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Global meta-analysis revealed that returning crop straw to agricultural soils, a practice widely advocated for its ecological advantages, can acidify the soil.
The research analyzed 326 experiments in 175 locations around the world, highlighting the risks and regional variability of this practice.
The practice of returning crop straw to the soil, seen as a promising approach to improving fertility and mitigating climate change, may have substantial negative consequences.
According to a recent study published in the European Journal of Agronomy, straw decomposition reduces soil pH by an average of 0,030 units, increasing acidification in 54% of the cases analyzed.
The impacts are especially pronounced in alkaline soils and irrigated lands, such as rice paddies, where acidification occurs more rapidly. The research found that agricultural management methods, such as monoculture and intensive use of nitrogen fertilizers, exacerbate the problem.
The study authors highlight that soil acidification can reduce agricultural productivity and increase the mobility of toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, posing risks to food security and human health.
Furthermore, the practice can intensify emissions of greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide and methane.
More information can be found at doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2025.127511
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