BOOK
Managing soil health for sustainable agriculture Volume 2
Dr Don Reicosky | Dr Brian K. Slater | Dr Skye Wills | Dr Stephen Roecker | Dr Candiss Williams | Dr Brian Murphy | Dr A. Fortuna | Dr A. Bhowmik | Dr A. Bary | Dr C. Cogger | Dr Santanu Bakshi | Dr Chumki Banik | Dr Zhenli He | Dr Eleanor E. Campbell | Dr John L. Field | Professor Keith Paustian | Prof. Jeffrey Strock | Dr Jeffrey Peter Mitchell | Dr Howard Ferris | Dr Anil Shrestha | Dr Francis J. Larney | Dr Garrison Sposito | Dr Gilbert G. Sigua | Dr Robert L. Myers | Prof. Bijay Singh | Prof. Robert J. Kremer | Dr Humburto Blanco-Canqui | Dr David Güereña | Dr A. O. Ogunkunle | Prof V. O. Chude | Prof. Minggang Xu | Dr Wenju Zhang | Dr Zejiang Cai | Dr Shaoming Huang | Dr Ping Zhu | Dr Ieda C. Mendes | Dr Cássio A. Tormena | Dr Maurício R. Cherubin | Dr Douglas L. Karlen | Dr Pandi Zdruli | Dr Claudio Zucca
(2018)
Additional Information
Book Details
Abstract
There has been growing concern that both intensive agriculture in the developed world and rapid expansion of crop cultivation in developing countries is damaging the health of soils which are the foundation of farming. At the same time we are discovering much more about how complex soils are as living biological systems. This volume reviews the latest research on soil monitoring and management.
Part 1 starts by reviewing soil classification, sampling and ways of monitoring soil dynamics. Part 2 surveys key techniques for managing soil, from irrigation and fertiliser use to crop rotations, intercropping and cover crops. The final part of the book discusses ways of supporting smallholders in maintaining soil health in regions such as Africa, Asia and South America.
With its distinguished editor and international team of expert authors, this will be a standard reference for soil scientists and agronomists as well as the farming community and government agencies responsible for monitoring soil health. It is accompanied by a companion volume looking at developments in soil science.
There has been growing concern that both intensive agriculture in the developed world and rapid expansion of crop cultivation in developing countries is damaging the health of soils which are the foundation of farming. At the same time we are discovering much more about how complex soils are as living biological systems. This volume reviews the latest research on soil monitoring and management.
Part 1 starts by reviewing soil classification, sampling and ways of monitoring soil dynamics. Part 2 surveys key techniques for managing soil, from no-till and conservation tillage techniques to the use of rotations, intercropping and cover crops as well as manure and compost management. The final part of the book discusses ways of supporting smallholders in maintaining soil health in regions such as Africa, Asia and South America.
With its distinguished editor and international team of expert authors, this will be a standard reference for soil scientists and agronomists as well as the farming community and government agencies responsible for monitoring soil health. It is accompanied by a companion volume looking at developments in soil science.
"Managing soil health for sustainable agriculture covers virtually the entire range of soil health topics. Dr Don Reicosky, himself an internationally distinguished soil scientist, has assembled an impressive roster of chapter authors. Each is a world-class specialist in the topic of the chapter. This collection of diverse chapters by highly respected authors promises to be a most interesting read and useful reference."
Professor Ray R. Weil, University of Maryland, USA
Sample content
Not sure what you're getting if you buy this book? Click on the cover image below to open a PDF and preview pages from the book. .Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managing soil health for sustainable agriculture Volume 2: Monitoring and management | i | ||
| Contents | iv | ||
| Series list | xi | ||
| Introduction | xvi | ||
| Part 1 Soil monitoring | 1 | ||
| Chapter 1 Soil health assessment and inventory: indices and databases | 3 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 3 | ||
| 2 Challenges for comprehensive soil health assessment | 5 | ||
| 3 Soil health assessment frameworks and indices | 6 | ||
| 4 Indexing systems in active use | 10 | ||
| 5 Classifying indicators and indices | 11 | ||
| 6 Practical on-farm assessment: soil health cards, crowdsourcing and citizen science | 11 | ||
| 7 Mapping soil health | 13 | ||
| 8 Soil property databases | 13 | ||
| 9 Conclusion | 14 | ||
| 10 Future trends | 15 | ||
| 11 Where to look for further information | 16 | ||
| 12 References | 17 | ||
| Chapter 2 Soil sampling for soil health assessment | 23 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 23 | ||
| 2 Defining objectives and generating hypotheses | 24 | ||
