Book ChapterDOI
Conservation agriculture, improving soil quality for sustainable production systems?
Nele Verhulst,Bram Govaerts,Els Verachtert,A. Castellanos-Navarrete,Monica Mezzalama,Patrick C. Wall,A. Chocobar,Jozef Deckers,Ken D. Sayre +8 more
- pp 137-208
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TLDR
In this article, a comparative soil quality evaluation is performed in which the performance of the system is determined in relation to alternatives, and the results show that the effect of a reduction in tillage on the variation in total porosity with depth may be related to differences in traffic on different sites, or on soil quality at the time tillage was reduced or stopped.Abstract:
Conservation agriculture has been proposed as a widely adapted set of management principles that can assure more sustainable agricultural production. Conservation agriculture removes the emphasis from the tillage component alone and addresses a more enhanced concept of the complete agricultural system. Applying conservation agriculture essentially means altering literally generations of traditional farming practices and implement use. Within the framework of agricultural production, high soil quality equates to the ability of the soil to maintain a high productivity without significant soil or environmental degradation. A comparative soil quality evaluation is one in which the performance of the system is determined in relation to alternatives. Inconsistent effects of a reduction in tillage on the variation in total porosity with depth may be related to differences in traffic on different sites, or on soil quality at the time tillage was reduced or stopped.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Major limitations to achieving “4 per 1000” increases in soil organic carbon stock in temperate regions: Evidence from long‐term experiments at Rothamsted Research, United Kingdom
TL;DR: It is suggested it is more realistic to promote practices for increasing SOC based on improving soil quality and functioning as small increases can have disproportionately large beneficial impacts, though not necessarily translating into increased crop yield.
Journal ArticleDOI
The impact of conservation agriculture on smallholder agricultural yields: A scoping review of the evidence
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors characterize the quality of existing research including an assessment of the relevance of previously published reviews and surveys to SSA and SA, and the empirical evidence for agronomic benefits derived from implementing zero tillage (ZT) including the identification of knowledge gaps.
Journal ArticleDOI
Conservation agriculture in Southern Africa: Advances in knowledge
Christian Thierfelder,Leonard Rusinamhodzi,A. Ngwira,Walter Mupangwa,Isaiah Nyagumbo,Girma T. Kassie,Jill E. Cairns +6 more
TL;DR: In this article, the authors summarized recent advances in knowledge about the benefits of conservation agriculture and highlighted constraints to its widespread adoption within Southern Africa. But they concluded that CA is not a one-size-fits-all solution and often needs significant adaptation and flexibility when implementing it across farming systems.
Journal ArticleDOI
Assessing soil properties and nutrient availability under conservation agriculture practices in a reclaimed sodic soil in cereal-based systems of North-West India.
Hanuman S. Jat,Ashim K. Datta,Parbodh C. Sharma,Virender Kumar,Arvind Kumar Yadav,Madhu Choudhary,Vishu Choudhary,Mahesh K. Gathala,D. K. Sharma,Mangi L. Jat,N. P. S. Yaduvanshi,Gurbachan Singh,Andrew M. McDonald +12 more
TL;DR: Assessment of the effect of CA on soil physical and chemical properties after 4 years in North-West India showed that CA improved soil properties and nutrient availability and have potential to reduce external fertilizer inputs in long run.
Journal ArticleDOI
Effects of conservation agriculture on soil quality and productivity in contrasting agro‐ecological environments of Zimbabwe
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on CA research at two contrasting on-farm sites and one on-station long-term trial in Zimbabwe and show that there is no immediate increase in maize yield when changing from a tilled to a CA system, but there is gradual improvement in some soil quality indicators over time.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Organic matter and water-stable aggregates in soils
Judith. Tisdall,J.M. Oades +1 more
TL;DR: In this article, the effectiveness of various binding agents at different stages in the structural organization of aggregates is described and forms the basis of a model which illustrates the architecture of an aggregate.
Journal ArticleDOI
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Journal ArticleDOI
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C.J. Bronick,Rattan Lal +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, soil organic carbon (SOC), biota, ionic bridging, clay and carbonates are associated with aggregation by rearrangement, flocculation and cementation.
Journal ArticleDOI
A history of research on the link between (micro)aggregates, soil biota, and soil organic matter dynamics
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Journal ArticleDOI
Environmental and Economic Costs of Soil Erosion and Conservation Benefits
David Pimentel,Celia A. Harvey,P. Resosudarmo,K. Sinclair,D. Kurz,M. McNair,S. Crist,L. Shpritz,L. Fitton,R. Saffouri,R. Blair +10 more
TL;DR: With the addition of a quarter of a million people each day, the world population's food demand is increasing at a time when per capita food productivity is beginning to decline.