Prospects, advantages and limitations of future crop production systems dependent upon the management of soil processes

Current agriculture in Europe is predominantly reliant upon external inputs, such as fertilisers and pesticides, rather than upon soil processes, for the resources it needs for crop growth. Inputs of fertilisers have environmental disbenefits, some of which have been highlighted by the introduction of the Water Framework Directive. Here we review the scope to improve current production systems so as to reduce environmental impact while broadly maintaining productivity. The review focuses upon both the potential impacts of means of increasing soil nutrient supply, in the absence of fertilisers, and the potential impact on nutrient uptake of modifications to the functioning of the root system. Assessments of the functioning of the root system must allow for all root types and for the contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The development of productive systems based around soil processes will thus depend upon both better management of soil processes, especially when they relate to holding nutrients such as nitrogen within the system, and to developments in understanding roots and their associated microbes.