Chapters authored
Importance of Biochar in Agriculture and Its Consequence
Climate change is affecting all four dimensions of food security: food availability, food accessibility, food utilization, and food systems stability. It is also affecting human health, livelihood assets, food production, and distribution channels, as well as changing purchasing power and market flows. Keeping in view, the present chapter is focusing mostly on biochar. Biochar is usually produced by pyrolysis of biomass at around temperature range of 300–600°C. It is under investigation as an approach to carbon sequestration to produce negative carbon emissions. Present agriculture is leading mining of nutrients and reduction in soil organic matter levels through repetitive harvesting of crops. The most widespread solution to this depletion is the application of soil amendments in the form of fertilizers containing the three major nutrients. The nitrogen is considered the most limiting nutrient for plant growth useful for protein builds, structures, hormones, chlorophyll, vitamins, and enzymes. Biochar may be added to soils to improve soil health, improve soil fertility, and sequester carbon. However, the variable application rates, uncertain feedstock effects, and initial soil state provide a wide range of cost for marginally improved yield from biochar additions, which is often economically impracticable. There is a need for further research on optimizing biochar application to improve crop yields.
Part of the book: Applications of Biochar for Environmental Safety
Strategic Tillage for Improved Soil Health and Nutrient Dynamics
Excessive conventional tillage can degrade important aspects of soil quality and health over time. Strategic tillage offers a focused solution to address priority soil limitations with minimal disturbance. This chapter reviews the current science on how strategic tillage affects key soil physical, chemical, and biological factors relevant to soil function and crop yields. In contrast, strategic tillage involves the targeted, occasional, and shallow use of tillage equipment to address specific observed soil constraints without general field disruption. Potential advantages of strategic tillage discussed include improved soil structure, increased infiltration and rooting depth, better incorporation of amendments, disruption of compaction, enhanced soil biological activity and carbon storage, increased nutrient availability, and improved crop yields. To minimize disturbance and maintain soil function, strategic tillage should be integrated with other conservation practices like cover crops and crop rotation. Criteria for selecting appropriate tillage equipment and practices based on crop, soil, and climate factors are explored. Ongoing site-specific evaluation and refinement of strategic tillage practices using crop yields and soil analysis is emphasized. Despite needing more research, strategic tillage shows promise as a precise soil management approach that maximizes productivity and resilience while balancing periodic focused tillage with principles of soil health.
Part of the book: Strategic Tillage and Soil Management