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ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Agricultural Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #387088
Research Project: Ecologically-Sound Pest, Water and Soil Management Practices for Northern Great Plains Cropping Systems

Location: Agricultural Systems Research

Title: Soil indicators and management strategies for agroecosystem sustainability

Author
item GHIMIRE, RAJAN - New Mexico State University
item THAPA, VESH - New Mexico State University
item ACHARYA, PRAMOD - New Mexico State University
item Sainju, Upendra
item WANG, JUN - Northwest University

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2021
Publication Date: 7/31/2021
Citation: Ghimire, R., Thapa, V.R., Acharya, P., Sainju, U.M., Wang, J. 2021. Soil indicators and management strategies for agroecosystem sustainability. In: Rakshit, A., Singh, S.K., Abhilash, P.C., Biswas, A., editors. Soil Science: Fundamentals to Recent Advances. Singapore: Springer. p. 127-140.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0917-6_7

Interpretive Summary: N/A for Book Chapter.

Technical Abstract: Increased interest in soil health and sustainability in recent years emphasized the need to identify indicators and adopt improved management strategies in agroecosystems. This chapter discusses selected biogeochemical indicators of soil health, their linkages with soil ecosystem functions, and management strategies to increase crop yields and enhance environmental sustainability. Soil organic matter (SOM) components, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and microbial community structures and functions provide critical information on soil health and sustainability. Management approaches that minimize soil disturbance, maximize soil cover, and increase plant and animal diversity can increase SOM storage, mitigate GHG emissions, and support soil microbial community proliferation. Crop rotation, cover cropping, and livestock integration in cropping systems should be promoted to improve soil health and agro-environmental sustainability.