Linking Soil Health to Sustainable Crop Production: Dairy Compost Effects on Soil Properties and Sorghum Biomass

Acharya, Pramod; Ghimire, Rajan; Cho, Youngkoo

doi:10.3390/su11133552

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The growing cognizance of scientists and producers on soil health and its implication on agricultural sustainability has propelled research works on creating management strategies for improving soil health [1][2][3] in various agroecosystems. Given the vast ecosystem services grazing lands provide [4][5][6], more effort is needed toward the development of soil health-focused grazing management strategies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategic Grazing in Beef-Pastures for Improved Soil Health and Reduced Runoff-Nitrate-A Step towards Sustainability

et al. 2020

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Generally, improvement in the soil health of pasturelands can result in amplified ecosystem services which can help improve the overall sustainability of the system. The extent to which specific best management practices have this effect has yet to be established. A farm-scale study was conducted in eight beef-pastures in the Southern Piedmont of Georgia, from 2015 to 2018, to assess the effect of strategic-grazing (STR) and continuous-grazing hay distribution (CHD) on soil health indicators and runoff nitrate losses. In 2016, four pastures were converted to the STR system and four were grazed using the CHD system. Post-treatment, in 2018, the STR system had significantly greater POXC (by 87.1, 63.4, and 55.6 mg ha−1 at 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm, respectively) as compared to CHD system. Soil respiration was also greater in the STR system (by 235 mg CO2 m-2 24 h−1) and less nitrate was lost in the runoff (by 0.21 kg ha−1) as compared to the CHD system. Cattle exclusion and overseeding vulnerable areas of pastures in STR pastures facilitated nitrogen mineralization and uptake. Our results showed that the STR grazing system could improve the sustainability of grazing systems by storing more labile carbon, efficiently mineralizing soil nitrogen, and lowering runoff nitrate losses.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategic Grazing in Beef-Pastures for Improved Soil Health and Reduced Runoff-Nitrate-A Step towards Sustainability

et al. 2020

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“…Long‐term application of compost at a low rate (<12 Mg ha −1 ) can benefit the overall soil health and increase soil organic C and N storage (Ghimire et al., 2015; Reeve et al., 2012). Because of the slow release of nutrients, the greater amount of compost is needed to supply nutrients sufficient to increase yield (Acharya, Ghimire, & Cho, 2019). The challenge of the high rate of compost application is increased soil salinity and hauling cost of compost when applied in a large area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil organic matter, greenhouse gas emissions, and sorghum yield in semi‐arid drylands

Salehin

Ghimire

Angadi

et al. 2020

Agrosystems Geosci & Env

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Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] serves as a low‐cost alternative to corn (Zea mays L.) in semi‐arid regions of the world because of its high N and water use efficiencies. However, there has been a concern regarding N loss to the atmosphere as nitrous oxide (N2O) from semi‐arid drylands. This study investigated various soil C and N components, including CO2 and N2O emissions, and crop yield with a dairy compost (13.5 Mg ha−1) and four rates of chemical N fertilizer (0, 22.4, 44.8, and 67.3 kg ha−1) in dryland sorghum. There was no significant difference in soil C and N fractions among N fertilizer rates, although compost addition numerically increased soil C storage and 67.3 kg ha−1 N rate resulted the highest yield in both years. Potential nitrogen mineralization (PNM) was negatively related to crop yield and positively related to grain N content. Soils with greater inorganic N and PNM had a lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, while soils with greater potential C mineralization (PCM) had lower N2O emissions. The results of this study show no significant improvements in yield of dryland sorghum in the semi‐arid environment of southern Great Plains in the short term. However, compost and 44.8 kg N ha−1 applications appeared to be beneficial when both yield and quality were compared.

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“…Manure and composts often release nutrients slowly and can increase nutrient-use efficiency compared to chemical fertilizers. Recent studies in the central and southern Great Plains regions show that selected soil health indicators, including aggregation, enzyme activity, and particulate organic matter, respond positively to compost applications [74][75][76]. However, eastern New Mexico/West Texas farmers typically apply composted dairy manure based on crops' N needs, which may adversely affect soil health by creating an imbalance in other soil nutrients and an accumulation of salts [77,78].…”

Section: Role Of Organic Amendments In Soil Health and Water Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil Health Assessment and Management Framework for Water-Limited Environments: Examples from the Great Plains of the USA

et al. 2023

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Healthy soils provide the foundation for sustainable agriculture. However, soil health degradation has been a significant challenge for agricultural sustainability and environmental quality in water-limited environments, such as arid and semi-arid regions. Soils in these regions is often characterized by low soil organic matter (SOM), poor fertility, and low overall productivity, thus limiting the ability to build SOM. Soil health assessment frameworks developed for more productive, humid, temperate environments typically emphasize building SOM as a key to soil health and have identified the best management practices that are often difficult to implement in regions with water limitations. This study reviewed existing soil health assessment frameworks to assess their potential relevance for water-limited environments and highlights the need to develop a framework that links soil health with key ecosystem functions in dry climates. It also discusses management strategies for improving soil health, including tillage and residue management, organic amendments, and cropping system diversification and intensification. The assessment of indicators sensitive to water management practices could provide valuable information in designing soil health assessment frameworks for arid and semi-arid regions. The responses of soil health indicators are generally greater when multiple complementary soil health management practices are integrated, leading to the resilience and sustainability of agriculture in water-limited environments.

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Linking Soil Health to Sustainable Crop Production: Dairy Compost Effects on Soil Properties and Sorghum Biomass

Cited by 10 publications

References 28 publications

Strategic Grazing in Beef-Pastures for Improved Soil Health and Reduced Runoff-Nitrate-A Step towards Sustainability

Strategic Grazing in Beef-Pastures for Improved Soil Health and Reduced Runoff-Nitrate-A Step towards Sustainability

Soil organic matter, greenhouse gas emissions, and sorghum yield in semi‐arid drylands

Soil Health Assessment and Management Framework for Water-Limited Environments: Examples from the Great Plains of the USA

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