Biological Resource Management In Agriculture Innovative Soil Plant Systems For Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Proceedings of a conference on innovative systems for preserving the quality of soil used in agriculture.

Objectives and context of the Londrina Workshop; Soil biodiversity, agriculture, sustainable management and farmer context; Workshop process and objectives; Review of knowledge and issues through case studies an soil biodiversity, ecosystems management and sustainable agriculture; Indicators for assessment and monitoring of soil health; Case 1 - Bioindicators of soil health: their use by the sugar-cane industry in Australia; Case 2- Participatory assessment of macrofaunal functional groups for rehabilitation and improved productivity of pastures, cropland and horticulture; Case 3 - Methods for assessment of soil health or quality focusing on a case in Bhutan; Adptive management for enhanced soil productivity and restoration; Case 4 - Adptive management and technology innovation in Mindanao, Philippines; Case 5 - Biodynamics agriculture for reclamation and cotton production in Egypt; Case 6 - Biofertilizers - arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Rhizobium bacteria - for mixed agriculture in Cuba; Case 7 - No-till agriculture for smallholder cropping in Brazil; Case 8 - A case for the Transition of a renowned coffee growing area; Case 9 - Selection of legumes that produce beneficial plant flavonoids for various functions; Case 10 - Integrated pest management and biomass management for managing Helicoverpa armigera (pod borer) and enhanced productivity in Asia; Case 11 - Plant parasitic nematodes associated with common bean: an integrated management approach in Kenya; Case 12 - Role of termites in the soil rehabiliation process in Burkina Faso; Case 13 - Use of vermicompost with a focus on tea plantations in India; Case 14 - Use of vermicompost to reduce soil Al toxicity in Brazil; Case 5 - Conservation and sustainable use of soil biodiversity; Case 16 - Adaptive management for redeveloping traditional ecosystems; Capacity building for integrated soil biological and ecosystem management; Case 17 - Capacity building tools and methods for improving knowledge and skillsin biological management of soil fertility by farming communities; Case 18 - The global Environment Fund (GEF) - TSBF BGBD Network project on the conversation and sustainable management of below-ground biodivesrity; Case 19 - The organic resources database; Case 20 - Use of farmer field schools for soil productivity improvement (FFS-SPI); Case 21 - The african conservation tillage network; Research and innovation in soil biological understanding and application; Case 22 - Innovative methods for monitoring soil biological activity and pest-pathogen interactions; Case 23 - Soil biological activity and C sequestration with a focus on no-tillage systems in Brazil; Case 24 - CGIAR Challenge Programme on Biological Nitrogen Fixation (CP-BNF); Case 25 - Soil and water conservation research in Burkina Faso; Workshop discussions and finding on improving understanding and management of soil biodiversity and ecosystems for productive and sustainable agriculture; Soil biodivesity understanding, status and trends; Development and adpatation of productive and sustainable agricultural management practices; Sharing experiences and lessons learned and identification of gaps and priorities; Soil resilience and risk alleviation; Strategy and actions for implementing the soil biodiversity iniative; Guiding principles and objectives; Strategic framework on soil biodiversity and agro-ecosystem management; Framework for action as a basis for the further development of the soil biodiversity initiative; Objective 1 - Sharing of knowledge and information and awareness raising; Objective 2 - Capacity building for the development and transfer of knowledge of soil biodiversity and ecosystem management into farmers' practices; Objective 3 - Strengthening collaboration among actors and institutions and maisntreaming soil biodiversity and biological management into agricultural and land management and rehabilitation programmes; Workshop agenda; Workshop participants and contact details; Working group composition and guidin questions; Matrix of case studies on soil biodiversity and ecosystem management; Ongoing activities and potential collaborative actions; Indicative outline for case studies on agricultural biological divesrity and checklist for their analysis; The ecosystem approach and adptive management.

While modern science has always recognized the central role that biodiversity plays in the ecological processes that maintain the Earth's equilibrium, our increasing knowledge of nature has deepened our appreciation of this principle. Consequently, those involved with implementing and maintaining sustainable agriculture systems have begun to take a far more sophisticated approach to understanding and making use of the components and mechanics of biodiversity. Providing a comprehensive and highly practical exploration of the subject, Biodiversity in Agricultural Production Systems examines abiotic ecosystem diversity and biological complexity at every relevant level. Leading researchers detail subspecies diversity, covering ecotypes, lifecycles, genes, physiology, and behavior. They also discuss species richness and supraspecies diversity, which includes foodweb interactions and non-trophic relationships, as well as above- and belowground relationships. Exploring various facets of agricultural crops and cultivation practices, this inter-disciplinary volume- Gives an overview of the pore space dynamic in agroecosystems where most soil microorganisms reside, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and Tardigrada Examines the highly diverse and prominent role played by earthworms Looks at the metabolic processes occurring in soils that result in the release of greenhouse gases Outlines principles and strategies of order between interacting molecules, cells, species and communities Looks at mechanisms of competition, exploring growth regulation, transformation, and feeding strategies, as well as toxin production, mutation, and biofilm formation Discusses matter recycling and the diversity of microbial metabolism in soils Shows how long-term observation plots are used to assess soil quality Biodiversity in Agricultural Production Systems provides important information for those involved with researching and implementing sustainable agricultural systems, as well as those addressing specific challenges related to soil degradation, water management, and climatic impacts. It also provides recent research and fresh perspectives to enhance the approaches of those working in horticulture, biology, and the environmental sciences.

