Sabri Thesis Title Complex Management to Improve Soil Health and Fertility in No-tillage for Conservation Agriculture by Using Organic Agriculture in Sugarcane Crop/case study Malang- In
INTRODUCTION
Research rationale
An essential component of the Earth's ecosystem, soil stores nutrients, retains water, and anchors roots Earthworms, termites, and a wide range of microorganisms that fix nitrogen and break down organic materials that live in soils Large volumes of organic carbon can be stored in soil The average amount of carbon in the soil is around twice that of the atmosphere and three times that of organic carbon found in vegetation In the endeavor to lessen the effects of climate change, this is especially crucial (Sposito, 2023) A comprehensive approach to production management, organic agriculture (OA) aims to improve the health of the agro-ecosystem by fostering biological cycles, biodiversity, and soil biological activity An agricultural system that employs fertilizers of an organic origin, like compost manure, is referred to as ecological farming or biological farming (IFOAM, 2021)
High crop yields are the goal of conservation agriculture (CA), which also seeks to preserve soil fertility, cut production costs, and conserve water It's a means to attain agriculture that is sustainable, CA has received significant attention in recent years as a sustainable approach to agricultural production that aims to reduce soil disturbance, conserve crop residues, and promote diversified agricultural systems No-tillage, an important part of conservation agriculture, results in minimal soil disturbance by eliminating conventional tillage, which leads to soil erosion, loss of soil structure, and decreased nutrient retention (FAO, 2016)
One of the greatest challenges for conservation agriculture professionals is optimizing yields while adhering to the principles of minimal soil disturbance This research rationale underscores the importance of using a complex ecological management approach in sugar cane cultivation and provides information on how different cultivation management practices like No-tillage management and how to improve and protect soil quality, soil health, and fertility
The quality and health of the soil are the cornerstones of organic farming Thus, one of the most important components of organic soils is preserving the soil's
6 biological condition Microorganisms in organic soils are predicted to be significantly different from those in conventional soils in terms of abundance, diversity, and activity since organic and conventional agriculture use distinct nutrient management techniques The kind and quantity of organic carbon in the soil, habitat preservation, and nutrient availability are all strongly correlated with soil microbial variability rather than the system itself (Naorem, 2021)
The phrase "soil health" refers to the ability of a complex soil system to interchange matter and energy with a variety of abiotic components of the soil while also supporting the functions of numerous living species The environment includes the hydrosphere, geosphere, and atmosphere Fertile soil that sustains lush, fruitful crops or plants is referred to as "healthy soil." But the phrase "soil health" is more inclusive and ought to refer to soils in arid regions as well Indicators of soil qualities, such as humus content, microbial activity, and soil respiration, can be measured to indirectly assess the health of the soil (Naz, 2023)
"The function of soil to act as a conveyor of nutrients, water, and air for plants and edaphon (soil life)" is the definition of soil fertility In contrast to conventional farming, which often relies on short-term goal solutions, organic farming bases soil fertility management on a long-term integrated approach The number of earthworms and other soil creatures, such as arthropods, as well as the diversity, quantity, and activity of microorganisms are among the features of soil in agricultural systems The amount and caliber of organic matter in the soil (Freyer, 2023)
A key tactic for raising crop yields, decreasing soil loss, and enhancing soil quality is managing soil carbon Enhancing soil health and productivity as well as stabilizing the global carbon cycle are two benefits of capturing carbon in the soil (NRCS, 2011)
In this research, a comparison will be made of the measurement of soil respiration, micro-macro-organisms, soil carbon stock, soil organic carbon and bacterial enumeration between two plots planted with organic agriculture and conventional agriculture for the same crop Sugarcane the location of research in
7 Indonesia Malang Regency in East Java, Kepanjen and the weather common in this area is tropical weather, the temperature in Kepanjen ranges between 17.7 and 31 degrees
This research aims to contribute valuable insights to the agricultural community and to promote the broader adoption of sustainable farming systems.
Research’s objectives
• Compare soil fertility for sugarcane crops in Tillage and No-tillage land
• Analyze the impact of both cultivation methods on soil health.
Research questions and hypotheses
• Which cultivation method will increase soil fertility for sugarcane crops?
• Is different cultivation method can impact on soil health?
LITERATURE REVIEW
Overview of Conservation Agriculture by Sustainable Agriculture
The depletion of soil occurs at a fast pace, but its formation takes thousands of years This poses a significant worldwide risk to the nutrient balance in agriculture Hence, it is imperative to prioritize nutrient management to ensure food and nutritional security for both present and future generations The concept of nutrient dynamics and soil sustainability involves maintaining the ideal ecological balance, improving, and conserving soil functions, and safeguarding biodiversity both above and below the earth To comprehend the significance of nutrient management in promoting soil sustainability and ensuring nutritional security, it is necessary to adopt a comprehensive approach that considers various soil parameters (biological, physical, and chemical) This approach allows for the evaluation of soil functions and nutrient dynamics within a crop management system, considering the desired timeframe Moreover, it is crucial to implement the most effective strategies for managing nutrients to promote soil sustainability and provide food and nutritional security, while also maintaining soil quality and productive capacity Effective management strategies must ensure both environmental and economic sustainability by promoting sustainable yields and restoring soil health and resilience (Meena, 2020) The mentioned book outlines many soil management strategies that offer a diverse array of advantages, such as enhanced fertility, with a particular emphasis on the significance of nutrient dynamics This text examines the wide-ranging effects of nutrient cycling on the long-term viability of soil and the associated cropping systems It also explores the use of nutrients to promote the development of environmentally and economically viable agroecosystems, which contribute to the restoration of soil health
Two decades ago, farmers in South Asia had a fruitful and impactful experience that benefited them much Due to the financial challenges faced by farmers, no-till farming has gained significant popularity in rice and wheat systems in South Asia It offers farmers the chance to increase their agricultural output while reducing expenses, so enhancing their quality of life Furthermore, it possesses numerous significant advantages in relation to the environment A significant number of farmers have successfully engaged in the cultivation of No-tillage wheat for the previous four years,
9 experiencing no difficulties and, in fact, obtaining increased yields Addressing deeply ingrained biases regarding the belief that increased tillage leads to higher crop yields and altering farmers' perspectives is a significant concern The scarcity of high-caliber machinery has impeded and decelerated the path of adoption Nevertheless, this has been rectified An agricultural transformation known as the "Tillage Revolution" is currently taking place in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGPs) This revolution aims to ensure food security and enhance the well-being of farmers (Hobbs, 2004)
Discovering efficient methods to enhance root growth and improve soil fertility using organic matter has proven to be highly effective in boosting the productivity of many crop plants This approach requires less water, fertilizer, and agrochemicals, while also reducing seed yield and increasing climate resistance This article examines the current understanding of several farmer-centered innovations for agroecological crop management that can enhance agricultural sustainability (Uphoff, 2017) Additional research is required to validate the efficacy and consequences of these advancements, as well as to elucidate their specific requirements and constraints However, given the absence of any adverse effects on human health or the environment, the widespread adoption of these agricultural alternatives should prompt further investigation, which will be undertaken Our research focused on the comparison between conservation agriculture and traditional sugarcane agriculture in Indonesia
