Enhancing Eco-efficiency in Agro-ecosystems through Soil Carbon Sequestration

Global cereal production must be increased by ∼50% by 2050. Crop yields in sub‐Saharan Africa and South Asia have either stagnated or declined since the 1990s because of the widespread use of extractive farming practices and problems of soil and environmental degradation. Yield potential of improved...

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Autor principal: Lal, R.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Wiley 2010
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/128791
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author Lal, R.
author_browse Lal, R.
author_facet Lal, R.
author_sort Lal, R.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Global cereal production must be increased by ∼50% by 2050. Crop yields in sub‐Saharan Africa and South Asia have either stagnated or declined since the 1990s because of the widespread use of extractive farming practices and problems of soil and environmental degradation. Yield potential of improved varieties and elite germplasm is not realized because of soil degradation. The concept of eco‐efficiency implies efficient and sustainable use of resources in agronomic production and soil management. However, it is not enough to merely minimize the environmental impact. It is also important to maximize agronomic production while enhancing ecosystem services. Most degraded and depleted soils of agro‐ecosystems contain a lower soil organic carbon (SOC) pool than in those under natural ecosystems. Thus, restoring the SOC pool is essential to improving soil quality, increasing eco‐efficiency, and enhancing numerous ecosystem services. Increasing the SOC pool in the root zone can enhance agronomic production (kg grains ha−1 Mg C−1) at the rate of 200 to 300 for maize (Zea mays L.), 30 to 60 for bean (Phaseolis vulgaris L.), 20 to 40 for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), 20 to 50 for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and 20 to 50 for rice (Oryza sativa L.). Not all improved management practices are applicable to all soil and ecological conditions. However, no‐till farming along with application of crop residue mulch, manuring, legume‐based complex rotations, and integrated nutrient management should be applicable under most conditions. Global food insecurity, affecting 1.02 billion people in 2009, can only be alleviated by improving soil quality and eco‐efficiency through restoration of degraded/depleted soils.
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spelling CGSpace1287912023-10-02T10:00:57Z Enhancing Eco-efficiency in Agro-ecosystems through Soil Carbon Sequestration Lal, R. Global cereal production must be increased by ∼50% by 2050. Crop yields in sub‐Saharan Africa and South Asia have either stagnated or declined since the 1990s because of the widespread use of extractive farming practices and problems of soil and environmental degradation. Yield potential of improved varieties and elite germplasm is not realized because of soil degradation. The concept of eco‐efficiency implies efficient and sustainable use of resources in agronomic production and soil management. However, it is not enough to merely minimize the environmental impact. It is also important to maximize agronomic production while enhancing ecosystem services. Most degraded and depleted soils of agro‐ecosystems contain a lower soil organic carbon (SOC) pool than in those under natural ecosystems. Thus, restoring the SOC pool is essential to improving soil quality, increasing eco‐efficiency, and enhancing numerous ecosystem services. Increasing the SOC pool in the root zone can enhance agronomic production (kg grains ha−1 Mg C−1) at the rate of 200 to 300 for maize (Zea mays L.), 30 to 60 for bean (Phaseolis vulgaris L.), 20 to 40 for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), 20 to 50 for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and 20 to 50 for rice (Oryza sativa L.). Not all improved management practices are applicable to all soil and ecological conditions. However, no‐till farming along with application of crop residue mulch, manuring, legume‐based complex rotations, and integrated nutrient management should be applicable under most conditions. Global food insecurity, affecting 1.02 billion people in 2009, can only be alleviated by improving soil quality and eco‐efficiency through restoration of degraded/depleted soils. 2010-03 2023-02-20T18:56:08Z 2023-02-20T18:56:08Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/128791 en Open Access Wiley Lal, R.. 2010. Enhancing Eco-efficiency in Agro-ecosystems through Soil Carbon Sequestration. Crop Science 50 (1):
spellingShingle Lal, R.
Enhancing Eco-efficiency in Agro-ecosystems through Soil Carbon Sequestration
title Enhancing Eco-efficiency in Agro-ecosystems through Soil Carbon Sequestration
title_full Enhancing Eco-efficiency in Agro-ecosystems through Soil Carbon Sequestration
title_fullStr Enhancing Eco-efficiency in Agro-ecosystems through Soil Carbon Sequestration
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing Eco-efficiency in Agro-ecosystems through Soil Carbon Sequestration
title_short Enhancing Eco-efficiency in Agro-ecosystems through Soil Carbon Sequestration
title_sort enhancing eco efficiency in agro ecosystems through soil carbon sequestration
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/128791
work_keys_str_mv AT lalr enhancingecoefficiencyinagroecosystemsthroughsoilcarbonsequestration