Soil management practices that improve soil health: Elucidating their implications on biological indicators REVIEW PAPER

1 SUMMARY The growing interest in low input agricultural practices, coupled with challenges in the agro-ecosystems, which are accelerated by population pressure, poor soil management practices and climate change calls for a holistic approach to soil management and agricultural production as a whole. The holistic approach considers soil management as a way of enhancing agricultural production while not forgetting environmental quality, human and animal health. This leads to the concept of soil health. Changes in soil health are estimated by using physical, chemical and biological indicators. This review is aimed at highlighting some soil management practices that improve soil health by taking into account their effects on the biological indicators. Biological indicators of soil health are mainly dominated by various soil biota, their activities and influences or functions. Critical reviewing of various research papers and books has revealed and confirmed that the following soil management practices improves soil health especially through their influence on soil microflora and fauna: conservation tillage practices or conservation agriculture, crop rotations, intercropping with legumes, cover cropping, agro-forestry, use of organic manure and crop residues, soil liming and inoculation with effective microorganism. These practices have a positive influence on soil microbial and faunal activities and increase soil microbial populations, diversity and functions. Soil biota contribute to soil health and sustainable crop production in a number of ways including nutrient cycling, soil aggregation, soil aeration and bio-control or suppression of plant pathogens.