Organic Fertilizers for Sustainable Soil and Environmental Management

Abstract

The modernization of agriculture along with the “Green Revolution” transforms the agriculture practices in a new dimension where the traditional knowledge and techniques were replaced by the new technology to increase the productivity to feed the growing population. This Green Revolution changed the country status from importer to self-sufficient. Traditional source of nutrients was replaced by the synthetic and chemical fertilizers. Undoubtedly the inorganic fertilizers are keys behind the increasing productivity to a greater scale. However, inappropriate use of these chemical/synthetic fertilizers, unscientific management, over-utilization, etc. lead to soil and environmental pollution as well as deterioration of the soil quality. Moreover, continuous use of these fertilizers leads to toxicity as well as deficiency of some major and minor nutrients. In the scenario of global climate change, the unscientific use of these chemical inputs are major threats to environment. To reduce or minimize these ill effects, it is high time to shift the agriculture system from inorganic to organic mode to sustain the soil and environments for a longer period. Side by side, the use of chemical fertilizers should be minimized or avoided depending upon the cropping condition and demand of the system. Organic farming system and combined system (organic and inorganic or INM) both can promote agriculture toward the reducing use of chemical fertilizers, and that system must be popularized. Organic as well as INM have several advantages over the convention (chemical-based) system in terms of soil quality, environmental pollution, crop productivity, as well as the quality of produce. This chapter aims to focus on the use of organic fertilizers (alone or in combination) for better soil and environmental management. However, the organic system also has the several limitations that must be addressed, and proper management must be evaluated to promote the organic production system. The popularization of the technology and techniques is governed by different factors, so the organic farming practices will be adopted by the farmers only when the technology will reach to the farmers with the clear message. Organic farming or organic nutrient management not only reduces the input cost but also provides an opportunity to recycle the waste unused materials, crop and plant residues to reduce the soil, water, and environment pollution. The use of organic fertilizers will improve the soil carbon status and soil quality which help in improving, carbon sequestration. With the several advantages associated with organic nutrient management, still proper demonstration, awareness, and training are required to popularize among the farmers and to get the best benefit out of it.