TY - JOUR T1 - Agricultural exhaust: A reason to invest in soil JF - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation SP - 98A LP - 101A VL - 61 IS - 3 AU - Alan J. Franzluebbers AU - Ronald F. Follett AU - Jane M.F. Johnson AU - Mark A. Liebig AU - Edward G. Gregorich AU - Timothy B. Parkin AU - Jeffrey L. Smith AU - Stephen J. Del Grosso AU - Michael D. Jawson AU - Dean A. Martens Y1 - 2006/05/01 UR - http://www.jswconline.org/content/61/3/98A.abstract N2 - Agriculture depends upon soil to serve as a medium for plant growth, as a reservoir of nutrients and water, and as a filter to detoxify chemical inputs. Soil of high quality contributes to the production of abundant, high quality food and fiber. Unfortunately though, poor management can exhaust soil. Historically, soil has been degraded by poor management. Soil loss by erosion (wind, water, and tillage) has been, and continues to be, a major threat to soil sustain-ability around the world. Intensive tillage has been a traditional agricultural practice, but it is clear that it is not appropriate in many areas of North America, because it contributes to a high risk of erosion and losses of soil organic C and other nutrients. Soil productivity is also threatened by salinization from irrigation, contamination of soil with heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial byproducts, and suburban encroachment. Although soil resists degradation from some of these pressures, there is a point at which soil simply becomes exhausted and cannot continue to function normally. Economically, even a small loss of soil productivity could be detrimental for farmers operating on a small profit margin. Management systems are needed to improve the quality of soil and restoresoil. There is no better time to make those investments than now. … ER -