TITLE:
Contribution of Good Agricultural Practices to Soil Biodiversity
AUTHORS:
Beata Houšková, Rastislav Bušo, Jarmila Makovníková
KEYWORDS:
Good Agricultural Practices, Soil Biodiversity, Earthworms, Microorganisms, Soil Enzymes, Organic Farm, Soil Moisture
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.11 No.1,
January
19,
2021
ABSTRACT: At present time when climate change has negative effect on soil moisture and can decrease significantly the productivity, good agricultural practises have a high importance via their direct influence on soil properties, regimes and biodiversity. Objectives of this study have been focused on the assessment of good agricultural practises in different soil cultivation types: conventional, minimum till, mulch, no-till and organic farming. Method used was based on two case study areas where organic and/or minimal farming systems have been applied. As a control, we chose soil with traditional cultivation. In organic farm, we evaluated earthworms; their amount and status and in farm with different types of cultivation we evaluated the microbial activity to assess the biodiversity conditions. Basic soil properties and soil structure have been set to be able to assess the influence of good agricultural practises on soil environment. Our study shows positive effect of these practises on soil moisture content, biodiversity and soil structure stability. These findings can be used for further studies determining the ways of soil cultivation in harmony with nature—in sustainable way.