Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 14.1
Effects of Production System Components Fully Applied Together on
Sustainability and Ecosystem Services
System Component
Mulch
Cover
a
No
Tillage
b
Crop
Rotation
d
To Achieve
Legumes
c
Simulate optimum “forest floor” conditions
√
√
Reduce evaporative loss of moisture from
soil surface
√
Reduce evaporative loss from upper soil
layers
√
√
Minimize oxidation of SOM, CO
2
loss
√
Minimize compactive impacts by intense
rainfall, passage of feet, machinery
√
√
Minimize temperature fluctuations at soil
surface
√
Provide regular supply of organic matter as
substrate for soil organisms' activity
√
Increase and maintain nitrogen levels in root
zone
√
√
√
√
Increase CEC of root zone
√
√
√
√
Maximize rain infiltration, minimize runoff
√
√
Minimize soil loss in runoff and wind
√
√
Permit and maintain natural layering of soil
horizons by actions of soil biota
√
√
Minimize weeds
√
√
√
Increase rate of biomass production
√
√
√
√
Speed up soil porosity's recuperation by soil
biota
√
√
√
√
Reduce labor input
√
Reduce fuel-energy input
√
√
√
Recycle nutrients
√
√
√
√
Reduce pest pressure of pathogens
√
Rebuild damaged soil conditions and
dynamics
√
√
√
√
Pollination services
√
√
√
√
Source:
Friedrich T. et al., Conservation agriculture, In:
Agriculture for Developing Countries
, Science
and Technology Options Assessment (STOA) Project, European Technology Assessment Group,
Karlsruhe, Germany, 2009.
a
Crop residues, cover crops, green manures.
b
Minimal or no soil disturbance.
c
As crops for fixing nitrogen and supplying plant nutrients.
d
For several beneficial purposes.
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