Grassland Crops as Drivers for the Improvement of Soil Fertility

Managing soil fertility is vital for agriculture. However, modern farming excessively relies on mineral fertilizers, which lessens profit and endangers ecosystem health. Grasslands made up of Poaceae and Fabaceae, including woody species, offer feed for livestock, lowers farmers’ economic risks, and conserve resources. Grassland crops can enhance soil fertility in a more sustainable way than mineral fertilization. To counter fertilizer-driven soil decline, permanent grasslands or crop rotations are effective. Also, grassland soils generally contain more nitrogen, potassium and organic matter and less phosphorus than cropland soils. They additionally enhance soil’s physical and biological parameters, limiting erosion while elevating biodiversity. This work focuses on the benefits of grasslands towards crop production, reviewing their influence on soil fertility parameters that boost soil health.