ECO FRIENDLY AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

Name :- NikitaClass:-ix-cRoll no:-26

NAME:-NIKITA TIWARI

CLASS:-IX-CROLL NO:-26

Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, greenmanure, compost and  biological pest control. Organic farming uses fertilizers and pesticides but excludes or strictly limits the use of manufactured (synthetic) fertilizers, pesticides (which include herbicides, insecticides andfungicides), plant growth regulators such as hormones, livestock antibiotics, food additives, genetically modified organisms,[1]

 human sewage sludge, andnanomaterials.[2] "Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people.”

INTRODUCTION

methodsMethods of ecofriendly agricultural practices

Soil management

 Crop rotation and green manure ("cover crops") help to provide nitrogen throughlegumes (more precisely, the Fabaceae family) which fix nitrogen from the atmosphere through symbiosis with rhizobial bacteria. Intercropping, which is sometimes used for insect and disease control, can also increase soil nutrients, but the competition between the legume and the crop can be problematic and wider spacing between crop rows is required.  Organic farmers also use animal manure, certain processed fertilizers such as seed meal and various mineral powders such as rock phosphate and greensand, a naturally occurring form of potash which provides potassium. Together these methods help to control erosion.

Weed management Organic weed management promotes

weed suppression, rather than weed elimination, by enhancing crop competition and phytotoxic effects on weeds. Organic farmers integrate cultural, biological, mechanical, physical and chemical tactics to manage weeds without synthetic herbicides.

Mechanical and physical weed control practices used on organic farms can be broadly grouped as:

Tillage - Turning the soil between crops to incorporate crop residues and soil amendments; remove existing weed growth and prepare a seedbed for planting.

Cultivation - Disturbing the soil after seeding.

Mowing and cutting - Removing top growth of weeds; Flame weeding and thermal weeding - Using heat to kill weeds.

Mulching - Blocking weed emergence with organic materials, plastic films, or landscape fabric.

Controlling other organisms

Organisms aside from weeds that cause problems on organic farms include arthropods .

(e.g., insects, mites), nematodes, fungi and bacteria. Organic farmers use a wide range ofIntegrated Pest Management practices to prevent pests and diseases. These include, but are not limited to, crop rotation and nutrient management; sanitation to remove pest habitat; provision of habitat for beneficial organisms; selection of pest-resistant crops and animals; crop protection using physical barriers, such as row covers; and crop diversification throughcompanion planting or establishment of polycultures.

Organic farmers often depend on biological pest control, the use of beneficial organisms to reduce pest populations. 

Green manuring an eco-friendly agricultural practices

Green Manuring is a very good way of increasing the fertility of the soil, and can give huge benefits for farmers. Green manure crops are primarily used in environmentally friendly agricultural practices to reduce the application of chemical fertilizer and herbicide.

Characteristics of green manure crops 1. Plants are fleshy and soft

2. Fast growing 3. Fast to decompose4. Leguminous crop5. Don't attract pests and diseases6. Don't compete with crops7. Provide nutrients needed in the soil

Some commonly used green manure crops:

Sun hemp (Crotalaria juncea) It is a vigorous growing green manure crop, which can be

incorporated at 10 weeks after sowing. It does not withstand water logging. The seed rate is 25-35 kg/ha. The green matter yield is 15-20 t/ha. Quantity of nitrogen fixed by the crop is 75-80 kg/ha.

Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeate) It is a quick growing succulent green manure crop, which

can be incorporated at about 8 to 10 weeks after sowing. This crop adapts to varying conditions of soil and climate. It can be grown even under adverse conditions of drought, water logging, salinity etc. Recommended seed rate is 20 to 25 kg per ha. The green matter yield is 10-20 tonnes per ha. Quantity of nitrogen fixed is 75 to 80 kg per ha.

Dhaincha (Sesbania rostrata)It is a green manure crop, which has nodules both on the stem and root. It thrives well under waterlogged condition. The normal seed rate is 30 to 40 kg per ha. To get early, uniform germination and vigorous seedlings, seeds have to be scarified with concentrated sulphuric acid for 15 minutes and then washed thoroughly with fresh water and sown immediately. A green matter yield of 15 to 20 t/ha equivalent to 150-180 kg N/ha is obtained within a period of 8 to 10 weeks.