Soil fertility
Soil fertility refers to the ability of soil to sustain agricultural plant growth, i.e. to provide plant habitat and result in sustained and consistent yields of high quality. It also refers to the soil's ability to supply plant/crop nutrients in the right quantities and qualities over a sustained period of time. A fertile soil has the following properties: * The ability to supply essential plant nutrients and water in adequate amounts and proportions for plant growth and reproduction; and * The absence of toxic substances which may inhibit plant growth e.g. Fe2+ which leads to nutrient toxicity.The following properties contribute to soil fertility in most situations: * Sufficient soil depth for adequate root growth and water retention; * Good internal drainage, allowing sufficient aeration for optimal root growth (although some plants, such as rice, tolerate waterlogging); * Topsoil or horizon O is with sufficient soil organic matter for healthy soil structure and soil moisture retention; * Soil pH in the range 5.5 to 7.0 (suitable for most plants but some prefer or tolerate more acid or alkaline conditions); * Adequate concentrations of essential plant nutrients in plant-available forms; * Presence of a range of microorganisms that support plant growth.
In lands used for agriculture and other human activities, maintenance of soil fertility typically requires the use of soil conservation practices. This is because soil erosion and other forms of soil degradation generally result in a decline in quality with respect to one or more of the aspects indicated above.
Soil fertility and quality of land have been impacted by the effects of colonialism and slavery both in the U.S. and globally. The introduction of harmful land practices such as intensive and non-prescribed burnings and deforestation by colonists create long-lasting negative results to the environment. The institution of slavery reproduced distress to the natural world and crop production.
Soil fertility and depletion have different origins and consequences in various parts of the world. The intentional creation of dark earth in the Amazon promotes the important relationship between indigenous communities and their land. In African and Middle Eastern regions, humans and the environment are also altered due to soil depletion. Provided by Wikipedia
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61by 12698 International Foundation for Science, Nanjing (China), 11077 Institute of Soil Science, Nanjing (China). Academia Sinica, 15016 National Natural Science Foundation of China, Nanjing (China). Chinese Academy of Science, 35605 IFS Workshop on Improvement of Soil Fertility Nanjing (China) 18-24 Abr 1993
Published 1993bibliotecaIICA -
62Applications of 15N methods for measuring nitrogen fixation in trees Applications of 15N methods for measuring nitrogen fixation in treesby Danso, S.K.A., IAEA, Vienna (Austria) eng, International Symposium on the Use of Stable Isotopes in Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Environmental Studies eng 1-5 Oct 1990 Vienna (Austria), Zapata, F., Bowen, G.D., Sanginga, N., FAO, Rome (Italy) eng
Published 1991Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
63Using the natural abundance soil of 13C and 15N to examine soil organic matter accumulated during 100 years of cropping Using the natural abundance soil of 13C and 15N to examine soil organic matter accumulated during 100 years of croppingby Wagner, G.H. (Missouri Univ., Columbia, (USA). Lab. of Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry), IAEA, Vienna (Austria) eng, International Symposium on the Use of Stable Isotopes in Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Environmental Studies eng 1-5 Oct 1990 Vienna (Austria), FAO, Rome (Italy) eng
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65by Bredoumy, S.T.K., FAO, Rome (Italy). Land and Water Development Div. eng, Expert Consultation on Soil and Nutrient Management in Sub-Saharan Africa in Support of the Soil Fertility Initiative eng 6-9 Dec 1999 Lusaka (Zambia), Roy, R.N. (ed.), Nabhan, H. (ed.)
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67Use of stable isotopes in evaluating plant water use efficiency Use of stable isotopes in evaluating plant water use efficiencyby Farquhar, G.D. (Australian National Univ., Canberra (Australia). Plant Environmental Biology Group), IAEA, Vienna (Austria) eng, International Symposium on the Use of Stable Isotopes in Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Environmental Studies eng 1-5 Oct 1990 Vienna (Austria), FAO, Rome (Italy) eng
Published 1991Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
68by Salmeron, A., FAO, Rome (Italy). Land and Water Development Div. eng, Expert Consultation on Soil and Nutrient Management in Sub-Saharan Africa in Support of the Soil Fertility Initiative eng 6-9 Dec 1999 Lusaka (Zambia), Eresue, M., Roy, R.N. (ed.), Nabhan, H. (ed.)
Published 2001Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
69by Adou Rahim Alimi, A., FAO, Rome (Italy). Land and Water Development Div. eng, Expert Consultation on Soil and Nutrient Management in Sub-Saharan Africa in Support of the Soil Fertility Initiative eng 6-9 Dec 1999 Lusaka (Zambia), Roy, R.N. (ed.), Nabhan, H. (ed.)
