Soil quality response to tillage and crop residue removal under subarctic conditions

Sparrow, Stephen D.; Lewis, Carol E.; Knight, Charles W.

doi:10.1016/j.still.2005.08.008

Cited by 24 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…However, the organic matter concentration in the mineral soils was higher in the agricultural soil, but not in the CRP soils, than in the forest soils (Table 1). This is different as compared with that in other similar studies reported in the literature, where organic C content in the mineral soils of forest land or pasture is higher than that in the nearby agricultural soils (Adejuwon and Ekanade 1988;Islam and Weil 2000;Guo and Gifford 2002;Wander et al 2002;Sparrow, Lewis, and Knight 2006;Smith 2008). This difference might be attributed to the lack of large soil fauna Journal of Land Use Science 113 activities and low root biomass due to low temperature in the forest mineral soils, which do not allow mixing and accumulation of organic matter in the mineral soils.…”

Section: Chemical Propertiescontrasting

confidence: 64%

Soil quality under different land uses in a subarctic environment in Alaska

Zhang

Sparrow

Veldhuizen

et al. 2012

Journal of Land Use Science

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As the demand for food, feed, fiber, and, most recently, bio-energy increases, more land may be converted from native conditions for arable uses. Our objective was to evaluate soil quality under native forest, arable land being used for continuous barley (Hordeum valgare L.) production and land that had been tilled and subsequently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for at least 18 years. Several physical, chemical, and biological soil quality indicators were measured and a soil deterioration index (DI) was calculated using forest soil as the reference. Results indicated that most organic matter under forest resided on soil surface and was not mixed with mineral soil due to lack of activities by large soil fauna (e.g., earthworms). Soil samples from disturbed areas had a higher organic matter content, which caused most soil quality indicators to be considered 'improved' and resulted in better DIs for agricultural and CRP land than for forest soils. This study emphasized the importance of choosing an appropriate reference point for soil quality assessments, especially when data representing one or more key soil processes are missing.

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Section: Chemical Propertiescontrasting

confidence: 64%

Soil quality under different land uses in a subarctic environment in Alaska

Zhang

Sparrow

Veldhuizen

et al. 2012

Journal of Land Use Science

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“…Venterea et al (2006) assessed the effects of rotational (biennial) tillage on SOM dynamics under corn-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation, and concluded that biennial chisel plowing in the upper mid-west USA can enhance C storage in soil, reduce fuel costs and maintain yields compared with intensive annual tillage. Long-term effects of tillage and crop residue management in the sub-Arctic region of Alaska were assessed by Sparrow et al (2006). They observed that adoption of reduced tillage can improve soil quality and conserve SOM, but long-term NT may not be feasible because of the weed problem and progressive buildup of crop residues on the soil surface in the cold regions.…”

Section: Promise and Challenge Of No-till Farmingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soils and food sufficiency. A review

Lal

2009

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

191

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-Soil degradation, caused by land misuse and soil mismanagement, has plagued humanity since the dawn of settled agriculture. Many once thriving civilizations collapsed due to erosion, salinization, nutrient depletion and other soil degradation processes. The Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, that saved hundreds of millions from starvation in Asia and elsewhere, by-passed Sub-Saharan Africa. This remains the only region in the world where the number of hungry and food-insecure populations will still be on the increase even by 2020. The serious technological and political challenges are being exacerbated by the rising energy costs. Resource-poor and small-size land-holders can neither afford the expensive input nor are they sure of their effectiveness because of degraded soils and the harsh, changing climate. Consequently, crop yields are adversely impacted by accelerated erosion, and depletion of soil organic matter (SOM) and nutrients because of the extractive farming practices. Low crop yields, despite growing improved varieties, are due to the severe soil degradation, especially the low SOM reserves and poor soil structure that aggravate drought stress. Components of recommended technology include: no-till; residue mulch and cover crops; integrated nutrient management; and biochar used in conjunction with improved crops (genetically modified, biotechnology) and cropping systems, and energy plantation for biofuel production. However, its low acceptance, e.g. for no-till farming, is due to a range of biophysical, social and economic factors. Competing uses of crop residues for other needs is among numerous factors limiting the adoption of no-till farming. Creating another income stream for resource-poor farmers, through payments for ecosystem services, e.g., C sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems, is an important strategy for promoting the adoption of recommended technologies. Adoption of improved soil management practices is essential to adapt to the changing climate, and meeting the needs of growing populations for food, fodder, fuel and fabrics. Soil restoration and sustainable management are essential to achieving food security, and global peace and stability.food security / soil restoration / sustainable development / soil degradation / conservation agriculture / no-till farming / biochar / integrated nutrient management

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“…Increases in the number of freeze-thaw cycles can decrease aggregate size distribution and can lower infiltration rates (Fouli et al 2013). Conversation tillage options have been shown to be viable in Alaska to promote infiltration and conserve organic matter (Sharratt et al 2006a;Sparrow et al 2006). Zhang et al (2012) found net C gains and improved soil quality after 18 years in the conservation reserve program (CRP), over that of native forest in subarctic Alaska.…”

Section: Management Impacts In Soils Of Cold Climatesmentioning

confidence: 99%