Soil fauna plays a key role in many soil functions, such as organic matter decomposition, humus formation, and nutrient release, modifying soil structure, and improving its fertility. Soil invertebrates play key roles in determining soil suitability for agricultural production and realizing sustainable farming systems. They include an enormous diversity of arthropods, nematodes, and earthworms.…
This is the second of two volumes that together provide a global overview of the impact of agriculture on soil degradation, tracing the most critical drivers like the use and abuse of agrochemicals, mechanization, overgrazing, irrigation, slash and burn agriculture, and the use of plastics. Soil degradation caused by agriculture practices is a complex issue which depends on the interaction of …
This book covers the main effects of agriculture practices on soil degradation in several countries from Africa, America, Asia, and Oceania, and it elucidates the impact of chemical agents on soil quality, namely, the use of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, soil acidification and microplastics pollution. In these continents, a large number of the population depend on agriculture, which sets…
A ready reference addressing a multitude of soil and soil management concerns, the highly anticipated and widely expanded third edition of Encyclopedia of Soil Science now spans three volumes and covers ground on a global scale. A definitive guide designed for both coursework and self-study, this latest version describes every branch of soil science and delves into trans-disciplinary issues tha…
For too long the only measurement of food production has been bulk quantity: How many bushels or bales or tons per acre were grown. Tons and bushels are not a measure of nutritional quality. Many have spoken and written about the mineral depletion of the world's soils and the resulting nutrient deficiencies in our food. Until now few solutions have been offered other than taking a nutritional s…
This handbook presents Integrated Soil Fertility Management, commonly known as ISFM, as a key contributor to improving Africa's soil and crop productivity, especially for the key staples in the continent that include maize, legumes, rice, cassava, bananas, sorghum, millet and coffee. It is meant for training of extension workers on soil fertility management techniques in sub-Saharan Africa and …
Soil is a living organism that loves to cooperate with farmers and gardeners. A green thumb will appear on those who align themselves with its health and requirements. This book discusses: Soil habitat, Sustaining soil fertility, The soil food-web, Nutrient availability and deficiency.
In Crop Rotation and Cover Cropping, you can learn some of the thinking behind—and the actual nuts and bolts of—laying out a rotation for your farm. This volume, part of the NOFA guides, covers: Historical roots of cover-crop techniques, Thinking beyond this season's cash crop (disease and pest reduction, weed suppression, cash vs. cover crops), What is a good rotation? (mapping the farm, g…
The 4th edition of Building Soils for Better Crops is a one-of-a-kind, practical guide to ecological soil management. It provides step-by-step information on soil-improving practices as well as in-depth background―from what soil is to the importance of organic matter. It will show you how different physical, chemical and biological factors of the soil interconnect, and how management practice…
This book presents evidence-based research on climate-neutral and resilient farming systems and further to provide innovative and practical solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impact of climate change. Intensive farming systems are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, thereby contributing to global warming and the acceleration of climate change. As pa…