Conversion of land use from forest to agricultural uses modifies soil quality through physiochemical soil properties changes. This study was conducted in Rwanda’s central plateau agro-ecological zone to evaluate the effect of forest and agricultural land uses on soil quality. The study was conducted in 2020. Soil samples were collected at the top, middle and bottom positions of each of the two land uses. We analyzed soil bulk density, soil moisture content, soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Av P), and CEC for each position of the land uses. Data were analyzed using ANOVA in GENSTAT version 13. The results revealed that soil properties were significantly affected by land use change. Analysis of variances (LSD<0.05) results showed, however, that treatments were not significantly different within the same land use. The results showed that treatments from top position of forest lands had the highest mean values for soil organic matter and total N parameters with the respective mean values of 6.58 %, and 0.37 %. Treatments from middle position of forest lands had the highest mean values for soil moisture content and Av P parameters respectively with 23.60 % and 29.56 ppm. But, soil bulk density was high on top position of agricultural land with a mean value of 1.49 g/cm3. Land users are advised to apply crop and soil management techniques which maintain soil quality and productivity on agricultural lands.

In this study, the effects of two traditional, three reduced and a zero tillage methods applied for nine years on GEA and PMN were determined and compared. The study, initiated in 2006 as randomized block design, includes a total of 18 plots with 3 replications for 6 different soil tillage systems. In the study, six different soil tillage methods are applied, namely conventional tillage with stubbles (CT-1), conventional tillage with stubbles burned (CT-2), reduced tillage with heavy disc harrow (RT-1), reduced tillage with rototiller (RT-2), reduced tillage with heavy disc harrow (RT-3) and no tillage (NT). Winter wheat was grown as the main crop every year or corn and soybean was grown following the harvest of wheat (second crop) every other year. Differentiation of tillage systems led to a significant variation in GEA and PMN concentrations. The GEA concentration, which increased significantly with the decrease in tillage density, varied between 44.68 mg PNP kg-1 h-1 (CT-2) and 207.66 mg PNP kg-1 h-1 (STI). However, the trend determined in GEA could not be detected in PMN. Although PMN concentration was significantly higher in soils under NT, it was included in the same statistical group with RT-1 for PMN concentrations. Higher PMN concentration in no till soils can be possibly related to the non-disturbance of soil structure. The results of study revealed that reduced and no tillage systems are extremely necessary to increase the quality of soils in the region.

In this study, the effects of two traditional, three reduced and a zero tillage methods applied for nine years on GEA and PMN were determined and compared. The study, initiated in 2006 as randomized block design, includes a total of 18 plots with 3 replications for 6 different soil tillage systems. In the study, six different soil tillage methods are applied, namely conventional tillage with stubbles (CT-1), conventional tillage with stubbles burned (CT-2), reduced tillage with heavy disc harrow (RT-1), reduced tillage with rototiller (RT-2), reduced tillage with heavy disc harrow (RT-3) and no tillage (NT). Winter wheat was grown as the main crop every year or corn and soybean was grown following the harvest of wheat (second crop) every other year. Differentiation of tillage systems led to a significant variation in GEA and PMN concentrations. The GEA concentration, which increased significantly with the decrease in tillage density, varied between 44.68 mg PNP kg-1 h-1 (CT-2) and 207.66 mg PNP kg-1 h-1 (STI). However, the trend determined in GEA could not be detected in PMN. Although PMN concentration was significantly higher in soils under NT, it was included in the same statistical group with RT-1 for PMN concentrations. Higher PMN concentration in no till soils can be possibly related to the non-disturbance of soil structure. The results of study revealed that reduced and no tillage systems are extremely necessary to increase the quality of soils in the region.

Due to its importance for organic agriculture, one of the most important agricultural production systems, various sources have been proposed to increase soil organic matter content. Vermicompost is one of those sources known as the resistant last form of farmyard manure which is degraded by earthworms. Soil organic matter or humus and their compounds are nutrient sources that increase physical, chemical and biological quality of soil. Humus and humus compounds improve soil physical, chemical and biological quality parameters increasing rhizosphere aeration and water holding capacity, rehabilitating soil structure, providing plant nutrients and constituting natural media for microorganisms with their regulative effects on soil reactions. In this study, the effects of vermicompost on yield and some growth parameters of lettuce were investigated. For this purpose, a random block designed experiment with 5 different applications was conducted in 3 replicates. The applications were control, vermicompost applications of 100 kg, 200 kg and 300 kg per decare and conventional fertilization. According to the results obtained, yield and growth parameters were improved by vermicompost application when compared to control and conventional fertilization. As a result of this study, it was concluded that 300 kg vermicompost/da is a promising application in lettuce production for optimal yield and soil improvement.

Restoration of soil has been identified as the option; to ensure crop sustainability. However, as per Trophobiosis Theory of French Scientist F. Chaboussou, focus on development of healthy plants is necessary to abate pest and disease invasion so as to ensure sustained crop performance, even under unfavorable environmental conditions. The present study, in randomized block design with green gram as test crop; was undertaken in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Howrah, West Bengal) to evaluate the effectiveness of Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology towards crop yield and soil quality development under different sustainable models viz. organic cultivation, integrated soil with organic crop management and non- chemical crop management; as compared to conventional farming practice. Highest yield was recorded under organic (933 kg ha-1) followed by integrated (921 kg ha-1) and non- chemical plant management (902 kg ha-1). The results were well corroborated with the plant development index obtained under these treatments. Favorable trend of soil quality under sustainable models especially in terms of microbial properties indicated the role of quality compost towards speedy rejuvenation of soil dynamics. The study indicated that reduction of synthetic fertilizers and qualitative management of soil is essential to restrict yield decline. However, plant management shall be prerequisite for ensuring crop sustainability without any time lag and under the changing climatic patterns. In this respect the potential of IRF Technology has been well accounted.