| 3 Initial steps in designing a sampling plan | 25 | ||
| 4 Sampling schemes: sample placement | 26 | ||
| 5 Sampling sufficiency and compositing samples | 32 | ||
| 6 Collecting the data | 33 | ||
| 7 Metadata and implementation | 37 | ||
| 8 Conclusions | 38 | ||
| 9 Where to look for further information | 38 | ||
| 10 Acknowledgements | 38 | ||
| 11 References | 39 | ||
| Chapter 3 Biological indicators of soil health in organic cultivation | 43 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 43 | ||
| 2 Metrics of soil health | 45 | ||
| 3 Using biological indicators | 52 | ||
| 4 Conclusions and future trends | 54 | ||
| 5 Acknowledgements | 55 | ||
| 6 Where to look for further information | 55 | ||
| 7 References | 55 | ||
| Chapter 4 The impact of heavy metal contamination on soil health | 63 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 63 | ||
| 2 Current levels of soil contamination by heavy metals | 64 | ||
| 3 Natural and anthropogenic sources of heavy metals | 66 | ||
| 4 Chemical transformation of heavy metals in soils | 69 | ||
| 5 Bioavailability of heavy metals in soils | 70 | ||
| 6 Effects of heavy metals on soil health: soil chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology | 72 | ||
| 7 Effects of heavy metals on plant health and crop production | 75 | ||
| 8 Indicators of soil contamination | 77 | ||
| 9 Remediation of contaminated soil | 78 | ||
| 10 Conclusions and future trends | 79 | ||
| 11 References | 80 | ||
| Chapter 5 Modelling soil organic matter dynamics as a soil health indicator | 97 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 97 | ||
| 2 SOM modelling basics | 99 | ||
| 3 Current issues and developments in SOM modelling | 106 | ||
| 4 Future trends in soil health monitoring and decision support services | 110 | ||
| 5 Conclusion and future trends | 114 | ||
| 6 Where to look for further information | 115 | ||
| 7 References | 116 | ||
| Part 2 Managing soil health | 125 | ||
| Chapter 6 Drainage requirements to maintain soil health | 127 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 127 | ||
| 2 The purpose and practice of land drainage | 130 | ||
| 3 The influence of excess water and drainage on different aspects of soil health | 132 | ||
| 4 Conclusions and future trends | 140 | ||
| 5 Where to look for further information | 141 | ||
| 6 References | 141 | ||
| Chapter 7 Managing irrigation for soil health in \narid and semi-arid regions | 149 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 149 | ||
| 2 Arid and semi-arid regions | 150 | ||
| 3 No-till cropping systems | 152 | ||
| 4 Cover cropping systems | 153 | ||
| 5 Soil food web management for nitrogen availability in arid and semi-arid areas | 156 | ||
| 6 Conclusion | 156 | ||
| 7 Future trends | 157 | ||
| 8 Where to look for further information | 158 | ||
| 9 References | 158 | ||
| Chapter 8 Effects of crop rotations and intercropping on soil health | 163 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 163 | ||
| 2 Defining soil health | 166 | ||
| 3 Indicators of soil health | 167 | ||
| 4 The roles of soil organic matter in soil health | 170 | ||
| 5 Managing soil health: crop rotation | 172 | ||
| 6 Managing soil health: intercropping | 176 | ||
| 7 Nitrogen fixation and transfer in crop rotation and intercropping | 178 | ||
| 8 Summary and future trends | 181 | ||
| 9 Where to look for further information | 182 | ||
| 10 References | 182 | ||
| Chapter 9 Use of cover crops to promote soil health | 191 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 191 | ||
| 2 Benefits of cover crops for soil organisms and soil organic matter | 192 | ||
| 3 Benefits of cover crops for soil health related to soil physical properties | 195 | ||
| 4 Impacts of cover crops on soil health through increased biodiversity, reintegration of livestock and profitability | 198 | ||
| 5 Summary and conclusions | 200 | ||
| 6 Where to look for further information | 201 | ||
| 7 References | 201 | ||
| Chapter 10 Optimising fertiliser use to maintain soil health | 205 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 205 | ||
| 2 Effects of fertiliser use on soil organic matter,\ncarbon and nitrogen | 206 | ||
| 3 Effects of fertiliser use on soil microorganisms | 207 | ||
| 4 Effect of nitrogen fertilisers on soil acidity | 209 | ||
| 5 Site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) | 210 | ||
| 6 Use of controlled and slow-release fertilisers, urease and nitrification inhibitors | 212 | ||
| 7 Improving fertiliser placement | 213 | ||
| 8 Integrated use of mineral fertilisers and organic manures for enhancing soil health | 214 | ||
| 9 Future trends and conclusions | 216 | ||
| 10 Where to look for further information | 218 | ||
| 11 References | 218 | ||
| Chapter 11 Manure and compost management to maintain soil health | 229 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 229 | ||
| 2 Manure versus compost | 230 | ||
