**1. Introduction**

Soil degradation is the major obstacle for sustainability of crop production and human survival. With deteriorating climate change effects, of erratic rainfall patterns, sudden increase in rainfall intensity and temperature fluctuation around the world is a serious challenge for farmers, environmentalists and common man.

Increasing pressure of human population, that has been estimated to rise up by 9.5 billion by 2050 would increased rastically food demand [1]. Food insecurity due to changing climate change vagaries and increasing population pressure is challenging scenario for researchers and policy makers. Furthermore, nutrients bioavailability, environmental factors as well as the biological soil health are other important criteria for improving crop yield per unit area for achieving the targeted goal of food security. Agriculture management strategies for improving crop growth and yield is usually achieved with genetic manipulation higher fertilizer doses, faulty irrigation practices, pesticides, weedicides etc. [2, 3]. Subsequently, few management techniques led soil health deterioration due to low soil organic matter, micro-nutrient or specific nutrient deficiency, biodiversity loss, persistence of chemicals in soil system etc. These factors are responsible for soil/land degradation which is a major problem for declining agricultural productivity [4]. Soil degradation adversely influence soil properties by productivity losses directly hampering human needs and capacity to perform various crucial service and functions, which are valued between US \$1610 to US \$19,420 ha−1 y −1 in organic farms and between US \$1270 to US \$14,570 ha−1 y −1 in conventional farming system [5]. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reverse soil degradation and improve soil properties to recover soil health in sustainable manner. Sustaining crop productivity and soil quality by site specific management strategies is essential, to conserve natural resources for the future generations.

Soil health improvement is pre-requisite for sustaining soil health and crop productivity. Agricultural management practices can reduce delivery of normal ecosystem services and functions, for instance by intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can increase nutrient losses, polluting water bodies (eutrophication) and aquatic organisms [6]. This could incur additional cost on water purification, decrease the esthetic and recreational values of water reservoirs. Thus, alternative solutions for reducing dependency on costlier chemical inputs in agricultural could be long term solution for maintaining and restoring soil fertility. Addition of organic and inorganic materials so as to improve soil properties so as to sustain crop production is a process of amending the sick soils. A healthy soil in arable system constitutes a good balance of organic and inorganic components. Such soil are usually characterized by higher biodiversity and lower concentration of inorganic and organic nutrients [7]. Rejuvenating soils by amendments with easily available products and environmentally safe is essential for improving soil health conditions. Soil amendments used as soil conditioners tom improve physical, chemical and biological properties so as to enhance crop productivity and livelihood security of farmers. The organic managed fields, with no application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, are closer to natural soil than conventional fields, where soil fertility is maintained by consistent application of organic amendments. Generally, addition of organic amendments such as FYM, composts, animal manures etc. significantly increases SOC, on contrary to chemical fertilizers which have opposite effect [8, 9]. Biochar are carbon rich stable inert compounds produced from biomass pyrolysis that enhances soil carbon, positive impact on soil properties, crop yield and environment, are included in agroecosystem over a decade or two [10, 11]. Crop diversification by including oilseed crops (soybean, groundnut, mustard, sunflower etc.) in rotation or intercropping in conventional farming system are better options for withstanding climatic conditions, reducing irrigation and costlier agrochemicals, natural resource conservation, environmental safety and ensuring livelihood security of farmers [12].

Oilseed crops are the fourth most important category of agricultural produce globally next to cereals vegetables, fruits and nuts [13]. Oilseed crops contain

### *Soil Amendments: An Ecofriendly Approach for Soil Health Improvement and Sustainable… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106606*

triacylglycerol content making them important energy source containing bioactive compounds such as phytosterols, fat soluble vitamins, carbohydrate, phenols etc. [14]. Oilseed crops can be annual such as soybean, mustard, sunflower, groundnut, castor etc. and can be perennial such as coconut, oil palm, olive etc. Among oilseed crops, soybean and rapeseed/ mustard are the most globally produced oilseed crops [14]. Oilseed crops also known as vegetable oils is the most preferred crop as they are easily available, economically cheap and are cultivated in various agroclimatic regions around the world [15]. The bumper oilseed production during 1990 lead to 'yellow revolution' in India, however, could not sustain for longer period. Oilseed crops have the potential of improving productivity and profitability in various oilseed-based cropping systems. Unlike cereal crops, oilseed crops most grown under rainfed conditions are more tolerant to harsh weather conditions. However, few oilseed crops have higher market price, wider adoptability and provide optimum yield under stress conditions [12]. Poor nutrient management, excessive use of sulfur free fertilizers, micronutrient deficiency, salinity stress, moisture deficit, etc. are some major constrains in oilseed production. Soil nutrient mining and water depletion is the two most important constraints in oilseed production followed by pest and disease [16]. Soil management with soil amendments could be a helpful technique in improving oilseed yield and quality without deteriorating soil health. Application of chemical fertilizer or organic manure alone cannot sustain oilseed production. Therefore, judicious use of organics with inorganic fertilizers are essential to augment productivity, input use efficiency and soil health protection. Efficient management practices of oilseed crops includes higher production and processing oil with improved technology governs the economic health of the country. In India, oilseed crop is the second most category after cereal crops governing the agricultural economy, growing at 4.1% per annum during last three decades [17]. Most commonly grown oilseed crop includes soybean, rapeseed, canola, groundnut, sunflower, oilpalm, coconut, olive, cottonseed etc. Oilseed crops are known for their oil quality and quantity (yield) which determines the consumers choice and farmers profitability. Oil quality is characterized by its chemical components which includes, fatty acid, active compounds, microelements, vitamins and flavoring substances [18, 19]. Beside these components, oils are rich source of vitamins like A, D, E, K, in which vitamin E with antioxidant properties can remove free radicals in cells that can cause aging and cancer [14].