Conservation agriculture entails reducing soil disturbance by refraining from tillage activities, ensuring a constant covering of plants and mulch on the soil, and cultivating a diverse range of plant species Collectively, these methods safeguard the soil from erosion and desiccation, Elevated levels of soil organic matter led to higher soil moisture levels and enhanced nutrient supply capacity The objectives include minimizing the financial burden on farmers by reducing cultivation expenses, mitigating the contamination of rivers and groundwater caused by surface runoff and fertilizer leaching, and enhancing carbon sequestration (Brammer, 2012) The cited paper provides an illustration of the rice intensification (SRI) approach, which involves cultivating rice in well-aerated soil as opposed to flooded fields Compact, solitary seedlings are planted with ample, consistent gaps, and the soil is maintained in a damp state without excessive moisture during the entire growth phase Moreover, the
10 application of plant fertilizers resulted in a notable enhancement of crop productivity Decreases expenses related to land preparation and the utilization of seeds, fertilizers, and water; Diminishes methane emissions
Efficiently increasing food production to meet the needs of a growing population, while simultaneously reducing the reliance on natural resources and preventing soil deterioration, poses a significant obstacle to global sustainability The current review seeks to evaluate the influence of climate change on agriculture and the significance of low-input sustainable agriculture (LISA) in guaranteeing food security and preserving essential natural resources for human well-being and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Sustainable agricultural practices that rely on minimal external inputs are crucial for minimizing environmental trade-offs and producing food that is beneficial for the planet Furthermore, this study emphasizes the evidence-based effects of LISA (Low-Income Savings Accounts) in developing economies of Africa and South Asia It also briefly discusses suitable environmental metrics to assess the sustainability of LISA The adoption of LISA on a large scale will promote agricultural sustainability (Sarkar, 2020)
Agricultural productivity is dependent on a variety of biodiversity, encompassing crops (especially food crops) and animals, as well as their wild counterparts, together with a diverse array of other plant and animal species A strong correlation exists between agricultural productivity, objectives of biodiversity conservation, and livelihoods The decline in biodiversity has substantial effects on both agriculture and economic progress Given the limited implementation of sustainable agriculture in Indonesia, our current objective is to advocate for its adoption to enhance biodiversity It is evident that sustainable agriculture plays a crucial role in promoting and enhancing biodiversity Sustainable agriculture can contribute to the preservation of biodiversity It is worth noting that climate change currently affects agriculture, ecosystems, and biodiversity (Harnowo, 2021)
Ecosystems have a significant impact on mitigating the effects of climate change, particularly in relation to biodiversity and agriculture By effectively managing ecosystems, we can contribute to climate change mitigation and social adaptation
11 However, it is important to note that the benefits of ecosystem management can only be fully realized when combined with reductions in fossil fuel emissions Hence, sustainable agriculture can additionally aid in the preservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity while mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Tillage and No-tillage Soil Management
The research on "Conservation tillage improves soil water storage, spring maize" utilized conventional tillage (CT) as a reference point to examine the productivity of No-tillage (NT) and subsoiling (ST) in relation to certain rainfall patterns The findings indicated that the type-B rainfall distribution led to a significant increase in dry matter accumulation, yield, soil water use efficiency (WUE), and precipitation use efficiency (PUE) by 18.9%, 32.0%, 21.7%, and 45.1%, respectively, compared to the type-A rainfall distribution Under the type-A rainfall distribution, NT increased the amount of water stored in the soil by 3.7% and 4.4% during the tasseling and grain filling stages, respectively, compared to CT Similarly, ST enhanced the soil water storage by 6.0% and 7.0% during the same stages Furthermore, the application of NT and ST resulted in an increase in the accumulation of dry matter, yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) The correlation between yield, soil water storage, and precipitation indicates that water storage during the sowing stage indirectly impacts maize yield through soil water storage during the tasseling stage Additionally, an increase in precipitation from the jointing to tasseling stages directly contributes to a positive yield increase (Li, 2022)
A study conducted in southern Germany examined the impact of no-till and shallow conservation tillage techniques, specifically using a chisel plow and rotor tiller, on loamy soils with high clay content The study also investigated the effects of incorporating cover crop mixtures into crop rotations consisting of at least three different crops The focus of the research was to analyze the influence of these factors on yield, soil nitrogen content, and weed control The primary variables assessed were crop production, soil Nitrogen content, and weed coverage An on-farm approach was utilized to conduct experiments in southwest Germany, spanning a duration of 6 years The experiments were carried out on 18 farms and two research stations The grain
12 yield equivalents of cereals, oilseed rape, maize, soybean, and peas were marginally reduced by 5.8–7.3 Mg per hectare under No-tillage compared to conservation tillage, which had a yield of 6.3–7.8 Mg per hectare (Gerhard, 2023) The cited study demonstrates that conservation agriculture with minimal tillage exhibited marginal benefits in comparison to the no-till system in farming conditions specific to Southwest Germany
A study on soil and water loss reduction in No-tillage cultivation found that planting cassava in an NT system after either solitary maize cropping or maize-palisade grass intercropping had a significant impact on conserving tropical sandy soils This resulted in a reduction of soil losses by up to 80% The application of NT (No-Till) techniques exhibited a more pronounced positive effect on soil conservation for cassava cultivation during the rainy season Additionally, the intercropping of maize and palisade grass also shown a beneficial influence on water conservation (Fernandes,2023) The implementation of the NT or CA system in new tropical regions facilitated the growth of soybean cultivation in agricultural systems, making it the predominant grain crop in Brazil's economy The implementation of the CA system has also effectively mitigated environmental sustainability issues in the non-traditional frontier agricultural regions of the country
Using NT as the sole method of direct drilling for crop establishment does not provide sustainable and optimized yield To fully benefit from high-quality Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems, it is necessary to have participatory technology transfer and adoption promotion efforts that receive sufficient support from all relevant institutions These efforts should focus on promoting the simultaneous adoption of the other two principles of CA, namely permanent soil cover and crop diversification through rotations and covering crops This phenomenon is especially evident in the emerging agricultural regions, where there is a strong inclination towards cultivating soybean crops These crops are frequently cultivated in monoculture or inadequately diversified cropping systems (Kassam, 2021)
Conservation agriculture (CA) is a self-sustainable system that involves reduced or no- tillage and the retention of crop residue It provides an alternative to burning
13 agricultural leftovers The adoption of Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices in South Asian countries has the potential to enhance soil health through the increase of soil organic carbon (SOC) and aggregation Additionally, CA practices conserve soil, water, and energy more effectively than conventional farming systems However, despite the suitability of South Asian countries for CA practices, the current area of land under CA remains relatively low, at less than 5 million hectares, in comparison to the global area of 180 million hectares The implementation of CA in South Asia has resulted in an imbalanced distribution, primarily in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) region of India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh in South Asia (Somasundaram, 2020)
