*4.5.2 Organic manures*

Organic manures such as FYM (Farm Yard Manure), composts and green manures improve the physical condition, micro-flora of the soil and have a

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*Ecological Engineering Measures for Ravine Slope Stabilization and Its Sustainable Productive…*

beneficial residual effect on succeeding crops. It is therefore necessary that organic manure should be applied to maintain soil health and sustain crop yields on a long term basis. It is generally felt that adequate amounts of these manures are many times not available. Therefore it is suggested that green manures crops may be

Bio-fertilizers in the context of present day organic farming can play a key role in sustainable agriculture because of their potential to restore soil health. They are derived from the living organisms and include nitrogen fixing microorganisms i.e. *Rhizobium* spp., *Azospirillum* spp., *Bradyrhizobium* spp., *Azotobactor* spp., *Frankia* spp., Phospho-microorganisms, i.e., phosphate solubilizing bacteria, *Glonus* spp., phosphate solubilizing fungi compost inoculant i.e., *Cellolotic* or *Lignolytic* fungi etc., bio-fertilizers provide better crop yields and are ecofriendly. Bio-fertilizers can be applied through seedling treatments; tuber set treatment or oil treatment. For 10 kg of medium size seeds 483 g of culture is required for one hectare of land. In case of seedlings 1–2 kg of bio-fertilizers may be dissolved in 10 liters of water in a bucket and a suspension/slurry can be prepared for application in soil. The roots of the seedlings are dipped for 15 minutes in the slurry and then transplanted in the field. For treatment of tubers or sets slurry of 2–4 kg bio-fertilizers is prepared in 40–80 liters of water. Before sowing, tubers or sets are dipped in the slurry for 15 minutes. Soil treatment with the bio-fertilizers can also be done in the standing

Vermicomposting is technique of using different species of earthworms to convert the decomposable farm, urban and domestic waste into nutrient rich compost. It is eco-friendly, sustainable, cheaper and easy technique to obtain compost of high quality using biologically decomposable organic waste and crop residue generated

The chemical fertilizers are nowadays becoming costly and may not be timely available to the farmers in remote areas. Though chemical fertilizers increase yields quickly, yet their effects on soil is visible for a short period of time and requires frequent application to maintain the soil fertility. These chemical fertilizers have a toxic and residual effect in soil, water and plants system. In order to overcome these constraints, a conjunctive use of organic and inorganic sources to maintain soil fertility has been suggested. This is generally referred to as Integrated Plant Nutrient Management (IPNM). Under this scheme, the some portions of crop nutrient requirement are met by organic manures and the remaining need is fulfilled by the chemical fertilizers. In one of the studies, 20 kg N ha−1 by *Azolla* (a fern) + 20 kg N by ammonium sulfate applied to rice registered a grain yield of 4435 kg ha−1 in comparison to 40 kg N ha−1 with ammonium sulfate giving a yield of 4132 kg ha−1 which explains the role and efficacy of nitrogen fixation in the soil and its use by rice crop. *Rhyzobium* inoculation of the seeds of legumes is being promoted for building up soil nitrogen through nitrogen fixation by increasing the efficiency of legume crop. At the farm level, domestic farm and agro-industrial wastes arising out of the food grain, crop residue and fruit processing can be diverted into the soil. This will add

to soil fertility as well as biological waste management [29].

incorporated in the prevailing cropping systems periodically.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94136*

*4.5.3 Bio-fertilizers*

crop at critical stages [29].

*4.5.4 Vermicomposting*

from the farmers field.

*4.5.5 Integrated nutrient management*

#### *Ecological Engineering Measures for Ravine Slope Stabilization and Its Sustainable Productive… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94136*

beneficial residual effect on succeeding crops. It is therefore necessary that organic manure should be applied to maintain soil health and sustain crop yields on a long term basis. It is generally felt that adequate amounts of these manures are many times not available. Therefore it is suggested that green manures crops may be incorporated in the prevailing cropping systems periodically.
