Below ground interactions for sustainable cropping systems.

Abstract

Key aspects of cropping systems are described in terms of their impacts on soil, water and air resources. The importance of microbial symbiotic relations with crop plants are briefly considered in the context of nutrient resource use efficiency and the resilience of plants to biotic and abiotic stress. It is argued that cropping systems need to include crops with fibrous root systems and legumes in the rotation to ensure sustainable use of resources. Three series of experiments are discussed that considered how the efficacy of rhizobia and indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi could be enhanced in sustainable cropping systems. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that there are potential benefits to crop production from improved management of soil resources through the adoption of reduced tillage practices coupled with suitable crop rotation and weed control.