Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences
J. Anim. Plant Sci. [ISSN 2071 - 7024]
Volume 18(2): 2750 - 2760. Published June, 2013.
Soil management practices that improve soil health: Elucidating their implications on biological indicators
Keston Oliver Willard Njira1, 2* and Janet Nabwami2
1 Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
Bunda College Campus, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, P.O. Box
219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
2 Sokoine University of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science, P.O. Box 3008, Morogoro, Tanzania
*Corresponding author: Tel: +265 999 259432; E-mail: kestonnjira@yahoo.co.uk
1 SUMMARY
The growing interest in low input agricultural practices,
coupled with challenges in the agro-ecosystems, which are accelerated
by population pressure, poor soil management practices and climate
change calls for a holistic approach to soil management and
agricultural production as a whole. The holistic approach considers
soil management as a way of enhancing agricultural production while not
forgetting environmental quality, human and animal health. This leads
to the concept of soil health. Changes in soil health are estimated by
using physical, chemical and biological indicators. This review is
aimed at highlighting some soil management practices that improve soil
health by taking into account their effects on the biological
indicators. Biological indicators of soil health are mainly dominated
by various soil biota, their activities and influences or functions.
Critical reviewing of various research papers and books has revealed
and confirmed that the following soil management practices improves
soil health especially through their influence on soil microflora and
fauna: conservation tillage practices or conservation agriculture, crop
rotations, intercropping with legumes, cover cropping, agro-forestry,
use of organic manure and crop residues, soil liming and inoculation
with effective microorganism. These practices have a positive influence
on soil microbial and faunal activities and increase soil microbial
populations, diversity and functions. Soil biota contribute to soil
health and sustainable crop production in a number of ways including
nutrient cycling, soil aggregation, soil aeration and bio-control or
suppression of plant pathogens.
Key words: Biological indicators, soil management, soil health, soil microorganisms
FULL PAPER [PDF AVAILABLE HERE ]
