@article{Xu:301910,
      recid = {301910},
      author = {Xu, Nan and Bhadha, Jehangir H. and Rabbany, Abul and  Swanson, Stewart },
      title = {Soil Health Assessment of Two Regenerative Farming  Practices on Sandy Soils},
      journal = {Sustainable Agriculture Research},
      address = {2019},
      number = {526-2020-557},
      year = {2019},
      abstract = {The addition of organic amendments and cover cropping on  sandy soils are regenerative farming practices that can  potentially enhance soil health. South Florida mineral  soils present low soil quality due to their sandy texture  and low organic matter (OM) content. Few studies have  focused on evaluating the effects of farm-based management  regenerative practices in this region. The objective of  this study was to evaluate changes in soil properties  associated with two regenerative farming practices - horse  bedding application in combination with cover cropping  (cowpea, Vigna unguiculata), compared to the practice of  cover cropping only for two years. The soil quality  indicators that were tested included soil pH, bulk density,  water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, OM,  active carbon, soil protein and major nutrients (N, P, K).  Results indicated no significant changes in soil pH, but a  significant reduction in soil bulk density and a  significant increase in maximum water holding capacity for  both practices. Cation exchange capacity and the amounts of  active carbon increased significantly after 1.5-year of the  farming practices. Horse bedding application with cover  cropping showed a significant 4% increase in OM during a  short period. A significant increase in plant-available P  was also observed under these two practices. Based on this  study, horse bedding application as an organic amendment in  conjunction with cover cropping provides an enhanced soil  health effect compared to just cover cropping. As local  growers explore farming option to improve soil health  particularly during the fallow period using regenerative  farming practices on sandy soils, these results will assist  in their decision making.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/301910},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.301910},
}