Description

ABOUT THE BOOK

The continuous use of high levels of chemical fertilizers is adversely affecting the sustainability of agricultural production and causing environmental pollution. There is a decline in the productivity of crop, despite the application of optimum levels of fertilizer inputs under assured irrigation. Constraint analysis has identified the declining organic mater status as a probable reason. It is in this context that the supplementation of organic along with chemical fertilizers is a decisive viable strategy.

In coming decades a major issue in designing sustainable agriculture system will be the management of soil organic matter and the rational use of inorganic inputs along with animal manures, crop residues, green manures, sewage sludge and food industry wastes. However, since organic wastes cannot meet the total nutrient needs of modern agriculture, integrated use of nutrients from fertilizers and organic wastes seems to be a need of the time.

Sustainable plant nutrition to increase food production has been identified as one of the priorities directly linked to land and water management resources in relation to environment. Therefore, the soil health is very important to achieve national food security targets for sustained growth.

Indian agriculture is operating at a net negative balance of plant nutrients at the rate of 8-10 million tonnes/annum. At least 10 million tonnes nutrients should come from organic manures, crop residues and bio-degradable wastes. Thus, food security is very much linked with nutrient input. India is endowed with enormous potential for plant nutrients locked up in the bio-degradable wastes. A total quantity of around 875 million tonnes of these so-called waste material is available in the country, which can supply 18.45 million tonnes of nutrients annually. This book orients towards recycling of biodegradable organic wastes for improved soil productivity.

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 Subcommittee, BIS.