Sustainable soil management for food security

Food security is one of the major challenges modern society (Prosekov & Ivanova, 2018). Globally food production needs to be increased by 70% in order meet demand a growing population reaching 9.7 billion 2050 (Cole et al., It was estimated that approximately 768 million people were hunger as 2021 (FAO, 2022b). The situation exacerbated ongoing coronavirus pandemic, regional conflicts and global environmental changes, which pose serious challenge United Nations sustainable development goal ending hunger. Based on data from Agriculture Organization (FAO) (see Figure 1), number has 34% 5 years period between 2017 2021, represents reversal trend previous two decades. more Africa, where been continuously rising since 2010 62% then. Soil ultimate defence security, producing nearly 95% our directly or indirectly 2015). However, health soil threatened variety pressing factors, including loss nutrients (Lal, 2009), diminishing organic carbon (Smith, 2008), pollution (Beans, 2021), salinization (Singh, 2022), erosion (Borrelli 2020; Starke 2020) decline biodiversity (Guerra 2021; Hou, 2022a). This turn resulted both insufficient poor nutritional quality, thus jeopardizing human (Gashu Oliver Gregory, To address these challenges, we must enhance understanding balanced integrated nutrient management, pros cons conservation agriculture, adaptation mitigation climate change incorporation innovative technologies such big digital farming into practice. management crop yield are most important research topics science (Havlin, Ray 2012). Web Science, annual output linking phosphorus 12-fold 1990, same period, nitrogen 9-fold. As 2 shows, pace increase accelerated 2015, with recent trends exceeding long-term exponential growth trajectory. coincidence with, but may also reflect driver–effect relationship of, Sustainable Development Goals established 2015 2016; UN, UN-SDG specifically calls for elimination SDG #2, several other SDGs, #1 no poverty #3 healthy lives, all related yield. requires supply. many smallholder farmers not capable achieving this due lack awareness know-how, well economic constraints (Chikowo 2014; Njoroge 2017). often encountered limiting factor, have focused In north-western Himalayas India, heavy reliance urea application results an average maize productivity 2.5 t/ha, only 43% world 5.75 t/ha. attributed acidification, shortage sulphur potassium general (Thakur 2022). Excessive can result water eutrophication leaching (Zou, Wang, facilitated natural plant species. A 23 study States showed land 16 perennial grassland species 30% ~ 90% comparison monocultures (Furey Tilman, 2021). Cropland sustainability countries depleting phosphate rock reserves low use efficiency (Haygarth Zou, Zhang, Davidson, supply phosphorus, especially during early height strong predictor (Pedersen availability affected pH. liming widely applied strategy alleviating problems associated acidification (Fageria Baligar, 2008; Holland 2018); however, it affect uptake its lower mobility under high Therefore, coordinate P-fertilization, accordance types physicochemical properties (Christensen Biochar effectively wheat low-yield farmlands matter contents (Dong 8-year-long field Ethiopia found bone char biochar significantly soybean, soil-P desorption capacity enhanced P (Wakweya 55% saline-alkali soils Yellow River Delta China (Wang Conservation agriculture practices include minimum mechanical disturbance no-till, permanent cover residues and/or crops, diversification rotation 2022a; Hobbs 2008). When properly implemented, they improved aggregation (Sithole 2019; Veloso 2020), higher holding (Eze penetration resistance (Jat 2018), while minimizing impact environment rendering sequestration benefits (Chai Islam During years, practice expanded rapidly scale. 2015/16, 12.5% cropland practiced mainly South North America (Kassam 2019). developing rendered disappointing (Giller adoption farmland sizes expected (Lu effect depends planting choices, site characteristics weather conditions (Li 2018; Sun 2020). root architecture aggregate (Grunwald Chemical composition hemicellulose lignin contents, affects accumulation labile stable fractions (de Carvalho Northeast China, meta-analysis no-till renders than conventional tillage when mean temperature (MAT) 6°C; MAT 3°C, (He colder weather, rotational ridge subsoiling optimum maintain An cropping system combining relay planting, intercropping, strip rotation, mulching, 16% 50% decreasing footprint 17% traditional monoculture By farming, GHG emission row reduced 71% over next 15 (Northrup Climate temperature, severe drought flooding threat (Nottingham Zurek under-developed sub-Saharan Africa (Qin, Climate-smart strategies mitigate risks (Hou, 2022b; Nyagumbo discussed above align (Milder 2011; Thierfelder Under conditions, amendments straw ash retention (Bruun Rhizosphere microbiomes assist render drought-resilient Vries help facilitate mitigation. largest terrestrial pool holds much promise regulating (Gherardi Sala, Hein Walker Depending landscape position texture, amendment used suppress (Abagandura fertilizer N2O inorganic (Chirinda Lawrence There trade-offs address. For instance, future warming peatland, (Matysek table depth need managed delicately reduce maintaining productive peatlands (Evans complex dynamics influencing factors make difficult real-time decision management. better quantitative relationships modelling tools solve practical problems. example, decomposition exogenous matters, animal manures composts, simulated models built upon extensive incubation experiments 3) (Levavasseur More predictive developed validated means managing sustainably conditions. heterogeneity leads spatial variation yield, requiring site-specific (Ameer Best relies in-field measurement remote sensing quality indicators (Ren mapping their (Gray 2022; Keshavarzi systematic literature review continuous attributes common Australia, followed Brazil 4). Most publications some sort validation; them information sampling design/support uncertainty analysis (Piikki Expert opinion combined scoring functions further optimize (Ghorai Mihoub imperative manage resources ensure security. Balanced fundamental prerequisite sustained instrumental protecting increasing production. adapt changing adopting climate-smart Scientists range tools, methods, empower there still gaps theory Researchers policymakers work toward practicality