Sustainable Soils: The Place of Organic Matter in Sustaining Soils and Their Productivity

Inhaltsverzeichnis

* Foreword * Preface * Acknowledgments *
Chapter 1. Intensive Agriculture and Food Production * Problems with Intensive Agriculture * Correcting Problems Associated with Intensive Agriculture * Alternative Agriculture * Sustainable Agriculture * Sustainable Soil Science * Increasing Organic Matter, Sustainable Agriculture, and the Need for Inputs *
Chapter 2. Basic Concepts of Organic Matter * Decomposition of Organic Matter * SOM and Humus * Environmental Conditions Affecting Decomposition * Extent of Decomposition * Losses of SOM and Crop Yields * Increasing Soil Organic Matter * Negative Aspects of Organic Matter Additions *
Chapter 3. Organic Matter As a Source of Nutrients * Organic Matter and Nutrient Supply * Nutrients Released from Organic Matter * Nutrient Release * Indirect Effects of Organic Matter on Nutrient Availability * Accounting for Nutrients in Organic Matter *
Chapter 4. Physical Qualities * Soil Structure * Porosity * Bulk Density * Compaction * Infiltration and Percolation * Aggregate Stability * Moisture-Holding Capacity * Erosion *
Chapter 5. Biological Effects of Organic Matter * Soil Organisms and Their Functions * Processes Vital to Soil Health * Controlling Pests by Harnessing Soil Organisms and Organic Matter *
Chapter 6. Adding Organic Matter * Growing Organic Matter in Place * Plant Residues *
Chapter 7. Adding Organic Matter Not Grown in Place * Manure * Compost * Loamless Composts * Sewage Effluents and Biosolids * Peats * High-Analysis Animal and Other Wastes *
Chapter 8. Placement of Organic Matter * Incorporating OM * Plastic Mulch * Natural Organic Mulches * Types of Natural Organic Mulch * Deleterious Effects of Organic Mulches * Providing Protection from Pests by Using Organic Mulches *
Chapter 9. Conservation Tillage * Increasing Soil Organic Matter * Other Benefits of Reduced Tillage * Reduction in Costs * No-Tillage * Reduced Tillage * Pest Problems with Conservation Tillage * Corrective Measures *
Chapter 10. Changes Brought About by Conservation Tillage * Cultural Methods * Fertility Changes * Pests * Plant Diseases * Nematodes * Weeds * Miscellaneous Pests *
Chapter 11. Putting It All Together: Combining Organic Matter Additions with Conservation Tillage * Basic Approaches * Adding Organic Matter * Supplying Needed Nutrients * Controlling Pests * Adding Water * Equipment for Conservation Tillage * Summary *
Appendix 1. Common and Botanical Names of Plants *
Appendix 2. Abbreviations and Symbols Used in This Book *
Appendix 3. Useful Conversion Factors and Data * Bibliography * Index * Reference Notes Included