The primary obstacles to the widespread use of Conservation Agriculture (CA) are the emergence of weed species that are resistant to herbicides and the shift in weed populations caused by the repeated use of herbicides The limited acceptance of Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices in South Asia can be attributed to various factors, including the conventional farming mentality, socio-economic circumstances, small-scale farm ownership, challenges in managing weeds and residues, and the lack of appropriate technology The use of no-tillage practices in agriculture has brought about a significant transformation in agricultural systems by enabling individual producers to efficiently manage larger areas of land while minimizing energy, labor, and machinery requirements Simultaneously, NT (No-Till) serves as a highly efficient method for preventing erosion and enhances the efficiency of water and fertilizer utilization, resulting in improved crop yields compared to tilled systems Tillage, like to crop, can be rotated, however, the advantages of no-till are most likely to be achieved with consistent use In this study, we examine the initial research that contributed to the emergence of NT and its effects on crop production, soil quality, hydrological processes, and agricultural economics (Triplett,2008) Although NT is very sustainable, researchers still face numerous problems that must be addressed to fully exploit its benefits across larger areas of land and for a wider range of crops A comparison was conducted between management practices including no tillage and management practices involving decreased tillage to assess their impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global warming The findings are as follows: Tillage reduction promotes the release of N2O and CH4 gases, which leads to decreased crop yields and an overall
14 increase in greenhouse gas emissions, without affecting CO2 emissions or the absorption of CH4 Implementing no-tillage practices effectively mitigates the emissions of CO2, N2O, and CH4, resulting in a reduction of the overall global warming potential (GWP) caused by these greenhouse gases Importantly, this reduction is achieved without negatively impacting the absorption of CH4 or crop yields, as demonstrated by Wu's research in 2023 The impacts are influenced by factors such as the amount of leftover material, the type of soil being used, the system of rotating crops, the specific type of crop being grown, and the physical and chemical qualities of the soil The findings indicate that implementing reduced tillage practices leads to an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a loss in crop yields Conversely, adopting no-tillage methods resulted in a reduction of GHG emissions and global warming potential (GWP), without affecting crop yields
No-till (NT) is a commonly employed technique to enhance soil physical properties, store carbon (C), and decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, all while maintaining crop yields Nevertheless, the influence of NT on greenhouse gas emissions and agricultural production is inconsistent A comprehensive worldwide analysis of fifty peer-reviewed publications was conducted to assess the impact of soil physicochemical properties, nitrogen (N) fertilization, crop types and durations, soil management, and climate zones on greenhouse gas emissions and NT yields to evaluate conventional farming methods The abbreviation "CT" stands for computed tomography The findings indicate that NT, when compared to CT, resulted in a significant increase in emissions of CO2, N2O, and CH4 by 7.1%, 12.0%, and 20.8% respectively On the other hand, NT resulted in a maximum of 7.6 global warming potential wedges when compared to CT Nevertheless, there were no discernible disparities in crop productivity between conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) farming methods Applying a higher dose of nitrogen fertilizer with NT resulted in a 23% increase in yields and a 58% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions compared to CT Furthermore, when comparing
CT methods to NT practices, it was seen that NT practices led to a 16.1% rise in CO2 emissions and a 14.7% increase in N2O emissions in rain-fed areas In irrigated areas,
NT practices resulted in a significant increase of up to 54% in CH4 emissions, but there was no change in N2O emissions The purpose of this meta-analysis is to establish a
15 scientific foundation for evaluating the influence of no-till (NT) practices on greenhouse gas emissions and crop yields Additionally, it offers background information on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions related with the implementation of NT practices (Shakoor, 2021)
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a globally significant crop, and one of the key concerns for its sustainable production is the consideration of soil quality in its cultivation This bibliometric analysis sought to examine the extent to which soil quality has been addressed in research on sugarcane management, and to identify any potential areas of knowledge deficiency that should be addressed in future studies The bibliographic search was conducted by employing a combination of phrases and including all databases available in the Web of Science ® (WOS) Insufficient research has been conducted on No-tillage systems in sugarcane farming to evaluate soil quality This research should encompass several indicators, such as hydro-physical, micromorphological, and macrofauna investigations, to comprehensively assess soil quality (Cooper, 2020)
Conventional tillage disrupts the arrangement of soil particles, making the soil more prone to being compacted by the movement of machines in sugarcane fields The implementation of low tillage or No-tillage methods, along with traffic control, has been suggested to maintain soil structure functionality, hence minimizing soil compaction and constraints on plant growth Reduced tillage is just as effective as conventional tillage in reducing soil compaction However, to maintain soil structure under reduced tillage, it is necessary to establish seedbed zones where there is no traffic Various assessment scales have demonstrated that different methodologies and scales are associated with specific soil functions and have a clear purpose However, it is recommended to evaluate the structural quality of the soil (Luz, 2022)
Root system of sugarcane Prior studies indicate that the combination of equipment movement and soil management activities during the creation of sugarcane plots results in the deterioration of soil structure, hence restricting root development and reducing crop output Implementing conservation tillage practices and incorporating cover crops can mitigate these impacts and enhance the soil's physical characteristics The 0.0-0.2 m
16 surface layer had the greatest amount of root dry biomass, comprising 36% to 62% of the roots found within the top 0.6 m depth Nevertheless, the notable disparities between soil tillage and cover crops primarily manifest in the clayey layer of the soil, namely at a depth of 0.30−0.6 meters It is inside this layer that the management practices exert their influence on the root system (Lovera, 2021).
Soil Health and Soil fertility
The research was done at the Center for International Field Agriculture Research and Education, Ibaraki University, Japan, from October 2017 to October 2019 The experimental design employed was a split-plot design, with the primary component being tillage (No-tillage; no-till, moldboard plow; plow, and rotary cultivator; cultivator), with the secondary factor being winter cover crop (fallow, hairy vetch, and rye) The measured parameters encompassed SOC (soil organic carbon), total N (nitrogen), C/N ratio (carbon-to-nitrogen ratio), accessible P (phosphorus), exchangeable bases (K, Ca, Mg, Na), cation exchange capacity, melanic index, bulk density, soil penetration resistance, soil particle size distribution (sand, silt, and clay), and substrate-induced respiration The findings indicated that implementing No-tillage systems and cover crop management can enhance soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (N), accessible phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium-magnesium (K-Mg), cation exchange capacity (CEC), bulk density, soil penetration resistance, and substrate- induced respiration These improvements serve as indicators of soil health in soybean agriculture (Komatsuzaki, 2021)
The advantages of using long-term no-till practices in corn-based cropping systems on well-drained soils include increased soil nitrogen stocks, enhanced nitrogen mineralization, and improved efficiency in the use of fertilizer nitrogen Despite both tillage systems needing a same quantity of nitrogen fertilizer for achieving their maximum yields, the maize grain yield at the AONR shown a 12% increase under the no-till technique According to Poffenbarger (2021), the no-till system achieved the same yield as the plowed system with a lower amount of fertilizer nitrogen (Poffenbarger, 2021)
17 The experiment conducted in 2010/2011 followed a randomized complete block design with three replications The treatments were No-tillage (NT), No-tillage + compaction (NTC), inverting conventional tillage (CT), and minimal tillage of chiseling (Chi) Soil samples were gathered from different levels (0–10, 10–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm) to assess soil parameters, and the yield of sugarcane was examined Both disturbed and undisturbed samples were taken Following the first field preparation, soil tillage had a notable impact on the bulk density (BD) and maximum available water capacity (AWmax), resulting in a decrease in BD and AWmax, while simultaneously increasing the volume of macropores After three years of land preparation and ongoing No-tillage, there was a notable decrease in soil bulk density (BD), macroporosity (Ma), field capacity (FC), plant wilting point (PWP), maximum available water (AWmax), total nitrogen (TN), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), and capillary rise (Ic), while soil organic matter (SOM) and soil penetration resistance (σp) rose in the top 0–10 cm layer the bulk density (BD) and soil porosity (σp) rose in the 10–20 and 20–40 cm layers, whereas the macroporosity (Ma), field capacity (FC), permanent wilting point (PWP), maximum available water (AWmax), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) dropped (Awe, 2020)
