Managing Organic Matter in Tropical Soils: Scope and Limitations
Managing Organic Matter in Tropical Soils: Scope and Limitations

Author: Christopher Martius

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2002-01-31

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 9781402004551

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Soil organic matter is a reservoir for plant nutrients, provides water-holding capacity, stabilizes soil structure against compaction and erosion, and thus determines soil productivity. All agriculture to some degree depends on soil organic matter. It has long been known that soil organic matter declines when land is taken into cultivation, and that the productivity of new agricultural land is governed by fertility contributions from decomposing natural organic matter. The expansion of agriculture to ever new and more fragile lands, particularly in tropical and developing regions, causes environmental degradation with local effects on soil quality, regional effects on landscape integrity and water quality, and global effects on carbon cycles and the atmosphere. This book summarizes current knowledge of the properties and dynamics of soil organic matter in the tropics, its role in determining soil quality, its stability and turnover, and the options for management in the context of tropical landuse systems, for a readership of resource scientists, economists and advanced students. Maintenance of organic matter is critical for preventing land degradation. Case studies and practical applications are therefore an important part of the book, as are the exploration of future directions in research and management.

Properties and Management of Soils in the Tropics
Properties and Management of Soils in the Tropics

Author: Pedro A. Sanchez

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2019-01-10

Total Pages: 685

ISBN-13: 1107176050

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Long-awaited second edition of classic textbook, brought completely up to date, for courses on tropical soils, and reference for scientists and professionals.

Managing Organic Matter in Tropical Soils: Scope and Limitations
Managing Organic Matter in Tropical Soils: Scope and Limitations

Author: Christopher Martius

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2011-01-29

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789048159475

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Soil organic matter is a reservoir for plant nutrients, provides water-holding capacity, stabilizes soil structure against compaction and erosion, and thus determines soil productivity. All agriculture to some degree depends on soil organic matter. It has long been known that soil organic matter declines when land is taken into cultivation, and that the productivity of new agricultural land is governed by fertility contributions from decomposing natural organic matter. The expansion of agriculture to ever new and more fragile lands, particularly in tropical and developing regions, causes environmental degradation with local effects on soil quality, regional effects on landscape integrity and water quality, and global effects on carbon cycles and the atmosphere. This book summarizes current knowledge of the properties and dynamics of soil organic matter in the tropics, its role in determining soil quality, its stability and turnover, and the options for management in the context of tropical landuse systems, for a readership of resource scientists, economists and advanced students. Maintenance of organic matter is critical for preventing land degradation. Case studies and practical applications are therefore an important part of the book, as are the exploration of future directions in research and management.

Dynamics of Soil Organic Matter in Tropical Ecosystems
Dynamics of Soil Organic Matter in Tropical Ecosystems

Author: David C. Coleman

Publisher:

Published: 1989

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13:

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Constituents of organic matter in temperate and tropical soils. Soil organic matter as a source and a sink of plant nUtrients. Interactions of soil organic matter and variable-charge clays. Biological processes regulating organic matter dynamics in tropical soils.

Structure and Organic Matter Storage in Agricultural Soils
Structure and Organic Matter Storage in Agricultural Soils

Author: M.R. Carter

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 1995-10-23

Total Pages: 502

ISBN-13: 9781566700337

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Soils comprise the largest pool of terrestrial carbon and therefore are an important component of carbon storage in the biosphere-atmosphere system. Structure and Organic Matter Storage in Agricultural Soils explores the mechanisms and processes involved in the storage and sequestration of carbon in soils. Focusing on agricultural soils - from tropical to semi-arid types - this new book provides an in-depth look at structure, aggregation, and organic matter retention in world soils. The first two sections of the book introduce readers to the basic issues and scientific concepts, including soil structure, underlying mechanisms and processes, and the importance of agroecosystems as carbon regulators. The third section provides detailed discussions of soil aggregation and organic matter storage under various climates, soil types, and soil management practices. The fourth section addresses current strategies for enhancing organic matter storage in soil, modelling techniques, and measurement methods. Throughout the book, the importance of the soil structure-organic matter storage relationship is emphasized. Anyone involved in soil science, agriculture, agronomy, plant science, or greenhouse gas and global change studies should understand this relationship. Structure and Organic Matter Storage in Agricultural Soils provides an ideal source of information not only on the soil structure-storage relationship itself, but also on key research efforts and direct applications related to the storage of organic matter in agricultural soils.

Tropical Soils
Tropical Soils

Author: Anthony S. R. Juo

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2003-09-18

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 9780195353877

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Agricultural ecology, or agroecology, deals in general with the structure and function of agroecosystems at different levels of resolution. In this text/reference, the authors describe in terms of agroecology the tropical environments of sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin and Central America, focusing on production and management systems unique to each region.

Soil Carbon
Soil Carbon

Author: Steven A Banwart

Publisher: CABI

Published: 2014-12-03

Total Pages: 429

ISBN-13: 1780645325

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This book brings together the essential evidence and policy opportunities regarding the global importance of soil carbon for sustaining Earth's life support system for humanity. Covering the science and policy background for this important natural resource, it describes land management options that improve soil carbon status and therefore increase the benefits that humans derive from the environment. Written by renowned global experts, it is the principal output from a SCOPE rapid assessment process project.

Amazonian Dark Earths
Amazonian Dark Earths

Author: Johannes Lehmann

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2006-02-25

Total Pages: 510

ISBN-13: 1402025971

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Dark Earths are a testament to vanished civilizations of the Amazon Basin, but may also answer how large societies could sustain intensive agriculture in an environment of infertile soils. This book examines their origin, properties, and management. Questions remain: were they intentionally produced or a by-product of habitation. Additional new and multidisciplinary perspectives by leading experts may pave the way for the next revolution in soil management in the humid tropics.

The Importance of Soil Organic Matter
The Importance of Soil Organic Matter

Author: Alexandra Bot

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13: 9789251053669

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Soil organic matter - the product of on-site biological decomposition - affects the chemical and physical properties of the soil and its overall health. Its composition and breakdown rate affect: the soil structure and porosity; the water infiltration rate and moisture holding capacity of soils; the diversity and biological activity of soil organisms; and plant nutrient availability. This document concentrates on the organic matter dynamics of cropping soils and discusses the circumstances that deplete organic matter and their negative outcomes. It then moves on to more proactive solutions. It reviews a "basket" of practices in order to show how they can increase organic matter content and discusses the land and cropping benefits that then accrue.--Publisher's description.