Effects of Different Managements on Soil Quality and Crop Production

Dear Colleagues,

Soil quality is usually defined as “the capacity of a soil to function within ecosystem and land-use boundaries to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote plant and animal health”. Agricultural management systems and practices can deeply affect soil processes and functions, and those emerging as a result of recent technological advancements may have impacts on the soil that are still little known. In addition to the expected growing demand for agricultural products, other factors (e.g., policies, climate change, technological advancement) contribute to changes in the management of agricultural land. The assessment of soil quality is therefore crucial to provide politicians, farmers, and other stakeholders with scientifically sound information regarding the human impact on soil and its functions. Sustainable soil management should be able to combine production objectives with environmental protection goals. To this end, considering that ongoing climate change and different soil types can induce different responses to diverse management practices, research is crucial to fill the knowledge gaps related to the interaction between these practices and their effects on soil functions and ecosystem services.

This Special Issue will focus on quantifying the effects of management practices on soil quality and agricultural production under diverse pedoclimatic environments and cropping systems. It will also present evaluations of the strategies and tools available (precision agriculture, provisional models, decision support systems) to identify, develop, and implement management strategies to preserve and improve soil ecosystem functioning.

Original research papers, short communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Dr. Nadia Vignozzi
Dr. Sergio Pellegrini
Dr. Maria Costanza Andrenelli
Guest Editors

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• soil health
• soil quality indicators
• fertilizers
• organic amendments
• cover crops
• tillage
• irrigation
• climate
• crop models
• decision support system (DSS)
• precision agriculture