The use of animal manure in agriculture appears to be the best choice in terms of metal contamination of our soils Metals and hormone-disrupting substances such as oestrogens present a genuine risk to the sustainability of agriculture and water management in Europe. This is the conclusion of doctoral research conducted by Chinese environmental scientist Yuwei…
Intercropping has been claimed to improve the soil structure and soil quality, however its effects on soil fertility parameters in semi-arid Mediterranean agroecosystems remain unclear. The objective of this study was to assess whether intercropping and its combination with N fertilisation are adequate practices to improve the soil aggregate stability and organic matter quality. An…
Wildflowers could be absorbing toxic metals from soil in urban areas and passing toxins on to pollinators, a study has found. Researchers from the University of Cambridge found that common plants including white clover and bindweed, which are vital forage for pollinators in cities, can accumulate arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead from contaminated soils. These…
Mediterranean agroecosystems are under increasing pressures by extreme weather events, which together with poor livestock grazing management bring the already degraded lands closer to desertification. To address these challenges, we develop a decision support manual for sustainable management of degraded lands based on local plant and animal resources. We present a conceptual approach to quantify…
Water supply for irrigation is a limiting factor for agriculture in Mediterranean countries. A strategy for increasing water availability proposes to use low quality water for irrigation to avoid irrigation with precious and high cost potable water. A drawback about using waste water is the potential heavy metal accumulation in soil and foodstuff. In this…
Increased environmental concerns over the use of peat for seedling and sapling production has stimulated a quest to find peat alternatives to improve the sustainability of agroecological production systems in Mediterranean climates. This study aimed to develop the use of locally sourced recycled plant residues as effective alternatives to peat in horticultural growing media. The…
Biological soil amendments are known to benefit crop production, yet their interaction with different soils and management practices remains poorly understood. Accordingly, this study investigated and compared the effects of Compost, Bokashi, and Trichoderma on soil and tomato fruit quality across different field conditions. The research used a multi-site field experiment involving six tomato greenhouses…
Green revolution ensures food security but it also leads to degradation of soil health due to excessive use of chemical inputs. Apart from environmental concerns, rising input costs have also hit small farmers economically. In this context, there are growing calls for adoption of natural farming. “Natural Farming (NF) is a chemical-free traditional farming method,…
A new study published in Ecological Processes reveals that no-tillage farming — a technique that avoids plowing — can significantly improve soil health while reducing carbon pollution. Researchers found that NT farming increases soil carbon storage, enhances microbial activity, and prevents degradation, making it a promising tool for sustainable agriculture. With the changing climate and…
A new Nature publication shows how soil invertebrates influence the world beneath our feet and thus also ecosystem services worldwide. Since the Industrial Revolution, global changes have led to a decline in biodiversity. To address these changes, it is crucial to understand what constitutes healthy ecosystems – and how to protect and build them. A…