Legume integration and manure offer promise to improve early indicators of soil health

Tested indicators offer potential to detect that:

• Cropping systems and manure play a crucial role in improving soil properties and potential microbial activity
• Mineral nitrogen applications have a comparatively smaller impact on soil properties and potential microbial activity compared to main treatments
• Legume integration provides a potential for both soil chemical properties and microbial activity
• Carbon and nitrogen activity are key factors in driving critical microbial process

Visscher, A.M.; Fonte, S.J.; Ndangu, S.M.; Mutai, J.; Six, J.; Hartmann, M.; Laub, M.; Vanek, S.; Travedi, P.; Vanlauwe, B.; Pulleman, M.