Methods and Approaches - Soil Quality Indexing, Minimum Data Set Selection & Interpretation - A Critical Review. Issue 15 (22nd August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thakur, Praveen; Paliyal, Sukhdev S.; Dev, Purushottam; Datt, Naveen
• Is Part Of: Communications in soil science and plant analysis. Volume 53:Issue 15(2022)
• Page Start: 1849
• Page End: 1864
• Publication Date: 2022-08-22
• Subjects: Soil quality -- soil quality indexing -- soil indicators -- productivity and management; Soil science -- Periodicals; Plants -- Chemical analysis -- Periodicals; Agricultural chemistry -- Periodicals; 631.405
• DOI: 10.1080/00103624.2022.2063328
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0010-3624

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Soil quality is defined as the ability of soil to function as an essential living system within land-use boundaries. The quantification of soil quality under agricultural systems to estimate the impact of management intensity on soil productivity is crucial for the timely identification of adverse effects of management practices. Farmers' experience and indigenous knowledge provide a simple method of characterizing the status and detecting any variations in soil quality. The precise evaluation of soil quality requires the selection and interpretation of soil indicators associated with soil functions, which cannot be measured directly. A valid SQI assists in the interpretation of data from varied soil measurements and reveals whether management or land-use are having desired outcomes for productivity and environmental protection. The review will examine the concept of soil quality, associated computation, and assessments, and lastly the impact of management practices on the soil quality with an overall purpose of recognizing the practices that improve soil quality.