A system approach to conservation agriculture

Effect of Long-Term Conservation Agriculture on Soil Organic Carbon and Dehydrogenase Activity under Maize-Based Cropping Systems

“…The present study however did not substantiate such reports. Earlier studies further suggest only small changes in WBC content of soil when measured over short-term because of large quantity of background organic matter present in soil (Lal, 2015). Contrarily there has been significant change in WBC content in the present study.…”

Soil carbon sequestration potential of US croplands and grasslands: Implementing the 4 per Thousand Initiative

“…However, intensive research on SOC and climate change mitigation really started during the 1990s (Barnwell et al 1992;Lal et al 1998c;Paustian et al 1997). Since then, rates of SOC sequestration through adoption of best management practices have been assessed for diverse land uses and eco-regions throughout the country, including for a wide variety of management practices on cropland (Paustian et al 1997;Lal et al 2004;Johnson et al 2005;Franzluebbers 2005;Ogle et al 2005;Causarano et al 2006;Balkcom et al 2013;Lal et al 1998c;Martens et al 2005), such as the inclusion of cover crops (Causarano et al 2006;Olson 2013;Lal 2015aLal , 2015bLal , 2015cPoeplau and Don 2015;Sainju et al 2006Sainju et al , 2008; for conversions to perennial grass biofuel plantations (Liebig et al 2008;Follett et al 2012); and for improved management on grazing lands (Conant et al 2001;Schuman et al 2002;Franzluebbers and Stuedemann 2009).…”

Environmental Indicator Principium with Case References to Agricultural Soil, Water, and Air Quality and Model‐Derived Indicators

“…Strategies to increase the soil C stock vary regionally, depending on both environmental and socioeconomic conditions (Paustian et al, 1997). Broadly speaking, it consists of restorative land use and adoption of recommended management practices (Smith et al, 2000; Lal, 2003, 2004a, 2004b, 2010b, 2015b; Johnson et al, 2007), such as restoration of degraded soil and ecosystems, woodland regeneration, desertification prevention, no‐till farming, use of cover crops, manure and sludge application, integrated nutrient management (e.g., balanced fertilization and combined application of inorganic fertilizer with organic amendment), efficient irrigation, water conservation and harvesting, and growing energy crops on spare lands.…”