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Title: Special Session Symposium--Soil Organic Matter Management Alternatives in a Smallholder Context
Lead Community Sponsor:
Cosponsor: SSSA Division: Soil and Water Management and Conservation
Community Cosponsor: Agronomic Solutions for Smallholders Community, Agronomy in Africa Community
Format: Oral Symposium
Keywords: Smallholder alternatives, Soil organic matter, Soil productivtiy and Sustainable management
Session Description: This Special Session will discuss the concepts, practices, and tradeoffs associated with the management of organic inputs to improve soil productivity and sustainability in the context of smallholder farming systems. Specific topics include: the characteristics of organic inputs and the response of soil organic matter in tropical soils; the development of integrated soil fertility management approaches that balance farmer priorities with organic matter improvements; and the evaluation of current limitations, known benefits, and possible incentives to enhance use of organic inputs and improve soil organic matter management. Session will include time for open questions and answer to the speakers as a panel, which provides opportunity to discuss technical elements as well as relevant cross-cultural issues and applications.