Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) in a Sustainable Rice-Wheat Cropping System (eBook)

Dedication 5
Foreword 6
Preface 8
About the Authors 10
Acknowledgements 13
Contents 15
List of Figures 22
List of Tables 23
List of Plates 26
Introduction 27
1.1 Crisis of Rice–Wheat Cropping System 28
1.2 Dr. Swaminathan’s Views in 1968 on Intensive Agriculture 30
1.3 Remedies 31
1.4 Integrated Nutrient Management System 34
Impact Points to Remember 35
Study Questions 36
References 37
Concept of INM System 39
2.1 Concept of IPNS Under Indian Soil Conditions 40
2.2 What Is INM System? 41
2.3 Concept Underlying INM System 42
2.4 Definition of INM System 43
2.5 Principles Underlying INM System 43
2.6 Maintenance of Soil Health Through INM System 43
2.7 Advantages of INM System 44
2.8 Organic Farming 44
Impact Points to Remember 52
Study Questions 54
References 55
Need of INM System in Modern Agriculture 57
3.1 Escalating Prices of Chemical Fertilizers 58
3.2 Imbalances in the Ratio of NPK Consumption 58
3.3 Imbalances Between Consumption and Domestic Production 59
3.4 Deterioration of Soil Health 60
3.5 Inorganic Fertilizers Consume Non-renewable Energy Sources 61
3.6 Pollution Hazards of Chemical Fertilizers 61
3.7 Loss of Soil Productivity 61
3.8 Organic and Mineral Fertilizers Show Additive Effects 63
3.9 Organic Materials as a Source of Secondary Nutrients and Micronutrients 63
3.10 Interaction Benefits for Crops 64
3.11 Reduction in Crop Productivity 64
Impact Points to Remember 65
Study Questions 65
References 66
Components of INM System 68
4.1 Chemical Fertilizer 69
4.2 Organic Manures 70
Impact Points to Remember 95
Study Questions 97
References 98
Bio-Fertilizers: Their Kinds and Requirement in India 100
5.1 Bio-Fertilizer Requirement in India 101
5.2 Major Bio-Fertilizer Groups 102
5.3 Prospects of the Use of Bio-Fertilizers 114
5.4 Constraints in the Use of Bio-Fertilizer 115
5.5 Guidance and Precautions for the Use of Bio- Fertilizers 119
5.6 Government’s Future Planning for the Promotion of Bio- Fertilizer Production 120
5.7 Economics of Bio-Fertilizer 121
5.8 How to Get Bio-Fertilizer 121
Impact Points to Remember 122
Study Questions 123
References 124
Potential of Organic Resources as Plant Nutrients in India 126
6.1 Animal Dung and Wastes 127
6.2 Crop Residues 128
6.3 Green Manures and Legumes 128
6.4 Bio-Fertilizers 129
6.5 Compost and Vermicompost (Soil Conditioner) 129
6.6 Biogas Slurry 130
Impact Points to Remember 130
Study Questions 131
References 131
The Rice–Wheat Cropping System 133
7.1 Distribution of the Rice–Wheat Cropping System and Contribution to Food Security in South Asian Countries 134
7.2 Characteristics of the Rice–Wheat Cropping System 136
7.3 Package of Practices and Methodologies for the Rice– Wheat Cropping System 137
7.4 Nutritional Value of Rice and Wheat 138
Impact Points to Remember 138
Study Questions 139
References 140
Balanced Use of Plant Nutrients 142
8.1 Concept of Balanced Fertilization 142
8.2 Definition of Balanced Fertilization 143
8.3 Aim of Balanced Fertilization 143
8.4 NPK Use Ratios 144
8.5 Balanced NPK Fertilization in the Rice–Wheat Cropping System 144
Impact Points to Remember 146
Study Questions 147
References 148
Effective Use of Fertilizers and Water Management for Rice– Wheat Cropping System 149
9.1 Efficient Use of Fertilizers 149
9.2 Water Use Efficiency 157
9.3 Suggestions and Priorities for the Future 158
Impact Points to Remember 159
Study Questions 159
References 159
Role of INM in Sustainable Rice–Wheat Cropping System 161
10.1 Chemical Fertilizers 162
10.2 Organic Manures 162
10.3 Enriched Compost 167
10.4 Vermicompost 168
10.5 Micronutrients 169
10.6 Plant Growth Regulators 171
10.7 Crop Residues 171
10.8 Green Manures 176
10.9 Leguminous Crops 178
10.10 Bio-Fertilizers 179
Impact Points to Remember 182
Study Questions 184
References 185
Soil-Related Constraints in the Rice and Wheat Production 191
11.1 Rice Crop 192
11.2 Wheat Crop 197
Impact Points to Remember 203
Study Questions 204
References 205
Constraints in the Adoption of INM System 206
12.1 Chemical Fertilizers 207
12.2 Organic Manures 208
12.3 Crop Residues 208
12.4 Green Manures 209
12.5 Compost 209
12.6 Vermicompost 209
12.7 Bio-Fertilizers 210
Impact Points to Remember 210
Study Questions 211
References 211
Future Research Strategies/Priorities 213
13.1 Decomposition of Crop Residues and Their C/ N Ratio 214
13.2 Advantages of Manures Prepared in Pits 214
13.3 Addition of Nitrogenous and Phosphatic Compounds During Preparation of Organic Manures 215
13.4 Use of Chemical Fertilizers to Supplement the Organic Matter 215
13.5 Balanced Use of Fertilizer and Manure Application 216
13.6 Activation of Biological Activities 216
13.7 Creation of Awareness about INM System 216
13.8 Ban on Using Cowdung as Fuel and Crop Residues as Feed 217
13.9 Setting of Agroforestry 217
13.10 Growing of Legumes 218
13.11 Use of Neem Cake and Neem Leaves in Rice Soils 219
13.12 Harnessing of Other Micro-organisms for Rice– Wheat Development 219
13.13 Micronutrient Management 222
13.14 Use of Leaves and Twigs of Various Plants 222
13.15 Quantification of Nutrient Losses 222
13.16 Development of Better Technology 222
13.17 Soil Test Crop Response 223
13.18 Refinement of Bio-Fertilizer Technology 223
13.19 Research on the Role of Earthworms 223
Important Points to Remember 224
Study Questions 225
References 225
List of Journals Related to This Book 227
List of Indian Magazines Related to This Book 229
Indian Acronyms Related with Agriculture 230
List of Indian State and Central Agricultural Universities 233
Nutrient Composition in Various Fertilizer Materials 238
Nutrients, Their Functions, Deficiency and Control of Deficiency 240
Sources of Plant Nutrients in Soil 247
Forms of Mineral Elements Absorbed by Plants 248
Irrigation at the Critical Crop Growth Stages of Major Cereals 249
Crop Yield Contributing Characters in Major Cereals 250
Unit Conversion Factors 251
Conversion of Nutrient Forms 252
Glossary 253
Index 271