The article on soil tillage and precision agriculture provides a theoretical example centered around sugar cane production in a 77-hectare watershed situated in southeastern Brazil The comparison was made between precision agriculture principles that prioritize P-fertilizer inputs and the optimization of mechanical activities like planting and harvesting Significant benefits in terms of operational efficiency were found for precision agriculture in comparison to traditional methods, particularly in mechanical operations However, no noticeable advantages were identified for P- fertilizer usage (Sparovek, 2001)
Simulations were conducted using a 91-year weather record for unirrigated sugarcane cultivated on two soils in the Herbert River district of north Queensland The model predicted that implementing trash blanketing on previously cultivated soil would result in a 40% rise in soil organic matter (SOM) over a period of 60-70 years Furthermore, it estimated that half of this increase would occur within the initial 20 years Following almost two decades of extensive garbage coverage, it is possible to
18 decrease the application of N fertilizer by 40 kg N ha−1 without seeing any decrease in yield during the initial succeeding cycle of a plant crop and five ratoon crops Nevertheless, the decrease in production of 10-15% within a few years due to excessive rainfall resulted in a long-term average yield decline of 1.5-2.2% over a span of 70 years following the reduction in nitrogen fertilizer usage The model findings indicate that decreasing the application rate of fertilizer by 40 kg N ha−1 for the initial crop will result in a 29% reduction in average annual nitrate leaching throughout the entire crop cycle, while having minimal impact on crop production (< 2%) The leaching of nitrates was found to be highly responsive to excessive nitrogen fertilizer application Furthermore, it was observed that the leaching was more pronounced when trash was left on the soil surface compared to when it was burned This can be attributed to the reduced evaporation of soil water during the early stages of the growing season (Keating, 1996)
Soil carbon loss, specifically in the form of soil carbon (C), plays a significant role in the global carbon cycle Managing soil carbon can have an impact on the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Soil carbon is regarded as a carbon sink that absorbs and stores atmospheric CO2 Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted by agriculture in the global food system The majority of farmland has a low concentration of soil organic carbon (SOC), with the accepted threshold for SOC being 1.5-2% in the root zone In order to achieve long-term agricultural productivity and maintain a stable ecosystem, it is imperative to enhance the amount of carbon in the soil by either increasing the intake of carbon or decreasing the breakdown of organic matter in the soil Conservation agricultural methods, such as discontinuing tillage, increasing crop rotation, and optimizing agronomic procedures like fertilizers, herbicides, and irrigation, can help enhance soil carbon content Hence, conservation agriculture can also have a significant impact in mitigating carbon emissions originating from the agricultural sector (Adeel, 2018)
Efficiency and Excellence The study on sugarcane examines the current state and connection between soil and atmospheric carbon levels It explores the impacts of climate-related factors such as crop residue burning, biofertilizers, and microbiological activity on the amount of organic carbon in the soil The objective of this study was to
19 assess the productivity and quality of sugarcane under four different soil management techniques: (CT) heavy harrow followed by light harrow, (CTI) subsoiler followed by light harrow, (MT) subsoiler only, and (NT) no soil movement The variables examined included soil penetration resistance (SPR), the quality of chemical input materials (broth), and crop output The soil preparation methods significantly influenced the composition of the sugarcane broth, resulting in increased levels of fiber and protein in the NT, MT, and CT treatments Soil management did not have an impact on the PS, Brix, TRS, and Pol However, the NT had higher absolute values, suggesting that conservation management led to an improvement in the quality of the broth Reduced tillage (MT) resulted in the best yields, surpassing the lowest yield management (NT) by an increase of 10.5 Mg ha−1 (Santana, 2023)
An extended-duration experiment was carried out in the oasis farming region in the northwest, utilizing corn (Zea mays L.) as the subject of study In China, plowing was conducted using four different methods: No-tillage, minimum-tillage, fold-tillage, and sub-tillage The soil aggregates were categorized according to the following classification: The nutritional contents, enzymatic activity, stoichiometry, and soil microbial community structure were examined for soil particles categorized as 'partial' (2 mm) Additionally, the impact of these factors on crop yield was assessed The findings demonstrated that No-tillage caused a reorganization in the makeup of the soil microbial population within the aggregate fractions Long-term conservation tillage enhances soil functioning and crop productivity in oasis farming ecosystems by altering soil aggregates (Wang, 2023)
A comprehensive analysis was carried out by researchers on publications and evaluation tools related to soil quality, specifically focusing on soil quality indicators The aim was to identify similarities, significant variations, and any areas that were not covered This evaluation mostly centered around analytical measurements The area of visual soil evaluation primarily focuses on a few key methodologies, which will be summarized in a concise manner due to the recent review conducted by Bünemann in
20 The study examined the effects of several tillage methods on the physical characteristics of the soil Sugarcane was grown under four tillage systems: conventional harrow tillage (CT), conventional tillage with harrow and subsoil (CTS), minimum tillage with Rip Strip® equipment (MT), and no-tillage of soybean residue (NT) The study assessed soil properties (specifically soil bulk density, porosity, and organic carbon contents) in the 0-60 cm layer, root system characteristics (root area and root dry biomass) in the 0-100 cm layer, and sugarcane productivity from 2017 to 2019, all of which were examined during sugarcane harvesting The user did not provide any text Topics covered: cultivation of sugarcane and subsequent regrowth cycle (Oliveira, 2022) According to Oliveira (2022), the No-tillage system exhibited the greatest productivity in terms of stems, biomass, and root zone of sugarcane, while having the highest values of soil penetration resistance and soil bulk density between rows The Rip Strip® technology exhibited the most minimal sugarcane stalk yields The no- tillage system exhibited the highest organic carbon concentration in the topsoil when compared to the other tillage systems
The previous literature references that I covered in relation to the research topic on complex management to improve soil health and fertility in zero-tillage for conservation agriculture and resource conservation using organic farming in sugarcane crops, where They talked about food security and its impact on climate change and sustainable agriculture and its impact on soil health and fertility as well as addressing conservation farming methods for some crops in Southeast Asia, and biodiversity in Indonesia
The previous literature references talked about agricultural practices with tillage and without tillage, but they do not provide clear results, recommendations and the of lack some scientific and practical evidence, also these studies did not include sugarcane soil health and fertility by organic agriculture The soil test was conducted as part of the previous research and studies were not sufficient to provide correct and scientific analysis to identify the appropriate agricultural methods that increase soil health and fertility
As for the subject of this research, we will study the condition of the sugar cane crop, take soil samples from three sites under different agricultural management, and conduct laboratory tests, to obtain scientific results and then analyze these tests and results to come up with a recommendation based on scientific and practical experience for conservation agriculture and traditional agriculture to provide a recommendation for farmers on the best cultivation method (Tillage or No-tillage Management) to be used for sugarcane crops, and at the same time, provide the opportunity for future research on other agricultural fields and new agricultural crops.
