Download or read book Soil Health Indicators and Sustainable Practices on Indy Urban Farms written by Rebecca L. Lewis and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Urban agriculture is capable of restoring ecosystem services like food production, recreation, and clean soil and water to cities. Urban farms in particular can help relieve pressure for areas with limited food access, also known as food desserts. This is especially important to the community of Indianapolis because the city is tied for the most food desert areas within a U.S. metropolitan area. To help a community, an urban farm must have healthy, nutrient rich soils. Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient for plants when it comes to growth and development. Plants cannot produce nitrogen; they acquire the mineral by external inputs (mulch, manure, fertilizer etc.) or internal N-fixing bacteria. If biological nitrogen fixation increases, the immediate and long-term nitrogen supply would increase, leading to an increase in ecological sustainability. In addition to nitrogen, carbon is another mineral that can tell researchers a lot about the health of a soil system. Organic carbon is a major factor for plants, it promotes the structure, of soil, and it also acts as a pH buffer. The goal of this project is to test if common urban farming management processes are increasing the health of the ecosystem at the level of the soil. To analyze this, we looked at multiple different health indicators including: organic matter composition, percentage of carbon and nitrogen, carbon nitrogen ratio, soil pH, and bulk density of the soil samples collected. It is hypothesized that soil samples retrieved from actively farmed land will have increased health indicators. If this is true, farmed samples will be more similar to naturally established ecosystems than controlled, unfarmed samples with regard to the indicators tested. The soils used were collected from multiple sites around the city. Because of this, the data collected can be analyzed in a larger context with the goal of helping farms across Indianapolis restore fundamental ecosystem functions and improve overall sustainability"--Pages 4-5.

Download or read book Approaches to Soil Health Analysis Soil Health series Volume 1 written by Douglas L. Karlen and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2021-08-24 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Approaches to Soil Health Analysis A concise survey of soil health analysis and its various techniques and applications The maintenance of healthy soil resources provides the foundation for an array of global efforts and initiatives that affect humanity. Whether they are working to combat food shortages, conserve our ecosystems, or mitigate the impact of climate change, researchers and agriculturalists the world over must be able to correctly examine and understand the complex nature of this essential, fragile resource. These new volumes have been designed to meet this need, addressing the many dimensions of soil health analysis in chapters that are concise, accessible and applicable to the tasks at hand. Soil Health, Volume One: Approaches to Soil Health Analysis provides a well-rounded overview of the various methods and strategies available to analysists, and covers topics including: The history of soil health and its study Challenges and opportunities facing analysists Meta-data and its assessment Applications to forestry and urban land reclamation Future soil health monitoring and evaluation approaches Offering a far-reaching survey of this increasingly interdisciplinary field, this volume will be of great interest to all those working in agriculture, private sector businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic-, state-, and federal-research projects, as well as state and federal soil conservation, water quality and other environmental programs.

