NATURAL NUDGE
Down To Earth|April 01, 2022
Employ beneficial and cost-effective microbes to improve crop yield
RAJAN
NATURAL NUDGE

THE LIBERALISATION, privatisation and globalisation reforms of the 1990s disrupted the country's agrarian sector. Seeds, inputs and markets were out of reach for small farmers and agricultural workers, who fell in debt due to high production costs, credit rates, volatile market prices and fossil-fuel-based inputs. Hence, in the early 2000s India began promoting chemical-free organic farming and zero budget natural farming. These improve soil fertility, but there are conflicting views about their impact on yield.

To overcome this and boost productivity, the agriculture sector can tap into microorganisms. Scientific research shows constructive and cost-effective use of bacterial, fungal and algal microbes can also have positive results on crop yields.

Microbes can be used as biofertilisers, biostimulants and biopesticides, cultured in the laboratory. Nowadays, some varieties are also made by trained farmers.

Soil contains several natural microbes that help plants absorb nutrients. These can be cultured and modified into biofertilisers. They increase the availability of nutrients and boost yield by 10-25 per cent, says a 2018 Frontiers in Plant Science study.

Current estimated demand for biofertilisers in India is 18,500 tonnes per year, while production is 10,000 tonnes, as per data with Rama University, Noida.

Bu hikaye Down To Earth dergisinin April 01, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Down To Earth dergisinin April 01, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

DOWN TO EARTH DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Down To Earth

A SPRIG TO CARE FOR

Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits

time-read
3 dak  |
November 01, 2024
DIGGING A DISASTER
Down To Earth

DIGGING A DISASTER

Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 01, 2024
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Down To Earth

REVIEW THE TREATMENT

Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient

time-read
3 dak  |
November 01, 2024
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
Down To Earth

MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE

As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production

time-read
4 dak  |
November 01, 2024
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Down To Earth

Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?

Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag

time-read
4 dak  |
November 01, 2024
TROUBLED WOODS
Down To Earth

TROUBLED WOODS

Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health

time-read
10+ dak  |
November 01, 2024
BLINDING GLOW
Down To Earth

BLINDING GLOW

The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.

time-read
10+ dak  |
November 01, 2024
GROUND REALITY
Down To Earth

GROUND REALITY

What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?

time-read
6 dak  |
November 01, 2024
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
Down To Earth

GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC

On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.

time-read
6 dak  |
November 01, 2024
Vinchurni's Gandhi
Down To Earth

Vinchurni's Gandhi

A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara

time-read
2 dak  |
November 01, 2024