Definitions
The porous, biologically active medium that has formed in the topmost layer of the Earth's crust is called soil It acts as a storehouse for nutrients and water, as well as a filtering and decomposition medium for harmful wastes Additionally, it facilitates the movement of other elements and carbon throughout the world environment
A farming method called conservation agriculture can restore degraded areas while preventing the loss of arable land It encourages plant species diversity, minimal soil disturbance, and the preservation of a permanent soil cover It improves natural biological processes both above and below the ground, which boosts biodiversity and increases the efficiency of water and fertilizer utilization, leading to better and more consistent crop output
In conventional farming, synthetic fertilizers and chemicals are used to increase the output of a certain crop, or group of crops, most of which are genetically engineered With this strategy, a landscape's ecosystem is weakened, and a substantial quantity of chemical and energy input is required
Organic agriculture is a method of production that maintains the well-being of soil, ecosystems, and individuals It is dependent on biological processes, biodiversity, and
22 cycles that are specifically suited to local conditions, rather than the utilization of inputs that have negative consequences
Soil respiration quantifies the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) from soil It is emitted by the breakdown of soil organic matter (SOM) and plant litter by soil microbes, as well as through plant roots and soil fauna It serves as a significant gauge of soil health as it assesses the extent of microbial activity and the composition and breakdown of SOM It also indicates the state of the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil environment
Soil Carbon Stock refers to the amount of carbon stored within a specific area or volume of soil It denotes the aggregate amount of carbon compounds, predominantly in the form of organic matter, found in the soil Soil carbon is an essential element of the worldwide carbon cycle and has a substantial impact on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and climate regulation
Soil organic carbon has a significant role in soil health, agriculture, climate change, and food solutions It is a naturally occurring substance that stores energy, obtained from organic matter in the soil, and is regarded as a valuable biopolymer of the Earth Soil organic carbon (SOC) enhances the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of soil, as well as its ability to retain water and maintain its structural integrity It is crucial in the process of soil formation, as it contributes significantly to the production of organic acids in the soil These acids play a vital role in the breakdown of soil minerals, making them more accessible to plants, and in the leaching of nutrients
Macrofauna refers to small animals, typically microscopic, that mostly live in the earth, organs, or other specific habitats The most prevalent constituents of microfauna are single-celled protozoans, small nematodes, small, unsegmented worms, and tardigrades (eight-legged arthropods)
Bacteria enumeration refers to the procedure of quantifying the quantity of bacterial cells in a provided sample The enumeration of bacterial cells is classified into four categories according to the objective of the experiment: Cell count can be classified into four categories: direct, indirect, viable, and total
The carbon cycle is a natural process by which carbon atoms are recycled, moving from the atmosphere to living beings on Earth and then returning to the atmosphere in a continuous cycle Most of the carbon is sequestered in rocks and sediments, with the remaining portion being distributed across the ocean, atmosphere, and living creatures
METHODS
Material
3.1.1 Material and Tools used in the Field to collect sampling soil:
• Soil Auger: A soil auger is a hand-operated tool used to bore into the soil and extract samples
• Shovel: A shovel can be used to dig larger pits for sampling purposes It's particularly useful when collecting samples from deeper layers of soil
• Soil Probe: A soil probe is a cylindrical or tube-like tool that is pushed or driven into the soil to collect intact soil cores
• Leaf litter collector: to collect fallen leaves and other organic materials that accumulate on the ground, allowing researchers to quantify the amount of leaf litter in a particular area over a certain period
• Small electronic scale: It is used to weigh leaves and organic residues, to measure litter soil and to weigh the number of earthworms
• Measuring Tape: used to measure the depth of soil sampling and the depth of litter
• Insect Trap: To attract insects and collect them to know the numbers and types of microfauna, by using plastic cups that have an insect-attractive substance and open from the top so that part of the plastic cup is placed in the soil so that the insects come into the plastic cup and stick to the attractant
• Pick: is a tool used to dig as well as to move loose to make holes in soil to get sampling soil
• Spade: is a tool used for digging straight-edged holes to increase the depth of hole in the soil
• Cultivator Comb: they are used to remove weeds and clean around the hole soil
3.1.2 Material and Tools used in the Laboratory to Analyze sampling soil:
• Weighing Balance: Accurate measurements of soil samples are essential A weighing balance is used to measure the exact weight of the soil samples before processing
• Sterile Containers: Sample collection requires sterile containers to prevent contamination These containers are usually made of plastic or glass and should
25 be autoclaved or treated to ensure they are free of bacteria
• Homogenizer: A homogenizer is used to break up soil aggregates and ensure a more even distribution of bacteria in the sample
• Dilution Tubes: Bacterial populations in soil samples can be quite dense
Dilution tubes are used to create dilutions of the sample, which helps in obtaining accurate bacterial counts
• Spreaders: To evenly distribute the diluted soil sample onto agar plates, spreaders are used These tools ensure that bacteria are spread uniformly across the agar surface
• Incubator: Incubators provide controlled temperature conditions for bacterial growth Soil agar plates are placed in the incubator to allow bacteria to multiply
• Autoclave: Sterilization of media, containers, and equipment is crucial to prevent contamination An autoclave uses high pressure and temperature to sterilize materials
• Pipettes and Pipette Tips: Precision pipettes are used to transfer specific volumes of bacterial suspensions and reagents during the analysis process
• Petri Dishes: Petri dishes are filled with agar medium to support bacterial growth They provide a flat surface for bacteria to grow into visible colonies
• Colony Counter: When analyzing bacterial colonies on agar plates, a colony counter can help automate the counting process and improve accuracy
• Laminar Flow Hood: A laminar flow hood provides a sterile environment for handling samples and setting up cultures, minimizing the risk of contamination
• Safety Equipment: Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, lab coats, and safety goggles are crucial to ensure the safety of laboratory personnel.
Research Area
This research was carried out in Kepanjen, Malang District, East Java, Indonesia This area has boasted a diverse range of geographical features The area is characterized by rolling hills and lush green landscapes, making it an ideal location for agricultural activities The village is nestled between the slopes of Mount Kawi and Mount Kelud, temperature is relatively medium, ranging between 17.7o C to 31.0o C
26 The average humidity ranges from 58 percent to 85 percent and the average rainfall ranges from 0 mm to 433 mm The lowest average rainfall occurs in August, While the highest average rainfall occurs in January The wet season typically occurs from November to March, bringing heavy rainfall and cooler temperatures The dry season, from April to October, is marked by warmer weather and lower humidity The climate plays a pivotal role in the agricultural practices of the region Agriculture is the backbone of the local economy in Kepanjen The fertile soils, combined with the favorable climate, support a variety of crops, with sugarcane, rice, corn, and vegetables being the primary cultivations Traditional farming techniques are prevalent, but there is a growing interest in adopting sustainable and organic farming practices to enhance crop yields and preserve soil health , Kepanjen experiences a tropical monsoon climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons (BPS Malang Regency, 2019)
The farm where the research was conducted has incepted soils order, based on USDA classification, with the loamy soil, and sugarcane has been cultivated in two different places The first plot with total area of 0.27 ha was planted with sugarcane on Tillage land, using chemical fertilizers according to conventional agriculture as shown in Figure 3.1, and the second plot with total area of 0.45 ha was planted with sugarcane on No-tillage land and using organic fertilizers according to the conservative agriculture system (organic agriculture) as shown in Figure 3.2
The laboratory analysis was carried out on Biology Laboratory, Soil Science Department, Agriculture Faculty, Universitas Brawijaya
Figure 3.1 Sugarcane Sampling Point Map for Conventional Agriculture
Figure 3.2 Sugarcane Sampling Point Map for Organic Agriculture and Border
Research Design
This Study were carried out using Quantitative Research by experimental observation (Breil, 2023)
The study was using Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three management fields for Sugarcane crop, namely:
• No-tillage sugarcane management (NT): organic sugarcane includes No-tillage, no burning straw and organic matter amendment of bagasse (30 tons/ ha, the N content appx 1%)
• Tillage sugarcane management (T): burning straw, tillage, and fertilizer application mainly containing Nitrogen (Urea N46% = 1 tons per ha and ZA N21% = 1 tons per ha)
• Under the fence (B): there are no management that applied into the treatments (control)
• Each management has five replications.
Soil Sampling Method
The soil was collected from all the replication points The study collected soil samples at two different soil depths (i.e., 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm) (Picture about soil sampling method) The soil was stored with two different treatments: 4 o C for soil microorganisms and respiration analysis, and air-dried condition for soil organic carbon analysis.
