Role of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Performance of Some Medicin...Premier Publishers
Medicinal plants are nutrient demanding plants for normal growth and to produce higher yield. The aim of this review is to assess and indicate the role of plant nutrients both organic and inorganic in some medicinal plants. Inorganic and/or organic fertilizers are needed to meet inadequate soil nutrients and the declining of soil fertility as a result of continuous cultivation. Maintaining soil organic matter concentration above the threshold level is critical for improving soil quality. A careful combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers is widely recognized strategy of integrated nutrient management to sustain agronomic productivity and improve soil fertility. The effects of organic fertilization and combined use of chemical and organic fertilizer on crop growth and soil fertility depend on the application rates and the nature of fertilizers used. Interestingly, applications of organic fertilizers to plants have been reported to increase the presence of bioactive compounds and antioxidants in them. On the other hand, inorganic fertilizers are crucial to increase the yield of medicinal plants like roselle within a short period of time. Most of the research conducted in plant nutrient demand for medicinal plants reported that integrated nutrient management for continuous and sustainable production of medicinal crop is necessary to gain quality products.
Fertilizers; Early history • What are Fertilizer • Nutrients in fertilizers • Functions and available form of nutrients • Needs for fertilizers • Essential requirements • Fertility of the soil • pH value of the soil • Fertilizer industry in Pakistan • Fertilizers; merits • Fertilizers; demerits • Uses Precaution; • To sum up • Student assignment
Integrated Nutrient Management refers to the maintenance of soil fertility and of plant nutrient supply at an optimum level for sustaining the desired productivity through optimization of the benefits from all possible sources of organic, inorganic and biological components in an integrated manner
Integrated nutrient management (INM) involves efficient and judicious use of all the major components of plant nutrient sources for sustaining soil fertility, health and productivity
Integrated approach for plant nutrition is being advocated because single nutrient approach often reduces fertilizer use efficiency and consequently creates problem fertilizers can help in enhancing and maintaining stability in production with least degradation in chemical and physical properties of the soil.
A healthy soil is a living, dynamic ecosystem that performs many vital functions.
A healthy soil produces a healthy feed for consumption. Improved soil health often is indicated by improvement on physical, chemical and microbiological environment.
Introduction of high yielding varieties, irrigation and use of high analysis fertilizer without proper soil tests, accelerated the mining of native soil nutrient resources.
Under intensive cultivation without giving due consideration to nutrient requirement has resulted in decline in soil fertility and consequent productivity of crops
Vegetables are rich source of energy and nutrition.
Role of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Performance of Some Medicin...Premier Publishers
Medicinal plants are nutrient demanding plants for normal growth and to produce higher yield. The aim of this review is to assess and indicate the role of plant nutrients both organic and inorganic in some medicinal plants. Inorganic and/or organic fertilizers are needed to meet inadequate soil nutrients and the declining of soil fertility as a result of continuous cultivation. Maintaining soil organic matter concentration above the threshold level is critical for improving soil quality. A careful combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers is widely recognized strategy of integrated nutrient management to sustain agronomic productivity and improve soil fertility. The effects of organic fertilization and combined use of chemical and organic fertilizer on crop growth and soil fertility depend on the application rates and the nature of fertilizers used. Interestingly, applications of organic fertilizers to plants have been reported to increase the presence of bioactive compounds and antioxidants in them. On the other hand, inorganic fertilizers are crucial to increase the yield of medicinal plants like roselle within a short period of time. Most of the research conducted in plant nutrient demand for medicinal plants reported that integrated nutrient management for continuous and sustainable production of medicinal crop is necessary to gain quality products.
