Advances in Soil Fertility and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture

Dear Colleagues,

Soil fertility management is a cornerstone of successful crop production in conservation agriculture (CA). It plays a vital role in improving and maintaining soil nutrients to support plant growth, boost yields, and meet the rising global demand for food driven by exponential population growth.

Over the years, there has been growing recognition of the need to emphasize soil fertility management within CA. Lal (2015) proposed a fourth principle to complement the established CA framework:

1. Minimal or no soil disturbance.
2. Permanent soil cover with residue mulch.
3. Crop rotation.
4. Integrated nutrient management.

By incorporating integrated nutrient management, CA becomes a more holistic system for sustainable and climate-smart agricultural intensification. This approach enables farmers to achieve higher productivity and profitability while improving soil health and environmental sustainability.

Integrated soil fertility management, an essential component of CA, relies on locally adapted principles and practices to enhance soil health. Such management allows farmers to reduce fertilizer usage while maintaining stable yields and increasing profitability. Advancing our understanding of soil fertility management in different agroecological regions is crucial for sustaining productivity at minimal ecological and economic costs.

The Special Issue “Advances in Soil Fertility and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture” aims to showcase innovative research and advancements in this field. We invite submissions of cutting-edge studies that contribute to enhancing our knowledge of soil fertility and crop management in CA.

Dr. Nkanyiso J. Sithole
Dr. Khayelihle Ncama
Dr. Nomali Z. Ngobese
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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