the iPNW: Tradeoffs about the Soil-Plant-Air Continuum and Water Quality under NT
15.3.1 Study Site of CAF
15.3.2 Crop Yield and Nitrogen Balance Index
15.3.3 Soil Organic Matter and pH
15.3.4 Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Quantity and Quality
15.3.5 Greenhouse Gas Emission and the Carbon Budget
15.3.5.1 Short-Term GHG Emissions under NT and CT
15.3.5.2 Annual Field Monitoring of GHGs and Carbon Budgets
15.3.6 Water Quality
15.3.7 Dissolved Organic Matter and Nitrogen in Artificial Drainage under NT
15.3.8 Inorganic Nitrogen (NO3−) in the Subdrainage Water under NT
15.3.9 Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (DRP) in Subsurface Artificial Drainage Water under NT
15.3.10 Comparison of Drainage Water between NT and CT
15.4 Potential Innovation Practices to Maximize the Benefits of NT Agricultural Systems
15.4.1 Cropping System Diversification and Intensification
15.4.2 NT with Precision Agriculture (PA) Techniques
15.4.3 Lime Application and Occasionally Tillage
15.5 Conclusion
Acknowledgement
Bibliography
Index