Description

ABOUT THE BOOK

Of late, the soil resource in India is under increasing stress as there is a big gap (deficit of about 10 million tonnes NPK nutrients) between annual drain of nutrients from the soil due to crop removals and the nutrient inputs from the external sources. Surveys conducted in major states revealed that majority of the farmers are under fertilizing their crops due to escalated costs of fertilizers and reduced response of crops to applied nutrients. But fortunately considerable quantities of organic wastes are available in India which, if used properly, can supply about 7.0, 3.0 and 7.6 million tonnes of N, P and K, respectively. Even though significant quantities of organic manures are available with the farmers, their quality is poor. Lots of research has been done in ICAR Institutes as well as SAUs to enhance the quality of manures through efficient composting techniques, vermi-composting, Municipal solid waste composting (MSW), etc. and their efficient recycling for sustainable agriculture. Sincere efforts have been made to bring all the aspects related to potential availability of different on-farm and off farm wastes available in the country, their characteristics, techniques for their recycling, nutrient release characteristics of the organic wastes, INM and organic farming practices, qualit of produce under INM & organic farming, soil test based on-line fertilizer recommendations into one place in the form this compendium. Some chapters on the current areas of research such as nano-technology, microbial diversity, advanced instrumental techniques, etc. are also included in the book for the benefit of readers.

CONTENTS

ABOUT THE EDITORS

Dr. A.B. Singh received his M. Sc and Ph.D in Biochemistry from Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad. He served as Assistant Professor in CSK-HPKV Palampur (1992-99), Senior Scientist (1999-2007), and Principal Scientist (2007 onwards) at Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal. He has made significant contributions in recycling of organic wastes, organic farming, vermicomposting, developing techniques for better soil biological health and produced quality etc.  Dr. Singh has published over 50 research papers in National and International journals. He has received several awards and honors which include Vice Chancellor Gold Medal Award and Fellow of Indian Society of Agricultural Biochemists.

Dr. K. Sammi Reddy received his M. Sc. (Ag) in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry from APAU, Hyderabad and Ph. D. degree from IARI, New Delhi. He served as Scientific Assistant, National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad (1990-91), Scientist (1991-1998), Senior Scientist (1998-2008), and Principal Scientist (2008 onwards), Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal. He has made significant contributions in integrated nutrient management in soybean-wheat system, dynamics of N and S in different soils after long-term cropping, preparation and evaluation of thermally promoted phosphate rocks, and residual P management in soybean-wheat system on Vertisols. Dr. Reddy has published over 40 research papers in National and International journals. He has received several awards and honors which include PPIC-FAI Award (1997), The Golden Jubilee Commemoration Young Scientist Award of ISSS (2002), IMPHOS-FAI Award (2003), Associate Fellowship of NAAS, New Delhi (2006), TSI-FAI Award (2006), FAI Golden Jubilee Award (2008) for his valuable contributions in the field of nutrient management in soybean-wheat system. He has traveled to Australia, Kenya, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore and participated in Seminars/workshops or undergone short-term training.

Dr. M.C. Manna is Principal Scientist and Head, Soil Biology Division, Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal. Fellow of Indian Society of Soil Science Recipient of 12th International Congress Commemoration Award and Imphos-FAI Award. He is involved in research in the area of waste recycling through microbial processes, soil carbon sequestration, soil carbon pools in relation to climate change.

Dr. A. Subba Rao, after completing M.Sc. (Ag.) in Agricultural Chemistry (1976) from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University and Ph.D. in Soil Science (1980) from IARI, served as Assistant Professor, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Bapatla (1980-1984), Soil Scientist, Potash Research Institute of India, Gurgaon (1984-89, Principal Scientist, Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal (1987-97), Project Coordinator, Soil Test Crop Response Correlation (1997 – 2004) and Director (2004 -till date). He has made significant contributions in delineation of potassium supplying power of Indian soils, management of phosphorus in soybean-wheat system, dynamics of P and K in soil-plant system and soil-test crop response correlation study. Dr. A. Subba Rao is the Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India and Fellow of Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS) and has also received several National Awards. He has traveled to Australia, France, Germany, England, Philippines and Switzerland and presented papers in Seminars or undergone short-term training. Served as Member, Institute Management Committee, NRC Weed Science, Jabalpur; Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal; Secretary, Research Advisory Committee and QRT, IISS, Bhopal and Member, Soil Quality Sub-committee, BIS.