Conservation Agriculture and Soil Quality– An Overview

Innovative Pro-Smallholder Farmers’ Permanent Mulch for Better Soil Quality and Food Security Under Conservation Agriculture

“…Soil quality is the capacity of a soil to function within ecosystem boundaries, sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote plant and animal health [8]. The beneficial effects of CA in terms of better soil quality are reflected through an improvement in soil organic carbon in the top 10 cm soil depth [7,31], enhanced water infiltration rate as indicated in Figure 2 [22,32], enhanced water holding capacity [11,22], lower bulk density [11,33], higher aggregates stability [7,33] and better soil structure [33]. For improved water infiltration and capture, SOM can be maintained by limiting soil aggregates and structure breakdown through tillage practices.…”

“…Currently, CA is being promoted in many regions of the world [30] especially in semi-arid areas, to rehabilitate degraded soils and improve ecosystem services [43]. The beneficial effect of CA reflects not only in terms of increased crop productivity and labor saving but it also helps in achieving environmental sustainability beside soil and land regeneration [11]. Microorganisms also require water and favorable soil temperatures for metabolism and other activities such as decomposition of organic matter [38].…”

“…Soil degradation especially through erosion has for a long time been a threat to food security since it reduces crop yields and causes soil abandonment in severe cases. The growing population further exacerbates soil degradation and this challenge needs to be addressed by focusing on increasing soil quality and soil sustainability so that the crop yields may be improved [11]. As stated by Yadav et al [11], "Experts warn us that addressing the stagnating yields of our most important croplands is of paramount importance; failure to identify and alleviate the causes of yield stagnation, or reduction, will have a major impact on the future of global food security."…”

“…The growing population further exacerbates soil degradation and this challenge needs to be addressed by focusing on increasing soil quality and soil sustainability so that the crop yields may be improved [11]. As stated by Yadav et al [11], "Experts warn us that addressing the stagnating yields of our most important croplands is of paramount importance; failure to identify and alleviate the causes of yield stagnation, or reduction, will have a major impact on the future of global food security." Conservation agriculture (CA) is one of the climate-smart and sustainable land management strategies which helps to achieve eco-intensification and therefore increases global food security and nutrition [27].…”

“…On the other hand, organic mulching materials (crop straw, grasses, sawdust, etc.) improve soil quality i.e., physical, chemical and biological characteristics by adding organic matter into the soil during the decomposition process [11]. The practice of applying or retaining crop residues in the field as mulch after harvest is imperative in maintaining soil health and productivity [7].…”