Fertilizers; Early history • What are Fertilizer • Nutrients in fertilizers • Functions and available form of nutrients • Needs for fertilizers • Essential requirements • Fertility of the soil • pH value of the soil • Fertilizer industry in Pakistan • Fertilizers; merits • Fertilizers; demerits • Uses Precaution; • To sum up • Student assignment
Integrated Nutrient Management refers to the maintenance of soil fertility and of plant nutrient supply at an optimum level for sustaining the desired productivity through optimization of the benefits from all possible sources of organic, inorganic and biological components in an integrated manner
Integrated nutrient management (INM) involves efficient and judicious use of all the major components of plant nutrient sources for sustaining soil fertility, health and productivity
Integrated approach for plant nutrition is being advocated because single nutrient approach often reduces fertilizer use efficiency and consequently creates problem fertilizers can help in enhancing and maintaining stability in production with least degradation in chemical and physical properties of the soil.
A healthy soil is a living, dynamic ecosystem that performs many vital functions.
A healthy soil produces a healthy feed for consumption. Improved soil health often is indicated by improvement on physical, chemical and microbiological environment.
Introduction of high yielding varieties, irrigation and use of high analysis fertilizer without proper soil tests, accelerated the mining of native soil nutrient resources.
Under intensive cultivation without giving due consideration to nutrient requirement has resulted in decline in soil fertility and consequent productivity of crops
Vegetables are rich source of energy and nutrition.
A brief study on Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). This presentation has created by me after studying many articles and research papers regarding INM. Suggestions are kindly invited.
Role of organic farming A Presentation By Mr Allah Dad Khan Former Director G...Mr.Allah Dad Khan
Role of organic farming A Presentation By Mr Allah Dad Khan Former Director General Agriculture Extension KPK Province and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan
Indian agriculture is passing through difficult times due to erractic weather conditions, especially drought and excessive rainfall, there by resulting into wide spread distress among farmers.
The average income of an agricultural household during July 2012 to June 2013 was as low as Rs.6,426.
As many as 22.50% of the farmers live below poverty line, the country also witnessed a sharp increase in the number of farmers suicides due to losses from farming and low farm income.
Farming in India is becoming hard and unsuccessful due to several causes like unexpected rainfalls,droughts, increased cost of cultivation due to pests and diseases, decrease in productivity of land, unavailability of water etc..
Farmers get very low income for their produce due to prevailing market prices that are very unstable.
Decline in Agriculture productivity and Income has a serious effect on rural house holds, and other economic, social as well as sustainability indicators.
A brief study on Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). This presentation has created by me after studying many articles and research papers regarding INM. Suggestions are kindly invited.
Role of organic farming A Presentation By Mr Allah Dad Khan Former Director G...Mr.Allah Dad Khan
Role of organic farming A Presentation By Mr Allah Dad Khan Former Director General Agriculture Extension KPK Province and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan
Indian agriculture is passing through difficult times due to erractic weather conditions, especially drought and excessive rainfall, there by resulting into wide spread distress among farmers.
The average income of an agricultural household during July 2012 to June 2013 was as low as Rs.6,426.
As many as 22.50% of the farmers live below poverty line, the country also witnessed a sharp increase in the number of farmers suicides due to losses from farming and low farm income.
Farming in India is becoming hard and unsuccessful due to several causes like unexpected rainfalls,droughts, increased cost of cultivation due to pests and diseases, decrease in productivity of land, unavailability of water etc..
Farmers get very low income for their produce due to prevailing market prices that are very unstable.
Decline in Agriculture productivity and Income has a serious effect on rural house holds, and other economic, social as well as sustainability indicators.
R3 TREES - Integrated Management of Urban Green AreasPaolo Viskanic
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In a country like Bangladesh where land is scarce, effort should be taken to increase production through integration of various production system like animal-cum-fish or rice-cum-fish culture for efficient utilization of available meagre resources and maximization of production of diversified products, from a minimum area, which will increase the income of the farmers and would enhance food production. A multi-commodity farming system presents more advantages to a mono-cropping system. But the commodity-integration must fit into the particular farmer's capability, resources and need as well as the social, economic and environmental factors around him.
