Chapters authored
Soil and Water Conservation Measures for Agricultural Sustainability
Limited natural resources are available on the planet under immense pressure due to the ever-increasing population and changing climate. Soil and water are fundamental natural resources for the agricultural production system. Anthropogenic and adverse natural activities are the major factors for the deterioration of natural resources. Among the various degradation processes, soil erosion is one of the serious threats for the deterioration of soil and water resources. In India, about 68.4% of the total land area has been degraded by the water erosion process. Intensive agricultural practices accelerate the soil erosion process. Similarly, increased exploitation of groundwater resulted in depletion of groundwater level. Hence, the holistic management of soil and water resources is indispensable for agricultural sustainability as well as for the protection of the natural ecosystem. Development and adoption of improved technologies, judicious use of natural resources, and effective management practices are the need of the hour for protection of soil and water from degradation. This chapter highlights the status of natural resource degradation, erosion processes and, soil and water conservation strategies for agricultural sustainability and soil health in the long run.
Part of the book: Soil Moisture Importance
Soil Amendments: An Ecofriendly Approach for Soil Health Improvement and Sustainable Oilseed Production
Oilseed crops are major part of human diet providing energy, used for cosmetics, health supplements and other purposes. Intensive agricultural practices, overexploitation of natural resource and climate change pattern have adverse impact on soil health, thus becoming serious concern for oilseed crop production and livelihood security of farmers. Maintenance of soil health with amendments can restore, revitalize and regain the soil quality for sustainable agriculture. Soil amendments, therefore have definite advantage by improving soil health and facilitating nutrient supply to oilseed crops. Soil organic amendments such as animal manure, compost, vermicompost, biosolids/sewage sludge, biochar etc. and inorganic amendments such as gypsum, zeolite, pyrite etc. are the most commonly available amendments which can be directly applied to soil after treatments. Direct and indirect effect of soil amendments on soil chemical, physical and biological properties significantly influences soil-plant-continuum, beneficial for soil health improvement, carbon sequestration and oilseed yield improvement. Soil organic amendments could substitute nearly 25–50% of synthetic fertilizers, enhance nutrient use efficiency and influencing oilseed yield response. Soil amendments may sustain or increase oilseed productivity at reduced production and environmental cost, thus, improve soil health and water use efficiency and its quality, and mitigating climate change impact.
Part of the book: Oilseed Crops