The contributions of organic additions on soil quality

Falling soil organic matter due to cultivations, oxidisation and crop residue removal have many implications for soil quality. This report produced by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), with support from the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust, looks at the role of organic matter within soils and reviews the effects organic additions (produced on and off farm) have on soil quality. It covers livestock manure and slurry, cover crops and plant residues, and those which may be imported as a by-product from an industrial process; including compost, digestate, green waste, wood and paper, and other biosolids. It provides guidance on carbon: nitrogen ratios (key to successful soil and crop production management) and looks at other factors that affect soil organic matter, such as crop rotation choices, inorganic fertiliser use, cultivation methods, protecting soils from erosion, and introducing biomass crops and trees.