Soil Macrofauna and Earthworms analysis
Microorganism: Where earthworms were extracted during soil digging to take samples, and the numbers of earthworms for each hole and each sample were counted at depths 0 to
20 cm and 20 to 40 cm, with a weight recorded for the numbers of earthworms for each sample, and this information was filled in a paper form
Macrofauna: A trap was prepared consisting of a plastic cup with water and an attractant (detergents) added to it This cup was then placed next to each hole in the sampling site Part of the plastic cup was covered with dirt while the top of the cup remained open The traps remained for 24 hours until the next day and then the 15 traps were collected, then the numbers and types of macrofauna were counted and this was recorded on a paper form
Litter analysis
The remains of previous crops were collected next to each hole at the sampling site We measured the depth of these remains and weighed them afterwards This was repeated at
15 points in the sampling sites, and the data for each point was documented on a paper form
The litter frame size used is 50cm * 50cm, and the parallelogram shape size is 20m * 20m according to the following illustration:
Soil Laboratory Analysis
The collected soil was measured into three different parameters There are soil microorganism analysis, soil respiration analysis, and soil organic carbon analysis
Soil Bacteria and Fungi were analyzed in this research Total plate count (TPC) method with serial dilution were used to determine the number of bacteria and fungi on a soil samples Nutrient agar (NA) was used for bacterial enumeration, and Potato Dextrose agar (PDA) were used to determine fungi enumeration
During the dilution process for 3 plots (No-tillage, tillage, border) we used 5 g soil +45ml Nacl to dilute 5 tube with code 10 1 ,10 2 ,10 3 ,10 4 ,10 5 , to help count bacteria and fungi, we collected tubes of 10 4 ,10 5 for each plot (No-tillage, Tillage, Border)
The Soil Dilution process was carried out by diluting 5 grams of soil into 45 mL
30 of 85% NaCl (8.5 g/L NaCl) and then sterilized into autoclave for 15 minutes at 121 o C
The soil microorganism isolation was carried out in the sterilized Laminar Air Flow Cabinet (LAFC) under UV for around 15 minutes for sterilization and sanitation
We dilute the soil until 10 5 We isolated 1 mL of suspension of 10 4 and 10 5 to determine the bacteria and fungi population and put it into medium We put all petri dishes in the room temp for 24 hours, and closed each one, then after that We open it and start counting the numbers of bacteria and fungi for each petri dish The formula for determining soil microorganism enumeration is:
Total Population (CFU.g -1 ) = No of Bacteria or Fungi in 1 Petri dish × (1/dilution) × (1/amount of solution added to petri dish (mL))
Prepare weight of soil 0.35g soil for 12 samples and put in Micro Respiration in 12 holes (each hole 0.35g soil) Then diluted 0.3 g Agar with 10 ml distill water and put in water bath under 65c temp, and then prepare indicator reagent 20 ml and put in water bath under 65c temp, after the temp reach 60 c After that mix the indictor reagent with Agar in water bath (1 ML Agar :2 ml Reagent), then we put 0.15 ml mix Agar and Reagent in Micro Respiration in each hole (12 hole), then we put plate hole (Agar and Reagent) up to plate hole soil, and send Micro Respiration to Spectro star nano machine in the laboratory and we put 1 minute then remove it ,the main function for that is microplate ,then after 24 hours we return to put Micro Respiration in the Spectro star nano machine1 minute then remove it to get a result (Kurniawan, 2023)
The absorbance data obtained from the measurement results were subsequently normalized using the following formula:
Ai = (At24 /At0) × mean At0 where: At24 – the absorbance data 24 hours after incubation, and At0 – the absorbance data before incubation
The percentage of CO2 was calculated after Ai was obtained using the following formula:
31 Where vol = headspace volume in the well (àl), T = Incubation temperature (°C), sfw soil fresh weight/well (g), and %sdw = % of soil sample dry weight
Soil organic carbon was analyzed using Walkey-Black Method with some modifications (Eviati and Sulaeman, 2009) Put 0.25g of soil that has passed through a 0.5mm sieve (0.25gr for soil with high organic content and 0.1 for organic matter organic) in a 500 ml Erlenmeyer flask Pipette 10ml K2Cr2O7 1N was added to the Erlenmeyer flask
Add 20ml concentrated H2SO4 into the Erlenmeyer flask and then shake it so that the soil reacts completely Let the mixture for 30 minutes Addition of H2SO4 was carried out in the acid room A blank (without soil) done in the same way Then mix it Dilute with 200ml H2O and add 10ml H3PO4 85%, add 30 drops of Diphenylamine indicator After that the solution can be titrated with FeSO4 .7H2O 1N through burette. Titration stopped marked by a change from dark to green bright.Likewise with blanks
C.org (%) = Titration for blank (mL) – Titration for sample (mL) x 3 x Soil Dry Weight
Factor / Titration for blank (mL) x Sample weight (g)
3.7.4 Soil Organic Carbon Stocks Equation
Quantitative data on the specific distribution and chemical composition of soil organic carbon (SOC) across various climatic gradients is currently lacking, despite its crucial role in soil processes and the global carbon cycle (Wei, 2021)
The stock of soil organic carbon (g m−2) in bulk soils was the following equation:
SOC stock = H × BD × OC × 10 where, H is soil depth (cm); BD, bulk density (g cm−3); OC, soil organic carbon concentration in bulk soil (g kg−1).
Data Analysis
We analyze the data using R Studio data analysis program (Breil, 2023) Analysis of
32 Variance (ANOVA) were used to find the effect of the management on each parameter with 95% confidence level Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (LSD) post-hoc test was used to determine the difference for each treatment
RESULTS
Micro-organism
The result revealed that different tillage management significantly affects the soil bacteria population among tillage practices The study revealed that tillage management has the highest soil bacteria population compared to other managements (No-tillage and Border) (Figure 4.1.) The numbers of bacterial population results for 10 4 NA indicator are higher than the results for 10 5 Nutrient Agar (NA) indicator in No-tillage and Border samples For the Tillage samples, the results for 10 5 NA indicator are higher than the results for 10 4 NA indicator (Table 4.1.).
Table 4.1 Total bacteria population by Nutrient Agar (NA) indicator 10 4 & 10 5
The average of total bacteria in tillage samples 10 4 and 10 5 together was 227, which is significantly different with approximately six times higher than No-tillage and border samples (average population bacteria of 47 and 29, respectively)
Figure 4.1 Soil bacteria population under different sugarcane management
The result showed that different management affects soil fungal populations as shown in Table 4.2 that the number of Fungi populations by using the Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) Indicator for 10 4 are higher than the fungi population for 10 5 across all managements
Table 4.2 Total fungi population by Potato Dextrose Agar indicator 10 4 and 10 5
The signicant difference is clearly seen in No-tillage and other treatments The average of total fungi in No-tillage samples 10 4 and 10 5 together was 4.3, which is higher than tillage and border samples (average population fungi of 1.5 and 3.2, respectively) (Figure 4.2.)
Figure 4.2 Soil fungi population under different sugarcane management
Macrofauna result
After retrieving the plastic cup pheromone traps placed across the 15 designated sampling sites and left in the soil for a duration of 24 hours, their distribution was as follows: 5 at locations without tillage, 5 with tillage, and 5 at the borders The results revealed a higher presence of Macrofauna species in the traps situated on the No-tillage land Conversely, traps placed on the tilled land exhibited the least presence of macrofauna species, while those positioned along the borders contained a moderate species count, averaging less than that of the No-tillage sites yet more than the tillage areas Despite these observed trends, the Anova analysis, as detailed in Table 4.3,
36 Figure 4.3 did not exhibit any significant differences among the different cultivation treatments Table 4.4 showed macroflora units
Figure 4.3 Macrofauna population number under different sugarcane management
Table 4.3 Summary of Anova test on macrofauna population among treatments
Source of Variation SS df MS F P-value F crit
Earthworms
The numbers and weight of Eearthworms are higher in No-tillage samples at both the depth of 0-20cm and 20-40cm Notably, there are no earthworms found in tillage treatment (Table 4.4 and 4.5)
Table 4.4 Total Earthworm for (0-20cm) soil depth
Code Sampling point Earthworm number Earthworms weight
The significant diffence of earthworm number and weight are only between No- tillage and tillage in both depth types No significant difference is found between No-tillage and border samples even though there are higher number and heavier weight of earthworms in the No-tillage treatment Eearthworms number and weight are higher at the depth 20-40cm in both No-tillage and border
Table 4.5 Total Earthworm for (20-40cm) soil depth
Code Sampling point Earthworm number
Figure 4.4 Earthworm number under different sugarcane management
Figure 4.5 Earthwormweight under different sugarcane management
Table 4.6 Summary of Anova test on earthworm numbers among treatments at (0-20cm) and (20-40cm) depth collectively
Variation SS df MS F P-value F crit
Table 4.7 Summary of Anova test on earthworm weight among treatments at (0-20cm) and (20-40cm) depth collectively
Variation SS df MS F P-value F crit
Litter Result (Soil Carbon Stock)
After completing the field tests at all 15 test sample points, where the depth and weight of each point were measured, the results indicated that the areas where there was No-tillage were thicker and heavier than the areas where tillage took place, but in the border areas, the numbers were close to the No-tillage areas due to the similarity of the surrounding environmental conditions The average of Litter weight for No-tillage management is 50.8g and zero for tillage management and 30.48g for border management, but the average of litter thickness for No-tillage management is 6.2 cm and zero for tillage management and 3.4 cm for border management
There is no significant difference between No-tillage and border samples Meanwhile the significant difference is clearly seen between No-tillage and tillage treatments (Figure 4.6)
Table 4.8 Litter Result (Soil Carbon Stock)
Code Sampling point Litter weight (g) Litter thickness (cm)
Figure 4.6 Soil Litter under different sugarcane management a b c a c b
Figure 4.7 Soil Respiration Result Analysis
Soil Respiration Result
Table 4.9 illustrates that soil respiration sampling yielded higher results in the No- tillage samples compared to both tillage and border samples The recorded average value of soil respiration was 8.6 at the depth of 0-20 cm and 8.76 at the depth of 20-
40 cm under the No-tillage management, the tillage management has recorded average values of 6.89 and 5.68 for (0-20cm) and (20-40cm) respectively, the border management has recorded average values of 5.77 and 8.1 for (0-20cm) and (20- 40cm) respectively Anova Analysis further confirmed a significant difference between the tillage and no-tillage treatments (Figure 4.7).