Download or read book Soil Health Indicators for Sustainable Agriculture in the United States and Malawi written by Xinyi Tu and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 163 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Maintaining SH (SH) is critical for sustainable field crop production. The first step to understanding drivers is evaluating the effects of climate, soil edaphic properties, and management practices from an on-farm study across a regional scale on SH. Thus, I integrated on-farm research, farmer participatory approach, and statistical analysis to understand the SH drivers in the United States and Malawi. In summary, I assessed the SH indicators through two perspectives with various statistical models: 1) understand various viewpoints on SH assessment; and 2) integrating Bayesian statistical analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and principal component analysis to determine the drivers of SH and yield in Michigan, U.S. and the Central and Southern region of Malawi.SH is assessed through soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. However, researchers used various minimum laboratory SH dataset, resulting in the inconsistency in research studies. On-site SH evaluations recommended by extension educators were not always adopted by farmers. In this chapter, we compared the common indicators in laboratory analysis and on-farm evaluation through literature review and used a Likert Scale to understand farmers' views in Michigan. Maintaining SH (SH) is critical for sustainable field crop production. The first step to understanding drivers is evaluating the effects of climate, soil edaphic properties, and management practices from an on-farm study across a regional scale on SH. Thus, the farmer participatory approach and statistical analysis were integrated to understand the SH drivers in the United States and Malawi. In summary, SH indicators were assessed in this study through two perspectives with various statistical models: 1) understand various viewpoints on SH assessment; and 2) integrating Bayesian statistical analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and principal component analysis to determine the drivers of SH and yield in Michigan, U.S. and the Central and Southern region of Malawi.SH is assessed through soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. However, researchers used various minimum laboratory SH datasets, resulting in inconsistency in research studies. On-site SH evaluations recommended by extension educators were not always adopted by farmers. In Chapter 1, a Likert study was employed to understand farmers' views of common soil health indicators in Michigan. The results showed that the concept of SH assessment should be consistent and clear in research studies and extension education materials.Soil degradation is the most challenging yield-limiting factor in Sub-Saharan Africa. Without the information of current soil carbon status, farmers do not have sufficient information for deciding the appropriate management practice. Malawi's rain-fed maize system is a representation of the rain-fed maize cropping system in East Africa. In Chapter 2, soil analyses were conducted on 1108 focal plots in Central and Southern Malawi to better understand the current total and labile soil carbon status. Bayesian statistical approaches were employed to evaluate environmental and management drivers for soil total and labile carbon on Malawi smallholder fields. Overall, clay content and the vegetative cover are positive drivers for soil total and labile carbon.To better understand the SH across the regional scale in the Midwest United States, an on-farm study of 242 focal plots was conducted in Michigan. In Chapter 3, participatory monitoring and Bayesian linear regression models were used to investigate the impact of various drivers on SH indicators under a range of conditions in the state of Michigan. Location effects were observed, with each of the three regions differing in their climate, soil edaphic properties, and management practices. Overall, climate and soil edaphic properties were the dominant drivers of SH, management practices, which also play a critical role, especially in enhancing soil biological indicators.When evaluating SH, multivariate statistical analysis is generally used due to the inherent correlation among the variables. In Chapter 4, hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were adopted to evaluate the 1) interrelationship of various SH indicators; and 2) drivers of the variation across focal plots and local clusters. Besides the high correlated SH indicators, independent variables provide valuable information. The key determinant of SH indicators is geographical clusters. Farmers' management practices should be site-specific and goal-oriented considering the tradeoff between residual nitrogen and soybean yield.

Download or read book Soil Health Soil Biology Soilborne Diseases and Sustainable Agriculture written by Graham Stirling and published by CSIRO PUBLISHING. This book was released on 2016-03 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Our capacity to maintain world food production depends heavily on the thin layer of soil covering the Earth's surface. The health of this soil determines whether crops can grow successfully, whether a farm business is profitable and whether an enterprise is sustainable in the long term. Farmers are generally aware of the physical and chemical factors that limit the productivity of their soils but often do not recognise that soil microbes and the soil fauna play a major role in achieving healthy soils and healthy crops. Soil Health, Soil Biology, Soilborne Diseases and Sustainable Agriculture provides readily understandable information about the bacteria, fungi, nematodes and other soil organisms that not only harm food crops but also help them take up water and nutrients and protect them from root diseases. Complete with illustrations and practical case studies, it provides growers and their consultants with holistic solutions for building an active and diverse soil biological community capable of improving soil structure, enhancing plant nutrient uptake and suppressing root pests and pathogens. The book is written by scientists with many years' experience developing sustainable crop production practices in the grains, vegetable, sugarcane, grazing and horticultural industries. This book will be useful for: growers, consultants, agronomists and soil chemists, extension personnel working in the grains, livestock, sugarcane and horticultural industries, professionals running courses in soil health/biological farming, and students taking university courses in soil science, ecology, microbiology, plant pathology and other biological sciences.

