The Science
Each text and photo block below links to the original paper unless it contains more than one link within the text.
Cover crops improve soil health and environmental quality by enhancing soil organic carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling in agroecosystems. This study evaluated the effect of cover crops on soil CO2–C emissions, temperature, and water content during cover crop growth from April to October, 2017 and 2018 in New Mexico.
Recycling old almond tree biomass in situ prior to replanting an orchard is known as whole orchard recycling (WOR). It has potential as a carbon (C) negative practice to build soil C storage, soil health, and orchard productivity. Researchers in this study tested the potential of this practice for long term C sequestration and found it effective. It also led to higher yields and substantial improvement in soil functioning, including nutrient content, aggregation, porosity, and water retention.
This paper summarizes how agricultural systems developed into what they are today and identifies ways in which these systems will need to be improved to meet future food security challenges. The core principles and concepts of conservation agriculture (CA) systems provide an important unifying framework. The paper provides evidence for why these systems, when flexibly applied and in ways that mimic natural ecosystems, provide the best approach for moving forward.
Abstract: "Most spiders are generalist predators and important biological control agents of various insect pests of agricultural crops. A study was conducted to determine the impact of cultural practices on the abundance and diversity of soil surface-dwelling spiders (Araneae). Two experiments were conducted at the Chinhoyi University of Technology experimental farm, Zimbabwe, over the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 cropping seasons."
Increased long term (20-50 year) sequestration of carbon in soils, plants and plant products will benefit the environment and agriculture. Crop, grazing, and forestlands can be managed for both economic productivity and carbon sequestration. In many settings this dual management approach can be achieved by applying currently recognized best management practices such as conservation tillage, efficient nutrient management, erosion control, use of cover crops and restoration of degraded soils. PDf