Exploring new source of organic manure for fertilizer micro dose technology r...ICRISAT
The micro-dosing fertilizer application technology was designed for small and medium scale farmers to maximize the effect of small quantity of available organic and inorganic fertilizers. While the technology presently rely on ruminants manure as the organic source, poultry production is on the rise and expected to generate significant quantity of organic manure. This gives opportunity to use poultry manure in micro-dose technology. It is generally believed that poultry manure is higher in nutrient than ruminant manure. This may increase its potential as a source of organic fertilizer for the micro-dosing technology.It is necessary to evaluate the poultry manure in combination with other organic and inorganic fertilizers.
Goat cum Fish Farming - Present Status and Prospect in Bangladeshihn FreeStyle Corp.
In a country like Bangladesh where land is scarce, effort should be taken to increase production through integration of various production system like animal-cum-fish or rice-cum-fish culture for efficient utilization of available meagre resources and maximization of production of diversified products, from a minimum area, which will increase the income of the farmers and would enhance food production. A multi-commodity farming system presents more advantages to a mono-cropping system. But the commodity-integration must fit into the particular farmer's capability, resources and need as well as the social, economic and environmental factors around him.
Vasumitra Life Energies provide the solution to current problem that India is facing. The P.R.O.M. (Phosphate Rich Organic Manure) or Samved Humiphos is manufactured and marketed as alternative to Single Super Phosphate (SSP) and Di ammonium Phosphate (DAP).
IMPLEMENTATION OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ZAINI ABDUL WAHAB
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Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) commonly known as bhede khursani or sweet pepper or Shimla mirch belongs to solanaceae family.
It is native to Mexico with secondary centre of origin at Guatemala and Bulgaria (Safford, 1926).
It is a high value crop and its fruits are highly nutritious.
Hundred gram of edible portion of capsicum provides 24 k cal of energy, 1.3 g of protein 4.3 g of carbohydrate and 0.3 g of fat (Anon. 2001)
This slide give brief idea about need of solar resource and its utilization for irrigation in India.its cost effectiveness.Dayton Power have such water pumping solution to serve Indian farmer in best way.
3. Integrated nutrient management (organic matter status of pakistan soil)Mr.Allah Dad Khan
A Series of Presentation To Trainee in Field By Mr. Allah Dad Khan Former DG Agriculture Extension Department Khyber Pakhtun Khwa Province , Provincial Project Director Crop Maximization Project II ( CMP II) Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock Islamabad and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar , Pakistan allahdad52@gmail.com
Manufacturing of Organic Compost and Organic Farming (Organic Manures, Livest...Ajjay Kumar Gupta
Manufacturing of Organic Compost and Organic Farming (Organic Manures, Livestock and Human Wastes, Industrial Wastes, Organic Farming in Rice, Biomass Production, Chemical Composition of Banana, Organic Nutrient, Processing and Value Addition of Organic Rice, Pest Management and Weed Management in Organic Farming)
In organic farming, requirements for managing the composting process are necessary to ensure that composting results in a reasonably stabilized product that is largely free of pathogens, weed seeds, and toxic residues. Composting is the natural process of 'rotting' or decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms under controlled conditions. Raw organic materials such as crop residues, animal wastes, food garbage, some municipal wastes and suitable industrial wastes, enhance their suitability for application to the soil as a fertilizing resource, after having undergone composting.
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Organic farming for sustainable crop production (june, 2015)
1. ORGANIC FARMING FOR SUSTAINABLE
CROP PRODUCTION
Submitted by:
Md. Nazmul Hasan, Manager JAS Grading & Sustainability at Kazi & Kazi Tea Estate
Limited, Bangladesh.
June, 2015
2. 1
ORGANIC FARMING FOR
SUSTAINABLE CROP
PRODUCTION
Abstract
Organic farming for sustainable crop production seems to be more
appropriate as it considered the important aspects like sustainable.
It’s considered the important aspects like sustainable natural
resources and environment. It is a production system, which favors
maximum use of organic materials like crop residues, FYM, compost,
green manure, oil cakes, bio-fertilizers, bio-gas slurry etc. To improve
soil health from the different experiment, microbial fertilizers like
rhizomic, azotobacter, blue green algae, azolla etc. Have increased
the yield and also played important role for minimizing the harmful
effect of pesticides and herbicides. Organic farming is a practical
proposition for sustainable agriculture if adequate attention is paid
to this issue.
