IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v14y2024i4p643-d1380341.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Challenges in Sustainable Agriculture—The Role of Organic Amendments

Author

Listed:
  • Manuel Matisic

    (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetosimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Ivan Dugan

    (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetosimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Igor Bogunovic

    (Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetosimunska 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

Abstract

Soil degradation threatens global food security and environmental sustainability, necessitating effective soil management strategies. This review comprehensively examines the impact of organic soil amendments on soil quality and productivity across various soil types and climatic conditions. A review of significant research related to organic amendments was performed using encompassed data from online search engines for studies published up until 31 December 2023. Despite their heterogeneity and use of varying methodologies, the data were narratively synthesized, providing a comprehensive understanding of amendment-induced changes in the chemical and physical properties of soil and the effectiveness of restoration on soil degradation. Organic amendments, including compost, vermicompost, biochar, and pomace, are pivotal in enhancing soil quality by increasing soil organic matter content, fostering aggregate formation, and improving soil structure in the short term. They positively influence water retention capacity, pH levels, nutrient availability, and carbon sequestration. In several studies, amendment-induced changes were absent, indicating that the effects of amendments vary depending on soil texture, application rates, and cropping systems, which emphasizes the need for tailored, sustainable soil management practices. This study concludes that organic amendments are a promising option for structure improvement and organic matter accumulation. It further suggests that an approach that integrates various methods is essential in order to meet desirable soil quality and retain agricultural productivity and offers valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. Organic amendments can improve soil ecosystem services and contribute to climate change adaptation. In the future, more attention should be directed to tillage management and soil amendment interaction, as well as their effectiveness over specific periods of time.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuel Matisic & Ivan Dugan & Igor Bogunovic, 2024. "Challenges in Sustainable Agriculture—The Role of Organic Amendments," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-25, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:4:p:643-:d:1380341
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/4/643/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/4/643/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mahmoodabadi, Majid & Yazdanpanah, Najme & Sinobas, Leonor Rodríguez & Pazira, Ebrahim & Neshat, Ali, 2013. "Reclamation of calcareous saline sodic soil with different amendments (I): Redistribution of soluble cations within the soil profile," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 30-38.
    2. Filip VAŠÁK & Jindřich ČERNÝ & Šárka BURÁŇOVÁ & Martin KULHÁNEK & Jiří BALÍK, 2015. "Soil pH changes in long-term field experiments with different fertilizing systems," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 10(1), pages 19-23.
    3. Liu, Chang-An & Li, Feng-Rui & Zhou, Li-Min & Zhang, Rong-He & Yu-Jia, & Lin, Shi-Ling & Wang, Li-Jun & Siddique, Kadambot H.M. & Li, Feng-Min, 2013. "Effect of organic manure and fertilizer on soil water and crop yields in newly-built terraces with loess soils in a semi-arid environment," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 123-132.
    4. Zheng, Junlin & Wang, Shujun & Wang, Ruimin & Chen, Yinglong & Siddique, Kadambot H.M. & Xia, Guimin & Chi, Daocai, 2021. "Ameliorative roles of biochar-based fertilizer on morpho-physiological traits, nutrient uptake and yield in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under water stress," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    5. Chad J. Penn & James J. Camberato, 2019. "A Critical Review on Soil Chemical Processes that Control How Soil pH Affects Phosphorus Availability to Plants," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-18, June.
    6. Houda Oueriemmi & Petra Susan Kidd & Carmen Trasar-Cepeda & Beatriz Rodríguez-Garrido & Rahma Inès Zoghlami & Kaouther Ardhaoui & Ángeles Prieto-Fernández & Mohamed Moussa, 2021. "Evaluation of Composted Organic Wastes and Farmyard Manure for Improving Fertility of Poor Sandy Soils in Arid Regions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-19, May.
    7. Ahmed Mohamed MAHDY, 2011. "Comparative effects of different soil amendments on amelioration of saline-sodic soils," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 6(4), pages 205-216.
    8. Václav KADLEC & Ondřej HOLUBÍK & Eva PROCHÁZKOVÁ & Jana URBANOVÁ & Martin TIPPL, 2012. "Soil organic carbon dynamics and its influence on the soil erodibility factor," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 7(3), pages 97-108.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wang, Linlin & Li, Qiang & Coulter, Jeffrey A. & Xie, Junhong & Luo, Zhuzhu & Zhang, Renzhi & Deng, Xiping & Li, Linglin, 2020. "Winter wheat yield and water use efficiency response to organic fertilization in northern China: A meta-analysis," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    2. Mohamed Allam & Emanuele Radicetti & Valentina Quintarelli & Verdiana Petroselli & Sara Marinari & Roberto Mancinelli, 2022. "Influence of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Soil Organic Carbon and Crop Productivity under Different Tillage Systems: A Meta-Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Fibrianty Minhal & Azwar Ma'as & Eko Hanudin & Putu Sudira, 2020. "Improvement of the chemical properties and buffering capacity of coastal sandy soil as affected by clays and organic by-product application," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 15(2), pages 93-100.
