This work focuses on horticulture, more precisely on integrated nutrient management in underground vegetable crops.
Vegetable comprises large number of plants, consumed as leaf, fruits, flowers, stem, roots etc. They are rich in nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. They are mostly cultivated around the year throughout the country. India is the second largest producer of vegetables next to China in the world. It is cultivated in an area of 9575 (‘000’ ha) with production of 166608 (‘000’ MT) with the productivity of 17.40 MT/ha (NHB, 2016). Nowadays, modern agriculture depends heavily on use of chemical fertilizers for boosting crop yield. However, indiscriminate use of fertilizers has an adverse effect on long term soil health and environment which has global attention. The realistic solution is Integrated Nutrient Management system are the combined application of chemical fertilizers, alongwith organic manure, green manure, bio-fertilizer and other organic recyclable materials for crop production.
Vegetable comprises large number of plants, consumed as leaf, fruits, flowers, stem, roots etc. They are rich in nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. They are mostly cultivated around the year throughout the country. India is the second largest producer of vegetables next to China in the world. It is cultivated in an area of 9575 (‘000’ ha) with production of 166608 (‘000’ MT) with the productivity of 17.40 MT/ha (NHB, 2016). Vegetable growing is the most remunerative enterprise as it is adopted on small and marginal holding with high production in short duration. Being a source of farm income, it creates impact on the agricultural development and economy of the country. Vegetables are cheaper source of minerals, vitamins and fiber with high calorific values. There is an increasing demand of vegetables both for domestic as well as for export, which can earn valuable foreign exchange for country.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. What is underground Vegetables?
4. Importance of the underground vegetables
4.1 Onion
4.2 Garlic
4.3 Radish
4.4 Carrot
4.5 Beetroot
4.6 Turnip
4.7 Potato
4.8 Sweet potato
4.9 Tapioca
4.10 Elephant foot yam
4.11 TARO (COLOCASIA)
5. Area, production and productivity of important underground vegetable crops
6. What is INM ?
7. Why is INM needed ?
8. Different components of INM
9. Importance of Integrated Nutrient Management
10. Concept of INM
11. How INM differs from conventional farming?
12. Principles of INM
13. Future strategies
14. REVIEW
14.1 GARLIC
14.2 RADISH
14.3 CARROT
14.4 TURNIP
14.5 POTATO
14.6 SWEET POTATO
14.7 EFY
14.8 GREATER YAM
14.9 CASSAVA
14.10 TURMERIC
14.11 GINGER
15. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This article explores the implementation of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) systems for underground vegetable crops to address the long-term adverse effects of chemical fertilizer dependence and to ensure sustainable agricultural productivity. It investigates how combining chemical fertilizers with organic manures, green manures, and bio-fertilizers optimizes soil health and crop yields.
- Nutritional importance and economic value of underground vegetable crops.
- Challenges associated with indiscriminate chemical fertilizer use in modern agriculture.
- Components and strategic principles of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM).
- Empirical evidence of INM effectiveness on various crops including onion, potato, and cassava.
- Future strategies for sustainable horticultural nutrient management.
Excerpt from the Book
Introduction
Vegetable comprises large number of plants, consumed as leaf, fruits, flowers, stem, roots etc. They are rich in nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. They are mostly cultivated around the year throughout the country. India is the second largest producer of vegetables next to China in the world. It is cultivated in an area of 9575 (‘000’ ha) with production of 166608 (‘000’ MT) with the productivity of 17.40 MT/ha (NHB, 2016).
Vegetable growing is the most remunerative enterprise as it is adopted on small and marginal holding with high production in short duration. Being a source of farm income, it creates impact on the agricultural development and economy of the country. Vegetables are cheaper source of minerals, vitamins and fiber with high calorific values. There is an increasing demand of vegetables both for domestic as well as for export, which can earn valuable foreign exchange for country.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of vegetable production in India, highlighting its economic importance and nutritional value.
What is underground Vegetables?: Defines underground vegetables as annual or perennial plants with economically useful parts developing within the soil layers.
Importance of the underground vegetables: Details the nutritional and medicinal benefits of specific crops like onions, garlic, and potatoes.
Area, production and productivity of important underground vegetable crops: Presents a statistical overview of current production metrics for major root and tuber crops.
What is INM ?: Explains INM as a system to maintain soil fertility through integrated nutrient sources.
Why is INM needed ?: Discusses the environmental and productivity concerns caused by reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Different components of INM: Outlines the various inputs, including organic manure, bio-fertilizers, and crop rotation strategies.
Importance of Integrated Nutrient Management: Emphasizes the necessity of balanced nutrient management for future agricultural sustainability.
Concept of INM: Traces the history of food grain production in India and the shifting perspective on fertilizer usage.
How INM differs from conventional farming?: Contrasts conventional yield-focused farming with the holistic, eco-friendly approach of INM.
Principles of INM: Articulates the core principles for managing soil fertility through diverse nutrient sources.
Future strategies: Recommends emphasis on horticultural research and the promotion of bio-fertilizers.
REVIEW: Summarizes various experimental studies across India demonstrating the positive effects of INM on crop growth and yield.
Conclusion: Concludes that the integration of diverse fertilizer sources significantly improves crop performance and long-term sustainability.
Keywords
Integrated Nutrient Management, INM, Underground Vegetables, Soil Fertility, Bio-fertilizers, Organic Manure, Crop Productivity, Sustainable Agriculture, Chemical Fertilizers, Root Crops, Tuber Crops, Horticultural Crops, Nutrient Efficiency, Soil Health, Agriculture India
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this article?
The article focuses on the implementation of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) in underground vegetable cultivation to improve crop yield and soil sustainability.
What are the central themes discussed in the paper?
Central themes include the environmental impact of chemical fertilizers, the nutritional value of tuber/root crops, and the benefits of integrating organic and inorganic nutrient sources.
What is the main research objective of this work?
The primary goal is to advocate for a balanced nutrient management approach that optimizes crop production while maintaining long-term soil health and environmental stability.
Which scientific methods are analyzed?
The paper reviews various experimental trials conducted across different regions in India, analyzing the effects of specific treatment combinations (e.g., NPK mixed with FYM or bio-fertilizers) on vegetable growth.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the definitions of underground vegetables, the statistical production landscape, the principles and components of INM, and a comprehensive review of experimental evidence for specific crops.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Integrated Nutrient Management, soil fertility, sustainable agriculture, bio-fertilizers, and horticultural crops.
Why is the reliance on chemical fertilizers criticized?
The paper argues that indiscriminate chemical fertilizer use negatively affects soil health, causes environmental pollution, and is not sustainable for long-term agricultural productivity.
How does INM differ from conventional farming?
Conventional farming focuses heavily on grain yield through chemical inputs, whereas INM combines productivity objectives with ecological health and environmental preservation.
What is the significance of the "future strategies" section?
It provides a roadmap for the agricultural sector, recommending increased research in horticulture, better conversion of organic waste into manure, and the scaling of bio-fertilizer technologies.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Firdos Vani (Autor:in), 2017, Integrated Nutrient Management in Underground Vegetable Crops, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/464858