Global agriculture is now at the crossroads. The Green Revolution of the last century is losing momentum. Rates of growth in food production are now declining, with land and water resources becoming scarcer, while world population continues to grow. We need to continue to identify and share the knowledge that will support successful and sustainable agriculture systems. These depend crucially on soil. Gaining international attention, Dr. Uphoff’s efforts to promote and develop sustainable agriculture was recently featured in the N.Y. Times Led by Norman Uphoff, internationally renowned for his proactive approach to world hunger, this volume brings together 102 experts representing 28 nations and multiple disciplines to report on achievements in sustainable soil-system management. While accepting some continuing role for chemical and other external inputs, this book presents ways in which crops can be produced cost effectively in greater abundance with lessened dependence on the exogenous resources that have driven the expansion of agriculture in the past. Including the work of both researchers and practitioners, this important volume — · Explores soil systems in a variety of climate conditions · Discusses the importance of symbiotic relationships between plants and soil organisms, looking at crops as integral and interdependent participants in ecosystems · Seeks to reduce the distance between scientific research and technical practice · Examines related considerations such as pest and disease control, climate change, fertility restoration, and uses of monitoring and modeling With 50 self-contained chapters, this work provides researchers, practitioners, and policy makers with a comprehensive understanding of the science and steps needed to utilize soil systems for the long-term benefit of humankind. For information on the SRI, System of Rice Intensification being developed by Uphoff and others, go to http://ciifad.cornell.edu/sri/

This volume is a ready reference on sustainable agriculture and reinforce the understanding for its utilization to develop environmentally sustainable and profitable food production systems. It describes ecological sustainability of farming systems, present innovations for improving efficiency in the use of resources for sustainable agriculture and propose technological options and new areas of research in this very important area of agriculture.

Agriculture in the 21st century will need considerable modification to remain both productive and sustainable. Greater production is needed to meet the needs of our still-growing populations and to combat hunger and poverty. Declines in soil health and the pollution of water sources are making many of our production systems less tenable. These adverse trends are exacerbated more and more by the impacts of climate change. There are, fortunately, alternative methods available for agricultural practice that can countervail these constraints. Biological Approaches to Regenerative Soil Systems brings together the work of both researchers and practitioners to map out better approaches to contemporary agriculture that draw upon both old and new knowledge. It presents the science that underlies more biologically driven strategies as well as contemporary innovative experiences in diverse parts of the world. Both accepted research and these varied experiences encourage confidence that these approaches, not relying primarily on the introduction of new varieties and on exogenous inputs, can succeed. This book updates and revises a preceding volume Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems published by CRC Press in 2006. So much has been learned and done on this subject in the past decade and a half that a second edition was warranted. For instance, the first edition was published, knowledge about plant-soil microbiomes, which are a frequent focus in this book, has mushroomed. Because sustainability is a broad term and an end-state, the editors preferred to assemble expertise regarding regenerative agriculture, which is concerned with the means for achieving sustainability. The concept of regenerative soil systems, entities that are more complex and multifaceted than "soil" alone, also incorporates a concern with having more resilient agricultural systems, ones that are better able to cope with the multiple stresses of climate change that are foreseen for the decades ahead. The book’s chapters representing a wide range of disciplines were contributed by 84 scientists and practitioners from 20 countries. Although they come from persons with in-depth knowledge of their respective fields, the chapters are written to be accessible to readers who are not trained in the specialized subjects. Taken together, the chapters provide students, researchers, practitioners, planners, and policy makers with a comprehensive understanding of both the science and the steps needed to regenerate and sustain soil systems around the world for the long-term benefit of humankind and the environment.

A unique look at how the adoption of sustainable farming methods is being pursued throughout the world. This comprehensive book provides clear insight into research and education needs and the many points of view that come to bear on the issue of sustainability. Essential for agricultural leaders in research, education, conservation, policy making, and anyone else interested in creating an economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture worldwide.