Cropping
Explore our library of research material on Cropping.
To access the full document you will need to become a member.
The potential to mitigate global warming with no-tillage management is only realized when practised in the long term (2004)
Authors: Six, J., Ogle, S., Breidt, F., Conant, R., Mosier, A., & Paustian, K.
Publication Details: Global Change Biology, 10(2), 155-160.
Executive Summary/Abstract
No-till farming is presented as a positive for agricultural and global systems. Most studies concentrate on SOC accumulation solely. This study will investigate C, N20, and CH4 changes over 20 years after switching from conventional tillage to no-till.
Soil carbon dynamics under different cropping and pasture management in temperate Australia: Results of three long-term experiments (2011)
Authors: Chan, K., Conyers, M., Li, G., Helyar, K., Poile, G., Oates, A., & Barchia, I.
Publication Details: Soil Research (Collingwood, Vic.), 49(4), 320-328.
Executive Summary/Abstract
With comprehensive results in SOC accumulation due to differing management practices for pasture and tillage systems and very few long-term trials and effects based in Australia, this long-term trial offers more significant trends to give insights into various management practices in cropping.
The positive relationship between soil quality and crop production: A case study on the effect of farm compost application (2014)
Authors: D’Hose, T., Cougnon, M., De Vliegher, A.,Vandecasteele, B., Viaene, N., Cornelis, W., Van Bockstaele, E., & Reheul, D.
Publication Details: Applied Soil Ecology : a Section of Agriculture,Ecosystems & Environment, 75, 189–198.
Executive Summary/Abstract
This article explores farm compost as a method to improve the sustainability of farms by increasing soil qualities – physical, chemical and biological. Increasing the soil quality could equate to higher and better quality yield; the former is much easier to quantify and is a metric in this study.
A deeper look at the relationship between root carbon pools and the vertical distribution of the soil carbon pool (2017)
Authors: Dietzel, R., Liebman, M., & Archontoulis, S.
Publication Details: Soil, 3(3), 139–152.
Executive Summary/Abstract
There was a significant loss of SOC in prairie soils after changing from prairie grasses to annually tilled crops. The root architecture and distribution of perennial and annual plants differ significantly. Results from other studies do not align rooting habits with SOC found at depths. The greatest amount of soil C is found below 0.2m depth, and only a small amount of plant roots are found below this level. After considering climatic and geological influences, the correlation between the C to N ratio (C:N) and the accumulation of SOC in the soil profile may significantly affect the outcome. By investigating the land use change and managing for a return to prairie grasses, it is possible to find out the correlation between the C:N and SOC accumulation.
Evaluation of the Foliar Application of Nano Urea on the Performance of Rabi Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) (2022)
Authors: Goud, G., Sudhakar, K., Pasha, M., & Madhavi, A.
Publication Details: International Journal of Environment and ClimateChange, 12(11), 2700-2706.
Executive Summary/ Abstract Nitrogen (N) fertiliser is essential for the quality and quantity of proteins and yields in oil seeds. Assessing appropriate N rates as a top dressing for gaining greater quality and quantity is challenging. Nanotechnology enables understanding and managing N-fertiliser foliar applications to increase quality and yield whilst reducing costs to the farmer.
Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration after Biochar Application: A Global Meta-Analysis (2021)
Authors: Gross, A., Bromm, T., & Glaser, B.
Publication Details: Agronomy (Basel), 11(12), 2474–.
Executive Summary/Abstract
Biochar technologies are relatively new, as is the information surrounding their ability to accumulate SOC. A meta-analysis of 64 papers/experiments with 736 treatments investigated biochar’s short and “long-term fate” in growing systems.
Organic carbon and nitrogen accumulation in orchard soil with organic fertilization and cover crop management: A global meta-analysis (2022)
Authors: Hu, Y., Zhan, P., Thomas, B. W., Zhao, J., Zhang, X., Yan,H., Zhang, Z., Chen, S., Shi, X., & Zhang, Y.
Publication Details: The Science of the Total Environment, 852, 158402–158402.
Executive Summary/Abstract
Tillage, herbicide use and bare soil are a feature of many orchard systems (olives, citrus, apples, grapes), leading to a decline in SOC. Livestock manure, compost, and cover crops are a way to reduce SOC losses as well as fertilising and managing the crop. This study is a meta-analysis investigating practice change and SOC and STN stock changes.
Annual and perennial crop composition impacts on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics at two different depths (2022)
Authors: Means, M., Crews, T., & Souza, L.
Publication Details: Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 37(5),437-444.
