Prospect of Organic Nutrient Resources Utilisation in India

摘要

The cultivation of plants was initiated 10,000 years ago and it started with the practice of shifting cultivation for which no manures were required.After settling down to agriculture,ancient people started use of dung of animals as manure.During 17-18~(th)century,it was felt that plants require elements for growth and accordingly 17 elements were identified.Looking to the importance of elements,chemical fertilisers were discovered and commercialised.But nature has adequate potentiality to provide all elements either from air,water or soil.India is endowed with various types of naturally available organic form of nutrients which includes green manure,crop waste,animal dung,sea weed extract,byproduct of agro-industry and slaughter house,biofertiliser,etc.It has been estimated that the total available nutrient value of organic resources in India is 12.796 million tonnes and trappable amount is 8.952 million tonnes,while the present utilisation is 3.75 million tonnes roughly.When there is progressive deficiency of elements due to intensive cropping,it would be appropriate if emphasis is given to improve inherent fertility of soil by enhancing soil organic pool with use of microflora and fauna which are abundantly present in soil.It is high time to promote on-farm development of organic matter which could sustain productivity and fertility with conservation of elements as required by plants.