Crop residues for biofuel and increased soil erosion hazards

The emphasis on sustainably produced biofuel implies minimal or no adverse impacts on global food production, because diversion of corn (Zea mays) and soybeans (Glycine max) to biofuels has increased food prices (Piesse and Thirtle, 2009) and increased the food-insecure population to more than 1 billion (FAO, 2009). Thus, biofuel must only be produced without jeopardizing global food security. Removal of crop residues can also adversely impact soil quality, exacerbate soil degradation, and jeopardize food security (Blanco-Canqui et al., 2007; Lal, 2007b, 2009).