Executive Summary/Abstract
It is understood that tillage influences the fluxes of N and C in the soil. To reduce the effects of tillage, some farmers have turned to perennial grain crops such as Kernza. There is little information about how these crops affect N and S in the soil.
Changes in soil organic carbon and nitrogen after 47 years with different tillage, stubble and fertiliser management in a Vertisol of north-eastern Australia (2020)
Authors: Page, K., Dalal, R., Reeves, S., Wang, W., Jayaraman, S.,& Dang, Y.
Publication Details: Soil Research (Collingwood, Vic.), 58(4), 346–.
Executive Summary/Abstract
No-till systems have been widely adopted to enhance soil characteristics and improve soil health. This study focuses on tillage, stubble and fertiliser management over long periods to assess claims of soil health.
Net effect of liming on soil organic carbon stocks: A review (2015)
Authors: Paradelo, R., Virto, I., & Chenu, C.
Publication Details: Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 202, 98–107.
Executive Summary/Abstract
Lime is used to correct the pH in the soil to increase plant growth potential. The addition of lime has several effects on soil health. Some of these effects either increase or decrease SOC stocks: an increase in SOC resulting from higher plant productivity, a decrease in SOC stocks resulting from increased organic matter mineralisation, and an increase in SOC stocks due to improved soil physical attributes. These effects do not affect SOC stocks equally. This paper explores the net change of SOC stocks with these factors in mind.
Do agrosystems change soil carbon and nutrient stocks in a semiarid environment? (2022)
Authors: Santana, M. da S., Andrade, E.de, Sampaio, E. de S., Ferreira, T., Salviano, A., Silva, D. da, Cunha, T., & Giongo, V.
Publication Details: Journal of Arid Environments, 201, 104747–.
Executive Summary/Abstract
Ecological processes and nutrient cycling are affected due to land use change from native forests to agricultural systems. This paper investigates the changing dynamic of soil nutrients from land use change from native forests to agricultural systems.
On-farm compost: a useful tool to improve soil quality under intensive farming systems (2016)
Authors: Scotti, R., Pane, C., Spaccini, R., Palese, A. M., Piccolo,A., Celano, G., & Zaccardelli, M.
Publication Details: Applied Soil Ecology: a Section of Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 107, 13–23.
Executive Summary/Abstract
Municipal compost is considered essential for removing organic waste from general waste. On-farm compost is a way to repurpose waste created from the farm. Both composts can be used as a source of fertility for the soil. This research investigates the difference in soil health after adding municipal compost or on-farm compost.
Changes in soil carbon, nitrogen and sulphur content as influenced by liming and nitrogen fertilization of three energy crops (2017)
Authors: Šiaudinis, G., Liaudanskiene, I., & Slepetiene, A.
Publication Details: Icelandic Agricultural Sciences (IAS)
Executive Summary/Abstract
In acidic soils, lime can be used to raise pH. This article investigates other effects on soil health, especially TOC, TN, Total S and C:N ratio in three different bioenergy crops. This research was completed in acidic moraine loam in Lithuania.
Amendments with humified compost effectively sequester organic carbon in agricultural soils (2020)
Authors: Spaccini, R., & Piccolo, A.
Publication Details: Land Degradation & Development, 31(10), 1206–1216.
Executive Summary/Abstract
Enhancing the qualities of soil by improving the soil’s organic matter is essential. Organic matter is important for Water-Stable Aggregates (WSA) to develop and protect the soil and for TOC accumulation in bulk soil.
Irrigation, soil organic carbon and N2O emissions. A review (2013)
Authors: Trost, B., Prochnow, A., Drastig, K., Meyer-Aurich, A., Ellmer, F. & Baumecker., M.
Publication Details: Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 2013, 33 (4), pp.733-749. ff10.1007/s13593-013-0134-0ff.
Executive Summary/Abstract
Irrigation is an important tool to stabilise the increasing unpredictability of the climate. Water restriction is the largest cause of yield restriction. Worldwide arable land under irrigation is 22%. This study investigates the impact of irrigation on SOC sequestration and N2O and CO2 emissions.
Effects of no-tillage and liming amendment combination on soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization (2019)
Authors: Vazquez, E., Benito, M., Espejo, R., & Teutscherova, N.
Publication Details: European Journal of Soil Biology, 93, 103090–.
Executive Summary/Abstract
This article investigates the relationship between traditional tillage (TT), no-till (NT), liming and no liming onTOC and TN, C and N mineralisation and F:B.
Quantifying direct yield benefits of soil carbon increases from cover cropping (2023)
Authors: Vendig, I., Guzman, A., De La Cerda, G., Esquivel, K., C.Mayer, A., Ponisio, L., & Bowles T.
