Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
is about 2 tons/ha, which is much below the desired rate of 10 tons/ha.
At the present production level, the estimated annual production of crop
residues is about 300 million tons. The production of urban compost has
been fluctuating around 6-7 million tons and the area under green manur-
ing is about 7 million/ha. Unlike fertilizers, the use of organic material has
not increased much in the last two to three decades. The estimated annual
available nutrient (NPK) contribution through organic sources is about 5
million tons, which could increase to 7.75 million tons by 2025. Thus,
organic manures have a significant role to play in nutrient supply. In ad-
dition to improving soil physico-chemical properties, the supplementary
and complementary use of organic manure also improves the efficiency of
mineral fertilizer use. Combined application of FYM with organic concen-
trates has been found promising, which avoids bulky application of FYM.
Composting manure is becoming popular. In comparison to manure, com-
post is a more stable product since almost the entire nutrient fractions are
in inorganic form. Plants can uptake majority of nutrients in inorganic
form.
4.10.5 CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN
HORTICULTURE PRODUCTION SYSTEM
Soil erosion removes topsoil, which is the richest layer of soil in both or-
ganic matter and nutrient value
.
Implementing soil and water conservation
measures that restrict runoff and erosion minimizes nutrient losses and sus-
tains soil productivity
.
Tillage practices and crop residue cover, along with
soil topography, structure, and drainage, are major factors in soil erosion
.
Surface residue limits erosion by reducing detachment of soil particles by
wind or raindrop impact and restricting water movement across the soil.
Tillage practices manage the amount of crop residue left on the soil sur-
face
.
Reduced tillage or no-till maximizes residue coverage
.
Water moves
rapidly and is more erosive on steep slopes, so reducing tillage, maintain-
ing surface residue, growing sod crops, and planting on the contour or in
contour strips are recommended conservation practices
.
Using diverse ro-
tations and growing cover crops also can reduce erosion. Soils with stable
aggregates are less erodible than those with poor structure, and organic
matter (including the activity of living soil organisms and fine roots) helps
bind soil particles together into aggregates
.
Tillage breaks down soil ag-
