Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a vital role not only in soil fertility and quality by providing a number of physical, chemical, and biological benefits, but also in C cycling.
The decline of SOM represents one of the most serious threats facing many arable lands of the world. Crop residues and animal manures have long been used as soil organic amendments to preserve and enhance SOM pools. Nowadays, organic amendments originate from many kinds of organic wastes, which are being increasingly produced mainly by farms, food industries, and municipalities. Besides serving as a source of organic matter and plant nutrients, these materials may contribute to fight plant diseases and reduce soil contamination, erosion, and desertification.
The safe and use application of organic amendments requires an in-depth scientific knowledge of their nature and impacts on the soil-plant system, as well as on the surrounding environment.
This session will be focused on the current research and recent advances on the use of organic amendments in modern agriculture and for the restoration of degraded soils, covering physicochemical, chemical, biological, biochemical, agricultural, and environmental aspects.