The Potential of Biotechnology on Soil Quality by Minimizing Agrochemical Impact to Ensure Sustainable Agriculture- A Review

Indian agricultural enterprise is one of the largest in terms of human capital and area of operation. It covers approximately 144 mha arable land, more than 60% of the population, and accounts for 40 % of the GDP. Hence its role in overall economic ecological and social development is very critical. Indian agricultural scene is a mix of traditional, low input, subsistence agriculture by the resource-poor farmer and science-based, high-input intensive farming by the rich farmers. Both of them have a share in the impairment of the environment. Because pockets of very high input cultivation are still limited, the pollution due to agricultural waste, excess fertilizers and pesticides are still not as wide-spread and alarming as they are in the west. Soil loss and degradation is the most serious environmental concern generated by the harsh geographical features of the country and by agricultural enterprises, both exacerbated by over-straining animal and human population. Almost 70% of the geographical area is prone to water and wind erosion and other stresses. 5334 million tonnes of soil is eroded annually and 5.3-8.4 million tonnes of the plant nutrients are lost. If this trend continues, one-third of the arable land is likely to be lost. For the fragile and slopy lands, soil conservation measures are being taken up on an extensive scale through water shed approach. These, however, have not been very effective or friendly for over 78% of the small and marginal farmers. Soil Quality, a holistic concept encompassing productivity, environmental quality, and human and animal health, has been developed recently for validating and auditing sustainable agriculture. Several physical, chemical and biological indicators like pH, EC, nutrient status, infiltration rate, soil structure, soil organic carbon etc. have been identified as indicators for measuring soil quality. This approach can be initiated in some places in India to monitor the negative impacts of certain currently prevailing agricultural practices, and facilitate sustainable agriculture through alternate farming protocols. Locale specific, farmer-friendly and conducive packages should be evolved monitored and evaluated in collaboration with the small farmer so that soil resources are conserved or upgraded for future generations.

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Improvement of Physical and Chemical Soil Quality of Oil Palm Plantation through Integrated Farming System of Cattle and Oil Palm to Achieve Sustainable Agriculture

Journal of Tropical Soils ◽

10.5400/jts.2017.v22i2.113-123 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 113-123

Author(s):

Siti Romelah ◽

Ainin Niswati ◽

Tugiyono Tugiyono ◽

Dermiyati Dermiyati

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Agriculture ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Oil Palm ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Farming System ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Oil Palm Plantation ◽

Integrated Farming ◽

Physical And Chemical

The objectives of the research were to compare the quality of physical and chemical characteristics of the soils in the oil palm plantations applied with integrated farming system of cattle and oil palm plantation (IFSCO) and without IFSCO (non-IFSCO), as well as to evaluate the economic benefits of IFSCO application. The research was conducted in two oil palm plantations, i.e. an oil palm plantation applied with IFSCO (5 ha) and an oil palm plantation without IFSCO application (non-IFSCO) (5 ha), located in the Karya Makmur Village, Penawar Aji Subdistrict, Tulang Bawang District, Lampung, Indonesia, in June until August 2016. The research was conducted using a survey and systematic sampling methods to collect soil samples, and data from 30 farmers who applied IFSCO and other 30 farmers who applied non-IFSCO. The results showed that the application of organic fertilizer in the IFSCO field resulted in higher level of exchangeable-K, -Ca, -Mg, and -Na, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and organic-C content of the soil;and better improvement on the physical soil quality, i.e. bulk density, porosity and soil moisture content; in comparison to that in the field without organic fertilizer application (non-IFSCO field). However, the application of IFSCO did not affect the pH, available-P, base saturation and total-N content of the soil. There was a difference in the texture class of the soils in the IFSCO field and non-IFSCO field. The result of texture analysis showed that the texture of the soil in the IFSCO field is “clay”, while the texture of the soil in the non-IFSCO field is “sandy clay loam”. Application of IFSCO can save the fertilizer cost by 66%, the feed cost by 50%, and can increase oil palm production and farmers’ income by about 25%, so it is economically profitable. Thus, IFSCO can improve soil quality and provide economic benefits for the farmers, so the IFSCO obviously supports the implementation of sustainable agriculture.

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