**3. Year-round cropping systems of major crops for lower and mid hills (300: 2000 m amsl)**

For rainfed areas, the predominant cropping systems are maize + beans-vegetable pea; maize + beans-barley; maize + beans-rajma; maize + beans-buckwheat; maize + beans-toria; soybean-buckwheat; and soybean-toria. For irrigated areas, the predominant cropping systems are maize (green cobs)-pahenlo dal-buckwheat; maize-vegetable pea; rice-vegetable pea-maize (green cobs); rice-fenugreek (leafy vegetable)-baby corn; rice-sunflower-*dhaincha* (green manuring); and ricevegetable pea. Important vegetable cropping systems under low-cost plastic tunnels are broccoli-spinach-coriander-broccoli-coriander system; broccoli-coriandercabbage-radish-coriander system; coriander-radish-fenugreek-spinach-coriander system; cabbage-local rayo sag-broccoli-coriander system; cabbage-spinach-broccoli-coriander system; and coriander-radish-fenugreek-cauliflower-pak choi system [30, 31]. Important vegetable cropping sequences for low-cost plastic rain shelter are tomato-pea-tomato system; bitter gourd-pea-tomato system; bottle gourdcapsicum-pea system; and sponge gourd-pea-tomato system. Important vegetable cropping sequences for low-cost polyhouse are cucumber-cabbage-tomato system; capsicum-broccoli-tomato system; and cucumber-cauliflower-tomato system. Important vegetable cropping sequences for open condition are okra-pea-cole crops system; okra-cole crops-local rayo sag/leafy vegetables system; dalley chili + local rayo sag/leafy vegetables as intercrop; okra-garlic-local rayo sag/leafy vegetables system; ginger-pea system; and okra-potato-local rayo sag/leafy vegetables system. **Table 1** represents the organic nutrient available in Sikkim from all possible sources.

## **4. Nutrient management in major crops of Sikkim**


*Organic Agriculture*

11.8% of TGAD). Percentage area under Mn deficiency (<3.5 mg kg<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>

scale could successfully control soil erosion [16].

**2. Integrated organic nutrient management practices**

is 10.16% (131.02 sq. km) of the geographic area having highest Mn deficiency in South Sikkim (48.72 sq. km, 11.3 of TGAD) followed by East (34.52 sq. km, 8.1% of TGAD), North (28.82 sq. km, 23.13% of TGAD), and West (18.96 sq. km, 6.1% of TGAD). Total degraded area in Sikkim is 60,000 ha (9% of TGA), of which West Sikkim is highly degraded, followed by South Sikkim and North Sikkim [9–13]. Erosional hazard has affected about 2000 ha (0.28% of TGA of the state). South Sikkim is the worst affected district, followed by West Sikkim and North Sikkim [14, 15]. Sikkim being hilly state practicing terraced agriculture on an extensive

