Impacts of farming management on soil health and water quality in Kentucky

Abstract Use of synthetic chemicals for crop production negatively impacts soil and water quality in Kentucky, including eutrophication and water pollution. However, field research data on these aspects in Kentucky are scarce, and the main challenges in conducting field or on‐farm research include l...

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Main Authors: Sandeep Airee, Atanu Mukherjee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70134
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author Sandeep Airee
Atanu Mukherjee
author_facet Sandeep Airee
Atanu Mukherjee
author_sort Sandeep Airee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Use of synthetic chemicals for crop production negatively impacts soil and water quality in Kentucky, including eutrophication and water pollution. However, field research data on these aspects in Kentucky are scarce, and the main challenges in conducting field or on‐farm research include lack of different farming management under the same farmland and lack of willingness of the regional farmers to take part in the research studies. This qualitative review aims to compare the effects of various nutrient sources on water quality and soil health in Kentucky. Survey data indicate that in Kentucky, intensive agricultural practices, including heavy machinery and chemical fertilizers, contribute to soil degradation and adversely impact water quality. The state's agricultural landscape, dominated by small family farms, influences localized water quality impacts, highlighting the need for sustainable farming practices. Kentucky's agricultural practices show a significant shift toward reduced tillage and increased manure usage from 2017 to 2022. However, the preliminary source of nutrients remains the usage of fertilizers while very little farm‐scale research data on leaching and surface runoff exist. Limited research shows manure application relates to elevated levels of nitrate, phosphate, and ammonium in water. Scarcity of data, including the absence of on‐farm relevant studies, hinders comprehensive insights into profitability, adoption barriers, and socioeconomic impacts that are crucial for promoting effective sustainable agriculture in Kentucky and remains a significant knowledge gap.
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spelling doaj-art-3daca1b3a1cc4bc294607ec2b74b98502025-08-20T03:26:30ZengWileyAgrosystems, Geosciences & Environment2639-66962025-06-0182n/an/a10.1002/agg2.70134Impacts of farming management on soil health and water quality in KentuckySandeep Airee0Atanu Mukherjee1College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Kentucky State University Frankfort Kentucky USACollege of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Kentucky State University Frankfort Kentucky USAAbstract Use of synthetic chemicals for crop production negatively impacts soil and water quality in Kentucky, including eutrophication and water pollution. However, field research data on these aspects in Kentucky are scarce, and the main challenges in conducting field or on‐farm research include lack of different farming management under the same farmland and lack of willingness of the regional farmers to take part in the research studies. This qualitative review aims to compare the effects of various nutrient sources on water quality and soil health in Kentucky. Survey data indicate that in Kentucky, intensive agricultural practices, including heavy machinery and chemical fertilizers, contribute to soil degradation and adversely impact water quality. The state's agricultural landscape, dominated by small family farms, influences localized water quality impacts, highlighting the need for sustainable farming practices. Kentucky's agricultural practices show a significant shift toward reduced tillage and increased manure usage from 2017 to 2022. However, the preliminary source of nutrients remains the usage of fertilizers while very little farm‐scale research data on leaching and surface runoff exist. Limited research shows manure application relates to elevated levels of nitrate, phosphate, and ammonium in water. Scarcity of data, including the absence of on‐farm relevant studies, hinders comprehensive insights into profitability, adoption barriers, and socioeconomic impacts that are crucial for promoting effective sustainable agriculture in Kentucky and remains a significant knowledge gap.https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70134
spellingShingle Sandeep Airee
Atanu Mukherjee
Impacts of farming management on soil health and water quality in Kentucky
Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
title Impacts of farming management on soil health and water quality in Kentucky
title_full Impacts of farming management on soil health and water quality in Kentucky
title_fullStr Impacts of farming management on soil health and water quality in Kentucky
title_full_unstemmed Impacts of farming management on soil health and water quality in Kentucky
title_short Impacts of farming management on soil health and water quality in Kentucky
title_sort impacts of farming management on soil health and water quality in kentucky
url https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70134
work_keys_str_mv AT sandeepairee impactsoffarmingmanagementonsoilhealthandwaterqualityinkentucky
AT atanumukherjee impactsoffarmingmanagementonsoilhealthandwaterqualityinkentucky