Download or read book Soil Science for Regenerative Agriculture 2024 written by Marcy Brown and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2024-07-28 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In a world where the health of our planet is more critical than ever, "Soil Science for Regenerative Agriculture 2024" serves as a comprehensive guide for farmers, gardeners, and anyone passionate about sustainable agriculture. This book delves deep into the principles and practices of regenerative agriculture, emphasizing the crucial role of soil health in creating resilient and productive farming systems. Advantages of Buying This Book: In-Depth Knowledge: Gain a thorough understanding of soil composition, structure, and health indicators essential for regenerative agriculture. Practical Techniques: Learn actionable strategies such as no-till practices, cover cropping, and diverse crop rotations to enhance soil fertility and boost farm productivity. Advanced Concepts: Explore cutting-edge topics like cation exchange capacity, soil pH, and microbial communities to optimize soil management. Real-World Examples: Discover case studies and success stories of farmers who have successfully implemented regenerative practices, providing inspiration and proven methods. Holistic Approach: Understand the interconnectedness of soil health, ecosystem services, and climate resilience, ensuring your farm's long-term sustainability. Resource Guide: Access valuable resources, support networks, and step-by-step guidance to help you start and sustain your journey in regenerative agriculture. Disadvantages of Not Buying This Book: Missed Opportunities: Without this comprehensive guide, you might miss out on key techniques and practices that could significantly improve your soil health and farm productivity. Increased Costs: Lack of knowledge on efficient soil management could lead to higher expenses on synthetic inputs and lower crop yields. Environmental Impact: Failing to adopt regenerative practices could contribute to soil degradation, erosion, and reduced biodiversity on your farm. Lagging Behind: As more farmers embrace sustainable practices, not staying informed could put you at a competitive disadvantage in the market. Lost Resilience: Without implementing the strategies in this book, your farm might struggle to adapt to climate change and extreme weather events, risking long-term sustainability. Embark on a transformative journey to regenerative agriculture with Soil Science for Regenerative Agriculture. Equip yourself with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to create a sustainable and resilient farming system that benefits both your land and the planet. Don't miss out on this essential resource for every forward-thinking farmer and soil enthusiast. Scroll up and click on the BUY BUTTON now

Download or read book Soil Health Analysis Set written by Douglas L. Karlen and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2021-08-13 with total page 527 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Volume 1 briefly reviews selected “Approaches to Soil Health Analysis” including a brief history of the concept, challenges and opportunities, meta-data and assessment, applications to forestry and urban land reclamation, and future soil health monitoring and evaluation approaches. Volume 2 focuses on “Laboratory Methods for Soil Health Analysis” including an overview and suggested analytical approaches intended to provide meaningful, comparable data so that soil health can be used to guide restoration and protection of our global soil resources.

Download or read book Biological Indicators of Soil Health written by Clive Pankhurst and published by Cabi. This book was released on 1997 with total page 482 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 1. Defining and assessing soil health and sustainable productivity 2. The relationship of soil health to ecosystem health 3. Rationale for developing bioindicators of soil health 4. Bioindicators: perspectives and potential for land users, researchers and policy makers 5. Soil microbial biomass, activity and nutrient cycling as indicators of soil health 6. Soil enzyme activities as integrative indicators of soil health 7. Soil microflora as bioindicators of soil health 8. Potential use of plant root pathogens as bioindicators of soil health 9. Soil microfauna as bioindicators of soil health 10. Community structure of soil arthropods as a bioindicator of soil health 11. Can the abundance or activity of soil macrofauna be used to indicate the biological health of soils? 12. Biodiversity of soil organisms as indicators of soil health 13. Biomonitoring of soil health by plants 14. Bioindicators to detect contamination of soils with special reference to heavy metals 15. Chemical and molecular approaches for rapid assessment of the biological status of soils 16. Use of genetically modified microbial biosensors for soil ecotoxicity testing 17. Biological indicators of soil health: synthesis.

Download or read book Farmer and Scientist based Soil Quality Indicators written by M. Jason Garlynd and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 342 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Urban Agriculture written by Kimberley Hodgson and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2011 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Urban agriculture is rising steadily in popularity in the United States and Canada - there are stories in the popular press, it has an increasingly central place in the growing local food movement, and there is a palpable interest in changing cities to foster both healthier residents and more sustainable communities. The most popular form of urban agriculture, community gardening, contributes significantly to developing social connections, building capacity, and empowering communities in urban neighborhoods. Older, industrial cities such as Cleveland, Detroit, and Buffalo, with their drastic loss of population and their acres of vacant land, are emerging as centers for urban agriculture initiatives - in essence, becoming laboratories for the future role of urban food production in the postindustrial city. Because urban agriculture entails the use of urban land, it has implications for urban land-use planning, which is controlled and regulated by municipal governments and planning agencies. This PAS Report provides authoritative guidance for dealing with the implications of this cutting-edge practice that is changing our cities forever.

