Hello guest
Your basket is empty
We provide two pathways to the content. Thematic (chapters that address certain themes, e.g. cultivation, regardless of crop or animal type) and Product (chapters that relate to a specific type of crop or animal). Choose the most applicable route to find the right collection for you. 
 
Can’t find what you are looking for? Contact us and let us help you build a custom-made collection. 
You are in: All categories > A-Z Chapters > M
Use the Contact form to discuss the best purchasing method for you... Start building your collection today!

Maintaining soil fertility and health in organic crop cultivation

Code: 9781838796471
C. Watson, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), UK and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden; and E. A. Stockdale, Head of Farming Systems Research, NIAB, UK

Chapter synopsis: Maintaining the health and fertility of our soils is central to the productivity of farming systems because of the key role that both health and fertility play in crop production. The links between soil health and the health consumers (both animal and human) and the wider ecosystem are important underlying themes of organic agriculture. Organic farming relies primarily on the use of crop rotations together with manures and crop residues produced on farm and limited allowable off-farm inputs to maintain soil fertility and health. Organic farming requires a long-term perspective on how crop rotations and organic inputs can be used to provide nutrients in synchrony, with crop demand allowing crop nutrition to be optimised while nutrient losses are minimised. Our understanding of the form and function of soil biota has increased rapidly in recent years, but the practical application of this knowledge remains a major challenge.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2017.0029.03
£25.00
Table of contents 1 Introduction 2 Some key themes in soil fertility and soil health 3 Case study: interactions between soil management and the delivery of soil functions/ecosystem services 4 Conclusion and future trends 5 Acknowledgements 6 Where to look for further information 7 References

Also in M

Our site uses cookies. For more information, see our cookie policy. Accept cookies and close
Reject cookies Manage settings