On-Farm Relationships Between Agricultural Practices and Annual Changes in Organic Carbon Content at a Regional Scale

Abstract

Both soil quality degradation and climate change mitigation issues emphasize the need to increase, or at least stabilize, the topsoil organic carbon content (wt%) in arable land. This on-farm study aimed at measuring the impact of agricultural practices on changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) content over 10 years. A total of 120 fields belonging to 120 farms representative of the cropping systems and soil properties in Western Switzerland (Lake Geneva region) was randomly selected. The field 0–20 cm topsoil was sampled at a 10-years interval, and the corresponding cropping practices were gathered using farmer’s interviews and the mandatory records of yearly practices at field level in Swiss-farms. Only 1) organic matter inputs and 2) cover-crop intensity were significantly correlated to SOC increase while 3) the soil tillage intensity and 4) the soil saturation in carbon expressed as a SOC to clay content ratio were correlated to SOC decrease. Among others, temporary meadows were not correlated to changes in SOC content mainly due to increased tillage and decreased cover-crops between meadows. Organic farming did not correlate either with SOC changes due to the large tillage intensity applied for weed control. The observed SOC content changes ranged from −56‰ to +74‰ and were well explained by a linear regression model with additive effect of the four identified SOC change factors. The additivity of these factors means that farmers can emphasize the methods of their choice when regenerating their soils. This study advocates that strict no-till is not required at low carbon saturation level (small SOC:Clay ratio). However, as carbon saturation increases, conservation tillage and then no-till practices become necessary to further increase SOC contents. These findings are in accordance with previous studies showing that since 2015 SOC is increasing at more than +4‰ on average in the region and provide practical insights to further manage the transition of farming systems towards soil regeneration.

Improving environmental decision-making in environmental business-management using big data and AI

“…Unlike Li et al (2022), Ren et al (2022), and Yew et al (2022), it has been demonstrated that high technologies (Big Data and AI) can (proved by the example of startups in AgroTech) and should be available to small and mediumsized businesses in various sectors of the AI economy. Authors' framework practice-oriented recommendations have been proposed, which are universal and applicable in various sectors of the AI economy, aimed at diffusing high technologies (increasing accessibility) and increasing the efficiency of their use in environmental decision-making in environmental business management.…”

“…The works of Li et al (2022), Ren et al (2022), and Yew et al (2022) indicate that high technologies require serious financial costs. Therefore, even with the support of the state, these technologies are either inaccessible to small and medium-sized businesses, or dictate the need to optimize costs.…”

“…According to the forecasts of Intellias (2022), by 2023, the amount of funding for startups in AgroTech will double by 2023, that is, it will amount to about $ 60 billion. Taking into account the established dependencies, it can be expected that this will ensure an increase in agriculture, forestry, and fishing value added by 2.26 of GDP and an increase in the food production index (2014-2016 = 100) by 14.02%.…”

“…Atmospheric air pollution monitoring stations are already operating in Moscow, Moscow Oblast, and several other regions. 5) Recycling development: Nevlabs waste sorting 2022), Intellias (2022), and World Bank (2022).…”

“…FIGURE 1Financing of startups in AgroTech and its contribution to the development of food production in 2012-2020. Source: calculated and constructed by the authors based on the materials of the Queen(2022),Intellias (2022), and World Bank(2022).…”