Download or read book Managing Soil Health for Sustainable Agriculture written by Don Reicosky and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 334 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Urban Agriculture and Food Systems Breakthroughs in Research and Practice written by Management Association, Information Resources and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2019-03-01 with total page 609 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In recent years, the global economy has struggled to meet the nutritional needs of a growing populace. In an effort to circumvent a deepening food crisis, it is pertinent to develop new sustainability strategies and practices to provide a stable supply of food resources. Urban Agriculture and Food Systems: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice is an authoritative resource on the latest technological developments in urban agriculture and its ability to supplement current food systems. The content within this publication represents the work of topics such as sustainable production in urban spaces, farming practices, and urban distribution methods. This publication is an ideal reference source for students, professionals, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners interested in recent developments in the areas of agriculture in urban spaces.

Download or read book Soil Health written by Rakesh Kumar and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2024-08-03 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Agriculture has always been the backbone of human civilization, providing the food, fiber, and resources necessary for our survival and growth. As our global population continues to rise, the demand for sustainable and productive agricultural practices has never been greater. At the heart of this endeavor lies a fundamental yet often overlooked component: soil health. Soil is much more than a mere substrate for plant growth. It is a dynamic, living ecosystem teeming with microorganisms, organic matter, minerals, and nutrients. Healthy soil is essential for robust crop yields, environmental sustainability, and food security. However, soil health is under increasing threat from intensive farming practices, climate change, pollution, and urbanization. The degradation of soil quality poses a significant challenge to the future of agriculture and our ability to feed the world. In recent years, the convergence of technology and agriculture has opened new avenues for enhancing soil health and promoting sustainable farming practices. Innovations in soil science, biotechnology, and digital agriculture are transforming how we understand, manage, and improve our soils. From advanced soil sensors and monitoring systems to precision agriculture, drones, and artificial intelligence, these technologies offer unprecedented insights and capabilities for maintaining and restoring soil vitality. "Soil Health: Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture" is a comprehensive exploration of these cutting-edge technologies and their applications in soil management. This book aims to bridge the gap between traditional soil management practices and modern technological advancements, providing a holistic view of the strategies and tools available to farmers, researchers, and policymakers. In the chapters that follow, we will delve into the importance of soil health, the challenges faced by modern agriculture, and the role of technology in overcoming these obstacles. We will examine a range of innovative solutions, from soil sensors and drones to AI-driven analytics and IoT-enabled smart farming. Through detailed case studies and real-world examples, we will illustrate the practical benefits and transformative potential of these technologies. Our journey will also highlight the integration of sustainable practices with technological innovations, demonstrating how conservation agriculture, organic farming, and biotechnological interventions can work hand-in-hand with digital tools to promote soil health and environmental stewardship. This book is dedicated to all those who are passionate about sustainable agriculture and the preservation of our planet's precious soil resources. Whether you are a farmer, agronomist, researcher, or student, we hope that this book will inspire you to embrace new technologies and practices that enhance soil health and ensure a sustainable future for agriculture. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of soil health innovations and discover how we can harness technology to cultivate a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable agricultural system.