Publication Details: Nat Sustain
Executive Summary/Abstract
The benefits of accumulating carbon may lead to soil health and crop yield increases. This article investigates the parameters of yield and SOC increases from incorporating cover cropping into rotations.
Below ground carbon inputs to soil via root biomass and rhizodeposition of field-grown maize and wheat at harvest are independent of net primary productivity (2018)
Authors: Hirte, J., Leifeld, J., Abvien, S.,Oberholzer, H. & Mayer,J.
Publication Details: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 265, 556-56
Executive Summary/Abstract
Below-ground carbon inputs comprise 30 – 90% of organic carbon inputs in the soil and have a longer residency time than crop residues above the surface. The two origins of these below-ground inputs are root biomass and rhizodeposition. Most studies into this process do not account for the whole life cycle of the plant.
Remineralizing soils? The agricultural usage of silicate rock powders: A review (2022)
Authors: Swoboda, P., Döring, T. F. & Hamer, M.
Publication Details: The Science of the Total Environment, 807(Pt 3),150976–150976.
Executive Summary/Abstract
In tropical climates, soil nutrient depletion and the cost of fertilisers are limiting factors to growing food crops. Both macro and micronutrients are difficult to afford and access and are highly leachable when added to tropical soils. Finely ground silicate rock powders may be one solution. As a slow-release fertiliser and soil ameliorant, this solution has mixed reviews regarding its effectiveness. This article aims to delve deeper into the factors influencing its success and notable benefits.
Deep soil inventories reveal that impacts of cover crops and compost on soil carbon sequestration differ in surface and subsurface soils (2019)
Authors: Tautges, N. E., Chiartas, J. L., Gaudin, A. C. M., O’Geen,A. T., Herrera, I., & Scow, K. M.
Publication Details: Global Change Biology, 25(11), 3753–3766.
Executive Summary/Abstract
Studies in cover cropping, compost and manure additions and perennial crops and pastures mostly report increases in SOC. Broad assumptions in research have been made as to the depth to which these management practices influence SOC.
Jumpstart of soil organic matter with highly stabilized organic amendment: Implicationsfor climate-smart agriculture (2023)
Authors:
Tian, G., Chiu, C.-Y., Oladeji, O., Johnston, T., Morgan, B., Cox, A., Granato, T., Zhang, H., & Podczerwinski, E.
Publication Details:
Environmental Challenges (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 12, 100726-.
Executive Summary/Abstract
Alternatives need to be investigated to enhance crop performance and reduce the need for chemical fertiliser. Aged and stabilised compost and/or biosolids are a possible alternative. These alternatives have yield and soil health benefits that buffer soil and crop the effects of climate variability and severity with the bonus of reducing fertiliser needs, emissions, and sequestering carbon.
Does cover crop grazing damage soils and reduce crop yields? (2020)
Authors: Blanco‐Canqui, H., Drewnoski, M. E., MacDonald, J. C., Redfearn, D. D., Parsons, J., Lesoing, G. W., & Williams, T.
Publication Details: Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 3(1).
Executive Summary/Abstract
It is understood that continuous grazing on pastures leads to pasture and soil health declines. If other grazing methodologies affect pasture and soil health differently, can the same be reported for cover crop grazing? How do grazing cover crops and the resultant reduced ground cover affect the capacity of the cover crop to reduce erosion and other soil capacities? Is there a net benefit for the biomass from the cover crops and the dung and urine returned to the soil? What is the net benefit for soil health and increased soil C obtained from roots remaining in the soil?
Grazing cover crops in continuous corn production in east-central Mississippi (2023)
Authors: Rushing, B., Waddell, K., Lyles, J., and Lemus, R.
Publication Details: Agronomy Journal, 115(4), 1653–1665.
Executive Summary/Abstract
Cover crops can be designed for quality forage for grazing animals in low-growth periods (especially in cold and wet conditions). Cover crops can enhance soil health (increases in SOC and Nitrogen). Combining designed cover crops for forage and soil health could increase the productivity of the farming system by stacking functions without reducing the yield of commodity crops.
Integrating Winter annual forages into a no-till corn silage system (2009)
Authors: Faé, G., Sulc, R., Barker, D., Dick, R., Eastridge, M., & Lorenz, N.
Publication Details: Agronomy Journal, 101(5), 1286–1296.
Executive Summary/Abstract
It is understood that 30-50% of the SOC pool in the U.S. has been depleted. To replenish this loss, it has been recommended for cropping to implement no-tillage and incorporate winter cover crops to increase the ecosystem services that come with increasing and mitigating SOC losses. Adoption of these practices has been limited primarily due to a lack of economic incentive to implement and possibly change of management difficulties.