Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 1 — Meta-analysis / systematic reviewPeer-reviewedConventional

The impact of crop rotation on soil microbial diversity: A meta-analysis

Venter, Z. S., K. Jacobs, and H.-J. Hawkins

Pedobiologia · 2016

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Summary

This meta-analysis synthesised empirical findings on the relationship between crop rotation and soil microbial diversity. The work contributes to understanding how rotation-based farming practices influence soil biological communities, a key indicator of soil health. The geographic scope and specific crop types examined are not evident from the title alone.

Regional applicability

Meta-analyses of crop rotation effects are broadly applicable to United Kingdom arable systems; however, transferability depends on whether the included studies represented temperate climates and European cropping patterns. The findings would be most relevant to UK organic and regenerative farming practice if those systems were well-represented in the meta-analysis.

Key measures

Soil microbial diversity indices, microbial community composition, response magnitude across crop rotation types and soil conditions

Outcomes reported

The study synthesised quantitative evidence on how crop rotation practices alter soil microbial diversity across multiple field studies. The meta-analysis likely examined changes in microbial community composition and diversity metrics in rotated versus monoculture systems.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil biology & microbiology
Study type
Meta-analysis
Study design
Meta-analysis
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United Kingdom
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1016/j.pedobi.2016.04.001
Catalogue ID
IRmqh56u8w-0b5ba4

Topic tags

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