Short-term effects of conservation agriculture strategies on the soil quality of a Haplic Plinthosol in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Gura, I; Mnkeni, P. N. S.; Preez, C. C. du; Barnard, Johannes Hendrikus

doi:10.1016/j.still.2022.105378

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ typically interact with proteins and amino acids and the simple networks formed can be easily assimilated by plants in order to prevent precipitation and fixing by anions like phosphate [1]. Generally, the minimum/no-tillage system increases the base saturation of the colloidal complexes by allowing increased adsorption for Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ through exchanges with H + from organic functional groups [37]. Moreover, the straw effect on soil pH may be correlated with the content of nitrogen and concentration of organic anions from the residues through organic anion decarboxylation and ligand exchange with OH groups from iron or/and aluminum oxides.…”

Section: Influence Of Tillage System On Soil Phmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tillage and Straw Management Practices Influences Soil Nutrient Distribution: A Case Study from North-Eastern Romania

Calistru,

Filipov,

Cara

et al. 2024

Land

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Tillage practices govern crop quality and quantity through soil nutrient availability and crop root systems. A deeper knowledge of the impact of conservation tillage on soil chemical characteristics (such as pH, soil organic carbon, macro and micronutrient storage and distribution) is required for both the promotion of agricultural sustainability and environmental preservation. This study assesses the changes in soil features and properties in the context of a long-field experiment with different tillage systems and straw management practices. Research findings revealed that compared with conventional tillage (CT) conservative tillage with partial straw retention (MT) and no-tillage with straw mulching (NT) substantially boosted the organic carbon (OC) (by 6–19%), total nitrogen (TN) (by 2–12%), and available potassium content (AK) (by 2–5%), in 0–30 cm soil depth. However, the stratification trend was observed for available macro and micronutrient content (Zn, Fe, Mn) in both conservative management practices. The concentration of Cu indicates a constant pattern through a 0–30 cm soil profile with a higher concentration under MT (1.41 mg kg−1) compared to NT (1.10 mg kg−1). In particular, the results failed to establish if conservation tillage can increase the total phosphorus (TP) and potassium content (TK), where only in surface 0–10 cm an increase was observed. This research also suggested that the X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) of total micronutrient content (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn) is minimal or unpredictable with no substantial differences between the tillage systems and straw return management practices. These findings suggest that conservation tillage in north-eastern Romania might be optimal to maintain soil quality status and sustain high yields.

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Section: Influence Of Tillage System On Soil Phmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tillage and Straw Management Practices Influences Soil Nutrient Distribution: A Case Study from North-Eastern Romania

Calistru,

Filipov,

Cara

et al. 2024

Land

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“…The signi cant increases noted with N and K across the two growing seasons were most probably associated with the decomposition of the sunn hemp residues that were retained on the soil surface. The residues of sunn hemp have a lower C:N ratio (Reicosky et al 1995), which can be easily decomposed, returning a signi cant amount of nutrients in the soil, contributing to sustainable soil fertility management (Gura et al 2022). Generally, crop residues with slow decomposition rates maintain a surface cover mulch over an extended period, which helps reduce weed pressure and conserve soil and water more effectively (Thapa et al 2022).…”

Section: )mentioning

confidence: 99%

Short-term effects of sunn hemp intercropping management in a maize-based system on the soil fertility of a Plinthic Cambisol in Free State, South Africa

Gura

Dzvene²,

Tesfuhuney³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Intercropping is a promising strategy of improving soil fertility in no-till rainwater harvesting practices. However, the effect of intercropping forage legumes at various planting times and densities on soil fertility response under the in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH) technique remains unknown in South Africa. The objective of this study was to determine the seasonal effect of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) intercropping at different planting periods and densities into maize (Zea mays L.) after two growing seasons on selected soil fertility of a Plinthic Cambisol in Free State, South Africa. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with a factorial combination replicated thrice. The factorial combination consisted of three sunn hemp plantings dates viz., at maize planting, planting at V15 maize growth stage, and R1 maize growth stage, and three sunn hemp planting densities viz., 16.1 plants m− 2, 32.1 plants m− 2, and 48.1 plants m− 2. The results showed that the interaction of sunn hemp planting date and density was significant (p < 0.05) on soil organic matter (SOM) and Zinc (Zn). The growing season had a significant impact on changes in SOM, nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). Due to the intercropping periods and planting densities, the retention of sunn hemp residues with varying quantities and qualities may have influenced the soil nutrient dynamics in the short-term. Significant changes in soil fertility may take longer, and future research should be carried out in agricultural regions with different soil mineral matrices.

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“…The agricultural sector should prioritize enhancing SOC for climate mitigation and improved soil fertility (Gura et al., 2022). This calls for adopting and implementing sustainable farming practices that enhance soil C and N and improve C and N cycling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of planting basins and farmyard manure addition on soil carbon and nitrogen pools under on‐farm conditions in Makueni county of Kenya

Kichamu‐Wachira,

Xu,

Reardon‐Smith

et al. 2024

Soil Use and Management

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Climate change, land degradation and inadequate soil nutrients pose significant threats to food security and agricultural sustainability. This study aims to examine the effects of planting basins with farmyard manure on soil total carbon (C), nitrogen (N), isotopic C (δ13C) and N (δ15N) compositions within smallholder‐managed farms in Makueni County, Kenya. The study involved two management practices: planting basins with manure (PM) and conventional farming practices (FP) in 12 experimental sites. Soil samples were taken at three depths (0–10, 10–20 and 20–40 cm), with three replicates for each treatment. Significant interactions were observed between land management practices and sites as well as land management practices and soil depth on soil total C and N. At each of the 12 sites, soil total C was higher under PM (ranging from 0.44% to 1.86%, p < .05) than FP management (ranging from 0.35% to 1.37%), across all soil depths. Soil total N concentrations ranged from 0.027% to 0.100% under FP and (0.060% to 0.190%, p < .05) under PM management. Across soil depths, higher (less negative) soil δ13C values were observed under conventional farmer practice (range − 22.5‰ to −17.1‰) compared with PM management range (−24.3‰ to −18.1‰). Soil δ15N was significantly enriched under PM management (range: 7.4‰ to 12.6‰, p < .05) compared with the conventional farmer practices (range: 6.1‰ to 9.8‰, p < .05). The findings show that planting basins with farmyard manure offers both climate mitigation and adaptation benefits by increasing soil C contents and improving soil fertility. The study provides insights into the real‐world implications of these practices, emphasizing the potential of planting basins with manure in enhancing soil quality and climate resilience.

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Short-term effects of conservation agriculture strategies on the soil quality of a Haplic Plinthosol in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Cited by 12 publications

References 51 publications

Tillage and Straw Management Practices Influences Soil Nutrient Distribution: A Case Study from North-Eastern Romania

Tillage and Straw Management Practices Influences Soil Nutrient Distribution: A Case Study from North-Eastern Romania

Short-term effects of sunn hemp intercropping management in a maize-based system on the soil fertility of a Plinthic Cambisol in Free State, South Africa

Effects of planting basins and farmyard manure addition on soil carbon and nitrogen pools under on‐farm conditions in Makueni county of Kenya

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