EFFECTS OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE ON SOIL QUALITY, CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND CROP PERFORMANCE IN AN IRRIGATED MAIZE-BASED SYSTEM

摘要

Conservation agriculture (CA) encompasses minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil ground cover and crop diversification. Its advantages include increased water holding capacity, reduced runoff and erosion, increased carbon sequestration, improved soil structure, increased biological diversity and better energy use efficiency (FAO, 2015). Additionally, CA is regarded as effective at reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Nevertheless, CA has not being adopted in annual crop-based systems in southern Spain, mostly due to a knowledge gap in crop management, particularly in irrigated systems. This study aims to underline the benefits of CA in terms of crop performance, soil quality and carbon sequestration in an irrigated maize-based system.