How does a cotton production system change the soil biology?

Abstract

The role of soil biota in providing ecosystem functions for crop productivity and maintaining our soil and water resources is well recognised in the Australian cotton industry. Crop management practices such as crop rotation, tillage, crop residue retention, fertiliser and agrochemical application have been shown to influence soil biological communities with potential impact on biological functions. This is important because our soil microorganisms along with the fauna, as captured in the eukaryotic analysis, mediate carbon and nutrient cycles and play a critical role in disease suppression, degradation of agrochemicals and the maintenance of overall plant health and soil structure.