| 3 Manure, compost and soil health | 231 | ||
| 4 Manure, compost and inorganic fertilizer | 233 | ||
| 5 Practical implications of manure and compost use for soil health | 233 | ||
| 6 More manure in the future | 234 | ||
| 7 Problems of excess manure | 234 | ||
| 8 Integrated livestock production | 235 | ||
| 9 Case study: the legacy effect of manure | 236 | ||
| 10 Future trends and conclusion | 240 | ||
| 11 Where to look for further information | 241 | ||
| 12 References | 241 | ||
| Chapter 12 Pesticide use and biodiversity in soils | 247 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 247 | ||
| 2 Historical perspective | 249 | ||
| 3 Pesticides and soil biology | 250 | ||
| 4 Pesticides and soil biodiversity: an overview | 253 | ||
| 5 Pesticides and microbial diversity in modern agroecosystems including genetically engineered (GE) crops | 254 | ||
| 6 Conclusions | 257 | ||
| 7 Where to look for further information | 258 | ||
| 8 References | 258 | ||
| Chapter 13 Conservation grass hedges and soil \nhealth parameters | 265 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 265 | ||
| 2 Erosion | 267 | ||
| 3 Soil properties | 273 | ||
| 4 Food, feed and fuel production | 277 | ||
| 5 Biodiversity or wildlife habitat | 279 | ||
| 6 Factors affecting the performance of grass hedges | 280 | ||
| 7 Summary | 283 | ||
| 8 Future trends | 284 | ||
| 9 Where to look for further information | 285 | ||
| 10 References | 286 | ||
| Chapter 14 Managing soil health in organic cultivation | 289 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 289 | ||
| 2 Measuring long-term soil health in organic cultivation | 291 | ||
| 3 The use of animal amendments in soil nutrition | 292 | ||
| 4 The use of cover crops in soil nutrition | 295 | ||
| 5 The effect of rotations, cover crops and animal amendments on carbon and nitrogen levels in soil | 298 | ||
| 6 The effect of cover crops on nitrogen levels in soil | 300 | ||
| 7 The effect of animal amendments on nitrogen \nlevels in soil | 302 | ||
| 8 Managing nutrient loss and retention: greenhouse\ngas emissions | 304 | ||
| 9 Conclusions and future trends | 309 | ||
| 10 Acknowledgements | 310 | ||
| 11 Where to look for further information | 310 | ||
| 12 References | 311 | ||
| Part 3 Regional strategies in the developing world | 315 | ||
| Chapter 15 Supporting smallholders in maintaining soil health: key challenges and strategies | 317 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 317 | ||
| 2 Definition of smallholder farmers | 318 | ||
| 3 Key challenges for maintaining soil health within smallholder systems | 326 | ||
| 4 Key levers to assist smallholders | 331 | ||
| 5 Future trends and conclusion | 335 | ||
| 6 Where to look for further information | 335 | ||
| 7 References | 336 | ||
| Chapter 16 Maintaining soil health in Africa | 341 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 341 | ||
| 2 Consequences of land degradation | 343 | ||
| 3 Soil quality, food security and soil health | 347 | ||
| 4 Strategies for sustainability | 350 | ||
| 5 Sustainable soil management systems | 352 | ||
| 6 Maintaining soil health in practice | 353 | ||
| 7 Impacts of soil health principles and practices in sub-Saharan Africa | 356 | ||
| 8 Conclusion | 358 | ||
| 9 Where to look for further information | 359 | ||
| 10 References | 359 | ||
| Chapter 17 Organic amendments to improve soil health and crop productivity: a case study in China | 365 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 365 | ||
| 2 Long-term experiments in fertilization management | 367 | ||
| 3 The impact of different fertilization techniques: soil health | 368 | ||
| 4 The impact of different fertilization techniques: crop yield | 372 | ||
| 5 Future trends and conclusion | 374 | ||
| 6 Acknowledgements | 375 | ||
| 7 References | 375 | ||
| Chapter 18 Soil health assessment and maintenance \nin Central and South-Central Brazil | 379 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 379 | ||
| 2 Agriculture in Brazil | 380 | ||
| 3 New frontiers in Brazilian CA | 385 | ||
| 4 Indicators for SH assessments in Brazil | 392 | ||
| 5 Tillage effects on SH | 393 | ||
| 6 SI effects on SH indicators | 397 | ||
| 7 Sugarcane effects on SH | 400 | ||
| 8 Future trends | 404 | ||
| 9 Summary and conclusions | 406 | ||
| 10 Where to look for further information | 407 | ||
| 11 References | 407 | ||
| Chapter 19 Maintaining soil health in dryland areas | 417 | ||
| 1 Introduction | 417 | ||
| 2 Formation and properties of dryland soil | 419 | ||
| 3 Soil health in the drylands | 423 | ||
| 4 Dryland soil research priorities | 424 | ||
| 5 Options and solutions for dryland soil health improvement | 427 | ||
| 6 Case study | 428 | ||
| 7 Future trends | 430 | ||
| 8 Conclusion | 431 | ||
| 9 Where to look for further information | 432 | ||
| 10 References | 433 | ||
| Index | 439 |