Профиль участника
Д-р. KUMAR N G
Организация:
UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
Страна:
Индия
Область (области) знаний:
I am working on:
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF SOIL FERTILITY THROUGH ENHANCING NATIVE SOIL FAUNA
Д-р. KUMAR N G
Dr.N.G.Kumar , Department of Agricultural Entomology,University of Agricultural Sciences,GKVK,Bangalore-560065,Karnataka,India
Dear Members of the Forum,
I am associated with the Global Soil Biodiversity initiative. I am working on the soil biology aspects since 1984. Soil biodiversity play an important role in decomposition of organic litter to available form of nutrients to plants. As we know well that the organic litter pass through primary consumers, secondary and tertiary consumer to form humus in nature (natural forest ecosystem). In this process, mycophytic feeders, primary and secondary decomposers, reducers also play important role in the ecosystem. A balance of all organisms and microbes takes place in nature. No outbreak of any pest and diseases in the natural forest ecosystem. With this background my work initiated to enhance biodiversity in the agro ecosystem especially in the dry land agro-ecosystem.
1) I worked on the impact of the subterranean termite Odontotermes horni foraging effects on the soil nutrient status. This is a dominant species in South Indian states especially in the red soil .The results indicated this species extensively consume organic matter (crop residue) from October to February months (post cropping season) under rain fed situation. Significant reduction in soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and total nitrogen content in termite replaced soil was observed. Soil meso -faunal abundance greatly reduced due to non-availability of organic matter. This fungus growing termite never leaves a single pellet of excreta also. Even though, the soil physical properties altered it is mainly in the non-cropping season.So, termite activity is not favorable for conserving soil organic matter and faunal biodiversity.
2) Second project on “Soil management for increased fertility: role of soil meso and macro fauna”- Sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research –National Agricultural Technology Project
This project was operated in the alfisols under rain fed cropping situation.
Highlights:
The mesofaunal activity was peak at the end of rainy season (October –November Month) both in the natural (undisturbed grass land) and agro ecosystem.
Soil meso faunal abundance and diversity was > 60 per cent less in the adjacent agro ecosystem compared to natural undisturbed grass land.
Recommended fertilizer and other practices reduced soil mesofaunal population .However, slight increase in mesofaunal population was observed when farm yard manure @ 10tonnes /ha applied along with other cultivation practices recommended for the crop,
Intercropping, multiple cropping and crop rotation enhanced soil mesofaunal diversity and abundance than monocropping.
One fixed treatment experiment was initiated in the year 2001 and continued till 2016.The treatments included soil application of 5,10,12.5,15,17.5 and 20 t of FYM /ha at the beginning of the cropping season and compared with only recommended package of practices for soybean cultivation. Fertilizer dose was reduced to 25, 50 and 75 per cent in 12.5,15 and 17.5 t of FYM/ha applied treatments. Consortium of native mesofauna rich soil (1 kg /21 sq.m) was introduced to each treatment after germination of the soybean crop.
Significant increase in soil mesofaunal diversity and abundance was noticed after fourth year of experiment especially in 17.5 t of FYM +25% of Fertilizer and 20 t of FYM alone/ha applied plots. Apart from this, the soil Organic carbon content increased to 0.75 to 0.8 per cent from 0.3 per cent in the beginning of the experiment or compared to fertilizer alone treated plot. Significant increase in available N, P.K, ex.Ca, Mg, Na, soil microbial biomass carbon and soil enzyme content was observed in 20 t of FYM alone + native mesofauna introduced treatment. Soybean grain yield was high compared to recommended package of practices and fertilizer treatment with introduced native mesofauna treatments. Even application of 5 tonnes of FYM was on par in grain yield with recommended fertilizer alone treatment. Addition of partially decomposed organic matter also supported more soil mesofaunal abundance.
Conclusion: The soil mesofauna can be re-established in the agro ecosystem by introducing from the mesofauna rich native ecosystems of the local conditions and supplying sufficient quantity of mesofauna and microbe food ( farm yard manure & crop residue) to the field. Growing of suitable multiple crops, crop rotation etc enhance soil biodiversity .Deep ploughing operation should be avoided. It is easy to reestablish mesofauna in the protective irrigated conditions.
Drawback: Source of mesofauna rich soil is limited. So, it takes long time to cover vast agro ecosystem.
3) I was also involved as co-investigator (soil fauna) of the TSBF –CIAT/GEF project – Conservation and management of below ground biodiversity at Western ghat biosphere. Highlights of the project – Natural forest ecosystem had significantly high soil biodiversity and abundance compared to cardamom, coffee, natural grass land (shallow depth soil), paddy and afforested land with Acacia sp. alone.
With these experiences I am working on the ICAR project “Sustainable management of soil fertility through enhancing native soil fauna
1) Biodiversity is an important contributor to food security and improved nutrition.
Biodiversity is contributing in achieving food security and improved nutrition?
Yes , it helps in maintaining sustainable ecosystem for better crop growth with self regulating mechanism of pest and diseases.
The overuse of biodiversity compromise food security and nutrition?
It helps in food security by avoiding use of fertilizers, pesticides etc and reduce pollution.
2) All agricultural sectors (crop and livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture) rely on biodiversity and on the ecosystem functions and services, they underpin. At the same time, these sectors may affect biodiversity through various direct and indirect drivers.
Explained above as per the results of various projects operated by me
Where a (sustainable) production system played a key role for the conservation of the biodiversity surrounding it?
Yes, sustainable production system can be achieved with the above results within 4-5 years.
Where a(n) (unsustainable) production system played a key role for the degradation of the biodiversity surrounding it?
I evaluated different doses of fertilizer, various insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, fungicides and neemcake in the natural undisturbed grass land where soil mesofaunal abundance is more. All agrochemicals showed negative impact on the abundance and diversity of soil meso and macro faunal activity.
3) Good governance, enabling frameworks, and stewardship initiatives are needed to facilitate mainstreaming of biodiversity within and across agricultural sectors.
Yes, good governance and stewardship initiatives are needed along with demonstrations to facilitate mainstreaming of biodiversity within and across agricultural sectors.
Do you have any examples of such enabling factors and initiatives or the lack of it?
I explained the same above
Which partners need to be involved in institutional frameworks, policies and processes for biodiversity mainstreaming to strengthen them?
Agricultural university (where Farmers training Centre exist) , State agriculture departments, NGO’s can take up this activity.
4) The importance of biodiversity for improved food security and better nutrition is not always evident to those engaged in agricultural sectors.
What needs to be done to increase awareness of farmers, livestock keepers, fisher folks and foresters, their organizations and the industry of the relevance of biodiversity and ecosystem services for the food and agriculture production in their sector?
Agricultural university (where Farmers training Centre exist) , State agriculture departments, NGO’s can take up this activity
How can the technical and institutional capacity needed to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce the impact on biodiversity be developed?
A course on sustainable agriculture with good coverage of soil, fauna, plant and microbes are needed for undergraduate and post graduate degree programme level especially in the agriculture, horticulture, forestry and fisheries degree programmes.