Download or read book On farm Soil Health Assessment in Ohio and Farmer Perception of Soil Health Data written by Prabhjot K. Singh and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Soil health indicators are commonly used by researchers to understand how various soil properties are functioning. However, many new indicators have not been applied on working farm conditions and it is not well understood how these novel indicators may be useful to farmers in their management decision-making. This research took an integrated approach combining social science methods and biophysical soil testing to understand the use and value of soil health indicators to farmers in Ohio. A total of 19 soil health parameters were measured and reported back to farmers to discuss how these data could inform their future management decisions and to understand which indicators are most useful to farmers. Interviews were conducted with 20 row crop farmers to gather their insights on the utility of soil health indicators, as well as their management decisions following the 2019 growing season. Ultimately, the research evaluated how soil health indicators varied across selected fields the farmer deemed best and most challenging. This research also assessed which indicators aligned best with farmer perceptions of the soil health data and if the soil health indicators influenced adoption of new management practices among farmers. Findings from the research indicate that biological soil health indicators such as soil protein, respiration (MinC), and permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC) were able to distinguish between best and most challenging field, were more sensitive indicators than others, and were most aligned with farmer perceptions of their fields. Additionally, this study found that while farmers found many biological indicators insightful, they did not provide sufficient information to alter any change in management. Overall, this study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary work by integrating social and natural sciences to gain a comprehensive assessment of farmers’ perceptions and practices in relation to agricultural soil health. In doing so, the research addresses a vital issue in Ohio specifically and the Midwest more generally

Download or read book Laboratory Methods for Soil Health Analysis written by Douglas L. Karlen and published by ACSESS. This book was released on 2021-08-09 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Analyzing, comparing, and understanding soil health data The maintenance of healthy soil resources is instrumental to the success of an array of global efforts and initiatives. Whether they are working to combat food shortages, conserve our ecosystems, or mitigate the impact of climate change, researchers and agriculturalists the world over must be able to correctly examine and understand the complex nature of this essential resource. This work has been designed to meet this need, addressing the many dimensions of soil health analysis in chapters that are concise, accessible and practically applicable to the tasks at hand. Laboratory Methods for Soil Health Analysis provides explanations of the best practices by which one may arrive at valuable, comparable data and incisive conclusions, and covers topics including: Sampling considerations and field evaluations Assessment and interpretation of soil-test biological activity Macro- and micronutrients in soil quality and health PLFA and EL-FAME indicators Offering a practical guide to collecting and understanding soil health data, this volume will be of great interest to all those working in agriculture, private sector businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic-, state-, and federal-research projects, as well as state and federal soil conservation, water quality and other environmental programs.

Download or read book Soil Health and Land Use Management written by Maria C. Hernandez-Soriano and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 346 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Soils play multiple roles in the quality of life throughout the world, not only as the resource for food production, but also as the support for our structures, the environment, the medium for waste disposal, water, and the storage of nutrients. A healthy soil can sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote plant and animal health. Understanding the impact of land management practices on soil properties and processes can provide useful indicators of economic and environmental sustainability. The sixteen chapters of this book orchestrate a multidisciplinary composition of current trends in soil health. Soil Health and Land Use Management provides a broad vision of the fundamental importance of soil health. In addition, the development of feasible management and remediation strategies to preserve and ameliorate the fitness of soils are discussed in this book. Strategies to improve land management and relevant case studies are covered, as well as the importance of characterizing soil properties to develop management and remediation strategies. Moreover, the current management of several environmental scenarios of high concern is presented, while the final chapters propose new methodologies for soil pollution assessment.

Download or read book Save and Grow written by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2018-06-22 with total page 116 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book offers a rich toolkit of relevant, adoptable ecosystem-based practices that can help the world's 500 million smallholder farm families achieve higher productivity, profitability and resource-use efficiency while enhancing natural capital.

Download or read book Soil Health on the Farm Ranch and in the Garden written by Kenneth E. Spaeth (Jr.) and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the importance of soil health in croplands, rangelands, pasturelands, and gardens, and presents new methods and technologies for assessing soil dynamics and health in these different land types. Through perspectives of agriculture, soil management, and ecological sustainability, the book provides accurate and up-to-date information on soil health assessment and maintenance that is often missing from current literature on conservation and environmental management and preservation. The book is written in a clear and concise format, and will appeal to non-scientists interested in soil health, as well as professional farmers, ranchers and gardeners. The book begins by discussing soil health from a historical perspective, and in terms of how it is covered in the news currently. Then the author addresses the ecological implications of soil health in farming, ranching and gardening, and comprehensively details the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil as they apply in various land types. The book then examines soil health assessment using new diagnostic and analytic technologies, and how these new innovations will be necessary going forward to maintain and improve soil health. .