Managing Organic Matter in Tropical Soils: Scope and Limitations: Proceedings of a Workshop organized by the Center for Development Research at the University of Bonn (ZEF Bonn) — Germany, 7–10 June, 1999

Description

Soil organic matter is a reservoir for plant nutrients, provides water-holding capacity, stabilizes soil structure against compaction and erosion, and thus determines soil productivity. All agriculture to some degree depends on soil organic matter. It has long been known that soil organic matter declines when land is taken into cultivation, and that the productivity of new agricultural land is governed by fertility contributions from decomposing natural organic matter. The expansion of agriculture to ever new and more fragile lands, particularly in tropical and developing regions, causes environmental degradation with local effects on soil quality, regional effects on landscape integrity and water quality, and global effects on carbon cycles and the atmosphere. This book summarizes current knowledge of the properties and dynamics of soil organic matter in the tropics, its role in determining soil quality, its stability and turnover, and the options for management in the context of tropical landuse systems, for a readership of resource scientists, economists and advanced students. Maintenance of organic matter is critical for preventing land degradation. Case studies and practical applications are therefore an important part of the book, as are the exploration of future directions in research and management. Front Matter....Pages i-vi The management of organic matter in tropical soils: what are the priorities?....Pages 1-6 The role and function of organic matter in tropical soils....Pages 7-18 Soil organic carbon sequestration in tropical areas. General considerations and analysis of some edaphic determinants for Lesser Antilles soils....Pages 19-31 (Tropical) soil organic matter modelling: problems and prospects....Pages 33-39 The role of soil microorganisms in soil organic matter conservation in the tropics....Pages 41-51 SOM management in the tropics: Why feeding the soil macrofauna?....Pages 53-61 Management of organic matter in the tropics: translating theory into practice....Pages 63-75 Critical aspects of organic matter management in the Tropics: the example of India....Pages 77-88 Problems with and local solutions for organic matter management in Vietnam....Pages 89-97 Organic matter turnover and management in low input agriculture of NE Brazil....Pages 99-103 Management of soil organic matter in semiarid Africa for annual cropping systems....Pages 105-118 Soil management under no-tillage systems in the tropics with special reference to Brazil....Pages 119-130 Soil organic carbon management for sustainable land use in Sudano-Sahelian West Africa....Pages 131-142 Soil organic carbon (SOC) management for sustainable productivity of cropping and agro-forestry systems in Eastern and Southern Africa....Pages 143-158 Organic matter management for soil conservation and productivity restoration in Africa: a contribution from Francophone research....Pages 159-170 Preserving tropical soil organic matter at watershed level. A possible contribution of urban organic wastes....Pages 171-181 Social, economic and policy dimensions of soil organic matter management in sub-Sahara Africa: challenges and opportunities....Pages 183-195 Farmer’s view on soil organic matter depletion and its management in Bangladesh....Pages 197-204 Farmers’ perceptions and management of soil organic matter — a case study from West Africa....Pages 205-213 Organic matter management in family agriculture of semiarid Paraiba, Brazil....Pages 215-223 Organic soil fertility management in family agriculture of Zimbabwe....Pages 225-229 Terra-aqua vitae: the role of soil and water in supporting civilization....Pages 231-235