Compost Application Enhances Soil Health and Maintains Crop Yield: Insights From 56 Farmer‐Managed Arable Fields

Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 4(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 13, 2025

ABSTRACT Introduction Improving soil health while maintaining crop yield is a key challenge for farmers. So far, only few studies assessed the effects of compost and solid digestate application on plant under practical on‐farm conditions across both organic conventional cropping systems. Materials Methods This study examined 56 arable fields in Switzerland, managed either conventionally ( n = 39) or organically 17) by individual Fields were categorised based their fertilisation history: standard 21), including livestock manure, slurry, mineral fertilisers (reference), with additional 26) 9) amendments. Soil was eight chemical, biological, physical indicators. Results Compost use, but not associated enhanced average + 31% over reference fields), driven increases basal respiration 45%), cation exchange capacity 42%), fungal richness 18%), marginally higher carbon stocks 28%). These differences consistent management systems, despite site variability. Clay content extended periods cover also positively influenced health. Wheat yields 21% lower unaffected use. Conclusion findings suggest that using alongside practices like can effectively promote farming scenarios, offering means to balance multiple sustainability goals simultaneously.

Язык: Английский

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Monitoring and Modeling the Soil‐Plant System Toward Understanding Soil Health

Reviews of Geophysics, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 63(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 25, 2025

Abstract The soil health assessment has evolved from focusing primarily on agricultural productivity to an integrated evaluation of biota and biotic processes that impact properties. Consequently, shifted a predominantly physicochemical approach incorporating ecological, biological molecular microbiology indicators. This shift enables comprehensive exploration microbial community properties their responses environmental changes arising climate change anthropogenic disturbances. Despite the increasing availability indicators (physical, chemical, biological) data, holistic mechanistic linkage not yet been fully established between functions across multiple spatiotemporal scales. article reviews state‐of‐the‐art monitoring, understanding how soil‐microbiome‐plant contribute feedback mechanisms causes in properties, as well these have functions. Furthermore, we survey opportunities afforded by soil‐plant digital twin approach, integrative framework amalgamates process‐based models, Earth Observation data assimilation, physics‐informed machine learning, achieve nuanced comprehension health. review delineates prospective trajectory for monitoring embracing systematically observe model system. We further identify gaps opportunities, provide perspectives future research enhanced intricate interplay hydrological processes, hydraulics, microbiome, landscape genomics.

Язык: Английский

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A Soil Monitoring Law for Europe

Global Challenges, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 9(3)

Опубликована: Фев. 25, 2025

Over 60% of European soils are unhealthy according to the Soil Mission board estimates and indicators presented in Union (EU) degradation dashboard. The situation may worsen if no policy interventions taken. unsustainable use natural resources, particular soils, precipitates biodiversity loss, exacerbated by climate crisis. In particular, EU alone, soil costs over €50 billion per year due loss essential services they provide impact on human health. Here a more precise estimation cost related set processes, ranging between €40.9 72.7 is presented. This newly updated estimate compared Impact assessment Monitoring Law takes into account erosion, contamination, phosphorus losses, carbon nitrogen compaction, sealing. However, this might double it added floods, droughts, off-site effects health consequences contamination. Therefore, further research needed address knowledge gap missing costs. critical issue with transboundary implications that requires urgent attention action at level. substantial, both terms environmental impacts economic consequences, highlighting importance investing sustainable management practices harmonized monitoring system. By addressing through proposed Law, significant amounts for innovation Mission, promoting international cooperation, can take solid steps toward protecting its resources achieving future all.

Язык: Английский

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Letter to the Editor regarding Feeney et al., 2024, ‘Benchmarking soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration provides more robust soil health assessment than the SOC/clay ratio at European scale’

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 976, С. 179278 - 179278

Опубликована: Апрель 7, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Exploring the effects of soil structure, nutrients, and farm management on crop root biomass and depth distribution

Field Crops Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 327, С. 109909 - 109909

Опубликована: Апрель 12, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Assessing soil health quantitatively at European scale considering soil genesis

Research Square (Research Square), Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 25, 2025

Soil health degradation is a major threat to European food security, biodiversity, and climate stability. While scientists have debated how define soil during recent decades, quantifiable framework for monitoring, management, policy remains lacking. We introduce SHERPA (Soil Health Evaluation, Rating Protocol, Assessment) as present first assessment across Europe. Surprisingly, of grasslands negatively impacted cropland soils. erosion, nutrient surplus, pesticide risk are largely driving poor aligning with reported high biodiversity loss in agricultural land. Forest soils also surprisingly low health, mainly because nitrogen reflecting documented widespread forest decline from imbalances. Interactive maps highlight specific threats Europe, offering valuable insights targeted action.

Язык: Английский

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Innovative Soil Management Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainability, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(21), С. 9481 - 9481

Опубликована: Окт. 31, 2024

Agriculture has always resulted from available technology and the necessity to secure humanity’s food needs. In recent decades, a third factor been recognized in this system—the environment. For centuries, side effect of agricultural development environmental pollution uncontrolled use natural resources. New legislation is being introduced worldwide protect environment move towards sustainable economy. An example EU Green Deal, aimed at making Europe world’s first climate-neutral continent. integral part strategy agriculture, based on balanced resources, recycling, ecological practices latest technological solutions. It also important change perception soil recognize its pivotal role ensuring security. Soil non-renewable resource; without healthy soil, no agriculture can exist. reason, paper summarizes trends perspective management conservation. includes summary nanomaterial use, organic farming, health, precision threats challenges sustainability posed by climate change. We conclude that despite rapid extensive solutions striving increase productivity, measures are still lacking will allow maintain adequate efficiency while fully protecting environment, especially developing countries.

Язык: Английский

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Developing a multifunctional indicator framework for soil health

Ecological Indicators, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 175, С. 113515 - 113515

Опубликована: Апрель 26, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Five decades' experience of long‐term soil monitoring, and key design principles, to assist the EU soil health mission

European Journal of Soil Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 75(5)

Опубликована: Сен. 1, 2024

Abstract The European Union has a long‐term objective to achieve healthy soils by 2050. Commission proposed Directive of the Parliament and Council on Soil Monitoring Resilience (Soil Law, SML), first stage which is focus setting up soil monitoring framework assessing throughout EU. Situated in NW Europe, UK substantial experience over last half century may usefully contribute this wider EU effort. A set overarching principles have continue guide design national prove helpful as other countries embark similar programmes. Therefore, we present from five decades monitoring. discussed based stratified‐random design, matured support policy questions, operates space time scales relevant SML. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) Countryside Surveys (CS) Great Britain Northern Ireland, Welsh Government, Environment Rural Affairs Modelling Programme (ERAMMP) England Ecosystem Survey (EES) programme are programmes currently operating UK. Some important lessons learnt include: adopting question‐based approach; having clear robust statistical purpose; selecting indicators that address underlying scientific questions; can detect change use well‐tested methodologies across wide range land types, remaining valid long scales, supporting thinking long‐term. Technical learned include proven cost effectiveness including replication, while common stratification layer stable environmental attributes aids comparability between Common protocols vital future intercomparisons, but full ecosystem approach includes co‐located vegetation samples interpreting co‐evolving system proved hugely advantageous. offer valuable major societal challenges our time, such maintaining food production addressing climate biodiversity loss.

Язык: Английский

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Aporrectodea caliginosa life history traits are improved by positive earthworm interaction and organic matter addition

European Journal of Soil Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 122, С. 103654 - 103654

Опубликована: Июль 25, 2024

Язык: Английский

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