The major challenge in organic agriculture is the availability of huge quantities of organic inputs for satisfying the farm demand. The use of animal excreta-based manure alone is not sufficient for meeting the nutrient needs of the crops. It is, therefore, necessary to utilize all the sources available on and off farm effectively [17]. The resource components available for nutrient management in organic horticulture are the following: farmyard manure (FYM), crop residue, weed biomass, green manures, biofertilizers, composts/phospho-compost, vermicomposting, oil cakes, mulching/cover crop, liquid manures, biodynamic preparation, botanicals, legumes in cropping sequence, and certified commercial products. Maintenance of soil fertility may be achieved through organic matter recycling, enrichment of compost, vermicomposting, animal manures, urine, farmyard manure, litter composting, use of botanicals, green manuring, etc. Biofertilizers like *Azolla*, *Azospirillum*, *Azotobacter*, *Rhizobium* culture, PSB, etc. can be used. Sawdust from untreated wood, calcified seaweed, limestone, gypsum, chalk, magnesium rock, and rock phosphate can be used [18]. Various sprays like vermiwash, liquid manure, etc. can be used in crops for nourishing the soil and plant. Farmyard manure, compost, and green manure are the most important and widely used bulky organic manures. Partially decomposed FYM has to be applied 3–4 weeks before sowing, while welldecomposed FYM should be applied immediately before sowing [19]. Manuring with different short-duration legumes is suitable for maintenance of soil quality in terms of adding nitrogen to soil. Nitrogen addition by sun hemp (150–200 kg/ha N) and dhaincha (125–175 kg/ha N) is highly beneficial for the succeeding crops and even for the subsequent crops too. Crop residue can also produce 2.47 kg N, 0.53 kg P, and 8.87 kg K per ha. Edible oil cakes of mustard and nonedible oil cakes from neem, karanj, and castor can serve the dual purpose of manure and bio-pest control [20–25]. Vermicompost can be used for a wide variety of horticultural, ornamental, and vegetable crops at any stage. Generally vermicompost is applied at 3–5 t/ha in row zones for field crops, whereas, for fruit crops, it is preferred to use the same mixing with equal amount of FYM in periodic interval. The general recommendation dose of vermicompost is 6–8 t/ha for field crop and 3–5 t/ha for subtropical fruits [26, 27]. In case of soil application, desired strain of biofertilizer is normally mixed with 20 times well-decomposed FYM to maintain uniformity of mixture and applied in furrows. However, for seedling treatments, biofertilizer slurry is made (1:10 ratio) in water, and roots are emerged in suspension for about 30 minutes. For cereals like, maize, baby corn, buckwheat, upland rice, and finger millet, it was suggested to apply 10–20 t/ha FYM along with 5.0 t/ha vermicompost, whereas, for low P and low K, the dosages are 6–12 t/ha FYM and 3–4 t/ha vermicompost. It is suggested that goat/pig/poultry at 3.0 t/ha along with FYM at 5.0 t/ha is a good source of organic zinc supplement in zinc-deficient soils. For spices like ginger,

) in Sikkim

**34**


**Table 1.**

**37**

*Packages of Organic Nutrient Management as Soil Policy for Upgrading Cropping System…*

mite at 1.0 t/ha was recommended (ICAR Sikkim, 2011).

compost at 15 t/ha + neem cake at 1 t/ha. Green manure crops like dhaincha, sun hemp, and cowpea capable of accumulation of 4–5 t/ha of dry biomass and

3.Rapeseed and mustard (Brassica sp.): Apply FYM at 10 t/ha or vermicompost at 5 t/ha during last field preparation. Vermicompost along with Azotobacter and PSB considerably enhances mustard yield. Apply different oil cakes at 0.5 to 1.0 t /ha to meet demand of micronutrient and S demand of the crop. Mixed compost at 5 t/ha + vermicompost at 1.0 t/ha + neem cake at 1.0 t/ha + dolo

4.Soybean (Glycine max) (L.) Merr.: Being a leguminous crop, require less N than other crops. Apply FYM at 5–10 t/ha and incorporate into soil during final land preparation. Apply neem cake at 1 t/ha + mixed compost at 2.5 t/ha + do

at 1.5 t/ha recorded the higher grain yield of buckwheat. Efficient crop in extracting phosphorus of low availability from the soil. Azophos seed treatment (APST) + mixed compost at 5 t/ha + neem cake at 0.5 t/ha (ICAR Sikkim, 2011).

5.Baby corn (Zea mays L.): Well-decomposed FYM at 10 t/ha should be applied 20 days before sowing of crop. Baby corn should be inoculated with N-fixing nonsymbiotic microorganism like Azospirillum, Azotobacter, etc. and PSB at

6.Finger millet (*Eleusine coracana*): Apply 5 t FYM/ha 15 days prior to sowing of the crop. Biofertilizers like Azospirillum brasilense (N-fixing) and Aspergillus