    4. Bangun Adi Wijaya & Wahyu Hidayat & Melya Riniarti & Hendra Prasetia & Ainin Niswati & Udin Hasanudin & Irwan Sukri Banuwa & Sangdo Kim & Sihyun Lee & Jiho Yoo, 2022. "Meranti ( Shorea sp.) Biochar Application Method on the Growth of Sengon ( Falcataria moluccana ) as a Solution of Phosphorus Crisis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-14, March.
    5. Wang, Shulan & Wang, Hao & Zhang, Yuanhong & Wang, Rui & Zhang, Yujiao & Xu, Zonggui & Jia, Guangcan & Wang, Xiaoli & Li, Jun, 2018. "The influence of rotational tillage on soil water storage, water use efficiency and maize yield in semi-arid areas under varied rainfall conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 376-384.
    6. María Alcívar & Andrés Zurita-Silva & Marco Sandoval & Cristina Muñoz & Mauricio Schoebitz, 2018. "Reclamation of Saline–Sodic Soils with Combined Amendments: Impact on Quinoa Performance and Biological Soil Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-17, August.
    7. Teresa Rodríguez-Espinosa & Jose Navarro-Pedreño & Ignacio Gómez Lucas & María Belén Almendro Candel & Ana Pérez Gimeno & Manuel Jordán Vidal & Iliana Papamichael & Antonis A. Zorpas, 2022. "Environmental Risk from Organic Residues," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    8. Xue Zhong & Xiaohui Jiang & Leilei Li & Jing Xu & Huanyu Xu, 2020. "The Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Sediment Load: A Case Study of the Yanhe River Watershed," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, March.
    9. Ricardo Rocha & Cátia Venâncio & Paulo Cardoso & João Lourenço & Etelvina Figueira, 2024. "Evidence of Cooperative Interactions between Rhizobacteria and Wood-Decaying Fungi and Their Effects on Maize Germination and Growth," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, July.
    10. Shingo Matsumoto & Haruno Doi & Junko Kasuga, 2022. "Changes over the Years in Soil Chemical Properties Associated with the Cultivation of Ginseng ( Panax ginseng Meyer) on Andosol Soil," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-13, August.
    11. Ágota Horel & Tibor Zsigmond & Csilla Farkas & Györgyi Gelybó & Eszter Tóth & Anikó Kern & Zsófia Bakacsi, 2022. "Climate Change Alters Soil Water Dynamics under Different Land Use Types," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, March.
    12. Zhao, Zhiyuan & Zheng, Wei & Ma, Yanting & Wang, Xianling & Li, Ziyan & Zhai, Bingnian & Wang, Zhaohui, 2020. "Responses of soil water, nitrate and yield of apple orchard to integrated soil management in Loess Plateau, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    13. Pavel Krasilnikov & Miguel Angel Taboada & Amanullah, 2022. "Fertilizer Use, Soil Health and Agricultural Sustainability," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-5, March.
    14. Wang, Xiaolin & Ren, Yuanyuan & Zhang, Suiqi & Chen, Yinglong & Wang, Nan, 2017. "Applications of organic manure increased maize (Zea mays L.) yield and water productivity in a semi-arid region," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 88-98.
    15. Doze Batista de Oliveira & Julian Junio de Jesus Lacerda & Adenilson Pereira Cavalcante & Karmem Guimarães Bezerra & Allana Pereira Moura da Silva & Ana Caroline Guimarães Miranda & Tiago Pieta Rambo , 2024. "Lime and Gypsum Rates Effects in New Soybean Areas in the Cerrado of Matopiba, Brazil," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, June.
    16. Das, Bianca T. & Menzies, Neal W. & Dalzell, Scott A. & McKenna, Brigid A. & Kopittke, Peter M., 2022. "Avoiding the point of no return: Maintaining infiltration to remediate saline-sodic Vertosols in high rainfall environments," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    17. Ning Wang & Yingying Xing & Xiukang Wang, 2019. "Exploring Options for Improving Potato Productivity through Reducing Crop Yield Gap in Loess Plateau of China Based on Grey Correlation Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-14, October.
    18. Teresa Rodríguez-Espinosa & Irene Voukkali & Ana Pérez-Gimeno & María Belén Almendro Candel & J. David Hernández-Martich & Antonis A. Zorpas & Ignacio Gómez Lucas & Jose Navarro-Pedreño, 2024. "Waste as a Sustainable Source of Nutrients for Plants and Humans: A Strategy to Reduce Hidden Hunger," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-23, August.
    19. Noman Ahmad & Fazila Younas & Hamaad Raza Ahmad & Muhammad Sarfraz & Muhammad Ashar Ayub & Muhammad Aamer Maqsood & Fahd Rasul & Muhammad Fahad Sardar & Tariq Mehmood & Jamaan S. Ajarem & Saleh n. Mao, 2023. "Soybean ( Glycine max ) Cropland Suitability Analysis in Subtropical Desert Climate through GIS-Based Multicriteria Analysis and Sentinel-2 Multispectral Imaging," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-28, November.
    20. Violeta Voišnienė & Olga Kizinievič & Ramunė Albrektienė-Plačakė & Dovilė Vasiliauskienė & Jaunius Urbonavičius & Rasa Vilkauskaitė, 2024. "The Effect of Organic Lake Sediments (Sapropel) on the Properties and Biological Resistance of Unfired Clay Bricks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-15, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:4:p:643-:d:1380341. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.