STRUCTURE
1.0 Organic farming
1.1 Definition of organic Farming
1.2 Principles of Organic Farming
1.3 Sources of Organic manures
1.4 Methods of Organic Manure composting
1.5 Crop Management in Organic Farming
3. 2
Acknowledgements
I am very grateful to Shafiqul Islam, Associate Professor, Center for Sustainable Development
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh of House 56, Road 4/A Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209 Bangladesh
for his valuable guidance and suggestions for the preparation of this paper. I would also like to
express my sincere thanks to my Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Md. Mamun Roshid, Kabir Akanda, Syed Md
Abu Shahin & Md. Abu Zafar for their valuable suggestions and help during the preparation of this
paper.
1.0 Organic Farming
1.1 Definitions of organic farming
Organic farming is a production system that integrates site-specific, cultural, biological and
mechanized practices designed to foster the cycling of resources, ecological balance and
biodiversity (USDA National Organic Programme - 2002).
An ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological
cycles, soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off farm inputs and on farm
management practices that restore, maintain, or enhance ecological harmony. The primary goal of
organic farming is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil
life, plants, animals and people (USDA National Organic Standard Board, 1997)
Organic farming avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically manufactured fertilizers,
pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives. Organic farming to the maximum extent
feasible, rely on crop rotations, crop residues, animal manure, legumes, green manures, organic
residual and aspects of biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and tilth, to supply plant
nutrients and control insects, weeds and other pests.
1.2 Principles of Organic Farming
Organic farming/agriculture is one among the broad spectrum of production methods that are
supportive of the environment. Following are the few basic principles of organic farming.
• Maintenance of soil fertility and soil organic matter by the use of naturally available organic
materials/ manures and effective residue/ waste management.
• Minimizing the use of external inputs.
• Stringent or rigid restriction on synthetic inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.
4. 3
• Management of pest through crop rotation, crop planning, and use of bio control agents
and botanicals. (Non- pesticide methods)
• Encouraging the use of bio fertilizers and natural mineral supplements
1.3 Sources of organic manure
One of the major components of organic farming is the use of organic matter as soil ameliorant.
Organic manure sources can be grouped in many ways such as bulky and concentrated or as on-
farm and off-farm based upon the nature and availability.
1.3.1 On-farm sources
These materials are available within the farm premises and used as such or after decomposition.
Application requires labor and on farm processing.
a. Farm yard manure
The resultant manure from the animals which usually has a combination of dung, urine and crop
and other feed wastes. The availability under actual farming situations in
Bangladesh is sub optimal. Organic FYM contains 0.5 to 0.6%N, 0.5 to 1.0% P and 0.75 to 1.5%K.
b. Green manure
It is considered as a good source of nitrogen and can be produced in situ. Upon addition, organic
acid production due to decomposition can increase the availability of P, K, secondary and trace
elements in the soil. The analysis will vary with the nature of the green manure and is around 2.0%
N, 1.5% P and 1.5% K. If the green leaves are collected elsewhere and brought into the field, the
practice is called as green leaf manuring.
c. Crop residues
Crop residues can be the inconsumable portion of a crop which cannot be used as a feed to animals.
Usually, crop residues will have a wider C: N ratio and need composting before application to
narrow the C: N ratio. The regular addition will improve soil physical and chemical properties.