Published 2001Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
70by Mapiki, A., FAO, Rome (Italy). Land and Water Development Div. eng, Expert Consultation on Soil and Nutrient Management in Sub-Saharan Africa in Support of the Soil Fertility Initiative eng 6-9 Dec 1999 Lusaka (Zambia), Mwale, M., Roy, R.N. (ed.), Nabhan, H. (ed.)
Published 2001Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
71by Adou Rahim Alimi, A., FAO, Rome (Italy). Land and Water Development Div. eng, Expert Consultation on Soil and Nutrient Management in Sub-Saharan Africa in Support of the Soil Fertility Initiative eng 6-9 Dec 1999 Lusaka (Zambia), Roy, R.N. (ed.), Nabhan, H. (ed.)
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73Measuring natural abundance variation in sulphur isotopes by Dumas elemental analysis-mass spectrometry (DEA-MS) Measuring natural abundance variation in sulphur isotopes by Dumas elemental analysis-mass spectrometry (DEA-MS)by Haystead, A. (Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Hamilton (New Zealand). Waikato Stable Isotopes Unit), IAEA, Vienna (Austria) eng, International Symposium on the Use of Stable Isotopes in Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Environmental Studies eng 1-5 Oct 1990 Vienna (Austria), FAO, Rome (Italy) eng
Published 1991Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
74Evaluation of the appropriate non-N2-fixing crops to quantify nitrogen fixation by soybean using the 15N isotope dilution method Evaluation of the appropriate non-N2-fixing crops to quantify nitrogen fixation by soybean using the 15N isotope dilution methodby Chaiwanakupt, P., IAEA, Vienna (Austria) eng, International Symposium on the Use of Stable Isotopes in Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Environmental Studies eng 1-5 Oct 1990 Vienna (Austria), Siripaibool, C., Snitwongse, P. (Department of Agriculture, Bangkok (Thailand). Div. of Agricultural Chemistry), FAO, Rome (Italy) eng
Published 1991Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
75The 15N natural abundance methods for measuring biological nitrogen fixation: practicalities and possibilities The 15N natural abundance methods for measuring biological nitrogen fixation: practicalities and possibilitiesby Shearer, G., IAEA, Vienna (Austria) eng, International Symposium on the Use of Stable Isotopes in Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Environmental Studies eng 1-5 Oct 1990 Vienna (Austria), Kohl, D.H. (Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO (USA). Biology Dept.), FAO, Rome (Italy) eng
Published 1991Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
76Influence of carbon source on the stable carbon isotopic composition of the seagrass Thallassia testudinum Influence of carbon source on the stable carbon isotopic composition of the seagrass Thallassia testudinumby Durako, M.J. (Florida Marine Research Inst., St. Petersburg (USA)), IAEA, Vienna (Austria) eng, International Symposium on the Use of Stable Isotopes in Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Environmental Studies eng 1-5 Oct 1990 Vienna (Austria), Sackett, W.M., FAO, Rome (Italy) eng
Published 1991Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
77Carbon isotope discrimination and xylem hydrogen isotope ratios in desert plants Carbon isotope discrimination and xylem hydrogen isotope ratios in desert plantsby Ehleringer, J.R., IAEA, Vienna (Austria) eng, International Symposium on the Use of Stable Isotopes in Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Environmental Studies eng 1-5 Oct 1990 Vienna (Austria), Cook, C.S. (Utah Univ., Salt Lake City (USA). Dept. of Biology), FAO, Rome (Italy) eng
Published 1991Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
78by Roy, R.N., FAO, Rome (Italy). Land and Water Development Div. eng, Expert Consultation on Soil and Nutrient Management in Sub-Saharan Africa in Support of the Soil Fertility Initiative eng 6-9 Dec 1999 Lusaka (Zambia), Nabhan, H., Roy, R.N. (ed.), Nabhan, H. (ed.)
Published 2001Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
79by Badiane, A.N., FAO, Rome (Italy). Land and Water Development Div. eng, Expert Consultation on Soil and Nutrient Management in Sub-Saharan Africa in Support of the Soil Fertility Initiative eng 6-9 Dec 1999 Lusaka (Zambia), Khouma, M., Roy, R.N. (ed.), Nabhan, H. (ed.)
Published 2001Texto bibliotecaFAO IT -
80by Jama, B., FAO, Rome (Italy). Land and Water Development Div. eng, Expert Consultation on Soil and Nutrient Management in Sub-Saharan Africa in Support of the Soil Fertility Initiative eng 6-9 Dec 1999 Lusaka (Zambia), Mafongoya, P.L., Roy, R.N. (ed.), Nabhan, H. (ed.)
Published 2001Texto bibliotecaFAO IT