Table 4.9 Result of soil Respiration Sampling
Treatment Replication Respiration 0-20 cm Respiration 20-40 cm
Soil Organic Carbon Result
In Table 4.10, it is evident that the results of soil organic carbon sampling indicate that the average SOC is higher in the No-tillage samples compared to both tillage and border samples The recorded average value of Soil Organic Carbon was 1.68 at the depth of 0-20 cm and 1.22 at the depth of 20-40 cm under the No-tillage management, the tillage management has recorded average values of 1.08 and 0.98 for (0-20cm) and (20-40cm) respectively, the border management has recorded average values of 1.57 and 0.67 for (0-20cm) and (20-40cm) respectively
Table 4.10 Result of soil organic carbon sampling
Treatment Replication Depth 0-20 cm Depth 20-40 cm
The results of the soil organic carbon test at two soil depths (0 - 20 cm) and (20 - 40 cm) for soil samples showed that the land with No-tillage has a higher soil organic carbon rate than the Tillage land and the land located on the border Where 3 soil samples were taken from each plot of land
Figure 4.8 Soil Organic Carbon Result Analysis
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Discussion
The bacterial population in soil plays a crucial role in several processes such as nutrient cycling, carbon stabilization, and promoting plant health, all of which contribute to improving soil conditions for plant growth Bacteria, the tiniest and most resilient microorganisms in the soil, are capable of enduring challenging or fluctuating soil conditions (Khmelevtsova, 2022)
Bacterial population results of the 10 4 ,10 5 tillage samples were much higher than those in the No-tillage and border samples The reason for this is that during tillage promotes uniformity of bacterial communities in cropland soils and increases the coexistence patterns of the bacterial community in cropland soils (Zhang, 2022)
In the case of the no-till samples, the soil retains medium numbers of bacterial populations, which increase in the long term through the improvement of bacterial diversity in the soil (Qin, 2020) In the border samples, bacteria number stays the lowest number but with natural condition The effect of tillage as an agricultural practice appears on the soil, as tillage increases bacterial populations, but at the same time it kills and prevents the reproduction of other types of microorganisms. Tillage has a detrimental effect on soil because to its destructive impact on soil aggregates, burial of residues, and acceleration of microbial activity and degradation of plant residues Tillage has the potential to greatly alter the composition and diversity of soil microbial communities (Khmelevtsova, 2022) Tillage management decreases soil biodiversity, which has a negative impact on soil fertility and health In contrast, No-tillage maintains soil biodiversity through the presence of various microorganisms, leading to positive effects on long- term soil health and fertility This approach promotes sustainable agriculture by reducing soil erosion, conserving water, and allowing crop residues to decompose on the surface Consequently, this results in an enhancement of the soil's physical, chemical, and biological characteristics (Khmelevtsova, 2022)
46 Fungi thrive in soil due to their exceptional adaptability and ability to assume different forms to cope with challenging or unfavorable circumstances Thanks to their capacity to generate a diverse range of extracellular enzymes, they possess the capability to degrade many types of organic substances, so facilitating the decomposition of soil constituents and subsequently maintaining the equilibrium of carbon and nutrients (Himalini, 2019)
In Fungi using the Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) indicator, the results of the 10 4 ,10 5 No-tillage samples were higher than those in the tillage and border samples The reasons for the presence of fungi in No-tillage soil are more than in tillage soil because the No-tillage land maintains an abundance and a high percentage of fungi in the soil, especially in the root zone of the plant, in addition to the rich diversity of fungi species, but in the case of tillage land, the layers of the soil are broken and the fungi are exposed There is no suitable environment for its reproduction, and therefore its quantity and diversity decrease, while in the case of the soil that is on the borders, the activity of fungi is within natural conditions (Kowalska, 2022)
Macrofauna's findings revealed that the traps placed on the No-tillage samples exhibited a higher abundance and diversity of Macrofauna species Conversely, excessive tillage in agricultural systems has detrimental effects on long-term soil fertility and several crucial soil processes
The Earthworm population and Weight in both depths of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm are significantly greater in No-tillage compared to Tillage Therefore, Tillage is the primary factor that influences the abundance of earthworms The No-tillage area had a higher population of earthworms compared to the tillage and border or fence areas This is because tillage may have harmed or displaced worms on the surface, causing them to move deeper into the soil However, in the No-tillage area, there was an adequate food source for the earthworms Furthermore, earthworms are regarded as bioindicators of soil health (Jordan, 1997)
Conservation tillage not only helps to restore soil quality, but also strengthens the positive connections between earthworms and soil physical properties It
47 enhances the abundance and diversity of macrofauna, particularly earthworms Additionally, conservation tillage practices can increase profits by lowering fixed and variable management costs Conservation tillage strategies and the resulting increase in surface residue cover have been proven to help maintain soil structure and protect soil organic matter Matter, an essential constituent of soil quality (Fonte, 2020)
The results of soil litter analysis indicate that the weight and thickness of litter are larger in No-tillage samples This has an impact on climate and varies the quality of litter, which in turn impacts the dynamics of soil organic matter in agricultural systems Consequently, it directly influences soil biological activity, as well as energy and nutrient cycling The weight and thickness of the litter lead to an estimate of the biomass and then an estimate of the carbon stock in the soil This is more apparent in No-tillage land due to the increased activity of litter decomposition (Pereira, 2023) Other studies that had similar findings about the higher SOM in No-tillage methods such as ( Chinbuah, 2022) and ( Hou, 2023)
Soil respiration is a significant contributor to global carbon and nutrient cycles, and it also influences climate change The effect it has on each of them is as follows:
Soil respiration is crucial for regulating carbon cycling both within ecosystems and on a global scale Annually, land plants absorb around 120 peta-grams (Pg) of carbon, whereas an equivalent amount is emitted into the atmosphere through ecosystem respiration Nutrient cycling: Soil respiration primarily involves the breakdown of organic matter, such as litter, which results in the release of CO2 into the environment At the same time, this process also leads to the immobilization or mineralization of minerals Climate change: The carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by soil respiration acts as a greenhouse gas, which will persistently capture heat and contribute to the rise in world average temperature if its concentrations continue to increase
48 The soil respiration measurements showed higher values in the No-tillage samples at both depths of 0-20cm and 20-40cm Soil respiration refers to the release of Carbon dioxide (CO2) from the soil surface, which indicates the soil's ability to support soil life, including crops, macrofauna, and microorganisms The description pertains to the extent of microbial activity, the quantity of soil organic matter, and the process of its decomposition Soil respiration in the laboratory can be utilized to quantify soil microbial biomass and draw inferences about nutrient cycling in the soil It also serves as an indicator of the soil's capacity to support plant development (Horel, 2022)
The applications used in the No-tillage land for this research by using organic fertilizer to Increase soil respiration when organic fertilizer begins to break down and increase biomass production, and use of residue crops to increase soil moisture; decrease soil erosion, and Temporary fixation of nitrogen during residue breakdown This leads to improved soil quality and structure, soil fertility, and soil organic matter content This explains the higher rate of soil respiration in the No- tillage land for the sugarcane crop than in the tillage land and in the border land (Horel, 2022)
