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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #371932
Research Project: Sustainable Intensification of Cropping Systems on Spatially Variable Landscapes and Soils

Location: Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research

Title: Soil biology is enhanced under soil conservation management

Author
item KREMER, ROBERT - University Of Missouri
item Veum, Kristen

Submitted to: Soil and Water Conservation: A Celebration of 75 Years
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/8/2020
Publication Date: 12/15/2020
Citation: Kremer, R.J., Veum, K.S. 2020. Soil biology is enhanced under soil conservation management. In: Delgado, J.A., Gantzer, C.J., and Sassenrath, G.F., editors. Soil and Water Conservation: A Celebration of 75 Years. Ankeny, IA: Soil and Water Conservation Society. p. 203-211.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soil conservation is defined as the “combination of all management and land-use methods that safeguard soil against depletion or deterioration caused by nature and or humans". In the context of this chapter, soil conservation may also be thought of as encompassing practices that improve soil health, including biological factors, especially those associated with soil organic matter and the diversity of the soil microbiome, to maintain and protect the soil resource and provide overall environmental improvement. Thus, the primary objective of the chapter is to consider how land management impacts the soil microbiome and biological processes, and explore how biological functioning of the soil microbiome can be improved through application of soil conservation practices to improve soil health.