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A Review of Crop Husbandry and Soil Management Practices Using Meta-Analysis Studies: Towards Soil-Improving Cropping Systems

Author

Listed:
  • René Rietra

    (Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Marius Heinen

    (Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Oene Oenema

    (Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Coherent improvements in crop varieties and crop husbandry and soil management practices are needed to increase global crop production in a sustainable manner. However, these practices are often discussed separately, and as a result there is little overview. Here, we present a database and synthesis of 154 meta-analysis studies related to ten main crop husbandry and soil management practices, including crop type and rotations, tillage, drainage, nutrient management, irrigation and fertigation, weed management, pest management, crop residue management, mechanization and technology, and landscape management. Most meta-analysis studies were related to tillage (55), followed by crop type and rotations (32), nutrient management (25), crop residue management (19), and irrigation and fertigation (18). Few studies were related to landscape management (6) and mechanization and technology (2). In terms of outcome, studies focused on crop yield and quality (81), soil quality (73), and environmental impacts (56), and little on economic effects (7) or resource use efficiency (24). Reported effects of alternative practices, relative to conventional practice, were positive in general. Effect sizes were relatively large for environmental effects (nutrient leaching, greenhouse gas emissions), and small for soil quality (except for soil life) and crop yield. Together, meta-analysis studies indicate that there is large scope for increasing cropland productivity and minimizing environmental impacts. A roadmap is provided for integration and optimization of all ten practices, and recommendations are formulated to address the gaps in meta-analysis studies.

Suggested Citation

  • René Rietra & Marius Heinen & Oene Oenema, 2022. "A Review of Crop Husbandry and Soil Management Practices Using Meta-Analysis Studies: Towards Soil-Improving Cropping Systems," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-31, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:2:p:255-:d:744791
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Yuanyuan Wei & Rujing Wang & Junqing Zhang & Hongyan Guo & Xiangyu Chen, 2023. "Partition Management of Soil Nutrients Based on Capacitive Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detection," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Rudi Hessel & Guido Wyseure & Ioanna S. Panagea & Abdallah Alaoui & Mark S. Reed & Hedwig van Delden & Melanie Muro & Jane Mills & Oene Oenema & Francisco Areal & Erik van den Elsen & Simone Verzandvo, 2022. "Soil-Improving Cropping Systems for Sustainable and Profitable Farming in Europe," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-27, May.
    4. Peipei Yang & Wenxu Dong & Marius Heinen & Wei Qin & Oene Oenema, 2022. "Soil Compaction Prevention, Amelioration and Alleviation Measures Are Effective in Mechanized and Smallholder Agriculture: A Meta-Analysis," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-18, April.
    5. Jantiene E. M. Baartman & Joao Pedro Nunes & Hedwig van Delden & Roel Vanhout & Luuk Fleskens, 2022. "The Effects of Soil Improving Cropping Systems (SICS) on Soil Erosion and Soil Organic Carbon Stocks across Europe: A Simulation Study," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-28, June.
    6. Julie Ingram & Jane Mills & Jasmine E. Black & Charlotte-Anne Chivers & José A. Aznar-Sánchez & Annemie Elsen & Magdalena Frac & Belén López-Felices & Paula Mayer-Gruner & Kamilla Skaalsveen & Jannes , 2022. "Do Agricultural Advisory Services in Europe Have the Capacity to Support the Transition to Healthy Soils?," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-26, April.
    7. Hasbullah & Hasanuddin & Muh. Riswandi, 2022. "Performance of Food Distribution Institutions in Realizing Price Stability and Access to Rice Food at The Household Level of Farming Group in Bantaeng Regency," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 6(7), pages 582-587, July.

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