Details
| Translated title of the contribution | Humus management as an indicator of quality agriculture |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| Pages (from-to) | 32-41 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Wasser und Boden |
| Volume | 53 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| Publication status | Published - 2001 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Soil organic matter (SOM) influences practically all soil functions. In arable soils SOM stocks are drastically decreased, thus negatively affecting soil functions, particularly habitat and regulation functions. Quality agriculture as defined in German soil protection law adheres to SOM management rules especially in regards to the protection or reestablishment of site-typical SOM contents. The present paper reviews basic knowledge on the function, composition, and turnover of SOM. Possible means of increasing the humus level in arable soils are discussed. Management options primarily include increase of litter input to the soil and reduction of the SOM mineralization by reducing or terminating tillage. Unfortunately, reference values as to the proper amount of total and readily available SOM have not been established. At the present time, farmers are considered to practice quality agriculture without adhering to any soil conservation techniques. The lack of reference values is due to an inherent conflict in the aims of the soil protection as defined in the law. In addition, information is seldom available concerning the SOM contents in natural soils from which arable soils developed. However, it appears possible to define reference values based on soil types within the soil regions. To define reference values, natural soil functions should be the main reference parameters and the SOM contents/stocks to be achieved should correspond as far as possible to those in natural ecosystems. This approach requires long-term field experiments in different soil regions with focus on objectives of soil protection. In addition, a more intensive inter-institutional collaboration in the fields of agriculture, soil science, and soil survey is required.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Science(all)
- Water Science and Technology
- Chemical Engineering(all)
- Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
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In: Wasser und Boden, Vol. 53, No. 9, 2001, p. 32-41.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Humusmanagement als Kriterium der guten fachlichen Praxis in der Landwirtschaft
AU - Guggenberger, G.
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - Soil organic matter (SOM) influences practically all soil functions. In arable soils SOM stocks are drastically decreased, thus negatively affecting soil functions, particularly habitat and regulation functions. Quality agriculture as defined in German soil protection law adheres to SOM management rules especially in regards to the protection or reestablishment of site-typical SOM contents. The present paper reviews basic knowledge on the function, composition, and turnover of SOM. Possible means of increasing the humus level in arable soils are discussed. Management options primarily include increase of litter input to the soil and reduction of the SOM mineralization by reducing or terminating tillage. Unfortunately, reference values as to the proper amount of total and readily available SOM have not been established. At the present time, farmers are considered to practice quality agriculture without adhering to any soil conservation techniques. The lack of reference values is due to an inherent conflict in the aims of the soil protection as defined in the law. In addition, information is seldom available concerning the SOM contents in natural soils from which arable soils developed. However, it appears possible to define reference values based on soil types within the soil regions. To define reference values, natural soil functions should be the main reference parameters and the SOM contents/stocks to be achieved should correspond as far as possible to those in natural ecosystems. This approach requires long-term field experiments in different soil regions with focus on objectives of soil protection. In addition, a more intensive inter-institutional collaboration in the fields of agriculture, soil science, and soil survey is required.
AB - Soil organic matter (SOM) influences practically all soil functions. In arable soils SOM stocks are drastically decreased, thus negatively affecting soil functions, particularly habitat and regulation functions. Quality agriculture as defined in German soil protection law adheres to SOM management rules especially in regards to the protection or reestablishment of site-typical SOM contents. The present paper reviews basic knowledge on the function, composition, and turnover of SOM. Possible means of increasing the humus level in arable soils are discussed. Management options primarily include increase of litter input to the soil and reduction of the SOM mineralization by reducing or terminating tillage. Unfortunately, reference values as to the proper amount of total and readily available SOM have not been established. At the present time, farmers are considered to practice quality agriculture without adhering to any soil conservation techniques. The lack of reference values is due to an inherent conflict in the aims of the soil protection as defined in the law. In addition, information is seldom available concerning the SOM contents in natural soils from which arable soils developed. However, it appears possible to define reference values based on soil types within the soil regions. To define reference values, natural soil functions should be the main reference parameters and the SOM contents/stocks to be achieved should correspond as far as possible to those in natural ecosystems. This approach requires long-term field experiments in different soil regions with focus on objectives of soil protection. In addition, a more intensive inter-institutional collaboration in the fields of agriculture, soil science, and soil survey is required.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034819084&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Artikel
AN - SCOPUS:0034819084
VL - 53
SP - 32
EP - 41
JO - Wasser und Boden
JF - Wasser und Boden
SN - 0043-0951
IS - 9
ER -