In soil organic carbon, the results were higher values in No-tillage samples at both depths 0-20cm and 20-40cm, Soil organic carbon is a constituent of soil organic matter Soil organic carbon is a quantification of the carbon content present in soil organic matter, which is predominantly composed of carbon (58%), along with water and other nutrients, Whereas the rate of soil organic carbon is higher in No- tillage land due to the accumulation of the previous crop and its reuse as organic fertilizer for the soil, and because in No-tillage the soil leads to the preservation of the organic matter present in the surface soil and thus increases the organic carbon of the soil and thus an increase in soil fertility and soil biodiversity In the case of Tillage land, erosion and breakage occur in the surface soil, resulting in the loss of soil organic matter, in addition to not using organic fertilizer This causes a decrease
49 in soil organic carbon, thus reducing soil fertility and soil biodiversity (Wang, 2020)
Implementing no-tillage management practices can effectively increase soil organic carbon levels and minimize carbon emissions into the atmosphere Therefore, soil carbon management plays a crucial role in enhancing soil quality, boosting crop yields, and preventing soil erosion By sequestering carbon in the soil, we can enhance soil health, productivity, and contribute to stabilizing the global carbon cycle (Wang, 2020) This explains the higher rate of soil organic carbon in the No-tillage land for the sugarcane crop than in the tillage land and in the border land
5.1.6 No-tillage and sustainable development
Conservation agriculture ensures the long-term viability of farming by preserving the integrity of natural resources using a consistent organic layer on the soil Implementing no-tillage (NT) practices and minimizing soil disturbance, in addition to employing diverse crop rotations, are crucial for enhancing soil health and quality Conservation agriculture with No-tillage is a comprehensive method of farming that improves food security by boosting soil productivity and fertility, safeguarding biodiversity, and maintaining ecosystem services This approach employs practices that enhance the resilience of farming systems to climate change (Choudhary, 2016)
Limitations
The results of this case study relate to the specific conditions, climate, and agricultural practices in Indonesia They may not be directly transferable to other sugar cane growing areas with different environmental and socio-economic factors
The duration of the study may not cover all the long-term impacts and benefits of adopting organic farming and no-till farming Impacts on soil health and yields could evolve beyond the study period
The study is based on available data, which may have limitations in terms of accuracy and completeness Future research could benefit from larger and more detailed data collection
5.2.4 Variation in organic farming practices
Organic farming encompasses a variety of techniques and approaches This case study focuses on specific organic practices and the results may not be universally applicable to all organic farming methods used in Indonesia
Successful implementation of complex management practices depends on farmers Knowledge, willingness to adopt new techniques, and access to appropriate training and support The variability of these factors in different regions or communities of Indonesia has not yet been fully explored.
Changes in government policies, or other external factors can make a significant impact by directing farmers to conservation agriculture without tillage and leaving conventional agriculture with tillage in Indonesia These factors were not examined in detail in this case study
A case study may contain a relatively small sample, which limits the representativeness of the results It may not adequately reflect the diversity of sugar cane farmers and practices in Indonesia
The study does not account for potential resource constraints that farmers may face when implementing complex management practices, such as access to organic inputs or the availability of no-till equipment
While this case study provides valuable insights, it also underscores the need for further research and exploration of specific aspects of organic farming, no-till, and complex sugarcane management practices in Indonesia
Conclusion
According to the results obtained for all tests (Micro-organisms, Macrofauna, Soil Litter, Bacterial Enumeration, Soil Respiration, and Soil Organic Carbon), they indicate that managing No-tillage land for a sugarcane crop is much better than managing Tillage land with sugarcane crop and land that is located on the border, in bacteria populations, the higher rate at 10 4 is 228, and at 10 5 is 266 in Tillage ,and the average rate in tillage for 10 4 and 10 5 is 227, the results of the fungi population, the highest average rate at 10 4 is 14, and at 10 5 is 3 in No-tillage and the average rate in No-tillage for 10 4 and 10 5 is 4.3 , in the earthworm results for 0-20cm the higher number is 4 and weight is 0.9g, and for 20-40 cm the higher number is 5 and weight is 1.2g in No-tillage, for the soil litter the higher weight is 70 g and thickness 7cm in No-tillage and the average rate for soil litter weight in No-tillage is 50.8g and the average in thickness is 6.2 cm , in Macrofauna; the results of the five no-till samples contained more Macrofauna species, 7-9 species, in soil respiration result; the recorded average value of soil respiration was 8.6 at the depth of 0-20 cm and 8.76 at the depth of 20-40 cm under the No-tillage management, the tillage management has recorded average values of 6.89 and 5.68 for (0-20cm) and (20-40cm) respectively, the border management has recorded average values of 5.77 and 8.1 for (0-20cm) and (20-40cm) respectively, then for the soil organic carbon results; the recorded average value of Soil Organic Carbon was 1.68 at the depth of 0-20 cm and 1.22 at the depth of 20-40 cm under the No-tillage management, the tillage management has recorded average values of 1.08 and 0.98 for (0-20cm) and (20-40cm) respectively, the border management has recorded average values of 1.57 and 0.67 for (0-20cm) and (20-40cm) respectively, where the indicators were all positive regarding the No-tillage land with sugar cane, indicating that the soil is more fertile and that soil analyzes indicate that the health of the soil is better in terms of soil composition, soil quality, and soil texture as the previous crops are used and recycled as organic fertilizer, and the soil is preserved in No-tillage It contributed significantly to achieving the research objectives and answering the research questions, and this is what the study concluded Based on the above the
54 No-tillage Management with organic agriculture is more soil healthy and fertile than the Tillage Management with conventional agriculture,
Planting sugarcane with No-tillage management has resulted in more carbon stored in the soil which helps reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere, this will achieve one of the 17 sustainable development goals announced by the United Nations in the Paris Agreement and contributes to maintaining sustainable agriculture and sustainable development goals
Finally, it is recommended that the researchers conduct similar research and experiment on other agricultural crops which could have a more positive impact on the soil and the environment, prompting a focus on sustainable agriculture
Researchers should consider studying various organic soil additives such as compost, green manure, biofertilizers and assess their impact on soil health and crop productivity Researchers should try No-tillage techniques, such as zero tillage and reduced tillage and compare the effect on soil structure, erosion, and overall crop performance Provide research recommendations to the policymakers at the local and national levels to advocate for supportive policies that promote conservation agriculture and organic farming in the region.
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FIG1.1: Collect soil samples with depth (0-20CM) AND (20-40CM)
FIG1.2: Litter Thickness and Litter Weight Analysis
FIG 1.4: Earthworm collecting FIG 1.5: Organic fertilizer
64 FIG 1.6: Bacterial and fungi analysis in laboratory
FIG 1.7: Soil respiration analysis in laboratory
65 FIG1.8: Sugarcane farm under conservation agriculture management
FIG1.9: Sugarcane farm under conventional agriculture management