Principles of Soil Management - Principles of Sustainable Soil Management in Agroecosystems - page 14

1.6.2.2 Organic and Inorganic Sources of Plant Nutrients
The debate on organic versus inorganic sources of plant nutrients is futile and irra-
tional rather than factual. Plants cannot differentiate the nutrients supplied through
inorganic fertilizers or organic amendments. Rather than an “either/or” question, it is
a matter of logistics and practicality in making nutrients available in sufficient quan-
tity, in appropriate form, and at the critical time needed for optimum crop growth
and desired yields. It is logistically difficult to find enough quantity of biofertilizers
and transport bulk amounts of manure, especially in arid and semiarid regions.
1.6.2.3 Modern Issues and Ancient Technologies
The problems of the twenty-first century, exacerbated by 7.1 billion people increasing at
the rate of 70-80 million/year, cannot be addressed by technologies developed during the
middle ages. Thus, it is important to build upon the traditional knowledge and avail of the
benefits of modern innovations. Similar to the debate on inorganic versus organic fertiliz-
ers, this is also not an “either/or” scenario. Modern science must synthesize the traditional
knowledge and build upon it. Those who refuse to use modern science to address urgent
global issues of the twenty-first century must be prepared to endure more sufferings.
1.6.2.4 Masters of Their Own Destiny
While numerous hardships and suffering can be attributed to harshness of nature and
to poor governance, land managers (farmers, ranchers, foresters) are also masters of
their own destiny. Soil restoration and desertification control are more effectively
addressed through farmer-driven initiatives in addressing their own problems. The
lack of rain has been blamed on nature (e.g., climate change), yet it is the farmer's
responsibility to conserve water in the soil, harvest and recycle excess rainfall, and
adopt technologies that produce more crop per unit drop (of rain).
1.6.2.5 Being Proactive
Land managers must be proactive in demanding from policy makers implementation
of programs that reduce their vulnerability to climate change and from researchers
innovative technologies that adapt to harsh environments and reverse degradation.
These programs include those that involve expansion in irrigation, making timely
availability of seeds and fertilizers, providing institutional support and marketing
facilities, and initiating research relevant to the needs of resource-poor farmers. It is
the squeaking wheel that gets the grease.
1.6.3 r eSearcherS
Researchers must also undertake some appropriate projects that are relevant to societal
needs and those that address issues of soil degradation, desertification, and food security.
Some relevant laws of sustainable soil management for researchers are the following.
1.6.3.1 Relative Importance of Natural Resources
versus Improved Germplasm
Both are important and must complement one another. However, it is important to real-
ize that even the elite varieties, even those developed through biotechnology and genetic