It is widely recognised that environmental problems such as soil degradation (erosion and desertification) affects many agricultural lands globally. These problems have caused soil quality decline, crop yield reduction, economic crisis, poverty, unemployment, and rural urban migration. Soil management practices are considered as the most vital and sustainable possible solution to control soil erosion and desertification. This management include use of organic manure, crop rotation, use of cover crop, intercropping, planting shelter belt and afforestation, provision of water ways, good surface drainage system, restoration of rangeland, regeneration and secondary forest, and political changes.
Table of Contents
- 1.0 INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Soil and agriculture
- 1.2 Fertile and productive soils in agriculture
- 1.3 Soil sustainability: meaning and importance in agriculture
- 2.0 GENERAL DISCUSSION
- 2.1 Soil problems: soil degradation and consequences
- 2.2 Types of soil degradation process
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to discuss the basic soil problems and their possible solutions for future sustainable management in agricultural soil environments. It explores the importance of soil health for agricultural productivity and the environmental consequences of soil degradation.
- Soil degradation and its consequences
- The importance of soil sustainability in agriculture
- Types of soil degradation processes (physical, chemical, biological)
- Sustainable soil management practices
- The role of government and farmers in soil management
Chapter Summaries
1.0 INTRODUCTION: This introductory chapter establishes the critical role of soil in agriculture and global food production. It highlights the historical recognition of soil's importance and the ongoing need for improved soil management practices, particularly in under-researched regions like Africa. The chapter emphasizes the need for sustainable soil management to improve soil fertility, quality, and yield production, advocating for increased attention from farmers and governments to ensure soil sustainability through the use of available resources and the creation of sound environmental policies. The negative consequences of soil degradation, including loss of organic matter and deterioration of soil structure, resulting in decreased crop yields, are also discussed, setting the stage for the subsequent chapters which delve deeper into the specific problems and solutions.
1.1 Soil and agriculture: This section provides various definitions of soil, highlighting its composition and characteristics according to different scholars and organizations. It emphasizes soil's status as a finite and irreplaceable resource, underscoring the urgency of addressing soil degradation and loss to avoid devastating consequences for humanity. The contrasting viewpoints on the definition of soil from different sources are contrasted, highlighting the complexity and multifaceted nature of understanding this fundamental resource.
1.2 Fertile and productive soils in agriculture: This section explores the concept of soil fertility, contrasting definitions emphasizing the availability of plant nutrients and the importance of factors beyond nutrient content, such as the balance of nutrients and their accessibility to plants. It further introduces the role of micro-organisms in soil decomposition and nutrient cycling, emphasizing their crucial contribution to soil fertility and the dynamic productivity of soil ecosystems. The chapter emphasizes that fertile soil is highly dependent on organic matter content and the biodiversity of micro-organisms.
1.3 Soil sustainability: meaning and importance in agriculture: This chapter defines agricultural sustainability and its dependence on resource recycling efficiency. It highlights the vital role of sustainable soil management in enhancing productivity, minimizing environmental impact, and reducing risks associated with declining agricultural output. The chapter outlines key components of sustainable soil management, including policy, research, knowledge sharing, and incentivization, while acknowledging the variability of these components across different regions and the importance of using available and affordable resources. The section concludes by stating the paper's aim to discuss soil problems and possible solutions for future sustainable management.
2.0 GENERAL DISCUSSION: This section serves as a transition to more detailed discussions of soil problems and their solutions. It begins by framing the discussion within the context of global environmental concerns and emphasizes the multifaceted nature of soil degradation.
2.1 Soil problems: soil degradation and consequences: This section focuses on soil degradation as a serious problem, discussing its definition, historical context, and consequences. It explains that soil degradation leads to significant losses of soil, nutrients, and ultimately, crop yields. The chapter also outlines the functions of soil that are compromised by degradation and introduces Lal's definition of soil degradation, differentiating it from land degradation. The discussion highlights the importance of soil quality as a key factor in sustainable agricultural management.
Keywords
Soil degradation, soil sustainability, agricultural productivity, soil fertility, sustainable soil management, erosion, desertification, nutrient loss, crop yield, environmental consequences, organic matter.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Soil Sustainability in Agriculture
What is the main focus of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of soil sustainability in agriculture. It covers various aspects, including the definition and importance of soil, soil degradation, sustainable soil management practices, and the role of government and farmers in soil management. The document includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the document?
The key themes include soil degradation and its consequences, the importance of soil sustainability in agriculture, types of soil degradation processes (physical, chemical, biological), sustainable soil management practices, and the role of government and farmers in soil management.
What are the major soil problems discussed?
The document focuses on soil degradation, its various types, and its significant consequences, including loss of soil, nutrients, and reduced crop yields. It also highlights the compromise of essential soil functions due to degradation.
What is the definition of soil sustainability as presented in this document?
Soil sustainability is defined in relation to agricultural sustainability and its dependence on resource recycling efficiency. It emphasizes the vital role of sustainable soil management in enhancing productivity, minimizing environmental impact, and reducing risks associated with declining agricultural output.
What are the key components of sustainable soil management according to this document?
Key components include policy, research, knowledge sharing, and incentivization, acknowledging the variability of these components across different regions and the importance of using available and affordable resources.
What is the role of the government and farmers in soil management?
The document emphasizes the shared responsibility of governments and farmers in ensuring soil sustainability. Governments are responsible for creating sound environmental policies and providing incentives, while farmers need to adopt sustainable practices and utilize available resources effectively.
What are the chapter summaries included in this preview?
The preview includes summaries of the introductory chapter, which establishes the crucial role of soil in agriculture, and subsequent chapters detailing soil and agriculture, fertile and productive soils, soil sustainability, and a general discussion on soil problems and their solutions. Each summary briefly outlines the main points covered in the respective chapter.
What are the keywords associated with this document?
Keywords include soil degradation, soil sustainability, agricultural productivity, soil fertility, sustainable soil management, erosion, desertification, nutrient loss, crop yield, environmental consequences, and organic matter.
What is the overall objective of this work?
The work aims to discuss basic soil problems and their possible solutions for future sustainable management in agricultural soil environments. It explores the importance of soil health for agricultural productivity and the environmental consequences of soil degradation.
Where can I find more information on the topics discussed?
While this is a preview, the full text of the document would contain more detailed information on the topics discussed.
- Citar trabajo
- PhD Student Suleiman Usman (Autor), 2011, The basic soil problems and possible solutions in agriculture, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/172288