5. 4
d. Poultry manure
Poultry manure from integrated farming system component or back yard can be grouped as on-
farm. The decomposition rate of poultry manure is quick and contains 1.5%N, 1.2% P and 0.5% K, but
has to be 'cured' before being applied to crop to avoid tip burning, root injury due to acidic nature.
e. Sheep and goat manure
The droppings of sheep and goat contain higher amounts of N-3%, P-1% and K-2%. The droppings can
be collected and decomposed for application or penning can also be done which is more efficient
and economic. Sheep and goat penning is very popular even in the present times in India.
f. Bio gas slurry and sludge
The residues from biogas plants make good fertilizer, which is devoid of weeds and seeds, and in a
high decomposed state. It can be directly used for the crops.
g. Vermicompost
Vermicomposting is the biological degradation of organic matter contained in agricultural, urban
and industrial wastes, occurring when earthworms feed on these materials. It contains the
nutrients in a readily available state. Vermicompost is also rich in enzymes and plant hormones as
well as several other photodynamic compounds. Its composition is very complex and varies from
site to site depending on the type of raw material used (dung, crop residues, agro or agro industrial
wastes) and the type of earth warms employed. The earthworm species employed for
vermicomposting are surface feeder which improves only organic matter and not soil unlike the
common earthworms found deep in wet soils.
1.3.2 Off-farm sources
These materials are available outside the farm. Most of the materials are from agricultural and allied
industries. It involves labor and cost for the purchase. The materials may be organized naturally
occurring elements which can be used as per the recommendations/ specifications.
a. Coir pith
The waste material from the coir industry can be decomposed and used for improving the physical
properties of soil, namely porosity and water holding capacity.
b. Press mud
It is the by-product of sugar industry and is a good soil ameliorant for alkali soils. Calcium sulfate
plays a major role in improving soil properties. If the press mud is thoroughly processed, it will have
more calcium carbonate and can be used as an amendment for acid soils.
6. 5
c. Oil Cakes
The resultant by product of both edible and non-edible oil industry gives out a substantial quantity
of oil cake, which are called as concentrated organic manures. Many oil cakes have pest repellent
action and also serve as nitrification inhibitors. (neem cake, pongamia cake).
d. Fly ash
Fly ash is a solid waste of coal or lignite combustion from thermal power stations or even modern
rice mills. It contains practically all the elements as that of soil except organic carbon and nitrogen.
It is rich in P, Ca, Mg, K and S. The CEC is low with strong alkaline pH. Upon soil application, can
reduce surface encrustation which is a problem in red soils. However the material should be used
with care as they contain aluminum and trace elements in toxic concentrations.
e. Bio compost
It is manure obtained by mixing press mud with distillery effluent, which is rich in humus. Bacterial
inoculants are added over the windrow staked mixture. Bioconversion is allowed by frequent
stirring with aerators to speed up the composting process. The quality can be enhanced by mixing
with bio-fertilizers or naturally available rock phosphate and so on.
f. Sewage and municipal waste
Collection of city refuses and separating non decomposable materials will give an organic mixture.
Upon curing, these materials can be used. A degree of caution needs to be exercised as they can be
a source of major chemical and biological pollution.
g. Minerals
Under special conditions, natural gypsum, magnesium rock, pulverized rock, rock phosphate, basic
slag and trace elements can be used restrictively.
h. Blood meal/ fishmeal/ bone meal
Dried blood meal is a byproduct of slaughter houses which contains 10-1 2% available N, 1 -1.55% P
and 1.0% K. Non edible fish, carcasses of fish or dried fish as such or as powder are used in cropping.
They are rich in available N 4-10%, P 3-9.5% and K 1.5%. Bone meal is the left out bone in the slaughter
houses used for the supply of Ca and neutralization activities of problem soils. Their availability is
dwindling because of alternative uses, more as livestock feed additives.
7. 6
i. Bio fertilizers
The artificial in vitro production of bio-fertilizers such as azospirillum, azotobacter, rhizobium, PSB
and VAM. They are efficient fixers of atmospheric N in the rhizosphere or mobilizers of P from the
soil.
j. Traditional preparations
Panchakavya, dasakavya and so on is prepared by mixing many organic products through
fermentation and has a special mention now in organic farming. Panchakavya & Dasakavya is very
popular in India.
1.3.3 Prospects of bulk use of Fly Ash in Agriculture
The annual generation of fly ash is projected to exceed 175 million tons per annum by 2017 .This high
volume of fly ash occupies large area of land and possesses threat to environment. As such, there is
an urgent and imperative need to adapt technologies for gainful utilization and safe management
of fly ash on sustainable basis.
