With the recognition of the fragility of natural resources, public interest in soil health has increased tremendously throughout the world. It is now increasingly understood that the health of soil is closely linked with the health of other living beings inhabiting the planet and thus indivisible from the well-being of the society. In fact, a decline in the health of soil and other natural resources is considered one of the most important second-generation problems of the post-Green Revolution era threatening the sustenance of agricultural production. Restoration and enhancement of soil health assume tremendous significance across the world, more so in developing countries due to ever-increasing population pressure on finite land resources. The challenge is much bigger in India, as it supports over 16% of the global population through only 2% of the world’s geographical area. The per capita land availability continuously decreased from 0.34 ha in 1951–1952 to 0.14 ha in 2012–2013, which is likely to come down further. The health of Indian soils deteriorated over the years, as evident through depletion of soil organic matter, emergence of multi-nutrient deficiencies, expansion of area under salt-affected and acid soils and soil compaction. Excessive removal of nutrients by crops and their inadequate replenishment led to widespread deficiencies of at least six nutrients viz. N, P, K, S, Zn and B in Indian soils along with sporadic deficiencies of Fe and Mn. Besides, soil erosion continues to be the major land degradative process, and soil pollution is emerging as a new challenge. Vagaries of climate change are likely to further aggravate the pace of soil health deterioration. Most of the soil health ailments could be effectively addressed through judicious management. There is a need to precisely monitor the existing and emerging soil health problems and generate holistic solutions through multi-disciplinary research adopting advanced tools and techniques. Scientific literature frequently underlined the benefits of restoration of degraded lands, precision nutrient management, integrated use of organics and fertilizers, conservation agriculture, integrated farming systems and land use planning as important soil management options. A better understanding of soil biodiversity and biological processes may help harness the same to develop low-cost and eco-friendly soil management options. Enabling policy support and investment would be inevitable to ensure faster development, dissemination and adoption of the technology recommendations.

Soil Health Enhancement for Sustainable Agriculture Production

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发表日期：

2025年

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Brahma S. Dwivedi,
Siba P. Datta,
Sanjib K. Behera

摘要

With the recognition of the fragility of natural resources, public interest in soil health has increased tremendously throughout the world. It is now increasingly understood that the health of soil is closely linked with the health of other living beings inhabiting the planet and thus indivisible from the well-being of the society. In fact, a decline in the health of soil and other natural resources is considered one of the most important second-generation problems of the post-Green Revolution era threatening the sustenance of agricultural production. Restoration and enhancement of soil health assume tremendous significance across the world, more so in developing countries due to ever-increasing population pressure on finite land resources. The challenge is much bigger in India, as it supports over 16% of the global population through only 2% of the world’s geographical area. The per capita land availability continuously decreased from 0.34 ha in 1951–1952 to 0.14 ha in 2012–2013, which is likely to come down further. The health of Indian soils deteriorated over the years, as evident through depletion of soil organic matter, emergence of multi-nutrient deficiencies, expansion of area under salt-affected and acid soils and soil compaction. Excessive removal of nutrients by crops and their inadequate replenishment led to widespread deficiencies of at least six nutrients viz. N, P, K, S, Zn and B in Indian soils along with sporadic deficiencies of Fe and Mn. Besides, soil erosion continues to be the major land degradative process, and soil pollution is emerging as a new challenge. Vagaries of climate change are likely to further aggravate the pace of soil health deterioration. Most of the soil health ailments could be effectively addressed through judicious management. There is a need to precisely monitor the existing and emerging soil health problems and generate holistic solutions through multi-disciplinary research adopting advanced tools and techniques. Scientific literature frequently underlined the benefits of restoration of degraded lands, precision nutrient management, integrated use of organics and fertilizers, conservation agriculture, integrated farming systems and land use planning as important soil management options. A better understanding of soil biodiversity and biological processes may help harness the same to develop low-cost and eco-friendly soil management options. Enabling policy support and investment would be inevitable to ensure faster development, dissemination and adoption of the technology recommendations.