Soil fertility

About: Soil fertility is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 33750 publications have been published within this topic receiving 859497 citations. The topic is also known as: soils fertility.

The Nature and Properties of Soils

Abstract: 1 The Soils Around Us 2 Formation of Soils from Parent Materials 3 Soil Classification 4 Soil Architecture and Physical Properties 5 Soil Water: Characteristics and Behavior 6 Soil and the Hydrologic Cycle 7 Soil Aeration and Temperature 8 Soil Colloids: Seat of Soil Chemical and Physical Activity 9 Soil Acidity 10 Soils of Dry Regions: Alkalinity, Salinity, and Sodicity 11 Organisms and Ecology of the Soil 12 Soil Organic Matter 13 Nitrogen and Sulfur Economy of Soils 14 Soil Phosphorus and Potassium 15 Micronutrients and Other Trace Elements 16 Practical Nutrient Management 17 Soil Erosion and Its Control 18 Soils and Chemical Pollution 19 Geographic Soils Information 20 Prospects for Global Soil Quality Appendix A Soil Classification: World Resource Base Autralian and Canadian Systems Appendix B SI Units, Conversion Factors, Periodic Table of the Elements and Scentific Names of Plants Mentioned Glossary Index

Soil carbon sequestration impacts on global climate change and food security.

Abstract: :The carbon sink capacity of the world’s agricultural and degraded soils is 50 to 66% of the historic carbon loss of 42 to 78 gigatons of carbon. The rate of soil organic carbon sequestration with adoption of recommended technologies depends on soil texture and structure, rainfall, temperature, farming system, and soil management. Strategies to increase the soil carbon pool include soil restoration and woodland regeneration, no-till farming, cover crops, nutrient management, manuring and sludge application, improved grazing, water conservation and harvesting, efficient irrigation, agroforestry practices, and growing energy crops on spare lands. An increase of 1 ton of soil carbon pool of degraded cropland soils may increase crop yield by 20 to 40 kilograms per hectare (kg/ha) for wheat, 10 to 20 kg/ha for maize, and 0.5 to 1 kg/ha for cowpeas. As well as enhancing food security, carbon sequestration has the potential to offset fossilfuel emissions by 0.4 to 1.2 gigatons of carbon per year, or 5 to 15% of the global fossil-fuel emissions.

Principles of plant nutrition

Abstract: 1. Plant Nutrients. 2. The Soil as a Plant Nutrient Medium. 3. Nutrient Uptake and Assimilation. 4. Plant Water Relationships. 5. Plant Growth and Crop Production. 6. Fertilizer Application. 7. Nitrogen. 8. Sulphur. 9. Phosphorus. 10. Potassium. 11. Calcium. 12. Magnesium. 13. Iron. 14. Manganese. 15. Zinc. 16. Copper. 17. Molybdenum. 18. Boron. 19. Further Elements of Importance. 20. Elements with More Toxic Effects. General Readings. References. Index.

Biochar effects on soil biota – A review

Abstract: Soil amendment with biochar is evaluated globally as a means to improve soil fertility and to mitigate climate change. However, the effects of biochar on soil biota have received much less attention than its effects on soil chemical properties. A review of the literature reveals a significant number of early studies on biochar-type materials as soil amendments either for managing pathogens, as inoculant carriers or for manipulative experiments to sorb signaling compounds or toxins. However, no studies exist in the soil biologyliterature that recognize the observed largevariations ofbiochar physico-chemical properties. This shortcoming has hampered insight into mechanisms by which biochar influences soil microorganisms, fauna and plant roots. Additional factors limiting meaningful interpretation of many datasets are the clearly demonstrated sorption properties that interfere with standard extraction procedures for soil microbial biomass or enzyme assays, and the confounding effects of varying amounts of minerals. In most studies, microbial biomass has been found to increase as a result of biochar additions, with significant changes in microbial community composition and enzyme activities that may explain biogeochemical effects of biochar on element cycles, plant pathogens, and crop growth. Yet, very little is known about the mechanisms through which biochar affects microbial abundance and community composition. The effects of biochar on soil fauna are even less understood than its effects on microorganisms, apart from several notable studies on earthworms. It is clear, however, that sorption phenomena, pH and physical properties of biochars such as pore structure, surface area and mineral matter play important roles in determining how different biochars affect soil biota. Observations on microbial dynamics lead to the conclusion of a possible improved resource use due to co-location of various resources in and around biochars. Sorption and therebyinactivation of growth-inhibiting substances likelyplaysa rolefor increased abundance of soil biota. No evidence exists so far for direct negative effects of biochars on plant roots. Occasionally observed decreases in abundance of mycorrhizal fungi are likely caused by concomitant increases in nutrient availability,reducing theneedfor symbionts.Inthe shortterm,therelease ofavarietyoforganic molecules from fresh biochar may in some cases be responsible for increases or decreases in abundance and activity of soil biota. A road map for future biochar research must include a systematic appreciation of different biochar-types and basic manipulative experiments that unambiguously identify the interactions between biochar and soil biota.

Tropical soil biology and fertility: a handbook of methods.

Abstract: Based on the work of the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF) Programme, this is a handbook of recommended and validated methods for the characterization and analysis of tropical soils, with the aim of achieving sustainable use of soil resources. The objectives of the programme revolve around five main themes: synchrony of nutrient release and plant growth demands; management of soil organic matter; soil water balance; effects and management of soil fauna; and integration of biological processes into the maintenance of soil fertility. The methods given are endorsed by the International Soil Science Society and are part of the International Union of Biological Sciences and the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme.