Enhancing environmental monitoring and assessment: evaluating soil quality changes using a parametric index in smallholder farming systems
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.A new Parametric Soil Quality Index (PSQI) reveals significant soil degradation under various cropping systems compared to natural forests. Mixed cropping systems better preserve soil nutrients, offering insights for sustainable agriculture.
Area Of Science
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Agricultural Science
Background
- Traditional soil quality evaluation (SQE) often uses composite indices, masking critical changes in individual soil properties and hindering detailed understanding of soil degradation.
- Effective soil management necessitates parameter-specific insights to address degradation and guide targeted improvements.
Purpose Of The Study
- To introduce and apply a novel Parametric Soil Quality Index (PSQI) for assessing the impact of diverse cropping systems on individual soil properties.
- To quantify percentage changes in soil properties and inform site-specific interventions in smallholder farming systems.
- To evaluate soil degradation across six land-use types, including monocultures, mixed cropping, and a natural forest control.
Main Methods
- Collection of 576 composite soil samples from six land-use types in Abuja, Nigeria.
- Analysis of chemical soil properties using t-tests, one-way ANOVA, percentage equivalence, and percentage change.
- Comparison of soil property variations by soil depth and cropping system relative to a natural forest control.
Main Results
- Significant soil quality degradation observed under cropping systems compared to natural forest, with over 50% decline in soil organic carbon and total nitrogen in some systems (sesame, guinea corn).
- Mixed cropping (yam + maize) demonstrated better nutrient retention (potassium, cation exchange capacity).
- Intensive cropping and residue removal led to declines in available phosphorus, exchangeable cations, and base saturation, effectively quantified by the PSQI.
Conclusions
- The PSQI provides a precise tool for evaluating soil degradation and guiding site-specific interventions.
- Sustainable practices such as integrated soil fertility management, organic amendments, mixed cropping, precision farming, and agroforestry are recommended to maintain soil productivity.
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