7.Black gram (*Vigna mungo* L.): FYM or mixed compost at 5 tons/ha enhances the yield. Seed inoculation with Rhizobium strains increases seed yield and uptake of nutrients. Additional nutrient may be supplied through water-sol

uble organic granules at 5 kg/acre mixed with FYM, vermicompost, or mixed

8.Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.): If the land is not terraced, soil base may be made by cutting topsoil from upper half and placed on lower half followed by mulching. At plant base, mulching with easily degradable organic materials is good for conserving both moisture and soil. Mulching improves soil physical condition and fertility. Dried organic matter, leaves, weeds, etc. can be used as mulch. During planting, pits are filled with topsoil mixed with FYM at 1–2 kg/pit. FYM/compost at 5 kg/plant at least twice a year in April to

9.Ginger (*Zingiber officinale* L.): Well-decomposed and dried cattle manure or compost at 25–30 t/ha + neem cake at 2 t/ha + biofertilizer (Azospirillum + PSB) at 5–6 kg/ha helps in reducing incidence of rhizome rot of ginger and increases yield. Two months after planting, vermicompost at 5 t/ha should also be applied for better growth and production. Since edible part is rhizome, prior to plant

ginger by loosening soil texture around seed rhizome at later stages.

awamori (P-solubilizing) apply at 25 g/kg seed.

May and August to September is beneficial.

ing of seed rhizome in soil, a half foot layer (6

japonicum culture (500 g/75 kg seed) + PSB/PSM (6.5 g/ kg seed).

lomite at 1 t/ha (ICAR Sikkim, 2011). Seed inoculation with Bradyrhizobium

Buckwheat (*Fagopyrum esculentum* Moench.): Application of vermicompost





″) of leaf increases production of

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91928*

100 kg N2/ha in 50–60 days.

20 g/kg seed.

compost.

*Organic nutrient available in Sikkim from all possible sources.*

*Packages of Organic Nutrient Management as Soil Policy for Upgrading Cropping System… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91928*

compost at 15 t/ha + neem cake at 1 t/ha. Green manure crops like dhaincha, sun hemp, and cowpea capable of accumulation of 4–5 t/ha of dry biomass and 100 kg N2/ha in 50–60 days.


Buckwheat (*Fagopyrum esculentum* Moench.): Application of vermicompost at 1.5 t/ha recorded the higher grain yield of buckwheat. Efficient crop in extracting phosphorus of low availability from the soil. Azophos seed treatment (APST) + mixed compost at 5 t/ha + neem cake at 0.5 t/ha (ICAR Sikkim, 2011).


*Organic Agriculture*

**36**

**Sl.** 

**Animal**

**Livestock population of Sikkim** 

**Manure production rate** 

**Amount of manure** 

**Manure/year** 

**Manure/year On dry weight** 

**basis (in tons)**

**(tons)**

**produced per day (in** 

**kilograms)**

3,511,675–4,214,010

1281761.375–

384528.4125–461434.095

1538113.65

**animal per day in kilograms**

25–30

**(19th livestock census 2012)**

**per**

**no.**

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Total **Table 1.** *Organic nutrient available in Sikkim from all possible sources.*

Poultry

Yak

Pig

29,907

4036 451,966

Goat

Sheep

Buffalo

Cattle

140,467

CB—126,519

Ind.—13,948

703 2634 113,364

25–30

2–3 2–3

5 25 0.6

149,535 100,900 271179.6 4282860.6–5104709.6

1563243.9–

1863219

17,575–21,090

5268–7903 226,728–340,092

6414.875–7697.85

1922.82–2884.595

82755.72–

124133.58

54580.275

36828.5 98980.554

16374.0825

11048.55

29694.1662

468973.17–558965.7

1924.4625–2309.355

576.846–865.3785

24826.716–37240.074


Cole crops (Brassica spp.): Well-decomposed FYM or compost should be applied at 5.0 kg/m2 along with neem cake at 200 g/m2 at the time of final land preparation. Root dipping of seedlings in Azospirillum + PSB (20%) for 15 minutes at the time of planting. Additional application of vermicompost in cole crops at 1 kg/m2 further improves production.

13.Potato (*Solanum tuberosum* L.): Proper soil fertility management alone accounts for 20.7% of all yield contributing factors. Well-decomposed and dried cattle manure or compost at 25–30 t/ha and neem cake at 2 t/ha should be applied.