Agriculture and waste land management have emerged as prime bulk utilization areas for fly ash in
the country.
The field experiments on fly ash and pond ash as soil modifier / source of economical plant nutrients
have revealed the following:
• Improves permeability status of soil
• Improves fertility status of soil (soil health) / crop yield
• Improves soil texture
• Reduces bulk density of soil
• Improves water holding capacity / porosity
• Optimizes pH value
• Improves soil aeration
• Reduces crust formation
• Provides micro nutrients like Fe, Zn, Cu, Mo, B, and Mn
• Provides macro nutrients like K, P, Ca, Mg, and S
8. 7
• Works as a part substitute of gypsum for reclamation of saline alkali soil and lime for
reclamation of acidic soils
• Surface cover of bio reclaimed vegetated ash pond get stabilized and can be used as
recreational park
• Ash ponds provides suitable conditions and essential nutrients for plant growth, helps
improve the economic condition of local inhabitants
• Works as a liming agent
• Helps in early maturity of crop
• Improves the nutritional quality of food crop
• Reduces pest incidence
• Conserves plant nutrients/water
• Carry-over of trace & heavy metals & radioactivity is insignificant
• Crops grown on fly ash amended soil are safe for human consumption
• Groundwater quality is not affected.
Keeping the above important findings in view, pond ash at a dose of 30-50 tons per hectare on one
time basis along with recommended dose of fertilizers / manures is recommended for use in
agriculture/ forestry sector/wasteland management or cultivation of different cereals / pluses/ oil
seeds / vegetables etc.,. Repeat application can be made after 4-5 years as it would have significant
residual effect on the yield of succeeding crops over a period of 4-5 years. The abandoned ash
ponds in the vicinity of Thermal Power Plants could also be safely reclaimed via suitable
amendments for forestry/floriculture purposes
1.4 Methods of organic manure/waste recycling
There are many economic and efficient ways of recycling in farming. Few simple ways are:
1.4.1 Composting
This is the age old practice of conservation of organic residues. The farm yard waste is heaped over
the ground or in pits and allowed for natural decomposition. The materials can be used after 6-7
months. Here, weed seeds and other contaminating materials may present and no value addition is
done. Value addition can be made done by addition of microbial consortia (mixture of microbial
cultures of fungi and bacteria) @ 2.0 kg per ton of farm waste.
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1.4.2 Vermicomposting
All the decomposable organic wastes can be used for vermicomposting. The materials are
subjected to partial decomposition and earthworms are released with protection against sun and
rain. Depending upon the population of earthworms within a two to three months castings can be
collected and used @ 5.0 tons per ha of cropping. Vermiwash can also be prepared by passing
drops of water at intervals over feed beds having worms. Collecting the excess water through an
opening at the bottom of the bed will give vermiwash which can be applied on foliage of the crops.
1.4.3 In situ composting
For perennial crops, in the inter row/ intra row spacing trenches, pits can be excavated with shallow
depths of 50 - 60cm and width according to the spacing. All the waste materials available are added
to it. When the materials are filled up to the brim, it will be covered with soil. This will serve dual
purpose of supplying nutrients and develop highly vigorous rooting system.
1.5 Crop management in organic farming
Maintenance of soil fertility and checking weed and pest problem and also soil and water
conservation are important for sustaining soil and crop productivity. Following are few examples.
1.5.1 Tillage and Cultivation
Tillage and cultivation are tools that can accomplish a variety of objectives in farming systems:
weed control, crop residue management, soil aeration, conservation of manures and other
fertilizers, hard pan reduction, sanitation to destroy pest and disease habitat. Organic growers
focus more on improving tillage and maximizing its benefits.
1.5.2 Intercropping
Growing two or more mutually beneficial crops in close proximity is one strategy for improving soil
fertility. It typically involves alternating rows or a number of rows of compatible field crops, like a
pulse crop in between millet or oilseed or even forage crops. It also applies to sowing multiple
crops, without definite spacing like millets, oil seeds, pulses and forage crops in a field. They usually
have different maturation period so that the soil space and nutrient competition is negligible or not
existent.
