Assessing the effects of crop residue retention on soil health

Publication date: 10/10/2022
Extent: 30 pages

Contributions by: Hero T. Gollany, USDA-ARS, USA

Chapter synopsis: Crop residues are the most accessible form of plant residues. Conventional agricultural cropping systems rely on synthetic fertilizer; however, these systems also require regular organic inputs from crop residue, root biomass, and rhizodeposition to maintain soil organic matter (SOM), improve soil nutrient cycling, soil microbial population, and soil fauna. Retaining crop residue on soils is very important for protecting soils from erosion and soil water loss, regulating soil temperature, maintaining SOM and associated soil organic C (SOC), enhancing water and solute transport, and ultimately soil health and land sustainability. Soil-related attributes and processes that determine healthy soil can be broadly grouped into chemical, physical, and biological processes. Soil organic C is one of the indicators of soil health parameters. The SOC losses have implications for the long-term sustainability and resiliency of agricultural production systems. This chapter will cover the effect of crop residue retention or removal on SOC and attributes of soil health.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2021.0094.12