Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
functions as a source or as a sink for carbon. Intensive cultivation has been
depleting more nutrients than what was added externally through fertiliz-
ers. It is therefore not surprising that farmers have to apply more fertilizers
to get the same yields. Micronutrients such as sulfur, zinc, manganese, etc.
are generally not replaced externally and so have compounded the prob-
lem of nutrient deficiency. Integrated use of organics (organic manures
and bio-fertilizers) and chemical fertilizers has been found to be promis-
ing in not only maintaining and sustaining higher productivity but also in
providing stability in crop production.
Integrated nutrient management holds great promise in maintaining
sustainability of soil health and its fertility. Use of vermicompost and bio-
fertilizers has been found highly effective in sustaining productivity of the
soil. Similarly, use of a consortium of biofertilizers has helped in reducing
the recommended fertilizer dose in many horticultural crops. More than
50% micronutrient fertilizers could be saved by mixing them with just
1.0 to 1.2t BGS (Bio-Gas Slurry)/ha. Returning crop residues to soil over
long periods has great bearing on its productivity and physicochemical
and microbial properties. Crop residues at 50% of straw produced take
care of micronutrient nutrition to crops in the long run. Similarly, use of
green manure often takes care of micronutrients deficiency in the soil.
Under changing climate when there is widespread deficiency of nutrients
in the soil, integrated approach for nutrient management would definitely
be more sustainable and rewarding.
1.10
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Fruits and vegetables suffer more from residual toxicity of chemicals in
their flesh than cereals and pulses, as they are highly perishable and con-
sumed soon after harvest. A plethora of insect pests and diseases frequent-
ly invade them. It has been reported that the climatic aberrations can alter
pest dynamics of a place. Changing patterns of drought and heat, as well as
elevated CO
2
are likely to be accompanied by a change in the whole spec-
trum of biotic stresses. For most of the commercial crops, more tropical
environments are also associated with greater numbers of foliar pests and
diseases. Therefore, climate change would be likely to result in increased
risk of epidemics (Legrève and Duveiller, 2010). In dry regions, root dis-
eases such as nematode infestation are also problematic since they further
reduce the plant's ability to extract scarce water.