1.5.3 Crop rotation
One of the main reasons for the present day crisis is mono cropping for seasons and years together.
Rotation of crops in a complementary manner will add fertility to the soil and will have a positive
bearing on pest and weed incidence, nutrient uptake pattern and soil moisture exploitation.
Depending upon the situation and need crops, should be chosen.
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1.5.4 Green Manures and Cover Crops
Green manuring:
Incorporation of a crop grown into the soil, for the purpose of soil improvement. It is a practice
with a long history. Green manuring has been ignored in recent years as an adaptable option for soil
improvement because the traditional practice entailed planting a full-season cover crop. This
excluded the field from commercial production for a whole season. Interest has returned, however,
since green manuring strategies have been combined with cover cropping schemes.
Cover cropping:
Growing a crop for the purpose of soil and nutrient conservation. It is a more contemporary
concept than green manuring, in crop husbandry. The concepts of cover cropping and green
manuring go together, as most cover crops are used as green manures prior to the planting of a
commercial crop. The combined benefits become economically feasible, when the cover crop is
grown during the off-season or inter-seeded with the main crop. It is more desirable when the
cover crop includes nitrogen-fixing legumes.
1.5.5 Biological Pest Control
Organic farming relies heavily on populations of beneficial insect predators and parasites, insect-
eating birds and bats, and other creatures, to help manage pest problems. These biological control
components help keep pest numbers at levels where further cultural activities or relatively mild
pesticides are (usually) adequate to assure a better crop. In some instances, biological control can
be so effective that no additional action is needed by the farmer. Trap cropping or bait cropping is
one of a better option for pest management to attract pests and manually destroying them by
capturing from the host plants. Use of botanical pesticides helps in pest management. The
botanical pesticides commonly employed are oil cakes, Neem and Pongamai oil extract of seeds,
leaves and root extracts of some plant species.
In many organic systems, farmers sometimes purchase and release control agents like ladybird
beetles, lacewings, trichogramma, wasps, etc. Increasingly, growers are designing and maintaining
both permanent and temporary habitats specifically for beneficial insects, spiders, and other helpful
species.
Biological:
Bio pesticides present great hope for organic control of highly destructive pests. Among the most
well-known bio pesticides are the Bacillus thuringenesis (Bt) formulations for control of
lepidopterous pests and Colorado potato beetle.
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1.5.6 Sanitation
Sanitation can take on many forms
• Removal, burning, or deep ploughing of crop residues that could carry plant disease or
insect pest agents
• Destruction of nearby weedy habitats that shelter pests
• cleaning accumulated weed seeds from farm equipment before entering a new field
• sterilizing pruning tools
As in human and animal health, sanitation practices can go a long way in preventing crop pest
problems. However, many practices such as clean cultivation, deep ploughing and burning crop
residues can increase erosion and reduce biodiversity. Thus, they may conflict with sustainability.
Good organic growers recognize this and treat those practices as transitional or rescue options,
rather than relying on them on an annual basis.
1.5.7 Mulching
Mulching is a practice often used by organic growers. Traditionally, it entails the spreading of large
amounts of organic materials, such as straw, hay, crop wastes, etc. over bare soil between crop
plant rows. Organic mulches regulate soil moisture and temperature, suppress weeds, and provide
organic matter to the soil. Mulching is most appropriate to small, intensive operations with high-
value annual or fruit crops.
A few systems of no-till organic farming have evolved from the concept of deep, permanent
mulching. Plastic mulch, as long as it is removed at end of growing or harvest season, is permitted
in certified organic production. Its use allows larger acreage to be brought more easily under
herbicide-free management, though there are serious issues to be addressed like costs, economics
and sustainability, in addition to deleterious effects on soils-prevention of heat escape from soils or
making soils too cold.
References:
1. Lacon GmbH, Germany website
2. IFOAM Organics International journal
3. Kazi & Kazi Tea SOP
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